Philippians 3 Joy in the Journey - Joy when pursuing Christ

Pursuing things – we love it

Winning the game

Catching the largest fish

Shooting the buck with the biggest rack

Getting the best deal

Coon hunt with a pickup load of Junior age boys

$50,000 coon dog. Trapsing the woods in the middle of the night. Listening to the different sounds of the howling dogs as the catch the scent and seek to tree that coon. No real trophy. Just the pleasure of running finding the prey.

Philippians 3 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

14 I press on toward the goalfor the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I. 📷📷Joy when pursuing Christ: Not in human efforts

A. Joy found in the Lord Phil 3:1

(ESV) Philippians 3 1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

1. The center of Joy Peace satisfaction

2. Eph. He is our peace

(ESV) Ephesians 2 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

B. Not in people religion Phil 3:2

📷📷(ESV) Philippians 3 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

1. People centered religion – a danger to the Christian

a) Self help

b) Good Morality

c) Being Nice helpful

C. No human accomplishment is sufficient Phil 3:4-6

(ESV) Philippians 3 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

1. Not a mere ‘doing’ thing

2. Paul did the right thing – but of no value to God

a) All infused with Self & sin

D. But Christ has surpassing worth Phil 3:7-9

(ESV) Philippians 3 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, …

… not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

1. Of such great worth he let everything else go to know Him

a) A relationship with Christ is real value

2. Not a self -based righteousness (people everywhere)

3. Offers a righteousness that comes by faith not work

a) A righteousness from God

b) By means of faith

E.

II. Joy when pursuing Christ: Focus on Christ

A. Knowing Him Phil 3:10a-11

(ESV) Philippians 3 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

1. Based on who His Word has revealed Him to be

2. Personally experience Him

a) Merciful / grace / faithful / full of love

3. Intimate relationship

B. Living empowered by Him Phil 3:10b-11

(ESV) Philippians 3 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

1. Wisdom and power to live

(ESV) Ephesians 1 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, …19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

2. made alive

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 5 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

3. New life /

(ESV) Ephesians 2 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

4. Overcome Sin

5. Be used beyond capabilities - giftedness

6. Be like Him Character

C. Embracing suffering for Him Phil 3:10b-11

📷(ESV) Philippians 3 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

1. Privilege to suffer like him – follow His path

2. For sake of others – sacrifice for others

3. For the glory of God – follow God regardless of the cost

4. As a means to be transformed – reset priorities / gain perspective

5. Heb. Learned by Soffering

(ESV) Hebrews 5 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

III. Joy when pursuing Christ: Pressing forward / standing firm

A. Pressing toward the prize Phil 3:12-15

(ESV) Philippians 3 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

1. Straining forward

a) Not Just Passive

b) The Means includes effort

c) Spiritual disciplines – Prayer. Bible study Personal trans formation – acting in faith

2. Focused on the goal of Christ-likeness

3. Knowing it is worth it

B. Holding true based on our citizenship Phil 3:16-21

(ESV) Philippians 3 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

1. Not regressing

a) A new creature

b) A practical transformation has begun

2. Others provide an example

3. Others reflect their worldly citizenship

(ESV) Philippians 3 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

4. Our citizenship already is in heaven - Awaiting the Savior

a) True allegiance is heavenly not national

(ESV) Philippians 3 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

C. Firmly standing awaiting the final transformation Phil 3:21-4:1

(ESV) Philippians 3 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

1. Full transformation ahead

2. So stand firm now