The Upward Call (Philippians 3:12-21)

What drives you forward in life? Think about that for a moment. What’s the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning, that shapes your decisions and fuels your efforts? Maybe it’s success, or providing for your family, or chasing a dream you’ve had since childhood. All of us are pressing toward something, whether we realize it or not.

Now, let me ask you another question: Is what you’re striving for worth it? When all is said and done, will the goal you’ve been chasing satisfy you, or will it leave you wishing you had gone after something else?

In Philippians 3, Paul talks about striving - not striving for status, success, or earthly rewards. It’s about a relentless pursuit of Jesus Christ. It’s about living with a perspective that reaches beyond this life and fixes its hope on eternity. Paul doesn’t just challenge us to run well; he shows us how to live in a way that counts—how to press on, avoid distractions, and hold fast to the hope of transformation when Christ returns.

Pursue Christ with Unrelenting Focus (12-16)

Philippians 3:12–16 (ESV) — 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Paul begins with humility. He says, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect.” Now, this is the Apostle Paul speaking—Paul, who met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul, who planted churches, performed miracles, and suffered greatly for the gospel. If anyone had the right to claim spiritual arrival, it was Paul. Yet, here he is, saying, “I’m not there yet.” He’s not perfect, and he hasn’t fully obtained the resurrection life he longs for.

This should make us stop and think: If Paul, after all his faithfulness and sacrifice, could say this about himself, then how much more should we acknowledge that we have room to grow? None of us has arrived. But here’s the beauty of Paul’s statement—he doesn’t stay stuck in his imperfection. He says, “But I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

Paul’s focus is forward. He’s not obsessed with the past—whether it’s his failures as a persecutor of the church or his successes as an apostle. He says in verse 13, “One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” Notice that word “straining.” It’s the picture of a runner leaning into the finish line, every muscle stretched, every ounce of energy poured into the race. This isn’t a casual stroll; this is intentional, passionate pursuit. And what’s the prize he’s running for? Verse 14: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The prize is knowing Christ fully, being with Him, and becoming like Him.

Now, let’s pause here. Paul isn’t telling us to run harder because salvation depends on our effort. He knows that Christ has already made us His own. That’s why he runs. His effort is a response to God’s grace, not an attempt to earn it. This changes everything. Paul is motivated not by fear or pride but by gratitude and love. Christ has claimed him, so he presses on to claim Christ.

Let me ask you: Are you pressing on? Or have you grown comfortable in your faith? Maybe you’re stuck in the past—rehashing old failures, thinking, “I’ll never measure up.” Or maybe you’re clinging to past victories, saying, “I’ve done enough.” Either way, you’re not running. You’re standing still. And the race is still on.

Imagine a farmer plowing a field. If he keeps looking back over his shoulder, the rows will be crooked, and the harvest will suffer. The same is true for us. We can’t plow straight paths for God’s kingdom if we’re constantly looking backward. Christ calls us forward. And He’s worth it.

So, what’s holding you back? Is it guilt? Regret? Maybe it’s pride or complacency. Whatever it is, let it go. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Press on, not because you have to earn His love, but because His love has already claimed you. This is the mindset of maturity: to recognize that you haven’t arrived, but to keep running with joy, knowing that the prize is Christ Himself.

Resist the Pull of Worldly Distractions (17-19)

Philippians 3:17–19 (ESV) — 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Paul doesn’t leave us guessing what this race looks like in practical terms. He shifts in verse 17 to offer a clear call: “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Now, Paul isn’t boasting here. He’s not saying, “Look how great I am.” Instead, he’s pointing to his life as a living testimony of someone pursuing Christ. He knows how easy it is to get distracted, to drift off course, so he encourages the Philippians to look at his example and the examples of other faithful believers who are walking the same path.

This is where Paul makes a heartbreaking contrast. In verse 18, he says, “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” Did you catch that? With tears. Paul isn’t angry or self-righteous here—he’s grieving. These “enemies of the cross” are people who have rejected the call to follow Christ. They’ve chosen a path of self-indulgence, and Paul describes their condition with sobering clarity in verse 19: “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

Let’s unpack that for a moment. Paul says their “god is their belly.” What does that mean? It means their lives are ruled by their appetites—whether that’s literal indulgence in food or drink, or broader cravings like pleasure, comfort, or power. They worship their desires, and those desires ultimately destroy them. Then Paul says they “glory in their shame.” This is when people celebrate things they should be ashamed of—living in sin and boasting about it. And finally, their “minds are set on earthly things.” Their entire focus is on this world—what they can gain, what they can experience, what they can control.

Now, Paul isn’t just talking about some distant group of people. He’s warning us. How often do we let our desires become our gods? How often do we prioritize comfort or success over faithfulness to Christ? How often do we let ourselves get swept up in the temporary concerns of this world, forgetting that we’re running a race for something far greater?

Imagine a hiker climbing a mountain, but he keeps taking side paths along the way that lead him back down the mountain. With every step, the weight of his backpack seems to grow, making the climb harder than it needs to be. That’s what worldly distractions do to our spiritual race. They weigh us down, sap our energy, and take our eyes off the summit.

