Originally delivered at New Hope Community Church on September 1, 2024.

Humility From Unexpected Places

Last week, we kicked off our series "Back At It," and we talked about how Jesus meets us where we are, even when we've drifted back to our old ways. We looked at the story of Jesus cooking breakfast for His disciples on the shore, calling them back to their true purpose. Today, we're going to continue that theme, but we're going to look at it from a slightly different angle. You know, it's funny how life works sometimes. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, just when you think you're on top of your game, something happens that makes you realize you've still got a long way to go. It reminds me of a story I heard about a high school valedictorian.

This young woman had worked incredibly hard throughout her high school career. She had the highest GPA in her class, was involved in numerous extracurricular activities, and had just been accepted to her dream college. On graduation day, she stood at the podium, ready to deliver her valedictory speech. She was confident, prepared, and excited to share her wisdom with her classmates. But as she began to speak, she realized something horrifying – she had forgotten to include the second page of her speech. There she was, the smartest kid in the school, standing in front of everyone speechless. Nothing to say. Now, I'm sure in that moment, she felt like all her hard work and accomplishments didn't matter. She probably wanted to run off the stage and hide. But you know what? She didn't. She took a deep breath, and continued the best that she could from memory, and she made it through her speech. And I bet that moment taught her more about resilience and humility than any of her academic achievements.

Life has a way of reminding us that no matter how far we've come, no matter how much we've accomplished, we're all still works in progress. And that's exactly what we're going to talk about today as we dive into Philippians 3:12-16. Now, I don't know about you, but sometimes the prospect of getting back into our faith, especially after we've drifted, can feel pretty intimidating. It's like looking at a mountain you need to climb, and you're not sure you have the energy or the equipment to do it. Maybe you've been away from church for a while, or you've let your prayer life slide. Maybe you've fallen back into old habits or patterns of thinking that you thought you'd left behind. And now, the idea of "getting back at it" feels overwhelming.

But you know what? Sometimes there's power in simple slogans, in those short phrases that can motivate us and keep us going when things get tough. It reminds me of a movie some of you might remember - "Galaxy Quest." Has anyone seen it? For those who haven't, it's a comedy about the cast of a cancelled sci-fi TV show who get caught up in a real intergalactic conflict.

In the movie, the captain, played by Tim Allen, is famous for his catchphrase:

“Never give up, never surrender.”

The Journey of Faith is Ongoing (Philippians 3:12)

Let's start by looking at Philippians 3:12. Paul writes:

Now, let's pause here for a moment. Paul, this spiritual giant, this man who had encountered the risen Christ, who had planted churches across the Roman Empire, who had written most of the New Testament – this Paul says:

Paul is admitting something here that I think we all need to hear: the journey of faith is ongoing. It's not a one-and-done deal. It's not like we accept Christ and suddenly we've "arrived" spiritually. Paul, who had arguably one of the most dramatic conversion experiences in history, who had been caught up to the third heaven and seen things he couldn't even describe – this Paul says he hasn't obtained perfection yet. You know, it's easy for us to put biblical figures like Paul on a pedestal. We read about their faith and their accomplishments, and we think, "Wow, they really had it all together. They were spiritual giants. Not like me with all my doubts and struggles." But here's Paul, this hero of the faith, saying, "I'm not there yet. I'm still on the journey."

This reminds me of a story I once heard about a world-class violinist. This violinist was known for his incredible skill and the beauty of his music. One day, after a particularly moving performance, a fan came up to him and said, "I'd give my life to play like you!" The violinist smiled sadly and replied, "I have."

You see, what the fan saw was the end result – the beautiful music. What they didn't see were the countless hours of practice, the sacrifices made, the dedication required to reach that level of skill. The violinist couldn't rest on his past performances. Each day, he had to press on, to practice, to strive for excellence. In the same way, our spiritual growth requires us to press on each day. We can't coast on yesterday's devotional time or last year's mission trip. We need to be actively engaging with God, actively pursuing growth, actively serving others each and every day.

Notice what Paul does say:

He's not content to stay where he is. He's not resting on his laurels. He's pressing on, he's moving forward, he's growing. Why?

Paul's motivation for growth isn't guilt or fear. It's not about trying to earn God's love. It's a response to the love he's already received. Christ has claimed Paul as His own, and Paul's desire is to live up to that calling. This is such an important lesson for us, especially as we're thinking about getting back at it in our faith. Sometimes, we can fall into the trap of thinking we need to have it all figured out before we can fully commit to following Jesus. We think, "Once I've overcome this sin" or "Once I've resolved all my doubts" or "Once I've read the entire Bible," then I'll be ready to really follow Christ.

