Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. I stand here today, humbled and honored to share the Word of God with you. Our theme today is a three-fold one: Pursuing Potential through Christ, Promoting Fullness in Him, and Practicing Embrace of His Presence.

We find ourselves in the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. He wrote this letter from a Roman prison, yet his tone is joyful, his words are encouraging, and his message is clear: our life is in Christ. Let's read from Philippians 3:9,

"And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."

Do you hear the echoes of longing in Paul's words? The desire to be found in Christ, to have a righteousness not of our own but that which comes through faith in Christ? This is the heart of Paul's message to the Philippians, and it is the heart of our message today.

As we embark on this exploration of the fullness of life in Christ, let's remember the words of Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, who once said, "Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened."

Isn't that a beautiful image? Faith ascending the staircase that love has built, gazing out the windows opened by hope. This is the life of a believer, a life lived in the fullness of Christ's love, guided by faith, and filled with hope.

As we delve into our theme today, let's keep this image in our minds. Let's remember that our potential is found in Christ, our fullness is promoted in Him, and our lives are to be a practice of embracing His presence.

Now, let's bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We thank you for the privilege of gathering together to study it, to learn from it, and to be transformed by it. As we open our hearts to your Word today, we ask that you would guide us, teach us, and help us to see the fullness of life in Christ. We pray for the wisdom to understand, the courage to apply, and the faith to live out the truths we learn today. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Pursuing Potential through Christ

When we think about our lives and the potential we have, it's easy to get caught up in our own abilities, our own strengths, and our own plans. But the truth is, our true potential is not found in ourselves, but in Christ. It's in Him that we find our purpose, our strength, and our future. In the book of Philippians, Paul talks about this idea. He says that he wants to be found in Christ, not having a righteousness of his own, but one that comes through faith in Christ. This is a powerful statement. It's not about what we can do on our own, but about what Christ can do in us and through us.

The idea of being found in Christ: This is more than just a casual association or a superficial relationship. It's about being so closely connected to Christ that our identity is wrapped up in Him. It's about being so immersed in His love, His grace, and His truth, that we can't help but reflect Him in everything we do. This kind of connection with Christ doesn't happen overnight. It's a process. It's a daily decision to surrender our will, our plans, and our desires to Him. It's a commitment to seek Him first in everything we do. It's a determination to live out His teachings, even when it's hard or inconvenient.

The idea of righteousness: Righteousness is a word that we often associate with being good or doing the right thing. But in the context of this verse, it's about much more than that. It's about being in right standing with God. It's about being justified, forgiven, and accepted by Him. This righteousness is not something we can earn or achieve on our own. It's not about our good deeds or our moral behavior. It's about faith in Christ. It's about trusting in His finished work on the cross. It's about relying on His grace and His mercy, not our own efforts.

The idea of faith: Faith is not just a belief in God. It's a trust in Him. It's a confidence in His promises. It's a reliance on His power and His provision. It's a conviction that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. This faith is not a one-time decision, but a daily walk. It's a continual process of trusting God, even when we can't see the way forward. It's a constant choice to believe in His goodness, even when circumstances are difficult. It's a persistent determination to hold onto His promises, even when doubts creep in.

The idea of potential: Potential is not about what we have done or what we are doing, but about what we could do. It's about the possibilities that lie ahead. It's about the opportunities that God has placed before us. This potential is not limited by our abilities, our resources, or our circumstances. It's not confined by our past mistakes or our present challenges. It's defined by Christ. It's determined by His power, His purpose, and His plan for our lives.

Promoting Fullness in Him

As we continue to delve into the richness of Paul's letter to the Philippians, we find ourselves confronted with a powerful truth: the fullness of life is found in Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO