Untitled Sermon

Welcome to the Landing! Today we are going to be finishing up our series on Eat the Book and today is going to be a little different but its going to be good.

Tonight we are going to talk about goals and how Jesus is our ultimate goal and because of what he did on the cross we get to rejoice in that!

Let’s jump in, idk if yall all saw this when you walked in but there is a shelf that has bibles that you cans can pick up and read for the night and if you don’t have a hard copy bible we want you to know you can take it. Its yours. The Bible app is awesome and super helpful but we want to really spend time here unplugged if possible and there is just something about flipping a page and being able to write all in them so fell free each week to grab one or on your way out tonight take one to keep or even give to a friend. When we run out we will just get more! So go ahead and open your bibles to Over to Philippines chapter 3. 1-12. We are going to read and get a understanding for what Paul is setting us up for.

He calls them brothers. this is an endearing way to address the people there.

So Paul is warning the people of Philippi to watch out for those who are proclaiming the gospel but are saying to be saved you have to do this or do that.

So Paul is warning the people of Philippi to watch out for Religious jew’s who followed behind Paul & go behind his teaching to tell gentiles all the “things” they HAD to go to receive salvation. Salvation can’t be externally achieved. Paul has more external ones than anyone (past) I did all the right things and when I didn’t I even knew what sacrifice to give to atone for my sins. All of these things I thought were earning me points to God but now all of those are not for me to trust in. They will keep me away from Jesus because I will lean on those more than God.

Religious jew’s who followed behind Paul & go behind his teaching to tell gentiles all the “things” they HAD to go to receive salvation. Salvation can’t be externally achieved. Paul has more external ones than anyone (past) I did all the right things and when I didnt I even knew what sacrifice to give to atone for my sins. All of these things I thought were earning me points to God but nw all of those are not for me to trust in. They will keep me away from Jesus becuae I will lean on those more than God.

That is something that people still do this day. We see people who say if you don’t go to church each Sunday your going to hell. Or if you do this God will accept you That is what Paul is warning them about. There is no earthly thing we can do to have ourselves. We cant check off boxes and earn salvation.

Paul then writes about how if anyone would be the best candidate it would be him. He was born in to the right family, like the rockafellers or for yall I guess the Kardashians. lol . He is edcuated deeply i the old testament, like he would have his bachelors, masters, PHD, and Doctorate in the bible. He was a Pharisee so it was his job to know the end and outs. He was passionte and webt after people and killed them if they were going againts the law of Moses. To the poeple there he was blameless and the best of the best.

Well hopefully each of you have won or maybe placed in one of those events before. That feeling of accomplishment and victory is incredible. Its intoxicating. Thats why we have professional sports. Its just as exciting to watch and be a part of it. The thing about the sports/competition world is that too many of us can get caught up in our titles or accomplishments. We get fixated on what we have done or what we have achieved and thats what we trust and claim our identity in.

But Paul says with all of that stuff he counted it for nothing. The real beauty of following Jesus is that its not about what you do but about what he did for us. Having faith in Jesus brings us true hope, grace, and peace. We are not made righteous from what we do but from faith in Jesus Christ.

How many of you have ever been in a sporting event ever? Or in any type of competition before, dance, music, science fair counts too. In this there has been a goal you have set. To either win the game, score the most points, have the best moves, or hit ever note just right. Well hopefully each of you have won or maybe placed in one of those events before. That feeling of accomplishment and victory is incredible. Its intoxicating. Thats why we have professional sports. Its just as exciting to watch and be a part of it. The thing about the sports/competition world is that too many of us can get caught up in our titles or accomplishments. We get fixated on what we have done or what we have achieved and thats what we trust and claim our identity in.

It can be easier to put faith in our actions of what we have done or accomplished but Paul is saying it isn’t about putting an emphasis on actions but faith in Jesus.

The thing that I love is that this chapter keeps going. It doesn’t stop there. Paul talks about how we dont stop once we accept Jesus and trust in him and his faithfulness but now it’s just the beginning of it. Our lives are now continuous moments of moving to understand him more and be more like him.

vs 12 : Paul states clearly that he has not “arrived”. He uses the word perfect because he is honest that he is flawed and not perfect. Only Christ was perfect but he wants to strive to be like Christ since Christ calls us his own.

