How to Keep Running the Race When You Feel Like Quitting

6. Press On: How to Keep Running the Race When You Feel Like Quitting

Philippians 3:12–4:1 • Word count: 2,779

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect…”

Paul is brutally honest: he hasn’t arrived. He still struggles. He still forgets. He still has to fight. But he refuses to quit.

This is the final message in the Philippians series, and Pastor Andrew preached it like a coach in the locker room at halftime of a championship game that’s tied with two minutes left.

Here is the entire sermon, turned into a full, standalone, SEO-optimized blog post — exactly as he taught it.

The Opening Story That Everyone Remembered

Pastor Andrew told the story of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics men’s marathon. Tanzanian runner John Stephen Akhwari was injured early — dislocated knee, bleeding badly. He kept limping. Hours after the winner finished, the stadium lights were off, most spectators gone. Then, in the darkness, one lone runner limped into the stadium, crossed the finish line, and collapsed.

A reporter asked him, “Why didn’t you quit?” Akhwari replied: “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”

That’s Philippians 3:12–4:1.

1. Paul’s Honest Confession (vv. 12–14) — “I Haven’t Arrived”

“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.”

Paul is saying three huge things:

1. I’m not there yet.
2. I’m not giving up.
3. I can keep going because Jesus already grabbed me first.

Pastor Andrew hammered this: “Some of you feel like quitting because you think you should already be perfect. Paul says, ‘Join the club. I’m not perfect either — but I’m pressing on.’”

Then verse 13–14 — the most famous running verses in the Bible:

“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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

• Forgetting what lies behind = not your past sins (Jesus already forgot those), but your past victories and accomplishments. Paul refuses to coast on yesterday’s spiritual high.
• Straining forward = the Greek word is intense — picture a sprinter leaning so far forward at the finish line he almost falls over the tape.
• The prize = not salvation (already secured), but full conformity to Jesus and the joy of hearing “Well done” on the last day.

2. Our Citizenship Is in Heaven (vv. 17–21) — The Only Motivation That Never Fades

Paul contrasts two groups:

• Enemies of the cross (v. 18–19): their god is their belly, glory is their shame, minds set on earthly things.
• Citizens of heaven (v. 20–21): “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body…”

Pastor Andrew put it this way: “You are not a citizen of this broken world trying to get to heaven. You are a citizen of heaven currently stationed in a broken world.”

That changes everything.

• Traffic doesn’t ruin your day — you’re just passing through.
• Cancer doesn’t get the last word — your body is getting an upgrade.
• Rejection doesn’t define you — your passport says “Kingdom of God.”

And the best part: Jesus is coming back personally to finish the job. He will transform these frail, aging, failing bodies into resurrection bodies — no more pain, no more tears, no more sin.

3. Therefore, Stand Firm (4:1) — The Final Exhortation

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”

Paul uses eight terms of affection in one verse. He’s not yelling at them — he’s cheering them on.

Pastor Andrew closed the entire Philippians series with this: “Some of you are one phone call away from quitting. Some of you are one disappointment away from walking out. Hear Paul: Jesus grabbed you first. Your citizenship is secure. Your body is getting upgraded. Your prize is waiting. So press on. Strain forward. Finish the race.”

Real-Life Examples from the Sermon

• The member who lost his job, marriage crumbling, but kept showing up and serving — now leading a community group.
• The single mom who texts Philippians 3:14 to herself every morning.
• The college student who failed a class but refused to quit on Jesus.
• Pastor Andrew’s own marathon training: mile 20 when everything screams quit — you remember why you started.

Reflection Questions (straight from the sermon)

• What past victory are you coasting on instead of pressing on?
• What past failure are you letting define you instead of forgetting?
• When was the last time you felt Jesus “grab” you again?
• If heaven is your real home, what earthly thing are you gripping too tightly?

Practical Steps This Week

• Write Philippians 3:13–14 on a note card and read it every morning.
• When you want to quit, say out loud: “Jesus grabbed me first.”
• Find one person who’s limping and run the next mile with them.
• Visualize the finish line: hearing “Well done” and seeing Jesus face-to-face.