Welcome and good morning everyone ! So blessed to see everyone here today! If you do not know me, my name is Pastor Steven and I am one of the Pastors here at Family of Christ.
This morning we are continuing to navigate through the book of Philippians. I have been really enjoying reading and studying through this book. As we mentioned in week one, this book really show us another side of Paul and gives us a glimpse into his heart.
As a recap from last week, we talked about how the major theme that runs through chapter two was the fact that Paul was calling on the believer to grow to maturity in their faith. We talked about how important it is to have a spiritual unity with each other and that can only be accomplished through having a active relationship with Jesus. We talked about working out our salvation with fear and trembling and how God is calling us to be an active participant in our faith. We were encourage to not run away from challenge in our lives but rather, to embrace those moments that will be beneficial to others coming to know the Saviour.
This week the title of our message is gaining Christ and pressing forward to reaching our goals.
You may have heard about the industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie was a in the steel business in the late 1800 and early 1900. Through shrewd business deals, he was able to amass a huge fortune which when adjusted for inflation was estimated to be in the tune of 310 billion dollars which would make him the 4th richest human of all time. It was in 1889 that Carnegie composed an article entitled :”The Gospel of Wealth” and in this article he called for those that were wealthy to donate their finances for the betterment of society.
So after accumulating all this wealth, Carnegie proceeded to give away in the later years of his life. We gave towards the building of several museums, various libraries, and into higher education. Later in life, Carnegie softened his firm opposition to the Lord and rejoined the Madison Avenue Presbyterian church. Andrew Carnegie was a driven man to acquire as much knowledge as he could and use that knowledge to obtain wealth and then give that wealth away.
While much of Andrew Carnegie life was built around wealth, the Apostle Paul’s life prior to conversion was built around being the best Jewish Rabbi.
I. Laying down the past
A. Old ways
a. In the start of chapter three, Paul provides and encourage to the church to rejoice in the Lord and to place no confidence in the flesh or worldly things.
b. Paul proceeds then to talk about what he left behind in order to follow the Lord.
c. If you have your bible, turn with me to Philippians Chapter 3(NKJV) and we are starting in verse 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
d. Truly, Paul was a religious zealot. He followed the law to the T and worked hard to motivate others to do so as well.
e. Paul used many different techniques and tactics but one of those was to persecute those that did not follow as he did.
B. Interrupted by Jesus
a. While Paul was going about his business, his life was interrupted by Jesus.
b. Then in verse seven Paul shares that something happened to change his perspective in his religious pursuits.
c. Philippians 3:7-8 NKJV 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
d. Paul had built his entire spiritual life on the wrong foundation. He was a teacher of the Pharisees who were known to be very legalistic and would add laws upon laws to try to protect them from sin.
e. These laws upon laws became so burdensome and so unrealistic for anyone to follow.
f. The laws that they were written were on paper, when God law was written on the heart.
C. Legalism
a. Legalism is a set of rules that if you follow those rules, you will can earn salvation.
b. Paul was blinded to the fact that there was more to having a relationship with Jesus than following some rules.
c. After Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, the bible describes Paul as being blinded.
d. In the book of Acts chapter 9 a follower of Jesus named Ananias went to pray for Paul and here was a result of those prayers: Acts 9:18 NKJV- 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
e. Paul’s eyes were opened to the truth and as a result, Paul went on share this truth with others.
II. Press forward in Christ
A. Setting goals for the future
a. As a result of Paul’s encounter, he worked hard to better himself and was very intentional of doing so.
b. Today, many believers do not work to set goals for themselves because they are content with where they are at spiritual.
c. Now Paul does teach us to be content with our circumstances, but nowhere does he share with us to be content with our spiritual lives.
d. Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
B. Memories of the past
a. I will at times think about some of my memories from the past. While I have some challenging memories, I also have many good memories
b. I really have seen God work in a tremendous way in my life and I am so thankful for every one of those experiences. They have helped to form who I am today.
c. It is not bad to think about the past, but don’t allow your past to limit the dreams of the future.
d. I always tell people to dream big, and sometimes I need to be reminded of this myself too. We have a big God! Who does big things! Amen
C. First step
a. As we look further into verse 12 of our text. Paul’s encouragement was to align our goals with God’s goal for our lives.
b. We do this through being honest with ourselves on where we are at in our walk.
c. Did you notice in our text, Paul didn’t say that he was perfect?
d. He did say, Well I have arrived and you people just need to catch up.
e. No He realized that while he had come a long ways, he still had a ways to go. He realized that he had not completed his journey.
D. Keep a forward focus
a. Our seconds step in the process is to keep moving forward at all times.
b. Now I know some of you are really good drivers, but I think we can all agree that you cannot drive forward by looking in the rearview mirror.
c. Let’s revisit verse 13 and 14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
d. This particular text really is all about perseverance and living a purposeful life.
e. Keeping our eyes on the prize and focusing on that finish line, not allowing distractions to get in our way and to hold us back.
III. Citizens of Heaven
A. Higher living
a. After encouraging these believers to press forward, Paul reminds these believers where that finish line is.
b. These believers in Philippi took pride in their Roman citizenship, kind of like, we have a sense of pride of being a citizen of the United States.
c. Paul was saying just like your Roman citizenship affects how you live, your heavenly citizenship should affect it greater.
B. Right and Wrong
a. Let’s pick up our text in Philippians 3:17-18 NKJV 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
b. In looking at the word being used in our text for walk, it reveals to us two different ways.
i. There is a right way to walk
ii. There is a wrong way to walk
c. There are those, even in the church sadly will choose to walk the wrong way.
d. Paul was disturbed by this, so much so that he was weeping over them because these thought they were in the truth but their lifestyle revealed they were not.
C. Others to follow
a. Circling back to verse 17 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
b. Paul wasn’t saying “Look I am better than you, so you need to do exactly everything the way that I do it”
c. Paul lived and walked with integrity before the Lord. That did not mean he didn’t recognize that he had some issue. He discussed those earlier.
d. You have probably heard the saying “ Do as I say, not as I do”
e. Paul was expressing the direct opposite here. He was saying “ Do as I do because I am following the Lord and leading by example”
D. Great Tragedy
a. Once again verse 18 - For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
b. This text is really a warning for those who profess to be a Christian yet really are not living as citizens of heaven.
c. They are living for self and pleasure, and are not watching and waiting for the soon coming return of Jesus.
d. Jesus addressed people in this state on the sermon on the mount when he said these words in Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
e. Jesus was wants us to make sure that our citizenship is in heave and if so, then we need to live accordingly.
Closing:
As we wrap up our time here this morning studying Philippians three. May you reflect on when your citizenship is. God’s people have always been strangers here on the earth. It was true for the Jewish people in the old testament and it is true for us this morning. We are called to live according to the laws of heaven. So Saints of God, keep pressing forward on your journey with the Lord. Not looking back. Not predicting what will happen in the future based on what has happened in the past. Dream Big! Allow God to work and move in your life and stand back and watch mighty miracles take place!
