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Phil. 3:12-21
Intro.
A. Review: we are to have the mind of Christ (2:5), beware of dogs (3:2), and count all things loss for Christ (3:7).
B. We should be a specialist (difference between amateur and artist/specialist - one pursues task at intervals, the other makes it life’s business). Paul said: “one thing I do....I press...” (v. 13,14).
(Notice “things” and “thing” vs. 8,13.)
Body:
A. Attitude toward the past (3:12-14)
1. Not perfected - reached perfection (v. 12). His goal was vs. 9-11 - he had clearly not attained that, but it was his goal. (The fact that we fall short does not justify lowering the goal!)
2. Dissatisfaction is the first essential to progress.
a. I can teach a person the Bible
b. I cannot make him want to learn!
c. If a person is satisfied with not knowing God’s word/or unfaithfulness - no progress.
3. The one thing - pressing toward the goal - requires two things: forgetting the past and reaching forward (v. 13). Get the headlights on the right end; can’t do anything about things behind anyway! (Some always looking back - “I used to be...” but no longer have eye on the goal. “But Jesus said to him, No one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62; he will plow a crooked row/life; Heb. 12:1,2).
B. His discipline (3:15-16)
1. He was mature (v. 15 perfect/same word as v. 12, but used of maturity). One mark of maturity is realizing that you need to grow!
2. Those who did not have the same attitude as Paul (vs. 13,14) would come to perfection -
if they would continue to follow the rule they were presently following
3. We “should live up to what (we) have learned thus far, and (we) should encourage (our) fellow Christians to do the same. Only as a Christian walks in the light that he has received does he have assurance that he will gain greater light” (Walton Weaver).
C. We are examples or enemies (3:17-21)
1. An example is a pattern (v. 17; 1 Cor. 11:1).
2. The cross - the sacrifice and the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 1:18,21-24). It is a symbol of death to self and sin; those who are enemies of the cross will die to righteousness and holiness. The spirit of the cross is self-sacrifice - not self indulgence!
3. Conscious enemies:
a. Atheist, agnostic - no God, or you can’t know either way
b. Evolutionist - would not believe unless the only other option is creation!
4. Unconscious enemies:
a. Modernist - claims to believe in God, but denies the miraculous; explains everything in modern day experiences.
b. Denominationalist - teaches traditions, defends the party regardless of the truth.
c. False brethren (2 Cor. 11:26) - teaching doctrines contrary to God’s word (2 Jn. 9).
d. Materialists (v. 19) - more concerned about physical things than spiritual; “glory is in their shame” (Rom. 6:21 “What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.”). Some gloried in circumcision
(Gal. 6:13,14), but any form of materialism is enmity to the cross.
e. Whose god is their belly - “Man built a little chapel near his home; visitor said “that would make a great kitchen.” He replied “I’ll make a kitchen out of it when I make a god of my belly.”
D. Our citizenship and destiny (3:20,21).
1. The Philippians understood citizenship in another country. Rome permitted them Roman citizenship, away from Rome!
2. Our names are written in heaven (Phil. 4:3; Lk. 10:20; Rev. 3:5).
3. Fictitious story written by Edward Hale (1863) “The Man Without a Country” - story of Philip Nolan, an army officer who exclaimed at court-martial trial that he wished he would never hear of the U.S. again. He was put on a ship with instructions that no one ever give him any news of his own land. Before he died, he begged for reconciliation. Not true - but a true message - appreciate our citizenship in heaven!
4. We could be men “without a country”
a. Heb. 11:13-16 - Abraham looked for a city - so was content to dwell in tents here.
b. Heb. 11:24-26 - Moses looked for a reward - so forsook earthly treasures of Egypt.
c. Heb. 12:2 - Jesus looked to “the joy set before Him” - so endured the cross.
Concl.
A. Check your Passport
1. It validates your citizenship (in foreign country it provides help from American embassy).
2. It permits you to enter your homeland - “American Citizens” in this line! God will allow us to walk through heaven’s gates with rejoicing, because we had or passport.
B. He will transform our lowly body (v. 21; 1 Jn. 3:2; 1 Cor. 15:35-38).
C. There are two ways of living - example or enemy; two consequences - destruction or transformation. If we live for the present (v. 19); if for the future (v. 20).
