August 11, 2024: Philippians 3:1-6, 7-11, 12-21
"Endurance and Christ's Exaltation"
Main Point: Christ is exalted when we allow the Spirit to work through us as we pursue Him.
Main Point: Christ is exalted when we allow the Spirit to work through us as we pursue Him.
1. Christ's Exaltation Comes Through the Work of the Spirit (Philippians 3:1-6)
.1 In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh -- 4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; 6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.
2. Christ's Exaltation Comes Through the Losses of the World (Philippians 3:7-11)
7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ- the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.
3. Christ's Exaltation Comes Through the Promises of Heaven (Philippians 3:12-21)
12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. 17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things. 20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord JesusChrist. 21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.
.1 In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh -- 4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; 6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.
2. Christ's Exaltation Comes Through the Losses of the World (Philippians 3:7-11)
7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ- the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.
3. Christ's Exaltation Comes Through the Promises of Heaven (Philippians 3:12-21)
12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. 17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things. 20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord JesusChrist. 21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.
Questions for Small Group Discussion:
1. WHY IS IT DANGEROUS TO RELY ON OUR RELIGIOUS UPBRINGINGS TO BE RIGHT WITH GOD?
PAUL HAD EVERY REASON TO BE CONFIDENT IN HIS FLESH (VV. 4-6). WHAT FLESHLY THINGS ARE YOU TEMPTED TO PLACE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN?
2. SINCE RIGHTEOUSNESS COMES THROUGH FAITH, DOES THE LAW STILL MATTER? EXPLAIN.WHAT ARE PEOPLE SOMETIMES SCARED TO LOSE AS A RESULT OF KNOWING CHRIST? WHAT ARE YOU SCARED TO LOSE?
3.WHAT ABOUT OUR CULTURE MAKES IT EASIER TO FOCUS ON THE HERE AND NOW INSTEAD OF LIVING LIKE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN?
PAUL HAD EVERY REASON TO BE CONFIDENT IN HIS FLESH (VV. 4-6). WHAT FLESHLY THINGS ARE YOU TEMPTED TO PLACE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN?
2. SINCE RIGHTEOUSNESS COMES THROUGH FAITH, DOES THE LAW STILL MATTER? EXPLAIN.WHAT ARE PEOPLE SOMETIMES SCARED TO LOSE AS A RESULT OF KNOWING CHRIST? WHAT ARE YOU SCARED TO LOSE?
3.WHAT ABOUT OUR CULTURE MAKES IT EASIER TO FOCUS ON THE HERE AND NOW INSTEAD OF LIVING LIKE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN?
