Philippians 3:12-16 (NASB)

¹² Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; ¹⁶ however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

This sermon will be completed Novenber 25.

Theme: Attaining the prize of knowing Jesus more and becoming more like Him involves entering in the race, embracing the right attitudes, and exerting the required effort.

Outline: Three essential keys to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus and in your Christian Character.

I. Enter in the race (verses 3:12,14)

II. Embrace the right attitudes (verses 3:12-16)

A. Humility of heart – “I have not arrived yet (to spiritual maturity/completion)” (verses 3:12‑13)

B. Persistence/Perseverance – “I’m in this to the end” (verses 13-14)

C. Unity in Community – “Were in this together!” (verses 15-16)

III. Exert the required effort (verses 3:12,13,14)

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Philippians 3:10-11 (NASB)

¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; ¹¹ in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Theme: The Goal of the Christian life is to know Jesus more closely and to become more like Him.

Outline: Three specific aspects of knowing Christ that help us (believers) accomplish our goal of knowing Him more and becomming more link Him.

I. We must know the power of His resurrection (verse 3:10b)

II. We must know the participation of His suffering (verse 3:10c)

III. We must be conformed to His death (verse 3:10d)

Conclusion: Our goal of knowing Christ and being like Him will be accomplished (verse 3:11)

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Philippians 3:8-9 (NASB)
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

Theme: Knowing Jesus Christ personally is the greatest treasure by far that any person could ever have.

Outline:
I. In order to know Jesus, you have to meet Him at the Cross by faith (verse 9)

II. When you personally know Jesus, you will increasingly see Him as your greatest treasure, and think & live accordingly (verse 8)

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Philippians 3:4-7 (NASB)

4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Theme: Even the very best of human inheritance & good works/intentions will not earn sinners a place in Heaven; it is only by trusting in the Person & Work of Jesus Christ alone.

Outline: The crucial contrast between trusting in your own self for salvation and trusting in Christ alone.

1. Many ways to work yourself to eternal death (verses 5-6)

a) By trusting in who you are by birth

b) By trusting in the good works you have done

2. The One Way to find eternal life (verse 7)

a) By repenting of your sins before God

b) By trusting in who Jesus is and the prefect work He has done for you

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Philippians 3:1-4 (NASB)

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more.

Theme: Only true Christians are able to obey God’s specific commands and display certain spiritual characteristics in their lives.

3 spiritual characters that true Christians display in their lives, as evidence of having salvation in Christ:

1. True Christians worship in the spirit of God (3:3a)

2. True Christians glory in Christ Jesus (3:3b)

3. True Christians do not depend on their works for salvation (3:3c-4)

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Philippians 3:1-4 (NASB)

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more.

Theme: Only true Christians are able to obey God’s specific commands and display certain spiritual characteristics in their lives.

Two specific commands for believers to obey in their lives:
1. True Christians rejoice in their relationship with the Lord Jesus (3:1)
2. True Christians recognize & reject false Gospel teachers (3:2)

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Philippians 2:25-30 (NASB)

²⁵ But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; ²⁶ because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. ²⁹ Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; ³⁰ because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

Theme: A Christian who is worthy of imitation is faithful in living and serving in the ways outlined by Paul in Philippians 1:27-2:18

Five traits of a selfless servant that Christians should find worthy of joy and honor

1. A selfless servant labors together with others in ministry – 2:25
2. A selfless servant battles side-by-side together in spiritual warfare – 2:25
3. A selfless servant does whatever is needed to serve the church body – 2:25; 27, 30
4. A selfless servant thinks of others above self – 2:26; 27, 30
5. A selfless servant risks everything to serve Christ – 2:27-30

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Philippians 2:19-24 (NASB)

¹⁹ But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. ²⁰ For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. ²¹ For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. ²² But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; ²⁴ and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.

Theme: A Christian who is worthy of imitation is faithful in living and serving in the ways outlined by Paul in Philippians 1:27-2:18

Four distinct qualities of a faithful servant for Christians to emulate in Gospel Ministry

1. A faithful servant has genuine concern for the spiritual condition of others – 2:20
2. A faithful servant seeks after Christ’s interest, not self-interests – 2:21
3. A faithful servant demonstrates character over time – 2:22
4. A faithful servant learns how to serve and minister with others – 2:22

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Philippians 2:16-18 (NASB)

¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. ¹⁸ You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Theme: The Christians’ spiritual ministry to one another, though costly and self‑sacrificial, should be marked by present joy and future anticipation of joy before Christ.

Three principles to remember regarding the connection between our joy and our sacrificial service to others.

1. Sacrificial ministry toward one another should be motivated by the future joy of standing faithful before Christ – 2:16
2. Suffering and sacrifice in ministry toward others should be cause for great rejoicing – 2:17
3. Self-sacrificial spiritual ministry together should result in mutual rejoicing – 2:18

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Philippians 2:14-16 (NASB)

¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵ so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

Theme: Our Testimony as Christians must be marked not by grumbling or disputing against one another, but by holding tightly to the Gospel together in this sinful world

Three Guides to help us give up our grumbling and disputing for the glory of God

1. Grumbling and disputing, under any circumstances, is unacceptable- 2:14
2. Refusing to grumble and dispute allows our Christian testimony to shine in this world – 2:15
3. Holding tightly to the Gospel compels us to stop grumbling and disputing – 2:16a

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