Running Hard After Christ (Part 2)

Philip. 3:17-4:1 (ESV)

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.  [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.  [20] But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  [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.

[4:1] Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Last week we learned Paul’s secret to living a consistent Christian life regardless of his circumstances.  His secret was to forget what lies behind and press forward toward the finish line of knowing Christ.  His passion and relentless pursuit of Christ motivated his life.  This week he gives us another important piece of the puzzle.  He shows us in this section of Scripture that running hard after Christ and walking in faith go hand in hand.  Our Christian life is a reflection of Christ living in us. Continue Reading

Running Hard After Christ (Part 1)

Philip. 3:12-16 (ESV)

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.  [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Last week, we learned about Paul’s passion for Christ and how he learned that the righteousness God requires can only be found in Jesus Christ.  He said he was willing to part with everything if it meant gaining Christ and being found in Him.  The Apostle said that, I may know Jesus and share in His suffering attaining the resurrection from the dead. The Apostle had a longing for Christ that motivated his thoughts and actions.  Paul’s passionate longing for Christ is what motivated him to continue in the race of the Christian life.  This longing for Christ will also be motivation for us.  We must have this same motivation if we are to live a consistent, mature Christian life. Continue Reading

Christ’s Surpassing Worth

Philip. 3:1-11 (ESV)

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

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

This text is for all of us who have thought at times we were doing pretty well as a Christian.  This is a text for anyone who might think that they’ve arrived.  This text takes up the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, the very doctrine that is being heavily attacked in our day.  SA is the doctrine that teaches us the truth of Christ’s atoning work for us.  He died on the cross bearing our sin so that His righteousness would become ours. Continue Reading

Living by Faith in Christ

Philip. 2:19-30 (ESV)

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.  [20] For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.  [21] They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.  [22] But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.  [23] I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,  [24] and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

[25] I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,  [26] for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.  [27] Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.  [28] I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.  [29] So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,  [30] for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Paul comes to the end of the first section of his book.  He has given the church many words of exhortation in Christ-likeness.  We have been introduced to some very important truths.

Philip. 1:9-11 (ESV)

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,  [10] so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philip. 1:27-28 (ESV)

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,  [28] and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Philip. 2:2-4 (ESV)

complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  [3] Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Timothy and Epaphroditus were flesh and blood examples for the Philippian believers to watch and to pattern their lives after.  After giving the church these great words of encouragement, the Apostle sends them model Christians to follow.

It’s important in the local church that you have models to follow.  Whether you have models or not we must ultimately follow Christ.

1. Timothy’s Proven Worth (2:19-24) Continue Reading

All Things Without Grumbling

Philip. 2:14-18 (ESV)

Do all things without grumbling or questioning,  [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  [16] holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.  [17] Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.  [18] Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Grumble, Gripe, Bellyache, Whine Complain, Carp, Protest, Moan, Object, Nitpick all these words are used to describe a chronic human condition, a condition that not only affects the one doing it but also affects many others around them.

Have you ever been guilty of grumbling and complaining?

On a website that was basically all about complaining, folks were asked this question:

Why do people complain when they work, but when they don’t have a job they still complain?

The answer they picked as the best: Continue Reading