Paul says we need to keep our eyes on godly examples. Why? Because the examples we follow shape the path we walk. If you follow someone who’s focused on earthly things, you’ll drift toward destruction. But if you follow someone who’s pressing toward Christ, you’ll find encouragement and accountability to stay on course.

So, take a moment to examine your life. Are you carrying habits, relationships, or ambitions that are weighing you down? Are you following examples that point you toward Christ, or are you being influenced by people who are enemies of the cross?

Paul’s warning here is serious, but it’s also full of hope. You can lay down the weight. You can fix your eyes on godly examples. And most importantly, you can fix your eyes on Christ, who gives you the strength to run the race. Let go of the distractions, because they can never give you what Christ offers: eternal joy, eternal peace, and eternal life.

Live with Unshakable Hope (20-21)

Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV) — 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

After addressing the need to press on and resist distractions, Paul shifts our focus upward, grounding everything in the hope we have as citizens of heaven. He writes in verse 20, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This statement would have hit the Philippians hard, and here’s why: Philippi was a Roman colony, and its citizens prided themselves on their Roman citizenship. Even though they lived far from Rome, their identity, rights, and privileges were tied to the empire. Paul takes this cultural pride and redirects it. He’s saying, “Your true citizenship isn’t in Rome; it’s in heaven. That’s where your allegiance lies. That’s where your hope is found.”

And what are we waiting for as citizens of heaven? Paul says we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will “transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (v. 21). This is the ultimate finish line: not just escaping this broken world, but being completely transformed into the likeness of Christ.

Paul doesn’t just mean a spiritual transformation. He’s talking about a physical resurrection—just as Jesus was raised in a glorified body, so we, too, will be raised and made new. This promise of transformation gives us unshakable hope because it reminds us that no matter how hard this race gets, no matter how heavy the burdens feel, or how broken our world is, we know the end of the story. Christ wins, and we are made new in Him.

But let’s get practical. What does this hope mean for us today? It means that we live differently. Think about this: when you know your true home is in heaven, it changes how you live here on earth. You start holding onto things more loosely—possessions, achievements, even your reputation—because you know they’re not the goal. You start living with boldness, unafraid of the sacrifices or challenges that come with following Christ, because your eyes are fixed on eternity.

Imagine you’re an ambassador living in a foreign country. Everything you do reflects the values and priorities of your homeland, not the place where you’re currently stationed. That’s what it means to live as a citizen of heaven. Your words, your actions, your relationships—they’re meant to point to the reality of Christ’s kingdom.

And let’s be honest—sometimes, that’s hard. This world can be loud and demanding, pulling our attention in a thousand directions. But here’s the good news: the hope we have isn’t based on our ability to hold on to Christ; it’s based on the fact that He’s holding on to us. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, guaranteeing that what He started, He will finish.

So let me ask you: are you living like someone whose true home is in heaven? Does your life reflect your hope in Christ’s return? Or are you still clinging to the temporary, as if this world is all there is? Let this hope change you. Let it give you the courage to let go of what doesn’t matter and live boldly for what does.

Paul closes this section with a picture of victory: Jesus, reigning in power, transforming everything. This is our hope. It’s not just a wishful thought or a distant dream. It’s a sure promise from the One who has the power to subject all things to Himself. And if He can subject all things—sin, death, brokenness—then He can transform you, too.

So press on. Resist the distractions. And live with unshakable hope, knowing that the Savior you’re waiting for is faithful to complete the work He began. And when He comes, you’ll find that the prize of knowing Him fully was worth every step of the journey.

Conclusion

So, what drives you forward? What are you pressing toward? As Paul has shown us in Philippians 3, the answer to that question will define your life. If your focus is set on the temporary—on earthly distractions, fleeting pleasures, or personal achievements—you’ll find that they can’t sustain you. It’s like you are driving through very thick fog with no real comfort or hope for the future. But when your eyes are fixed on Jesus Christ, everything changes.

Paul’s words are a reminder that the Christian life is not a casual stroll. It’s a race—a deliberate, purposeful pursuit of something greater than ourselves. It’s about pressing on with unrelenting focus, resisting the pull of a world that wants to weigh us down, and living with a hope that’s anchored in heaven.

And here’s the beautiful truth: the prize we’re running for isn’t something distant and impersonal. The prize is Christ Himself. It’s knowing Him fully, being transformed into His likeness, and experiencing the fullness of His kingdom. That’s why we run—not because we have to earn it, but because He has already made us His own.

Let me challenge you as we leave here today: Take inventory of your life. What are you running after? What’s holding you back? And how is the hope of Christ shaping the way you live right now? If you’re weighed down by distractions, let them go. If you’re stuck in the past, fix your eyes forward. And if you’ve lost sight of the finish line, remember this—Christ is faithful, and He’s waiting for you at the end.

Run with purpose. Run with focus. And run with hope, knowing that the prize is worth every step. Let’s live like citizens of heaven, pressing on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. That’s a life that matters, a race worth running, and a goal worth everything.