But Paul is showing us a different way. He's saying, "I don't have it all figured out, and that's okay. I'm still pressing on. I'm still pursuing Christ."

This combination of confidence in Christ and personal humility is so powerful. Paul is absolutely certain about who Christ is and what He's done. He's willing to count everything as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. But at the same time, he's humble about his own progress. He recognizes that he's still growing, still learning, still being transformed.

You see, there's a type of humility that can actually hold us back in our faith. It's the kind that says, "I'm not good enough. I'm not spiritual enough. I could never be like those 'super Christians'." But that's not true humility. True humility recognizes our need for Christ and keeps pursuing Him, even while acknowledging our imperfections. Think about it this way. Imagine you're learning to play an instrument. You've been taking lessons for a while, and you've made some progress. You can play a few songs, maybe even perform at a recital. But then you attend a concert by a world-class musician who plays your instrument. As you listen to them play, you're in awe of their skill. You realize how far you still have to go in your own playing. Now, you have two possible responses.

1. You could think, "Wow, I'll never be that good. Why even bother continuing?" and give up your lessons.

2. Or you could think, "Wow, I still have so much to learn. I'm excited to keep practicing and improving."

The second response is true humility. It acknowledges how far you have to go, but it motivates you to keep growing rather than giving up. That's the kind of humility Paul is modeling for us here. He's saying, "I'm not perfect. I haven't arrived. But I'm going to keep pressing on toward the goal."

What about you? Are you willing to admit that you don't have it all figured out? Are you willing to keep pursuing Jesus, even when it's hard? Even when you feel like you're not making progress? Even when you stumble and fall? This is what getting back at it looks like. It's not about being perfect. It's about being persistent. It's about keeping our eyes on Jesus and continuing to move toward Him, even when we feel inadequate or unworthy. So let me encourage you today: Don't let your imperfections keep you from pursuing Christ. Don't wait until you have it all together to get serious about your faith. Instead, like Paul, acknowledge where you are, but keep pressing on. Keep seeking Jesus. Keep growing in your faith. Because the journey of faith isn't about perfection – it's about direction.

Forgetting What Lies Behind (Philippians 3:13a)

Now, let's move on to the first part of verse 13. Paul writes:

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind..." (Philippians 3:13a, ESV)

To understand what Paul means here, we need to look at his background. By the standards of his world, Paul had it made. In verses 5-6 he tells us about his background.

He was successful, his family were Roman citizens, he was "a Hebrew of Hebrews" (v. 5). If we were to translate this to today, maybe Paul would be a blue blood from a prominent family with a distinguished pedigree. He might have gone to an Ivy League school, graduated summa cum laude, and now finds himself a successful CEO, living the dream. Imagine someone with the family background of a Kennedy, the educational pedigree of a Harvard grad, and the career success of a Fortune 500 CEO. That's essentially what Paul was in his world. He had it all – family background, education, career success, religious devotion. He was at the top of his game. And yet, after meeting Jesus, Paul realized what truly matters in this life. Here’s what Paul says about all of this in verse 8:

He understood that all of that stuff was rubbish compared to the greatness of knowing Jesus (v. 8). Now, I want us to really let that sink in for a moment. Paul isn't just saying that these things are less important than knowing Jesus. It’s easy for us to almost minimize what he’s saying here. He's saying they're rubbish – the Greek word here is:

Which is about as crude a term as you could use in polite company. It's more like "dung" or "trash." Imagine someone today saying, "My Ivy League education? Trash. My successful career? Garbage. My social status? Rubbish." That's essentially what Paul is saying here. And remember, he's not saying this as someone who failed in the world's eyes and is now bitter. He's saying this as someone who achieved everything his culture valued and then found something infinitely better.

You know, sometimes it's easy to drift in our faith because of the allure of the world. We get caught up in chasing success, accolades, status. We think, "If I can just get that promotion..." or "If I can just buy that house..." or "If I can just get my kids into that school..." then I'll be satisfied. Then I'll be secure. Then I'll be significant. Then what I’m doing will matter. Then I can get back and focus on God. But Paul's words here are a powerful reminder. When we find ourselves drifting, when we find ourselves caught up in the pursuit of worldly success, it's helpful to keep these words in mind. All of that stuff – as good as it might seem – when compared to knowing Jesus – it’s nothing!

