Philippians #055 - Learn the Bible Broadcast - Philippians 3:11-14
Pastor Andrew B. Ray

Antioch Baptist Church
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Knoxville, TN 37918
http://www.LearntheBible.org

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Philippians #055 - Learn the Bible Broadcast
Philippians 3:11-14 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

3. To attain unto the resurrection of the dead (Philippians 3:11)
a. A scriptural understanding of the word attain
(1) Meaning to reach or equal (Genesis 47:9; 23.19" class="scriptRef">2 Samuel 23:19, 23)
(2) Meaning to grasp (Psalm 139:6)
(3) Meaning to arrive at (Acts 27:12)
(4) Meaning to hold it in possession (Romans 9:31-32)
(5) Meaning to apprehend (Philippians 3:11-12)
(6) Note: The Lord carefully chose the word attain rather than the word obtain
b. Paul was going to attain unto the resurrection of the dead. That was not in question. The only question that remained for Paul is by what “means” he would attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
(1) Would it be by life
(2) Or would it be by death
(3) Note: Paul was not suggesting that there was merely a general resurrection. He was well aware that the saints would be resurrected at a separate time (1 Corinthians 15:12-24, 35-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
4. To reach forth for Christ (Philippians 3:12-14)
a. Paul’s humility
(1) He had not already attained (Philippians 3:12).
(2) He was not already perfect (Philippians 3:12).
(3) He counted not himself to have apprehended (Philippians 3:13).
(4) Note: Paul’s mentality was something akin to the old phrase, “Always be satisfied with what Christ has done for you, but never be satisfied with what you have done for Christ.”
b. Paul’s forgetfulness—the things which are behind (Philippians 3:13)
(1) Past gains
a) His circumcision (Philippians 3:5)
b) His stock (Philippians 3:5)
c) His religious affiliation (Philippians 3:5)
d) His zeal (Philippians 3:6)
e) His righteousness (Philippians 3:6)
(2) Past sins
a) A blasphemer (1 Timothy 1:13)
b) A persecutor (1 Timothy 1:13; Acts 22:4; Acts 26:9-11)
c) Injurious (1 Timothy 1:13)
c. Paul’s determination
(1) He follows after (Philippians 3:12).
a) What he might follow after . . .
i) That which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:11-13)
ii) Every good work (1 Timothy 5:10)
iii) Righteousness (1 Timothy 6:11)
iv) Godliness (1 Timothy 6:11)
v) Faith (1 Timothy 6:11)
vi) Love (1 Timothy 6:11)
vii) Patience (1 Timothy 6:11)
viii) Meekness (1 Timothy 6:11)
ix) Peace (Hebrews 12:14)
b) Why he might follow after . . .
i) He was apprehended of Christ Jesus.
ii) He desired to apprehend that for which he was apprehended.
iii) Note: Paul used a term that is often associated with being captured and imprisoned (Acts 12:4; 2 Corinthians 11:32). When Paul got saved he felt as though he was fully captured by Christ, and had no issue identifying himself as a prisoner of Christ (Ephesians 3:1; Philemon 1:1, 9).
(2) He reaches forth (Philippians 3:13-14).
a) Unto those things which are before (Philippians 3:13)
b) Toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)