Intro.
A. Review: we are to have the mind of Christ (2:5), beware of dogs (3:2), and count all things loss for Christ (3:7).
B. We should be a specialist (difference between amateur and artist/specialist - one pursues task at intervals, the other makes it life’s business). Paul said: “one thing I do....I press...” (v. 13,14).
(Notice “things” and “thing” vs. 8,13.)
Body:
A. Attitude toward the past (3:12-14)
1. Not perfected - reached perfection (v. 12). His goal was vs. 9-11 - he had clearly not attained that, but it was his goal. (The fact that we fall short does not justify lowering the goal!)
2. Dissatisfaction is the first essential to progress.
a. I can teach a person the Bible
b. I cannot make him want to learn!
c. If a person is satisfied with not knowing God’s word/or unfaithfulness - no progress.
3. The one thing - pressing toward the goal - requires two things: forgetting the past and reaching forward (v. 13). Get the headlights on the right end; can’t do anything about things behind anyway! (Some always looking back - “I used to be...” but no longer have eye on the goal. “But Jesus said to him, No one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62; he will plow a crooked row/life; Heb. 12:1,2).
B. His discipline (3:15-16)
1. He was mature (v. 15 perfect/same word as v. 12, but used of maturity). One mark of maturity is realizing that you need to grow!
2. Those who did not have the same attitude as Paul (vs. 13,14) would come to perfection -
if they would continue to follow the rule they were presently following
3. We “should live up to what (we) have learned thus far, and (we) should encourage (our) fellow Christians to do the same. Only as a Christian walks in the light that he has received does he have assurance that he will gain greater light” (Walton Weaver).
C. We are examples or enemies (3:17-21)
1. An example is a pattern (v. 17; 1 Cor. 11:1).
2. The cross - the sacrifice and the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 1:18,21-24). It is a symbol of death to self and sin; those who are enemies of the cross will die to righteousness and holiness. The spirit of the cross is self-sacrifice - not self indulgence!
3. Conscious enemies:
a. Atheist, agnostic - no God, or you can’t know either way
b. Evolutionist - would not believe unless the only other option is creation!
4. Unconscious enemies:
a. Modernist - claims to believe in God, but denies the miraculous; explains everything in modern day experiences.
b. Denominationalist - teaches traditions, defends the party regardless of the truth.
c. False brethren (2 Cor. 11:26) - teaching doctrines contrary to God’s word (2 Jn. 9).
d. Materialists (v. 19) - more concerned about physical things than spiritual; “glory is in their shame” (Rom. 6:21 “What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.”). Some gloried in circumcision
(Gal. 6:13,14), but any form of materialism is enmity to the cross.
e. Whose god is their belly - “Man built a little chapel near his home; visitor said “that would make a great kitchen.” He replied “I’ll make a kitchen out of it when I make a god of my belly.”
D. Our citizenship and destiny (3:20,21).
1. The Philippians understood citizenship in another country. Rome permitted them Roman citizenship, away from Rome!
2. Our names are written in heaven (Phil. 4:3; Lk. 10:20; Rev. 3:5).
3. Fictitious story written by Edward Hale (1863) “The Man Without a Country” - story of Philip Nolan, an army officer who exclaimed at court-martial trial that he wished he would never hear of the U.S. again. He was put on a ship with instructions that no one ever give him any news of his own land. Before he died, he begged for reconciliation. Not true - but a true message - appreciate our citizenship in heaven!
4. We could be men “without a country”
a. Heb. 11:13-16 - Abraham looked for a city - so was content to dwell in tents here.
b. Heb. 11:24-26 - Moses looked for a reward - so forsook earthly treasures of Egypt.
c. Heb. 12:2 - Jesus looked to “the joy set before Him” - so endured the cross.
Concl.
A. Check your Passport
1. It validates your citizenship (in foreign country it provides help from American embassy).
2. It permits you to enter your homeland - “American Citizens” in this line! God will allow us to walk through heaven’s gates with rejoicing, because we had or passport.
B. He will transform our lowly body (v. 21; 1 Jn. 3:2; 1 Cor. 15:35-38).
C. There are two ways of living - example or enemy; two consequences - destruction or transformation. If we live for the present (v. 19); if for the future (v. 20).