This doesn't mean that success or education or family are bad things. I’m not saying that, at all. God can use all of these for His glory, and does! And is! But it does mean that none of these things should be the source of our identity or our security. Not one of those things should be what we're ultimately pursuing in life, and this is what Paul means by "forgetting what lies behind." He's letting go of all these past accomplishments, all these sources of worldly pride and identity. He's surrendering those things for the sake of knowing Christ more fully. But it's not just past accomplishments that Paul is forgetting. He's also leaving behind his past failures – his persecution of the church, his opposition to Christ. Paul is showing us that both our successes and our failures can hinder us if we don't learn how to let them go.

• Our failures can make us feel unworthy, can make us hesitant to fully commit to following Christ because we're afraid we'll just mess up again.

• Our successes can make us complacent, can make us think we don't really need to grow anymore because we've already achieved so much.

Think about it this way. Imagine you've spent years collecting rare coins. You've invested countless hours and significant money into building this collection. You're proud of it. It's become part of your identity. But then one day, you inherit a vast fortune that makes your coin collection look like pocket change. Would you still cling to those coins as your source of worth and security? Of course not! You'd recognize that while the coins might still have value, they pale in comparison to the fortune you've inherited. That's what Paul is talking about here. He's saying, "I had all these things that the world values. I had status, education, religious pedigree. But then I found Christ, and I realized that all of those things are like spare change compared to the riches I have in Him."

This is a radical reorientation of values. And it's one that we're called to as well. We live in a world that tells us our worth, our identity, our success, comes from our accomplishments, our social status, our bank accounts, our Instagram followers. But Paul is saying, "No. Your worth comes from Christ. Your identity is in Him. Everything else is secondary."

• What are you holding onto that you need to let go of?

• What accomplishments or status or possessions are you clinging to as a source of identity or worth?

• What past failures are you allowing to define you?

• What do you need to count as loss for the sake of knowing Christ more fully?

Maybe it's your career success. Maybe it's your reputation in the community. Maybe it's your educational achievements. Maybe it's your possessions. Chances are when I asked that question something popped up in your head. Whatever it is, Paul is challenging us to hold it loosely, to recognize that while these things might have value, they can't compare to knowing Christ. This doesn't mean we abandon our jobs or neglect our responsibilities. Paul continued to use his education and his Roman citizenship when it served the cause of Christ. But he no longer found his identity in these things. They were tools to be used in service of the gospel, not sources of personal worth or righteousness. This is what getting back at it looks like. It's about reorienting our lives around Jesus. It's about surrendering our pursuits, our ambitions, our sources of pride to Him. It's about saying, like Paul, "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."

Straining Forward to What Lies Ahead (Philippians 3:13b-14)

But Paul doesn't just talk about forgetting what lies behind. Look at the rest of verse 13 and verse 14:

Paul uses the image of a runner here, leaning forward at the end of a race, straining with all their might to cross the finish line first. It's a picture of intense effort and focus. Paul isn't passively waiting for spiritual growth to happen. He's actively pursuing it. He's straining forward, he's pressing on toward the goal. It’s like this picture of a long-distance runner. You don't focus on how far you've already run. You don't focus on how tired you are. You focus on the finish line. You lean into the race. You press on.

That's what Paul is talking about here. He's saying, "Don't focus on how far you've come in your spiritual journey, or how far you think you have to go. Don't focus on how tired you might be. Focus on Christ. Lean into your relationship with Him. Press on toward becoming more like Him." And what is the goal that Paul is pressing toward? He calls it "the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Now, this is where we need to be careful.

Paul isn't saying that we earn our salvation through our efforts. Remember, he's already said that he considers everything a loss compared to knowing Christ. The prize Paul is talking about is the full realization of what it means to be in Christ – to be fully conformed to His image, to know Him completely. This is what we call "glorification" – the final part of our salvation where we are made perfect in Christ – with Him in heaven. Paul knows he hasn't reached this yet, but it's what he's striving towards. It's his goal, his focus, his prize. This forward-looking focus is crucial and absolutely imperative for our faith. It's so easy to get stuck in the past – either wallowing in our failures or resting on our laurels. But Paul is calling us to look ahead, to focus on what God has for us in the future.

Think about it this way. Imagine you're driving a car. What happens if you spend all your time looking in the rearview mirror? You're going to crash, right? You might glance in the rearview mirror occasionally, but your main focus needs to be on the road ahead. That's what Paul is talking about here. He's saying, "Yes, learn from your past. But don't live there. Keep your eyes fixed on Christ and the future He has for you."

This reminds me of what the author of Hebrews writes:

Jesus is both our goal and the one who empowers us to run the race. When we truly understand what Christ has done for us, we can't help but want to know Him more, to become more like Him. It's like being in love. When you're truly in love with someone, you want to know everything about them. You want to spend time with them. You want to become the best version of yourself for them. Not because you're trying to earn their love, but because you already have it and you're responding to it.

