Perfection - Denied but Pursued

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces Paul's athletic language and uses an extended time-capsule analogy of a runner in a Grecian game to vividly describe Paul's vigorous pursuit of perfection.

Paul's pursuit of perfection is likened to a runner in the Grecian games, providing a vivid, athletic metaphor for the Christian life's vigor and focus.

All of this language put together, pressing on, desiring to seize upon, one thing, forgetting the things behind, straining forward, I press on to the goal. Well, if you've been listening at all, you already sense that here we have vigorous athletic language. And in describing his pursuit of perfection, Paul has in his mind one of his favorite analogies or pictures of Christian experience, namely that of a runner in the Grecian games. Paul no doubt had seen some of the stadiums such as were to be found in Athens, very much like our own stadiums today, where you have an athletic field, and then ...

13:01 - 14:29 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces Paul's athletic language and uses an extended time-capsule analogy of a runner in a Grecian game to vividly describe Paul's vigorous pursuit of perfection.

Martin invites the congregation on a 'time capsule' journey to a first-century Grecian stadium with a modern camera to visualize the runner's actions, making the analogy more immersive and concrete.

when he writes. Now one of the benefits of going back in the time capsule is that we can take some of the technological advantages of the 20th century with us. And along with our 20th century clothes, we're taking the most advanced 35mm camera with us. It has an automatic wind.

14:29 - 14:48 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Analyzing the 'photographs' of the runner, Martin identifies three characteristics: a fixed eye on the goal and prize, a fixed head (forgetting what is behind), and a body posture…

The 'photographs' of the runner reveal a peculiar gleam and fixation of the eye on the finish line, illustrating Paul's unwavering focus on the goal and prize of God's high calling.

Then we begin to analyze what we see. And the first thing we notice, as a common denominator in every single picture, remember we had a zoom lens that brought that runner right up into sharp focus so we can see details about his whole person. We notice that from the very beginning of the race, when the ribbon was still stretched across the front of the runners, right until the last two frames when we catch him in sight of the post which is the goal, beside which stood the judge who had the wreath of victory, that his eye had a peculiar gleam in it from the beginning to the end. And as we trace...

17:43 - 18:56 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Analyzing the 'photographs' of the runner, Martin identifies three characteristics: a fixed eye on the goal and prize, a fixed head (forgetting what is behind), and a body posture…

The runner's head remains straight on, never turning to look back or at the crowd, symbolizing Paul's 'forgetting the things which are behind' and avoiding distractions or self-congratulation.

Well the apostle did. He seized the goal with his eye. And as we look at the photographs we notice that gleam and fixation of the eye characterized him at every stage in the race. Then we notice something else as a common denominator from the beginning of the race to the end and it was the fixation of the head.

20:59 - 21:22 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Analyzing the 'photographs' of the runner, Martin identifies three characteristics: a fixed eye on the goal and prize, a fixed head (forgetting what is behind), and a body posture…

Every motion of the runner's body is concentrated towards the goal, illustrating Paul's 'stretching forward' and pressing on with all his being towards perfection.

And then the third thing we notice is what I'm calling the general posture of the body. Each photograph, though it shows the arms and the legs in differing positions, one thing is evident. You never find an arm out here. Nor do you find a leg out here or out there.

23:39 - 24:01 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine whether Jesus Christ has truly arrested you, as no one is a Christian without this divine intervention.

Paul's conversion is described as Christ 'laying hold' of him, likened to a thief mugging someone or a demon possessing a person, emphasizing the sovereign, irresistible nature of Christ's call.

And here Paul describes his conversion. As an activity of Christ upon him, likened to that of a thief who mugs somebody in the night. That's the sense in which it's used in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. It's used in the Gospel of Mark, this verb, to describe what a demon does when it takes hold of a human being and possesses him.

39:28 - 39:55 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine whether Jesus Christ has truly arrested you, as no one is a Christian without this divine intervention.

A hymn stanza is quoted to illustrate that even when one feels they are seeking the Lord, it is ultimately Christ who first sought and apprehended them, reinforcing the sovereignty of grace in conversion.

My friend, listen to me. Why were you seeking the Lord? If he hadn't stretched forth the fingers of omnipotent grace and bent your heart to seek him you'd have gone to hell. Hell cursing him.

41:49 - 42:06 Read in full sermon