The Mark of Perfection

Text:

Philippians 3:14:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Theme:

The Mark of Perfection

 

Introduction:

• The old folks back home where I am from used to have a phrase that they would employ whenever they met a peculiar young person. They would say, “There’s a mark on ‘em!”  This phrase usually meant that they saw something about them that meant that they would be a preacher or a deacon some day.  As a child, I often wondered what was this mark.  What could the old folk see that I couldn’t?
• The Epistle to the Philippians was written by Paul during the two years when he was “in bonds” in Rome, probably early in the year A.D. 62 or in the end of 61.
  • The church at Philippi, of Macedonia, was the first-fruits of European Christianity.
  • Paul was close to the church in Philippi, as he frequently writes, and the church in Philippi was close to him.
  • Although a typically poor community, the church at Philippi alone of all the churches helped him by their contributions, which he gratefully acknowledges.
  • The least giving the most
  • The fewest giving the greatest.
• There’s always the faithful few!
• In the 3^rd chapter we find Paul expounding upon his unyielding desire to be found in Christ…to be rooted in Christ…to be grounded in Christ.
  • No matter what the cost or obstacle, Paul is willing to surrender and endure all…comforted and empowered by the God that he served.
  • Paul proclaims his victory in spite of the situation.
• A “mark” is a distinctive means of identifying an individual or the affiliation which the individual identifies themselves with.
  • On farms, livestock like cows is often given what is called a brand. The brand is the MARK to signify ownership of the livestock.  The brand is a logo or emblem that is unique to the owner of the farm.  If lost, there is no question as to who owns the livestock.
  • The gangs of today’s times often identify their members by the combination of clothing colors and tattoos.  In this manner it is remarked when seen that they bear the MARK of gang members.  Everyone knows them by their appearance and their mannerisms.  They bear the “mark” of the gang with which they associate.
  • When a person is found unconscious or even dead, the police look for any distinctive MARKS on their body so as to identify the person.  It could be a cut or a tattoo or even just his appearance.
  • When you go into an amusement park, the attendant will stamp your hand so as to avoid people getting into the park without paying…The MARK means that you have paid the price.

 

Body:

• There are various references to a “mark” in the Bible.
  • There’s the MARK of evil or negative implications:
    • Romans 16:17, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
      • Genesis 4:15, “And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.”
      • Revelations 13:16, “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:”
      • Revelations 13:18, “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
    • There’s the MARK of divine or positive implications:
      • Philippians 3:17, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
        • Psalms 37:37, “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.”
        • Then our text falls into this category in how it says:
          • “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
    • The MARK is of PERFECTION àGod calls us to be PERFECT!
      • Colossians 1:28, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”
      • Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
        • Perfection is of God…PERFECTEDNESS is the mark of God in US!
          • Through Jesus dying on the cross we can be PERFECTED through the cleansing blood!
            • Hebrews 10:14, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
          • Feeble, broken, limping, naïve children can have PERFECTED praise!
            • Matthew 21:16, “And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?”
          • To be PERFECTED we must keep His Word, and by this be confirmed as His!
            • 1John 2:5, “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

 

Conclusion:

• I can’t see the prize but there’s a MARK assuring me that it’s there…HOPE
  • I can’t see Jesus but I want others to see Him in me. I want others to see that…
    • He has put a MARK on my life
    • He has put a MARK on my home
    • He has put a MARK on my steps
    • He has put a MARK on my words
    • He has put a MARK on my spirit
  • Then there is one more example of a MARK that we have not acknowledged. There is the mark that we get in school.  We now call them grades or scores but the old folk knew what they were talking about when they called them “marks”.
    • After we have done the best that we can do, the teacher would give us our MARK.
      • This is a way of identifying us with our achievements… “A” student, “B” student, etc.
      • We would strive to make the high marks!!
    • In Christ, we do the same!
      • As we move THROUGH our situations, God gives us a MARK that goes on our “Heavenly Report Card”
      • We are striving to reach “the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
      • As the old hymns explain:
        • “Lord, I’m running trying to make 100 and 99 and a half won’t due!”
        • “I’m pressing on the upward way new heights I’m gaining every day!”
      • The old hymn of the church said it best:

“A charge to keep I have,

A God to glorify

Who gave His Son my soul to save

And fit it for the sky.”

• I’m pressing!
  • Toward the mark
  • To reach my goal
  • Toward higher ground
  • To live with God
• I’m pressing!

 

#140