2019 October – I press toward
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14)
1. Pursue on
“I press” (Phil 3:14)
a. The word “press” means to “pursue”
b. Paul set himself as an example as he sought to pursue
c. Upward
i. The word “upward” is an adverb
ii. As an adverb, it should modify the verb which is to press on
d. Paul was pursuing upward
i. He was looking upward
ii. He was being spurred upward
2. The goal of the prize of the call of God
a. The call of God
i. Salvation
ii. Service
iii. Suffering (Phil 1:29)
b. The call was seen as the prize
i. This was the prize that Paul hoped to gain in Christ
ii. All these things are possible only in Christ
c. Pursuing upward to the goal
i. This was the goal of Paul
ii. It was something that he was being spurred on to
iii. Pursuing upward to the goal of the prize of the call of God in Christ