A life that’s focused
Phil.3:1-16
1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-- 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and 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 and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
An elderly couple had dinner at another couple’s house, and after eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen. The two gentlemen were talking, and one said, "Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly."
The other man said, "What is the name of the restaurant?"
The first man thought and thought and finally said, "What is the name of that flower you give to someone you love? You know... the one that is red and has thorns."
"Do you mean a rose?"
"Yes," the man said. He turned toward the kitchen and yelled, "Rose, what’s the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"
As the days go by, we may forget what we are living for. Got so much on our plates don’t we? Bills to pay, taxes to pay, and more taxes to pay, kids who need help on their homework, home to clean, garbage to take out, piles of laundry to do. The list goes on. It does not help when Iraq and N Korea appears to be breathing down the necks of North America. Whole world’s focus on that it seems. The world’s focus perhaps in keyed on Mr. Hans Blix chief UN weapons inspector this week said “We are not watching the destruction of toothpicks. Lethal weapons are being destroyed.” Every word he speaks seems so pivotal to war or peace. So I am glad u are here, take a breather.
So what are u living for? To help the government pay their bills?
When we are asked the question what you are living for? Some of us are like that elderly man, we sit and think and think. Nothing comes. Are we living to get stuff? It could be gone in an instant. Victims of fire, flood, tornadoes and earthquakes will agree to that. What are u living for? What’s your life about?
For the Apostle Paul, if he was asked what he was living for. He would say “two words” – “Jesus Christ.” Paul’s testimony
“If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.” Here’s a guy who’s got it made – educated, good pedigree, he’s got great credentials, he’s a guy who’s on the A list. H He is the MVP of his time. A gold medal player – the Gretzky, the Jordan, the best. Yet he said
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss …I consider them rubbish,” stinky stuff??, His life’s achievements a loss, stinky stuff, like dung, a waste product?
And what did he get now? At the time of writing he was in chains (1:13-14). Freedom denied. Give all the best of his world for that? Why did he give it all up to lead a dangerous life, a life marked with humiliation suffering. What changed him, once a violent persecutor, a lethal weapon, a man whose mind was geared for mass destruction of Christians, of the church, now complete turnaround – a spokesman for the founder of Christianity? What gives here?
Brother Baku entered the ’Monastery of Silence’ and the Head Friar said, "Welcome Brother, this is a silent monastery. You are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak until I direct you to do so."
Brother Baku lived in the monastery for 5 years before the Head Friar said to him: "Brother Baku, you have been here 5 years now, you may speak two words."
Brother Baku said, "Hard Bed."
"I’m sorry to hear that," the Head Friar said. "We will get you a better bed."
After another 5 years, Brother Baku was called by the Head Friar. "You may say another two words Brother Baku."
"Cold food," said Brother Baku, and the Head Friar assured him that the food would be better in the future.
On his 15th anniversary at the monastery, the Head Friar summoned Brother Baku to hear his allowed two words.
"I quit," said Brother Baku.
"It is probably best," said the Head Friar. "You’ve done nothing but complain since you’ve been here."
If apostle Paul were asked to speak only two words, it would be JC, if it 5 10 or 15 years from now his answer would be JC. Listen to his story…
12 How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve him, 13 even though I used to scoff at the name of Christ. I hunted down his people, harming them in every way I could. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how kind and gracious the Lord was! He filled me completely with faith and the love of Christ Jesus.
15 This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I was the worst of them all. 16 But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Glory and honor to God forever and ever. He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. 1 Tim 1:12-17 (NLT)
See how every thing he is now revolves around JC?
Once his life was wound up so tight, there was no joy. It was serious, murderous, hate-filled, but his mind snapped back into joy when he received mercy and he could now express heartfelt joy.
So when he writes about life, I think he’s qualified to say what we need to focus on… He has experienced personally powerful presence of the resurrected Jesus Christ, who could have snuffed him out for what he did. Instead of punishment he found mercy, he found pardon, he found hope, and joy flooded his soul. He gladly suffers now for his God, because there’s always resurrection. There’s such a thing as hope, as life that will never be extinguished, as immortality. Once he dealt death, now he doles out life in his message about Jesus. Here he is prime example, the best case study, if God can turn around a violent, over the top church destroyer, i.e. one who dared to touch his beloved church, the people He died for, surely then God can have mercy on anyone and receive eternal life. So when he writes,
“Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard.”
