The Book Philippians (3:12-21)

What is up Vertical. We continue to walk through the book of Philippians. Let’s jump right into it.

Here is a quote that I really enjoy.

That last part is crucial and it connects to our spiritual walk. You may be in church but it does not mean that you are growing spiritually, so here is my main point:

Main Point: The goals of the Christian life are to grow in Spiritual Maturity while on earth and enjoy God’s glory in eternity.

Principle # 1- The intentionality towards Spiritual Maturity.

Philippians 3:12–14 “12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul makes a clear statement. He knows that he is not at the place of Spiritual Maturity..

I am not much of a runner but Paul is using language that is consistent with a race. This is not the only time He equated the Christian walk to a race, but he is clearly reminding the church of Philippi that spiritual maturity is an intentional process.

The reality of life is that you will grow older, whether you like it or not, but to grow spiritually, you need to be intentional in your walk.

Yet he gives us three steps towards spiritual maturity

Forget what is behind.

Your old life.

Your past sins.

Your guilt and shame.

Strain towards what is ahead.

Following Christ is costly.

Press towards the goal.

Following Christ is worth it.

Then Paul continues to remind us that not only you need to be intentional but there is also

Principle # 2- The journey of Spiritual Maturity

Philippians 3:15–17 “15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

Paul, basically calls us out. He is saying, that if you do not view your Spiritual walk, God will make that clear.

But I love that phrase, let us live up to what we have already attained.

Do not use the “i am not perfect” as an excuse. While it is true that you are not perfect, we are to grow. We are to produce fruit.

I speak for myself, sometimes I use this phrase to excuse behaviors and attitudes that I know are wrong and not in line with what God wants for me and for His kingdom.

The person you were a year ago, cannot be the same person you are today. In fact, part of the journey of Spiritual maturity is seen how you have grown.

Then He gives us another step in the intentional spiritual journey.

Follow the example of Good Spiritual Leaders.

Ask someone who is more mature to disciple you. To walk with you.

For many years, I complained because no one would disciple me. No one would ask me. So then I had to find adults that would walk with me.

Here is a picture of Michael. This was my first youth pastor. I asked him to walk with me.

This took intentionality, this took me realizing that he was not a perfect guy but a good model of Christian walk. I learned a lot form keeping my eyes on Michael but knowing that my ultimate example is Jesus.

We actually had a fallen out later in life because of some decisions he made, yet I know that what He taught me was true, I did not throw away my belief because of a human failed. In fact, I may fail as your pastor but that does not mean that the Word of God is not true, it is just a reminder that we all have the option to walk by the Spirit or by the flesh.

Which leads me to principle #3

Principle # 3- The test of Spiritual Maturity

Philippians 3:18–19 “18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”

Here is the reality though. We need to learn to test our Spiritual maturity. Paul describes those who are not spiritually mature by saying that

Their destiny is destruction- They have not surrender to Christ

Their God is their stomach- They are led by their desires

Their glory is their shame- They are proud of their sin (unrepentant)

Their mind is set on earthly things- They only care for what happens on earth

I think this is a good gauge for us to consider.

Have you given your life to Christ?

Spiritual Maturity begins when we accept Christ’s Lordship over our lives.

How often you allow your desires/emotions lead you beyond the Word of God?

How often do you come to grips with your sin and repent from your shortcomings?

How often do you consider eternity?

Which leads me to principle #4

Principle # 4- The goal of Spiritual Maturity

Philippians 3:20–21 “20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

We don’t think enough of the finish line.

The truth is that if you have a shallow understanding of your purpose on earth and the prize of heaven, you will have a tough time striving for maturity.

God wants us to be mature on earth but keep our eyes on the price of heaven.

Let’s illustrate this. I need two volunteers.

You both will run around the room, one will run looking forward, while the other will run backwards.

Of course it is hard to run when you are looking back. When you are not focused on the goal.

Students, one central truths of our belief is heaven.

X. Last Things

God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.

Heaven is central in our belief, yet I confess that I often do not think of heaven. I think of my current situations, I think of what it will be like when I’m older. I get lost in the menial of life but that is why Paul is remind the church. No we are citizens of heaven.

Like I mentioned, I am not much of a runner but I do know a few committed runners. Mrs. Lisa is one.

Yesterday I texted her and asked her, when running “How often do you think of the finishing line?”

Here is what she said:

“...I think about the finish line (or being finished) whenever it’s hard, which is typically the last leg of the run… When it’s hard, the drive to be done is the motivation. If I walk or slow down I STILL have to get to the finish, it’s just going to take longer. In races, I have been motivated to know that my children are at the finish and they are watching me, they’ve watched me train and they need to see me not quit. So, the finish line represents something important to me. In that way, crossing the line is a focus. When I injured myself 5 years ago, I thought about the finish line more because I didn’t know with each steps if it was possible. As it became a reality with each mile, my thoughts turned to the finish and I spent a few miles considering how I would celebrate the victory and give glory to God. Thinking on that pushed me through.”

There is a finish line, there is a goal. In order for us to grow spiritually, we need to eagerly await the Savior.

Main Point: The goals of the Christian life are to grow in Spiritual Maturity while on earth and enjoy God’s glory in eternity.

So students, let me ask you a few questions:

How is your Spiritual Maturity? Are you intentionally growing in Christ?

Are you excited to spend eternity with God? or have you not put much thought into that?

Let’s pray

Questions

Icebreaker: in your opinion, what’s the easiest and the hardest sport to compete in? Discuss why?

‌How can you tell when someone is mature? And immature?

‌Read Phil 3:20-21. How does understanding our “Heavenly citizienship” changes our day-to-day outlook?

‌What are some images in movies/shows that depict heaven? How do they differ from what the Bible teaches about heaven?