Phil 3:12 - 21, 4:1

Chapter 3:1 -11 Review

Read 1- 11

So, last week we saw Paul reminding us that repetition of biblical truths is good for us, even safe.

Q - Do you ever feel that you are just hearing the same thing over and over and you’re a little bored?

Two Points 1 for the hearer one for the speaker.

We may be distant from the Lord and need an attitude correction. We are not prepared to hear from God due to sin.

Secondly, we as teachers need to be sure we are bringing fresh manna. God always has a message for His people and it’s the teacher duty to hear from the HS and feed His sheep.

In verse 2- Paul warn the Philippians about what he call “dogs”. One of two kinds of false teachers and may have been Jewish Christians who wanted Gentile Christians to become full Jews and practice all Jewish laws. In this case, the teachers were sincere, but sincerely wrong, or, the dogs may have been pretending to uphold Jewish Laws with an insincere motive; to avoid persecution from the Jews.

He referred to them as the “mutilation”. His warning was to beware of confidence in religion and tradition.

Paul reviews his life before Christ, which was very impressive, and states that according to his religious traditions he was blameless. An incredible statement. Saul later to become Paul had a big ego and a lot to be proud of.

Q- Where do you get your self worth? Money, education, home, upbringing, or knowledge? Maybe it’s a hot wife or handsome hubby. Maybe your kids are perfect. The scary question is when you are stripped of all those things what is left.

1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

Jesus is the answer! You will never know if He is all you need until He is all you have.

Paul met Jesus Christ and all those things he so valued he now counts as loss.

Paul says, that the knowledge of God surpassed all things. “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection”.

Vs 10 & 11 he stated that he wanted to be conformed to His death that he might attain to His resurrection.

Q- What must we do in order to be resurrected? Die!!

Pressing Forward vs 12 -16

Read 12 - 21

So we pick up tonight in vs 12 . Paul is giving us a picture of a path and saying he has not yet “attained” or better “arrived”. Nor was he all ready “perfected” or “fully complete”.

We you review your life in Christ you should be much farther along the road than when you started but with a long, long way to go.

Here’s a news flash, in this flesh you will never attain perfection. Interestingly there are denominations that teach you can live a sinless life.

Paul goes on to say that he presses on to lay hold of Christ’s purpose for calling him.

What are some purposes that Jesus had laid hold of Paul?

For our benefit as he wrote the main portion of the NT.

To be a witness to the world.

To conform him into the image of Jesus Christ.

Q- Did you ever consider what God’s purposes were to save you?

Discuss:

Vs 13 - Paul says in no way does he see himself as having “apprehended” or better “to have won”.

If you are still breathing there is stuff to do. Make it your daily prayer to be useful for the kingdom of God.

Q- What can you do, even if you are flat on your back? Pray.

We all like something simple, something we can remember, one thing. So Paul here in vs 13 gives us the key, one thing he does...

Forget those things which are behind and reaching forward to what is ahead. This simple life changing advice but no easy. Why?

We often let those things which are behind distract us, whether they be good things or bad things. Looking at what is in the past often keeps us from what God has for us in the future.

It is a deception to live either in the past or in the future; God wants us to press on in the present, because the present is where eternity touches us now. Paul knew that a race is won only in the present moment, not in the past or in the future.

Q- Have you ever met someone who lives in the past, for bad, or for good?

Q- How can bitterness or unforgiveness imprison you?

Notice vs 14, Paul has not taken a “lassie faire” attitude toward his salvation. This not just “fire insurance” to him. No he is pressing or chasing down, the prize, for the call of Christ on his life.

Q- Have you ever had to get somewhere when the people in front of you seem to be taking their time? when we have somewhere to go we want to get there.

If you don’t know your purpose, find out, and then get involved.

Vs 15 is interesting in that in a perfect sense no one is perfect or mature and yet there are some believers who are farther down the road of spiritual maturity, Paul includes himself here. He seems to say that this principle of living in the present will resonate with you. If not, He will reveal this to you.

Vs 16 Paul says wherever you are in your journey, just keep progressing.

Heavenly Citizens Vs 17 - 21

Join in following my example: We shouldn’t think that Paul was being egotistical here. He knew that he was not a sinless or perfect example, yet he was still a good example. He could say as he also did in – Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

We need concrete examples. While it is wrong to put our trust in any man, it is hypocritical for any Christian to say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

Your goal should be to be an example that others can follow.

Q- In making something what does a pattern do?

They say that lessons are more caught than taught. Always remember people are watching, whether you like it or not, so be a good example.

Vs 18 For many walk: With great sadness, Paul realizes that there are many who walk in a manner contrary to what he teaches. He regards these people as enemies of the cross of Christ.

The enemies of the cross were really the opposite of the legalists, who celebrated their supposed liberty in Christ to the indulgence of their flesh.

Q- What about repentance from sins? What if someone never repents?

And now tell you even weeping, this makes Paul weep.

“I never read that the apostle wept when he was persecuted. Though they ploughed his back with furrows, I do believe that never a tear was seen to gush from his eye while the soldiers scourged him. Though he was cast into prison, we read of his singing, never of his groaning. I do not believe he ever wept on account of any sufferings or dangers to which he himself was exposed for Christ’s sake. I call this an extraordinary sorrow, because the man who wept was no soft piece of sentiment, and seldom shed a tear even under grievous trials.” (Spurgeon)

Paul gives us truths of these “enemies of the cross”.

Their end is destruction

Whose God is there belly- Not that they were necessarily focused on what they eat, but belly here has a broader reference to sensual indulgence in general. They live for the pleasures of the body, mind, and soul.

Whose glory is their shame- They gloried about things they should have been ashamed about.

Who set their eyes on earthly things - lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of life.

Vs 20 Paul then contrast these truths about a Jesus Follower:

Citizenship is in heaven - Not of this world! Philippi was a Roman colony, Roman citizenship was a great privilege and citizens had a duty to Rome.

We are excited about and eagerly wait for the return of Jesus!

He will transform our flesh to conform to His Glorious Body.

4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

My joy and crown: Paul used the ancient Greek word for crown that described the crown given to an athlete who had won the race. It was a crown of achievement (a stephanos); not the crown that was given to a king (a diadema). The Philippians, as they stand fast in the Lord, were Paul’s trophy.