Philippians 3:1 (NRSV)
It comes down to this people, “finally” rejoice in the Lord! I believe he is saying here it is, the thing to focus in on in life… finding joy in God…
Sampling of Scriptures we find joy is
Joy – the consummation of God’s kingdom
Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matt 25:21 (KJV)
Joy is God’s communication to everyone. Lk.2:9-12 “good news of great joy” For a broken world, God has come to restore, longing to bring us home
Joy is God’s crooning over you. Zeph 3:17 I Picture God on piano like Dean Martin crooning those love songs, …
Joy is God’s command to us Jas 1:2, I Thess 5:16 it is non-optional
Joy is the compensation for suffering now Heb. 12:2
Focusing on joy in the Lord as a safeguard… it is repeated theme in the Bible.
v.2-8 People who focus in themselves to find joy will be disappointed – has to be found not
I noticed my husband standing on the bathroom scale, pulling in his ample stomach.
Thinking he was trying to weigh less with this maneuver, I quipped, "I don’t think that is going to help much, hon."
"Sure it does," he said. "How else can I see the numbers?"
Rejoice in the Lord - as a safeguard - illus. safety belt. Internal organs, vital for survival protected.
So people not finding this joy, internally damaged.
A. Internal Protection
Joy internally protects against
1. REGRET: No room for regret (3:13,14)
“…forget what is behind… press on toward the goal to win the
prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”
2. ANXIETY: No room for anxiety – no need to trust in accomplishments, have I done enuff yet – do I qualify? All that goes out when you receive Christ.
Illustrate with man who paid $35 for an old Harley that sat in a garage with a busted motor. He called up Harley dealership, read the serial number of the bike to sales clerk. And clerk told him if it is oK to call him 2 days later. When he did the clerk told the guy to see if there was anything inscribed on the underside and sure enuff, it was inscribed “The king”. That Harley used to belong to Elvis Presley. Then the clerk said he was authorized by his employer to offer him $300,000 for the bike. Next day Jay Leno called and offered him $500,000.
YOU may think u don’t amount to much. U are old battered up but to God you are worth it all. He has inscribed “the king” on your heart forever through Christ.
Banish anxiety with the king in your heart!
3. NEGATIVITY: No room for negative (3:2)
become aware of the dogs, joy breakers word pic. – dirty mutts that run wild dangerous to public - legalists
2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision,
Joy’s location
A life that’s focused has joy because it is centred on
1. Worship in the spirit (v.3-8) who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-
Not acquired through rituals, physical bodily manipulation, it is by spiritual means as gift – a fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22)
2. Acquire righteousness through Christ (v.9)
Christ 9and 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 and is by faith.
3. Suffer for the right reasons (v.10)
10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Suffering takes on whole new meaning – it’s not meaningless pain. Illus. Athlete goes through punishing training not just to get punished or to get sore muscles but to get the glory of winning.
Suffer with Christ – get the glory of resurrection.
4. Accept imperfection (v.12-14)
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus
Get up and go attitude because life is a marathon (strain), it ain’t over till we reach heaven, but the prize is there, persevere thru’ the imperfection, God’s doing the work in (1:6). Joy is close at hand when we know our future is never at risk, the prize is there with Jesus…
Excuse … luck will change…
I was walking down the street the other day when I saw my buddy Doug. I walked up to him and mentioned that I had the most bizarre dream the night before last. Doug listened intently as I told him that the dream consisted of one thing and one thing only. So I told him that all I had dreamt about was a huge glowing number "5." It made of gold and sparkled with diamonds.
Doug’s curiosity was peaked. I went on to say that the first thing that I did in the morning was to grab the daily racing digest and look up the fifth race. Doug raised an eyebrow. So I told him that the #5 horse in the fifth race was named "The Fifth Element." Doug started grinning. Then I told Doug point-by-point what I did that day.
- I ate five bowls of cereal for breakfast and drank five cups of coffee.
- I went for a five mile jog to clear my head.
- I took a five minute shower.
- I dressed in the fifth suit I found in my closet.
- I sat in my car for five minutes before starting it up.
- I drove to the racetrack and parked in the fifth stall in the fifth row.
- I entered through the fifth admissions gate.
- I bought five programs.
- I went to the fifth betting window and bet $555 on the fifth horse in the fifth race.
- I went and sat in the fifth row of the bleachers making sure there were five people sitting on either side of me. I settled in and waited for the race to start.
"Well," said Doug. "Did the horse win?"
I smiled at Doug and said, "Of course not, he came in fifth."
Don’t bet on it!
Don’t wait for luck to change. Instead focus in on Jesus Christ. Then joy will flood your life.
C. Have you left home without it?
Is life about reprisals?
Is life about…
n A position in your job?
n Salary with out of this work benefits?
n Being popular?
n The awards displayed in your home?
n Your “baby”?
n The latest Gucci outfit?
n Earning more income?
1. Are you celebrating yet?
Spend life own achievements but now realize spiritually bankrupt – no joy.
Are u like Paul before his conversion or are you like Paul after received mercy in Christ?
Trust in what Christ accomplished on the cross – this will get the joy right back!
2. Do find out what’s eating away your joy.
3. Recommit yourself to encounter joy in the Lord who is committed to joy over you.
Zero in on that!
