Get Your Mind On Heaven

Introduction

Last wk. studied how Paul developed the mindset to “Keep On Pressing”

Now, I want to explain why!

“Not that I have already obtained” (vs. 12)

We are not out of danger yet

The race is still ongoing

1 Thes 1:3 “constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,” - This hope/race must constantly be on our mind.

What was he pressing toward?

Lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus (vs. 12)

What was Christ’s reason Heb 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

He seized me so I can sieze the crown

The prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

As a result:

I press on

I stretch forth

Our Text

Our text informs us to do something else:

Php 3:15 “Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;” [different attitude - APPL. pray to God, ask Him to reveal to you any stubborn/ungodly ways in you]

Paul here makes a call

Right Mind Php 3:15. [see above]

Right Living Php 3:16 “however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” [Christ-centered standard]

Right Pattern Php 3:17 “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”

Follow others with the same goal - APPL. Does this then mean that there can be some in the church who’s mind, and character make them enemies of the cross? Certainly!

All of this is aimed at helping them to remain focused.

Paul says I live for Christ now, so I can live with Him then

I’m being shaped by Him now so I can enjoy the prize at the end

I’m pressing on now. . .because a joy waits ahead

THE ENCOURAGEMENT THERFORE. . .

Get your mind on Heaven

As much as heaven is God’s plan, desire, gift of His grace. . . it’s your choice. The decisions you make now can eternal impacts.

If you wanna get and keep your mind on Heaven, consider the following.

Four (4) contrasts presented to reinforce this

Which side will I be on???

#1 Press on or Oppose

Php 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”

Php 3:18 “For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,”

Paul wants us to press

But there are some dogs, who are “enemy of the cross”

Enemy - to refuse to be reconciled with, an atagonistic individual/s

# 2 Serve God or Your Desires

Php 3:19 “whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.”

“god” was something that you worshipped, pleased, served

“appetite” Prov 20:27 - The innermost part of a person

APPL. Only you and God know what’s going on in the “innermost” part

Php 3:21 “who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

# 3 Destruction or Transformation

Php 3:19 “whose end is destruction, [those who are enemies of the cross] whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.”

Php 3:21 “who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

The body needs to be heaven ready. . .Therefore the mind needs to be heaven ready now

APPL. Is your mind locked in?

# 4 Citizen of Heaven or Minding earthly things

Php 3:19 “whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.”

“set their mind” - this describes someone that ponders something constantly or regards something highly

Php 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”

This is where our Sovereign King resides

This is who we owe allegiance to

This is where we long to be