I had the pleasure of sharing in the graduation ceremony up at Imlay City last night. Below is the words that I shared with the graduates.
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“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.” Philippians 3:13b-14
Personal story: My first little league homerun. Summer between 4th-5th grade. Late in the game, everything was in slow motion as I rounded the bases. After that, my confidence was so high that I was sure that each time up to bat I could hit a homerun. That confidence gave me freedom to be the best 5th grade 3rd basemen I could be.
Chapter 3 of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is all about confidence. Paul uses the word 3 times in this passage.
Where is your confidence today?
Paul gives us a clear indication of where our confidence belongs as Christians later in chapter he says our confidence is “in the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus” and “in righteousness through faith in Christ.”
But today, as we sit here celebrating the achievement of graduation from 8th grade, we are left with a lingering question:
Where is our confidence?
What does it mean to be confident?
Let me tell you. Graduates, be confident. Not in a rude way. Not to make yourself look better than you are, but be confident in Christ.
– In Christ, you are heirs. Through Jesus you are connected and associated with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. This is no lowly position.
– As believers, we know that we belong wherever we go. We don’t have to worry about what’s ahead of us… wherever we go, we belong.
– As you begin to look past your time here at Imlay City to your years in high school, you don’t have to be afraid. You can be confident in knowing that the same God who took care of you here will be with you forever. Knowing Jesus Christ as Savior gives you the ability to look at any situation or challenge and say
o I can win
o I am good enough
o I am loved
o My confidence is in Christ
The second part of this passage makes any sports nut happy.
– All throughout Paul’s letters we see illustration to sporting events.
– A lot of biblical scholars believe that Paul was either an athlete himself, or was an avid fan of sporting events.
– We see an illustration from running here. As we read his words we can visualize a race.
Paul says, “I press on….. towards the goal….. to win the prize!
I am here today to encourage you, to congratulate you, and to urge you.
Press on!
– Achievements and education don’t stop here… keep going!
– Never stop learning, serving, putting Christ number 1 in your life, allowing Jesus to use you as a person of influence in the lives of others!
Towards the goal!
– Not just the goal of a heavenly reward… there’s more to it.
– God has created the Christian life for us to live!
– John 10:10 says “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full!
– His desire for you is fantastic… go for it!
To win the prize!
– In Paul’s day, a runner won a medal or a crown maybe even some cash
– In today’s world, Christians press on to love God with everything we got, love our neighbors as ourselves and make disciples of all nations.
– In Christ, we press on to win the crown of righteousness and service.
Lastly, we are reminded of Paul’s command to press on.
Just press on, keep going, keep it up, PRESS ON until you get to the end and Jesus looks at you, he calls you by name, and he places the victor’s crown on your head and says, “well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Well done.
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