Main Text: Philippians 3:12-16
[12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Main Idea: Christian maturity is a life-long process marked by an attitude of pressing on towards the eternal goal of perfect communion with Jesus Christ.
- Christians mature, but never arrive. (vs. 12a)
[12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect
- Mature Christians press on in response to Jesus’ great salvation. (vs.12b)
...but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
- Mature Christians press on with focused concentration on eternity. (vs. 13-14)
[13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- Mature Christians are patient with the immature. (vs. 15)
[15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
- Mature Christians don’t go backwards. (vs. 16)
[16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.