3. Philippians 3: 1-14 (New Living Translation) Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy. I never get tired of telling you this. I am doing this for your own good. [2] Watch out for those dogs, those wicked men and their evil deeds, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.
4. Philippians 3: 1-14 (continued) [3] For we who worship God in the Spirit are the only ones who are truly circumcised. We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us. [4] Yet I could have confidence in myself if anyone could. If others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
5. Philippians 3: 1-14 (continued) [5] For I was circumcised when I was eight days old, having been born into a pure-blooded Jewish family that is a branch of the tribe of Benjamin. So I am a real Jew if there ever was one! What's more, I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. [6] And zealous? Yes, in fact, I harshly persecuted the church. And I obeyed the Jewish law so carefully that I was never accused of any fault.
6. Philippians 3: 1-14 (continued) [7] I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. [8] Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ
7. Philippians 3: 1-14 (continued) [9] and become one with him. I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God's law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. [10] As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
8. Philippians 3: 1-14 (continued) [11] so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead! [12] I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.
9. Philippians 3: 1-14 (continued) [13] No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
10. TAKE HOME Jesus calls us to a life of wonder, fulfillment, love and intimacy. By faith we can experience him in a dynamic, personal and glorious way. God longs to share himself with us in a way that should inspire our best effort and full co-operation and he's paid the price of admission. Jesus, you reached out to me. I'm reaching up to you. Help me to know you in the deepest and richest level. I surrender to your love.
17. I WANT TO EXPERIENCE TRIUMPH OVER PAIN AND DEATH LIKE JESUS. -V10-11 Romans 8:17 (NLT) And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Matthew 5:11 (NLT) "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.
18. I AM PRESSING ON, REACHING, STRETCHING AND PURSUING THAT DEEP FELLOWSHIP -V12 • 2 Tim. 4:6-8 (NLT) As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.
22. NO LOOKING BACK, ONLY FOCUSING ON JESUS. PUTTING MY 'ALL' INTO REACHING THE GOAL AND LAYING HOLD OF THE PRIZE. -V13 • Past failures won't stop me in my tracks. • I won't be defined by mistakes I've made. • I have my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. -Hebrews 12: 2
23. Hebrews 12:2 The Message Bible puts it this way: Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God
24. FROM HEAVEN GOD HAS CALLED ME AND WITH HIS HELP I'LL WIN THE PRIZE! -V14 • This isn't just my dream, it is God's offer to me. He has called me to the heights of joy and glory! Here goes!
25. WHAT IS THE PRIZE? • To experience God at the deepest level and one day live with him. • It must be a grand mix of glorious joy, deep fulfillment and wonderful peace. • All this and Heaven, too!
26. 2 Chronicles 15:15 (NLT) All were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into it with all their hearts. Eagerly they sought after God, and they found him. And the Lord gave them rest from their enemies on every side.
27. Psalm 73:25 (Message Bible) David sought this: You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth! Isaiah 26:9 (Message Bible) Isaiah knew this yearning: Through the night my soul longs for you. Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to you.
28. Philippians 3: 1-14 1. THIS IS A MYSTERIOUS PASSAGE 2. WE CAN ONLY IMAGE THE THOUGHTS THAT CONSUMED PAUL AS HE WROTE THIS LETTER OF YEARNING, WORKING AND REACHING. 3. WHAT IS CERTAIN IS PAUL'S OBCESSION WITH CONNECTING WITH JESUS CHRIST AT THE DEEPEST LEVEL. BOTH NOW AND IN ETERNITY. AND ME?
29. Philippians 3: 1-14 • When I read the stories of Jesus tending to wayward people, do I see him reaching out to me as well? • Can I catch a glimpse of the crucified One looking my way, inviting me to experience his love and forgiveness?
30. Philippians 3: 1-14 • Can I screen out the noises about me and hear him calling me? "Come unto me!" • Today is a good day to open my arms and my heart to the One who calls me by name and yearns to have me in his Family.
35. TAKE HOME Jesus calls us to a life of wonder, fulfillment, love and intimacy. By faith we can experience him in a dynamic, personal and glorious way. God longs to share himself with us in a way that should inspire our best effort and full co-operation and he's paid the price of admission. Jesus, you reached out to me. I'm reaching up to you. Help me to know you in the deepest and richest level. I surrender to your love.
