Complete Joy – Week 5
Pressing on towards Christ
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14
SERMON SUMMARY
1. Know Jesus fully – vv. 3-11
Paul’s goal is not merely to know about Jesus, but to know Christ in the fullest possible sense – including the power of His resurrection and fellowship with Him through suffering, death, and resurrection.
2. Since Christ has obtained you, obtain Christ – v. 12
Jesus has made you His own – you were bought with a price. Because Christ has taken hold of you, keep pressing forward to take hold of the life He has called you to. Do not become content with your current Christ-likeness.
3. Forget the past. Strain toward the future – vv. 13-14
Forgetting is not amnesia. It means refusing to let either past successes or past failures define your present pursuit. Keep reaching forward toward Christ.
4. Follow faithful examples – v. 17
Keep your eyes on people who are further along in life and faithful to Jesus. You will become like someone, so intentionally choose Christlike examples rather than those driven by gratification, shame, or earthly things.
5. Start living eternity now – vv. 20-21
Your citizenship is already in heaven. Live today according to the values, hope, and character of the eternal kingdom you already belong to.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What would it look like for your primary goal to be knowing Jesus more fully, rather than simply knowing more about Him?
2. Where have you become content with your current level of Christ-likeness? What might Jesus be inviting you to pursue next?
3. Which has more influence on you right now – a past success or a past failure? What would it mean to release it and strain forward?
4. Who are the people you are becoming like? Who is further down the road and demonstrates the kind of faith, family life, and character you want to develop?
5. If your citizenship is already in heaven, what would change about the way you live this week?
SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS
PRESS ON
Name one area where you want to become more like Jesus. Choose one specific practice this week – prayer, Scripture, generosity, service, forgiveness, or another act of obedience – that moves you forward.
RELEASE THE PAST
Write down one past success you may be relying on and one past failure that still weighs on you. Thank God for His grace in both, then intentionally turn your attention toward what He is doing next.
FIND AN EXAMPLE
Identify one faithful Christ-follower who is further down the road. Ask to spend time with them and learn how they have followed Jesus through their current season of life.
LIVE ETERNITY NOW
Each morning this week pray: “Jesus, help me live today as a citizen of heaven.” Then look for one decision where kingdom values can shape your response.
THIS WEEK: Christ has taken hold of you. Press on to take hold of Christ.
Past Content
No Sunday Supplement: 4/19/26 – Guest speaker Dr. Lee Warren