A Directed Body

Series: Spiritual Unity

Philippians 3:12-21

Thesis:

Introduction

Background

Prison epistle

Context

Rejoice in the Lord; beware of false teachers; Paul was a persecutor of the church; all things are loss to the “surpassing value of knowing Christ;” righteousness is not of us but is only found through the “power of His resurrection;” identification with Jesus’ suffering and death

Who likes constructive criticism? What about it do you like? What about it do you not like?

What does it encourage you to do? What is the purpose of it?

Example of Dr. Lumpkins critiquing my writing…

Paul is not “constructively criticizing” the Philippians, he is simply encouraging them with part of his testimony, what he has laid behind, so that he can be directed by Jesus fully. In the same way, the body of Christ is to press on towards Christ together, and when do that we do not focus on those things that are behind us, but we all look the same direction to what God is calling us to in front of us…

God Directs Us To Press On (v. 12-14)

What has Paul not yet obtained?

“The resurrection from the dead” - perfect conformity in Christ, and literally being resurrected upon HIs return

Key terms:

Perfect - to be complete

Press on - to pursue; strive for

Lay hold - acquire; seize; to grasp (intellectually)

Forgetting - neglect; overlook

Lies behind

Reaching forward

What does this mean for me?

Paul is saying that he has not become fully complete in looking like Christ, but He presses on towards that goal of attaining it, and in order for him to do that he must forget, or neglect, his old life… We have to neglect our personal past, sometimes the past of issues that have happened with friends, within ministries, within churches, so that we can unitedly press on towards the prize of being like Jesus…

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:12–14

Vigorously and with concentration Paul sought to win the prize to which God had called him heavenward (v. 14)… the Greek games must have been on his mind as he wrote of the prize. The winner in those games was called to the place where the judge sat in order to receive his prize. Paul may have referred to ultimate salvation in God’s presence, or to receiving rewards at “the judgment seat of Christ” (

We press on toward the ultimate praise of being with our Savior…

(Transition into Point 2) How do we press on towards that prize…?

God Directs Us To Pure Living (v. 15-19)

Key terms:

Attitude - think; set your mind on

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:15–16

3:15–16. The apostle called his readers to share with him the pursuit of Christlikeness. What he wanted for himself he also wanted for them. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things (v. 15). What view of things?… pressing on toward the goal. One mark of spiritual maturity is a desire to go on with Christ. Paul’s appeal here was to maturing believers who shared his ambitions. He trusted God to make things clear to those who disagreed with him.

No doubt the greatest need among God’s people is to live up to what they already have in Christ. Most live far below their exalted position in Christ. Paul’s plea to the Philippians was that they live up to what they had already attained, namely a righteous position in Christ.

Observe - notice carefully

Pattern - example… (could also mean) scar; visible mark

What pattern do we follow, including “those in us?” Christ, Whose scars represent a life patterned with humility, sacrifice, and purity…

Those that were mentioned at the beginning of the chapter (evil workers) are enemies of Christ, and it makes Paul weep…

When was the last time we were so burdened by those who are lost, even those who are simply against Christ, that we cried out for their salvation…?

Appetite - desire

What does this mean for me?

We are to be devoted to pure living, pressing on towards Jesus through obedience. We also should be heartbroken over those who have not yet committed their lives to Christ, weeping over their enmity with Jesus… Let us show

(Transition into Point 3) Why is it important?

God Directs Us To Passionate Anticipation (v. 20-21)

Citizenship in heaven…

Eagerly await…

Anticipation of v. 21…

We will not only be with Him, be will be like Him… (transformed - bodily, mentally, completely)

What does this mean for me?