That's what Paul is describing here. He's so captivated by Christ, so in awe of what Jesus has done for him, that he can't help but strain forward to know Him more. What are you looking forward to in your faith journey? What aspects of Christ's character are you striving to emulate? What areas of your life are you eager to see transformed by the power of the Gospel? How can you strain forward in your pursuit of Christ this week?

Maybe it's dedicating more time to prayer and Bible study. Maybe it’s that “Breakfast with Jesus” that we talked about last week. Maybe it's stepping out in faith to serve in a new ministry. Maybe it's having that difficult conversation with a friend or family member about your faith. Whatever it is, I want to encourage you to take that step. To strain forward, to press on toward the goal of knowing Christ more fully. Remember, this isn't about perfection. It's about persistence. It’s about direction. It's about consistently orienting our lives toward Christ, even when we stumble, even when we fall short. Because here's the beautiful thing – even as we're straining forward toward Christ, He's reaching out to us. As James writes:

Maturity Means Recognizing We're Not There Yet (Philippians 3:15-16)

Now, let's look at the final two verses of our passage:

Isn't it interesting that Paul links maturity with the recognition that we haven't arrived yet? He's saying that true spiritual maturity is marked by a humble recognition of our need for continued growth. This is so counter to how we often think, isn't it? We tend to think that maturity means having it all together. We think it means never struggling, never doubting, never failing. But Paul is saying the exact opposite. He's saying that maturity is recognizing that we're still on the journey, still in process, still growing.

I'm reminded of a quote often attributed to John Newton, the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace." Near the end of his life, he said:

This is the perspective of a mature believer. It's someone who recognizes how far they've come by God's grace, but also how far they still have to go. It's someone who's honest about their shortcomings but hopeful about God's ongoing work in their life. You see, the more we mature in Christ, the more we realize how much we need Him. The closer we get to Him, the more we see our own sin and inadequacy in comparison to His holiness and perfection. But far from discouraging us, this realization should drive us closer to Him, making us more dependent on His grace.

In college I was certified in belaying at Texas Tech’s rock climbing wall, and we would go and climb there many times a week. Many of the routes, when you're at the bottom, looking up, you might think, "That doesn't look so bad. I bet I could climb that pretty easily." But as you start climbing, you realize how much more challenging it is than you thought. The higher you climb, the more you realize how high the wall actually is. That's what spiritual maturity is like. The more we grow, the more we realize how much more growing we have to do.

Now, notice the gentleness in the second part of verse 15:

Paul isn't beating people over the head with this truth. As much as we may want to grab people by the shoulders and shake them, or grab our Bible because, after all it’s got some good weight to it and just take a swing, he's not saying, "If you disagree with me, you're immature and…WHAM! You need to shape up!" Instead, he's trusting that God will reveal this truth to them in His time. This is such an important principle for us to remember as we interact with other believers. We're all at different stages in our spiritual journey. We all have blind spots. Instead of judging others or trying to force our understanding on them, we should pray for them and trust that God will reveal His truth to them, just as He continues to reveal truth to us.

Finally, in verse 16, Paul says,

This is important. While Paul is emphasizing the need for continued growth, he's not dismissing the growth that has already happened. He's saying, "Yes, press on toward what's ahead, but also hold on to the growth you've already experienced." It's like building a house. You don't tear down the first floor when you start building the second. You build upon what's already there. In the same way, our spiritual growth builds upon itself. We don't discard the basic truths of the faith as we grow. We build upon them, we deepen our understanding of them. This is why it's so important to have a solid foundation in the basic truths of the faith. As the author of Hebrews writes, "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on toward maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God" (Hebrews 6:1, ESV). How do you view spiritual maturity? Do you see it as a destination to arrive at, or as an ongoing journey? Are you holding fast to the truths you've already learned even as you press on to deeper understanding?

Letting Go of What Weighs Us Down

How can we, like Paul, strain forward to what lies ahead?

Well – I’d like to share a story about this elderly man who lived a full, long life with his beloved wife. They go on adventures, and all sorts of things. Well, after she passes away, he finds himself holding on to her memory and the memories of their life together by clinging to their possessions. He hoards their things, doesn’t want to get rid of anything, refusing to sell their house, that sort of stuff. Well, this man ends up in a scenario that in a million years he never could have seen coming, and ends up having to make a choice. He can either hold onto these material reminders of his past, that’s one real option that he has, or… well, how about I just show you.

Now, how many of you recognized that movie? Yes, it's 'Up,' a Pixar film that, like many of their movies, hides some profound lessons beneath its colorful animation.

