The Way Of Joy - Relationships Series

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The Way of Joy

Philippians Chapter 3

Steele Creek Church, Eastfield – Dr. Tom Bartlett

March 15, 2020

Philippians 3:1-21 (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. (Vs. 1)

HOW TO GROW STRONGER SPIRITUALLY

Give no thought to your own strength

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 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: 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; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. (Vs. 2-6)

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 (ESV)

Resolve to make Jesus your priority

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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 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— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Vs. 7-11)

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

Daily

• Word

• Prayer

• Worship

Overcome your past and press forward

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. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Vs. 12-16)

• Confess and repent of sins

• Receive and offer forgiveness

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

Walk after other godly examples

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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. (Vs. 17-21)

walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him. . . Colossians 1:10 (ESV)

MANUSCRIPT

The Way of Joy

Philippians Chapter 3

Steele Creek Church, Eastfield – Dr. Tom Bartlett

March 15, 2020

Philippians 3:1-21 (ESV)

Good morning Eastfield campus. To say that we are living in unprecedented times for our generation would be accurate. Never in my lifetime have I seen people so afraid with the combined closing of so many major events. I remember the Iraqi war, Y2K, and numerous viruses that have come and gone, but never have I seen the responses and the fear like I do today.

I have good news for you. “THIS TOO SHALL PASS!” While that phrase is not actually in the Bible, we do read this,

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV)

As believers we live with the reality that God is the Lord of all things. We act responsibly, we use the intellect He has given us and we follow godly leaders who seek Him first. Our sincere hope is that this current situation will strengthen your home and cause each of us to strengthen our relationship with the Lord.