PRESSING, NOT PRETENDING (1)

Philippians 3:12-15

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.      It is important for God’s people to be real, genuine, and authentic as they live their Christian lives. 

1.       We are not to be hypocrites, that is, stage players before the world (See Matt. 23:13-39).

 

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!...

 

2.       We are not to pretend.

a.       Latin:  to put forward (individuals put something forward that is not really so)

b.       To seem so, to appear falsely, feign

c.        To profess insincerely or falsely

 

B.      Paul was not a hypocrite.  He certainly did not pretend to be a faithful Christian.  The text for this lesson is Philippians 3:12-15.  Paul notes the great effort he put forth in his Christian service.

 

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:  but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:  but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:  and if any be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

 

1.       I follow after

a.       Strong (1377):  to pursue

b.       Thayer:  to pursue, to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire

c.        Vine:  seeing eagerly

2.       Reaching forth

a.       Strong (1901):  to stretch (oneself) forward upon

b.       Thayer:  to stretch out to or towards, to stretch (one’s self) forward to

c.        Vine:  to stretch forward

3.       I press toward (NOTE:  This is the same Greek word translated “follow after” above)

a.       Strong (1377):  to pursue

b.       Thayer:  to pursue, to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire

c.        Vine:  seeing eagerly

 

C.      Pretending angers God and brings His severe ridicule upon us.

Sincere, eager, diligent service brings God’s gracious blessings into our lives.

 

D.     How do we know if we are pretending or pressing?  Let’s consider a few markers.

 

I.                    EFFORT:  STAGNATION/PROGRESSION

 

A.      Definition of stagnation:

1.       The state of having stopped, as by ceasing to run or flow

2.       A failure to develop, progress, or advance

3.       The state or quality of being or feeling sluggish and dull

 

B.      Verses that address a sluggish, stagnant condition:

1.       Proverbs 6:9

 

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?  When wilt thou arise from sleep?

 

2.       Proverbs 13:4

 

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing…

 

3.       Amos 6:1

 

Woe to them that are at ease in Zion…

 

4.       Zechariah 1:12

 

And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees…

 

C.      Exhortations to those who are stagnant:

1.       Proverbs 6:6-8

 

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest.

 

2.       Romans 12:11

 

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

 

3.       Hebrews 12:12:13

 

Wherefore lift up the hands that hand down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

 

II.                 WORSHIP:  SHUNNING/TRUE

 

A.      One of the main blessings a redeemed person can be involved in is worship.

1.       We enter into God’s presence.

2.       We give thanks for His blessings.

3.       We experience joy, fellowship, and encouragement.

4.       We remember the sacrifice of the Lamb of God on our behalf.

 

B.      Shunning the worship of God is not evidence of pressing, but is a display of pretending.

1.       Pretend attitudes:

a.       I love God, but not enough to worship Him.

b.       I want to be with God, but not in worship service.

c.        I long to praise God, but not when in the assembly.

d.       I appreciate all God has done, but I don’t do it in the assembly.

2.       Our actions expose us:

a.       One hour per week

b.       Omitting the Sunday evening service

c.        Shortening times for Bible classes and worship

d.       Substituting on-line worship

 

C.      The Christian should long to worship God.

1.       Psalm 84:2

 

My soul longeth, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord:  my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

 

 

2.       Psalm 122:1

 

I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.

 

3.       I heard recently that one woman said:  “The worship of God is my passion.”

4.       The Bible tells us that God is in search of true worshippers (John 4:23).

 

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

 

III.              GIVING:  ROBBING/LIBERAL

 

A.      It is easy for us to get lax in our giving

1.       Example:  The Jews (Mal. 3:8).

 

Will a man rob God?  Yet ye have robbed me.  But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?  In tithes and offerings.

 

2.       We can develop all kinds of reasons not to give.

a.       It don’t have extra to give.

b.       I give plenty.

c.        The church does not need the money. We are meeting budget.

d.       If we give more, they just increase the budget more.

e.        I probably give more than others do.

 

B.      The Scriptures encourage cheerful, liberal giving.

1.       Acts 20:35

 

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

2.       2 Corinthians 9:6-8

 

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:  for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

 

a.       The principle of sowing (1 Cor. 9:6)

b.       The purposing of the heart (1 Cor. 9:7)

c.        The promise of God (1 Cor. 9:8)

 

IV.               PURITY:  SINNING/HOLINESS

 

A.      Christians are called to holiness.

1.       1 Thessalonians 4:7

 

For God hath not called us to uncleanness, but unto holiness.

 

2.       1 Peter 2:15-16

 

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

 

B.      Christians can commit sin.

1.       1 John 1:8

 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 

2.       1 John 1:10

 

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

3.       1 John 2:1

 

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

 

C.      Persistent sin sometimes finds its way into the lives of Christians.

1.       It is a secret sin.

2.       It is a sin of omission.

3.       It is an “acceptable” sin.

 

D.     Our lives are not be lives that practice sin (Rom. 6:6-12).

1.       “…that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

2.       “For he that is dead is free from sin.”

3.       “…death hath no more dominion over him.”

4.       “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin…”

5.       “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body…”

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.      We have examined four tests that will reveal whether we are pressing toward the mark or whether we are simply pretending when it come to our Christianity.

 

B.      There are other markers involved in pressing toward the mark that we will examine in upcoming lessons.

 

C.      Dear friends, press like you really want to cross that finish line to get your reward.

 

D.     Philippians 3:15

 

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded…