What is it that makes us pursue the prize? It is the expectation. It is the hope of the coming of Jesus Christ who will change us to be like him.

We have to keep that focus clear.

Welcome to Grace to you with the Bible teaching of John MacArthur.

I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

Think of everything that God expects of you in the Christian life.

For example, you need to learn God's word, resist temptation, love others, serve your church, sacrifice for your family, and tell others about Christ.

It's an exciting, joyful life the life God meant you to live, but it certainly takes commitment

and hard work. So how do you keep going? How do you keep running this race of faith?

Where do you find the strength to fight sin and endure trials?

John MacArthur answers those questions today as he continues his practical series,

Reaching for the Prize.

If you have your Bible, turn to Philippians chapter 3 as John begins the lesson.

Philippians chapter 3, verses 17 through 21.

We're talking about pursuing the prize, pursuing the goal.

Christ's likeness must be the pursuit of every believer.

It is the single basic duty of every Christian.

We live, however, in a sort of non-committal time period.

We live in what Sorokin called a sensate culture.

That is a civilization that is much more concerned about pleasant emotions than it is about

productive efforts. What is it that makes us pursue the prize? It is the expectation. It is the

hope of the coming of Jesus Christ who will change us to be like him.

We have to keep that focus clear.

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