Philippians 3:12-21

Pressing On
Philippians 3:12–21

There was a moment years ago while I was stationed in Germany that I’ll never forget. I had a dog named Buddy who’d been mistreated before I befriended him. Locked behind a fence and almost daily, I would come up and feed him a McDonald's hambuger at night. Anyone else he would bite the fence and try to attack. But when I came to the fence where he was, he didn’t dwell on the people who’d hurt him. He wasn’t worried about whether I’d leave again. He just pressed forward—right to the fence, right to the present moment—because he knew he was loved, and he would be cared for.

That picture of Buddy pressing forward is exactly what Paul is talking about in Philippians 3. I have titled this message “Pressing On” because that’s what the Christian life is all about: not looking back, not getting stuck in fear of the future, but moving forward in Christ.

Not There Yet—But Not Turning Back

Paul opens by saying something surprising: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected…” (v.12). Think about that. If there’s anyone we’d expect to have reached the spiritual mountaintop, it’s Paul. But he tells us plainly—he’s still in process. And so are we. Say with me, "I am still a work in process." That is ok, Jesus is still at work in my life!

Yes, in Christ we are made new. Hebrews 10:14 tells us that by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Like a newborn baby is perfectly formed, but still must grow into maturity, so are we in Christ: perfectly made new, yet still growing into the full image of Jesus.

Pressing On Toward Jesus

Even though Paul wasn’t perfect, he didn’t let that stop him. He said, “I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (v.12). Jesus had a purpose for Paul—and He has one for you too.

Paul had met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and that encounter changed everything. He had a call, a mission, and a goal—just like you and I do. As Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

We can't move forward while constantly looking backward.

Letting Go of the Past, Trusting God with the Future

Paul says: “Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I press toward the goal…” (vv.13–14). That verse always hits home.

We’ve all had what ifs and if onlys—those moments where we wish we’d made different choices. Maybe it’s regrets from our youth, our parenting, our relationships, or past sins. But Romans 8:1 declares: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

And what about the future? Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34 not to worry about tomorrow. When we live in fear of the future, we miss the power of today. Eternity touches now. And that’s where we meet Jesus.

One Goal, One Mind, One Rule

Paul urges the church to adopt this mindset of pressing forward (v.15). And if we’re not there yet? He’s confident God will help us get there. The key is to walk by the same rule and be of the same mind (v.16). In other words—unity matters.

We live in a culture where everyone talks about “your truth” and “my truth.” But there’s only one truth—and His name is Jesus. The body of Christ must rally around that truth, not opinions, not feelings. If we’re walking in the truth of Jesus, there’s unity.

Look for the Pattern—In Jesus

Paul tells us to follow his example and others who are living for Jesus (v.17). But he’s quick to clarify—he’s not the pattern. Jesus is.

The people we admire in Scripture—Peter, John, Matthew, Mark, Luke—they weren’t perfect. But they pressed on in Jesus. That’s the pattern. It’s not about human effort. It’s about continuing in Christ.

Paul’s Tears—and a Warning

Then Paul says something deeply personal: “I now tell you even weeping…” (v.18). Paul had endured beatings, hunger, prison—but here, he breaks down in tears. Why? Because some people were living as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Not the legalists he warned about in earlier verses—but those who used grace as a license to sin. Paul mourned for them. He was grieved by their compromise and their example, which made the gospel look like a joke.

These people worshiped their appetites (v.19). They boasted in things that should bring shame. And that sounds all too familiar today. Whether it's church leaders chasing luxury or a culture that celebrates sin, it breaks God's heart—and it should break ours too.

Living as Citizens of Heaven

So how do we live differently?

“Our citizenship is in heaven…” (v.20). We’re not building an earthly kingdom—we’re ambassadors of a heavenly one. We wait for Jesus, our Savior, and we live like He could return at any moment.

That’s our hope. Not the fading strength of our earthly bodies, but the glorious future where Jesus transforms us to be like Him (v.21). These tired bodies won’t make it into heaven, but Jesus will change us in a moment. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15, “We shall all be changed… in the twinkling of an eye.”

Pressing On Today

So don’t get stuck in yesterday’s regrets or paralyzed by tomorrow’s fears. The Kingdom of God is active right now. Press into it. Press into Jesus.

Just like my dog Buddy didn’t let the pain of the past or the uncertainty of the future hold him back, we can press on. This moment is a gift. Don’t miss it.

Let’s live in the joy and power of knowing Christ today—and press on.

Amen. 

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