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Text: Phil 3:1-11

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

A CALL TO PURSUE THE PRIZE

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature
should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

I. Introduction.

Church comprises of people saved by God doing the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ Church is composed of a team just like running in a big relay race. Ultimate aim is to reach for the prize, ran the race of faith as hard as we can in order to win the prize.

II. Paul's Admonition to Church in Philippi

     v.8 Paul begin to recite what he gain in Christ

                  1. The knowledge of Christ
                  2. The righteousness of Christ
                  3. The power of Christ
                  4. The fellowship of Christ
                  5. The glory of Christ

Press on toward the goal to win the prize.
       - Paul's testimony of conversion.

II. Peter 3:18 : But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Reasons Why We Should Grow:

1. It Glorifies God - Church has to bring Glory to God
2. It Verifies Regeneration – growth means changes
3. It Adorns the Truth – growth beautifies your life
4. It Grants Us Assurance – growth means you are truly belongs to God

Principles of Effectively Pursuing the Prize:

1. An Awareness of the Need
Phil. 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect – This is what we call blessed dissatisfaction

FD Mayer said “Self dissatisfaction lies at the root of our noblest achievements”

2. Maximum Effort
  Phil. 3:12 I press on…

3. Focused Concentration
    Phil. 3:13 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

4. Spiritual Motivation
Phil. 3:14 Press on toward the Goal –

5. Conformity Necessary to Pursue That Better Condition
    Consistency
    Phil. 3:16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

6. Recognize the Divine Resources to Pursue that Better Condition
Phi. 3:15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you

Conclusion/ Challenge:

Phil. 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Let us face the challenge of the NEW BEGINNING.