Philippians 3:12-21

Introduction

welcome

Today will be the final day of our study through Philippians

Not because we’re finished, but because next week is my last

I encourage you to walk through the final chapter of Philippians on your own

So… I invite you to turn with me to Philippians 3:12-21

Scripture

Philippians 3:12–21 CSB

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 Jesus Christ. 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.

Pre-teaching Prayer

Context/Main Point

Surprises - do you like them?

Well today we are going to start with the end of our text...

expound

Philippians 3:20-21 “20 Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 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.”

Our citizenship is in heaven

Definition of citizenship - member of a defined community by which you are afforded certain freedoms and expected certain responsibilities

How does one gain citizenship?

Born into it - have we been?

Meet certain requirements - have we met them?

Then how have we been given citizenship?

gospel

We eagerly await Christ’s return

How do we finally and fully inherit our citizenship? Upon Christ’s return

Paul has talked much about suffering in his letter to the Philippians, but I am convinced this is the greatest

suffering of internal sin, external sin, the hardest wait ever

It is agonizing to wait for what’s to come when you know the fullness of what’s to come

Christ will transform us into the likeness of His glorious body

Transformed by Christ

Transformed into His likeness

Transformed for His glory

Main Point (Greatest Surprise Revealed) - “Our citizenship is in heaven, so we eagerly await Christ’s return, by whose power we will be transformed into the likeness of Himself.”

Verse by Verse in light of what’s ahead

Philippians 3:12 “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.”

hasn’t reached it, still waiting

expound

Philippians 3:13 “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,”

brothers and sister - implies fellow citizens

reaching forward to what’s ahead

expound

Philippians 3:14 “14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.”

promised - God doesn’t break his promises

expound

Philippians 3:15 “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.”

changes our whole way of thinking

God directs our thinking to be forward in this way

Philippians 3:16 “16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.”

discipleship - working out your salvation

consider becoming a citizen of a new country...

Philippians 3:17 “17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.”

It should be obvious that we are citizens

Philippians 3:18 “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...”

Not all are citizens

Not all eagerly await

Not all will be transformed

Closing Thoughts/Invitation

Holy Spirit led