In this scene, we see Carl, the elderly man, finally letting go of his house and all the possessions inside it. This house represented his entire life with Ellie, his late wife. It held all their memories, their shared dreams, and was the physical manifestation of his inability to move on after her death. But when faced with the possibility of losing Russell, the young boy who's become his friend, Carl doesn't hesitate. In that moment, he realizes what truly matters in life, and he's willing to let go of everything else to save what's important.

This is exactly what Paul is talking about in our passage today. Sometimes we hold onto things for personal or nostalgic reasons. Maybe it's past accomplishments that we're still relying on for our sense of worth. Maybe it's old hurts or resentments that we can't seem to let go of. Maybe it's material possessions that we think define us. But like Carl's house, these things can weigh us down and hinder our spiritual growth. Maybe, like Carl in "Up," you're holding onto something that once brought you comfort, but is now weighing you down. Maybe it's a relationship that you know isn't healthy, but you can't seem to let go of. Maybe it's a habit or addiction that you've been struggling with for years. Maybe it's a grudge that you've been nurturing, thinking it protects you, when really it's poisoning your soul. Or maybe, you're holding onto past accomplishments or status. Maybe you're still finding your identity in that degree you earned, or that position you hold, or that reputation you've built. And while none of these things are bad in themselves, they're keeping you from fully pursuing Christ.

Whatever it is, I want to challenge you today to consider letting it go. To count it as loss for the sake of knowing Christ more fully. Because here's the truth – anything that hinders our relationship with Jesus, anything that keeps us from fully pursuing Him, is not worth holding onto. I know it's not easy. Letting go rarely is. But remember what Paul says – he counts everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. When we truly grasp how valuable, how precious, how utterly amazing Jesus is, letting go becomes easier. Not easy, but easier. So how do we do this? How do we practically let go of the things that are weighing us down? Let me suggest a few steps:

1. Identify what's holding you back: Take some time this week to prayerfully reflect on your life. Ask God to show you what you might be holding onto that's hindering your spiritual growth. It might be helpful to journal about this or talk it through with a trusted Christian friend.

2. Confess and repent: If what's holding you back is sin – whether it's an addiction, a grudge, or anything else – bring it before God. Confess it, ask for His forgiveness, and commit to turning away from it. Remember, 1 John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

3. Replace the old with the new: Nature detests a vacuum, and so does our spiritual life. If we simply try to let go of something without replacing it with something better, we'll likely fall back into old patterns. So as you let go of old habits, replace them with new, godly ones. If you're letting go of an unhealthy relationship, invest more in your relationship with Christ and with your church family. If you're letting go of materialism, replace it with generosity.

4. Focus on Christ: Remember, the goal isn't just to let go of things – it's to grab hold of Christ more firmly. As you let go of the things that are weighing you down, intentionally focus more on Jesus. Spend more time in prayer and Bible study. Meditate on His goodness and grace.

5. Take it one day at a time: Letting go is often a process, not a one-time event. Don't get discouraged if you struggle. Remember, even Paul said he hadn't achieved perfection yet. Each day, recommit to letting go and pressing on toward Christ.

Here's my challenge to you this week: I want you to identify one specific thing you need to let go of to better follow Jesus. And I want you to take a practical step towards that goal this week. Maybe it's having a difficult conversation with someone you need to forgive. Maybe it's simplifying your schedule to make more time for prayer and Bible study. Maybe it's making a new commitment to spiritual disciplines like fasting or serving in your community.

Whatever it is, don't just think about it - do it. Take that step. Because remember, we're called to press on, to strain forward to what lies ahead. And here's the thing – you don't have to do this alone. We're a community of believers, and we're here to support each other. If you're struggling with letting go of something, reach out to a trusted friend in the church, or to one of our pastors or elders. Sometimes, just having someone to pray with us and encourage us can make all the difference.

Pressing On Towards the Goal

As we close, I want us to remember the big idea we've been discussing today: Knowing Jesus helps us understand everything else in our life. When we truly know Jesus, when we prioritize our relationship with Him, everything else falls into perspective. Just as Paul pressed on, we too are called to press on straining forward to what lies ahead. Our goal isn't earthly success or acclaim. Our goal is to know Jesus more fully, to become more like Him, to fulfill His calling on our lives.

So this week, as you go about your days, I want you to keep that Galaxy Quest slogan in mind: "Never give up. Never surrender." Don't give up on your faith. Don't surrender to the pressures and allures of the world. Keep pressing on towards Jesus. Remember, getting back at it in our faith journey isn't always easy, but it's always worth it. Because at the end of the day, nothing – no accomplishment, no possession, no status – can compare to the joy and fulfillment of knowing Christ.