Words Of Encouragement - Philippians, Part 8 Series

“Words of Encouragement” - Philippians, Part 8

Philippians Sermon Series, Part 8

Philippians 3:15 – 4:9

Introduction

- Reminder about our level-set from series opener:

1. Christians must reflect the joy of Christ in everything we do

2. This means you and I are to make the Gospel personal, because it is!

3. Not telling shows them that we have nothing different/special to offer others

- This is a great book of discipleship; prayerfully help us draw closer to Christ

-- Living worthy of the Gospel means that we are to be found doing the work

-- RE: As Christians, we are in this together – but not for our ego, desires, or needs

- Quick summary of last week:

- What Paul is saying is that today (right now) is not the end we strive for

-- Consider: Even from prison for preaching the Gospel, life with Jesus is better!

- RE: If your favorite thing was taken away for the sake of the Gospel, are you ok?

-- Why is this ok? Our desire is to live for Him – it should be a rally cry

-- (v14) “Press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize …”

- Read (NLT Version) Philippians 3:15 – 4:9 / Pray

Point 1 – Paul’s guidance on maturing is emphatic!

- Paul’s direction is to keep his (our) mind on growing & maturing in Christ (v15)

-- FACT: All believers are ordained by God to be perfect in Jesus

-- Therefore, our calling is to be refined through Him, and not our own works

- To dwell together in perfection is a sign of spiritual maturity

-- Even if we disagree, we can go to the Spirit for discernment / confirmation

-- This is how we grow – by not giving up – by pressing on (see v14)

- Look at the contrast Paul outlines for us of the world he experienced

-- Pay attention to the parallel the Bible draws to today (re: bible is “living word”)

- Some in that time lived as examples of Christ (v16)

• Paul walked as an example – but in no way was he claiming perfection

• Others around him walked as examples – and they too are not perfect

-- APP: But we can follow their example – strive for forward progress; godliness

- Face it: Where you are today is different than yesterday, last month, year …

-- As you draw closer to God, your maturity grows, and so does your faithfulness

-- If you’re not growing or maturing, it’s a red flag that something is off …

- But still, many in the society Paul speaks of walked as enemies of Christ (v17)

-- Notice his plea: with tears in his eyes, he emphasizes an important truth

• Their god: appetite (selfish desires, needs driven, “me” focus)

• Their glory: shameful (there is no glory in shame, glory is in forgiveness)

• The mind: earthly (they desire mankind’s recognition, self-serving)

• Their end: destruction (eternal death – separation from God)

-- Jesus taught in Matthew 6:2, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”

- Lesson: When we do things for human recognition, we don’t get God’s reward

-- When we do things for ourselves, all we get is the applause of mankind

- So, let’s look at the contrast (v20-21) … the believer is a citizen of Heaven

1. His life: Heaven-centered

- Colossians 3:1-4, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”

2. His focus: the return of Christ

- Hebrews 9:28, “so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.”

3. His end: a changed body

- see v21 and 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, “It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.”