Captured by Christ
Philippians 3:13-14

Sermon Outline from the Evening Service - 21 May 2000

I. "I am not perfect" -- captured by Christ to give a proper and perfect goal

A. Saul saw that comparing himself with men was inadequate (3:4-7).

1. Christ is a proper goal...because we are created by Christ.
2. Christ is a perfect goal. He lived a perfect life here on earth.

B. Paul was not satisfied that he had reached a level far above most others; he was still trying to achieve
the goal. (1 Cor. 11:1).

C. Though a Christian, I'm still not completely what I ought to be.

1. Becoming a Christian is the end of the search for meaning in life, but the start of living with a
meaningful purpose.
2. Glacier Park illustration -- "I'm not there yet, but I know where I'm I headed and I'm making headway on getting there."

II. "Forgetting the things of the past" -- captured by Christ to forget the unimportant

A. The past that is not to occupy our minds:

1. our lives before Christ (v. 4-7). Rom 6:21
2. the failures of our Christian life
3. the attainments of our Christian life
4. the "training process" -- the rigors, the pain, the injuries, the sacrifices

B. We start fresh from where we are. A lot of things in our lives need to be forgotten because they have no
value in eternity. These are the weights (of Heb. 12:1)

III. "Reaching to the things ahead" -- captured by Christ to anticipate and work for the proper things

A. Things that lie ahead for believers:

1. Rest 2. Reward 3. Reunion 4. Removal of sin

B. The relation is to the Christian life: exerting & concentrating.
What Christ calls you to relates intimately to every everyday relationship and responsibility you have.

IV. "I press....for the prize" -- captured by Christ to be like Christ

A. God's goal for us is to "be conformed to the image of His dear Son."

1. This is a life-time goal and a daily goal.
2. The Bible has many different ways of expressing the thought that our daily lives are to show the
imprint of Christ.

B. Illustration of why a sports team chooses a certain man

1. To be a neighbor, to say Hi on the streets??
2. So he could enjoy the local amenities & lifestyle??
3. To guard his health above everything else??
4. To play half-heartedly, on the level of those already here??

Christ calls believers, not to a life of ease & benefit, but to live like Christ.