He is honest that he doesn’t think more of himself but that he wants to chase after God because thats what God is calling him

Verse 13 you see the word brother come up again. Paul is wanting to catch their attention here to really focus on what he is about to say. is so powerful because in verse 6 Paul brings up his past about how decroated he was and how in the eyes of religion he had it all. But also in bringing up his past, brings up that fact that he allowed people to be killed who were sharing the Gospel. He is bringing up his dark, painful past, and letting the people oh Philippi know that in Christ we dont have to hold on to the things of our past. We can press on toward the goal of knowing Christ Jesus. In doing so we have a new direction and a perfect example to follow. I want you to hear the word press on. When I hear that word I think of a slow drudge forward. To keep going but not in a way that is very motivating. But the translation for this original word means to actually to chase, pursue ,as if in war. This isn’t a slow take your time kind of action. This is Paul calling his brothers, people, kings-man, to take action, to do what it takes to go for the goal and the prize of the upward call of God.

his Christian course in the full recognition that he is not yet perfect, but lives in confidence of ultimate salvation.

Straining forward. The word straining means extend beyond. To push yourself beyond the past and to where we are now but to go beyond this moment and to keep pushing for what lies ahead.

How many of you have ever been in a sporting event ever? Or in any type of competition before, dance, music, science fair counts too. In this there has been a goal you have set. To either win the game, score the most points, have the best moves, or hit ever note just right. Well hopefully each of you have won or maybe placed in one of those events before. That feeling of accomplishment and victory is incredible. Its intoxicating. Thats why we have professional sports. Its just as exciting to watch and be a part of it. The thing about the sports/competition world is that too many of us can get caught up in our titles or accomplishments. We get fixated on what we have done or what we have achieved and thats what we trust and claim our identity in.

14: Here again he says Press on, This is not a light hearted action. He wants to passionately pursue after Jesus. He wants to forget what sins, failures, shortcomings and downfalls that happened int ha past. He wants to eagerly seek after Jesus. In doing so we learn more about Gods love for us and others. The more we discover about God and his goodness the more we understand how to be like him in our every day lives.

It can be easier to put faith in our actions of what we have done or accomplished but Paul is saying it isn’t about putting an emphasis on actions but faith in Jesus.

15& 16 : When we maturaly decide to leave our selfish way behind and go after God thats when we see that true change happen.

17: here again Paul calls the Philippi’s brothers. When he is calling them brothers he is calling them to an action. Verse 2 he says rejoice, verse 13 he says to not view on things behind but strive for what is ahead and now he is saying to follow his example he is setting. Paul is not saying this to boast or brag about his own holiness or granger. He is saying to these people that he is someone who is truly wanting to live a life to Jesus and they need to be following after those who are walking in the right way. See in this time it is unknown

Don’t get caught up in the sins or shortcomings or your past. When you have goals set in life, do you sit and dwell how you missed them in the past? No you take what you learned and push to do what you can to be better to acchive that goal!

And don’t praise the works you’ve accomplished in the past. Set your eyes to Jesus to how he can use you day in and day out! Hold true to the fact that no matter what you do , don’t do, have done. We can rest in the knowledge that Christ loves us and we set our eye to him, we can stand firm in him!

Now I want to know Christ 3:10-

Ends it out saying He has not arrived. He is knows these are the things he longs for but he isnt going to let things in the past distract him or slow him down from seeking after Jesus Christ to know him more.

The person of him,

The power of his resurrection, ( power to resist sin, power to overcome temptation, power to share my faith,

( power to resist sin, power to overcome temptation, power to share my faith,

The pain he had. (most don’t want this) But to experience, appreciate, and know Jesus better in this way.

power to share my faith, know his pain. (most don’t want this) But to experience, appreciate, and know Jesus better in this way.

Ends it out saying He has not arrived. He is knows these are the things he longs for but he isnt going to let things in the past distract him or slow him down from seeking after Jesus Christ to know him more.

vs 20 : We have our home in heaven, and here on earth we are a group of heaven’s citizens.

vs 21 : Ours is a lowly body because it belongs to the state of humiliation caused through sin

Ours is a lowly body because it belongs to the state of humiliation caused through sin

We know him and our goal is him so we can rejoice!

What is this goal we are going for? TO be in heaven with God, it says it over in verse 20. Reach it and END WITH verse 20&21. Wayne pick up “ Therefore”

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