One Thing Sermon Series
Knowing Jesus
Sermon follow-up 7/14/25
Introduction
When Christ takes hold of us, our entire purpose shifts. Just like Louis Zamperini, whose life was transformed when he encountered Jesus, we too find ourselves with a new prize to chase after. The Apostle Paul understood this transformation better than most, and in Philippians 3, he shares the "one thing" that should drive every believer's life.
The False Path of Religious Performance
Paul begins Philippians 3 with some surprisingly harsh language, warning believers to "watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh." He's referring to people who were teaching that Christians needed to follow Jewish rituals and laws to be truly saved.
Paul then does something remarkable - he lists his own impressive religious credentials:
What Really Matters: Knowing Christ
Paul makes a stunning statement in verses 8-9: "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him."
The word translated as "garbage" in the original Greek actually refers to excrement - that's how strongly Paul feels about the worthlessness of religious achievement compared to knowing Jesus!
Instead of trying to establish his own righteousness through rule-following, Paul now seeks "the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." This is the great exchange - Jesus, who had no sin, became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.
The One Thing: Pressing On Toward the Goal
After establishing that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, Paul reveals his "one thing" in verses 13-14:
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
This "one thing" has two essential components:
Paul emphasizes that even he hasn't "arrived" spiritually. The Christian life isn't about reaching a destination but about continually pressing on to know Christ more deeply.
Faith as Holy Longing
As New York Times columnist David Brooks beautifully described in his memoir about coming to faith, "Faith is more like falling in love than it is like finding the answer to a complicated question."
Faith isn't primarily about possessing something but about yearning for something beautiful that we can sense but can't fully grasp. As Augustine wrote, "The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing."
This holy longing is what drives us to press on. We've experienced the embrace of Christ, and it creates in us a desire for more of Him. Our citizenship is in heaven, and our entire lives should be marked by straining toward that prize.
What's Holding You Back?
Paul's language about "one thing I do" is powerful in the original Greek. It conveys the idea that there's only one option, like standing on the edge of a cliff with only one place to step.
The first step is forgetting what's behind - letting go. So what might you need to let go of to press on toward knowing Christ more deeply?
Pressing on often looks more like surrender than conquest. It's about letting go so we can take hold of what Christ has for us.
Life Application
As you reflect on this message, consider these questions:
Remember, we press on not to earn God's love but because we already have it. Our striving isn't to gain salvation but to know more deeply the One who has saved us. And we can only do this through Christ's power working in us - "yet not I, but through Christ in me."
This week, commit to the one thing that matters most: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize of knowing Christ more fully.
Introduction
When Christ takes hold of us, our entire purpose shifts. Just like Louis Zamperini, whose life was transformed when he encountered Jesus, we too find ourselves with a new prize to chase after. The Apostle Paul understood this transformation better than most, and in Philippians 3, he shares the "one thing" that should drive every believer's life.
The False Path of Religious Performance
Paul begins Philippians 3 with some surprisingly harsh language, warning believers to "watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh." He's referring to people who were teaching that Christians needed to follow Jewish rituals and laws to be truly saved.
Paul then does something remarkable - he lists his own impressive religious credentials:
- Circumcised on the eighth day
- From the people of Israel
- Of the tribe of Benjamin
- A Hebrew of Hebrews
- A Pharisee regarding the law
- Zealous to the point of persecuting the church
- Faultless in legal righteousness
What Really Matters: Knowing Christ
Paul makes a stunning statement in verses 8-9: "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him."
The word translated as "garbage" in the original Greek actually refers to excrement - that's how strongly Paul feels about the worthlessness of religious achievement compared to knowing Jesus!
Instead of trying to establish his own righteousness through rule-following, Paul now seeks "the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." This is the great exchange - Jesus, who had no sin, became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.
The One Thing: Pressing On Toward the Goal
After establishing that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, Paul reveals his "one thing" in verses 13-14:
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
This "one thing" has two essential components:
- Forgetting what is behind - Letting go of past failures, hurts, and even achievements
- Straining toward what is ahead - Actively pursuing deeper knowledge of Christ
Paul emphasizes that even he hasn't "arrived" spiritually. The Christian life isn't about reaching a destination but about continually pressing on to know Christ more deeply.
Faith as Holy Longing
As New York Times columnist David Brooks beautifully described in his memoir about coming to faith, "Faith is more like falling in love than it is like finding the answer to a complicated question."
Faith isn't primarily about possessing something but about yearning for something beautiful that we can sense but can't fully grasp. As Augustine wrote, "The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing."
This holy longing is what drives us to press on. We've experienced the embrace of Christ, and it creates in us a desire for more of Him. Our citizenship is in heaven, and our entire lives should be marked by straining toward that prize.
What's Holding You Back?
Paul's language about "one thing I do" is powerful in the original Greek. It conveys the idea that there's only one option, like standing on the edge of a cliff with only one place to step.
The first step is forgetting what's behind - letting go. So what might you need to let go of to press on toward knowing Christ more deeply?
- An addiction (physical or emotional)
- A past hurt that you can't move beyond
- Fear of uncertainty
- Comfort and security that keeps you from full surrender
Pressing on often looks more like surrender than conquest. It's about letting go so we can take hold of what Christ has for us.
Life Application
As you reflect on this message, consider these questions:
- Has Christ Jesus taken hold of you? If not, today could be the day you stop running down dead-end roads and allow Him to embrace you with His love.
- If Christ has taken hold of you, how are you pressing on? Are you actively pursuing a deeper knowledge of Him?
- What do you need to let go of today that's holding you back from pressing forward? Is it an addiction, a past hurt, fear, or even good things that have become too comfortable?
- How can you practically "press on" this week? Consider setting aside specific time for prayer, Bible study, or serving others as ways to know Christ more deeply.
Remember, we press on not to earn God's love but because we already have it. Our striving isn't to gain salvation but to know more deeply the One who has saved us. And we can only do this through Christ's power working in us - "yet not I, but through Christ in me."
This week, commit to the one thing that matters most: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize of knowing Christ more fully.
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