SCRIPTURE: PHILIPPIANS 3
MEMORY VERSE:
“But one thing I do:” Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20-21)
NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH (vs. 1-11)
What confidence in the flesh did Paul have?
- He was circumcised on the eighth day, an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin. (v. 5a)
- He was a Hebrew of Hebrews and a Pharisee. (v. 5b)
- He was persecuting the church (v. 6a)
- He was righteous and faultless. (v. 6b)
This is what Paul said: (vs. 7-11)
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 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 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 and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL (vs.12-21)
How to reach our goal to win the prize in heaven according to Paul:
- Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. (v. 13-14)
- Live up to what you have already attained. (v. 16)
- Join with others in following my example and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. (v. 17)
- Wait on the Lord Jesus Christ who will bring everything under his control, And he will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. For our citizenship is in heaven. (v. 20-21)
THOUGHTS:
When Paul mentioned his credentials, he was not boasting about his achievements but showing that human credentials, upbringing, nationality, family background, and inheritance cannot earn salvation and eternal life. The most impressive credentials, achievements or reputation fall short of God’s holy standards. Salvation comes only through faith in Christ.
After Paul considered everything he had accomplished in his life, he said that it was all “worthless” when compared with the greatness of knowing Christ. He gave up everything – friendship, family and freedom – in order to know Christ and his resurrection power. A person’s relationship with Christ is more important than anything else. Are you willing to give up in order to know Christ? Remember that you may have to make sacrifices when you want to place your priorities to know Christ as your ultimate goal.
Before we walk in the newness of life, we must die to sin. Just as the Resurrection gives Christ’s power to live for him, his crucifixion marks the death of our old sinful nature. That mighty power will help us live morally renewed and regenerated lives. We must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that my distract us from being effective Christians.
Christ was exalted after his resurrection. Paul knew that when he died , he had faith that he would be raised to life again. All true believers will one day share Christ’s glory.
In the past, Paul had been persecuting the church because he thought that Christianity was heretical and blasphemous. Jesus did not meet his expectation of what the Messiah would be like. So he assumed that Jesus’ claim was false and wicked. In addition, he saw Christianity as a political menace because it threatened to disrupt the fragile harmony between the Jews and the Roman government. But when Christ spoke to him in Damascus, he had completely changed. Therefore he wanted to forget the past and his name was changed from Saul to Paul. Similarly, since our hope is in Christ, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God wants us to be. Do not dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God realizing that you are forgiven. Move on to a life of faith and obedience and live a meaningful life with joy.
Since there was no Bible before, Paul challenged the Philippians to pursue Christlikeness by following his example and imitating him. Can people follow your example by the testimony of your character?