“Only Two Ways” Philippians 3:17-21 Which road are you on? There’s only two. 1. The Wrong Way is: Enemies of the Cross (vv. 18-19) Why is Paul weeping? (see 1 Cor. 1:21-24). Enemies of the cross of Christ act how? a. ______________________________ b. ______________________________ c. ______________________________ d. ______________________________ compare Colossians 3:1-6, characteristics of true Christians 2. The Right Way is: The Way of The Cross (v. 17, 20-21) J_____________ the movement (v. 17) see 2 Thess. 3:7-9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7 The Reason of Our Citizenship (vv. 20-21) Where is our citizenship? _______________ (see Eph.2:19) What do we wait for? ____________________ (“Parousia”) What will Jesus do? ______________________ To whom will He do this? _________________ To what end? ___________________________ How? _________________________________ What is the extent of His power?____________________ 3. Which Way Are You Headed? There are only two ways, you are either: 1) an enemy of the cross or 2) a citizen in the kingdom of God through the cross see Matt. 7:13-14, the two roads
“Unity in Christ-Like Attitude” Philippians 3:15-16 Attitude check: to have the attitude God wants us to have 1. WHO is to have this attitude? 2. WHAT is the attitude? (see Philippians 2:5) 3. If your attitude is different, WHO will show you? So biblical Christian attitude is between you, and ____________, and __________. 4. What A Christian Attitude Looks Like: -Christ taking the form of a bond-servant, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (2:7-8) -Timothy the kindred spirit for the furtherance of the gospel (vv. 2:20, 22)” -Epaphroditus a brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister to be held in high regard who almost died for the work of Christ (vv. 2:25,30) -Paul presses on to take hold of the prize for which Christ laid hold of Him, the promise of the resurrection, so he lives in the power of the resurrection, willingly suffering for the advance of the gospel (3:10, 12, 14). Conclusion: This is called “living the cruciform life” What you believe is shown in how you live What is your attitude in life, faith, and service? How do you see yourself in relation to God and others?
“PRESS ON!” Philippians 3:4-14 How to live a life of faith, advancing the gospel! What does it look like to come to an end of one’s self? 1. Paul’s Testimony (vv. 4-14) Paul’s Supposed Confidence (vv. 4-6) Paul’s True Confidence (vv. 7-11) “Lord” = ________________________ (v. 8) To what can you compare Jesus? (v. 9, see Matthew 13:44) Where does true righteousness come from? _________(v. 9) (see Romans 4:13; Galatians 3:13-14) How do I get it? ______________________ (vv. 9-10) (see Galatians 2:20 & Psalm 126) What is Paul’s hope? ____________________ (v. 11) (see 1 Corinthians 15) 2. How to live a life of faith! (vv. 12-14) We must “press on” (we do) for which Christ laid hold of us (He did!) (v. 12 see Ephesians 2:8-10) Paul is at what point in the process? ___________ (v. 13) How does Paul “press on”? (vv. 13-14) a. _______________________________ b. _______________________________ c. _______________________________ (see Mark 10:29-31) This is future oriented faith! What defines you more, your past or your future? “PRESS ON” is the battle cry to advance the gospel!
“Safeguarding Your Salvation” Philippians 3:1-3 To safeguard your true salvation from false teachers 1. God Commands Us to _______________ in the Lord (v. 1) 2. This is All a _____________________ (v. 1) 3. False Religion Does Not Save (v. 2) a. _______________________________ b. _______________________________ c. _______________________________ 4. The TRUE Safeguard For Our Salvation (v. 3) a. _______________________________ see Romans 2:28-29 & Deuteronomy 30:6 b. _______________________________ see John 4:23-24; Romans 12:1-2 c. _______________________________ see Galatians 3:2 & Jeremiah 9:23-24 d. _______________________________
“Regarding Heroes” Philippians 2:25-30 To highly regard heroes who sacrifice for the work of Christ 1. A Hero’s Testimony (v. 25) Paul describes Epaphroditus how? a. _______________________________ b. _______________________________ c. _______________________________ d. _______________________________ e. _______________________________ 2. A Hero’s Life (vv. 26-28) Epaphroditus is at God’s mercy & providence 3. A Hero’s Welcome (vv. 29-30) Highly regard “men like him” Why? see Acts 20:24; 1 Cor. 16:17-18; Phil. 4:10 4. The Church Regarding Heroes Why don’t we? Why should we?
“Kindred Spirits In The Gospel” Philippians 2:19-24 To unite our spirits in the ministry of the gospel for others 1. True Fellowship of the Gospel (Phil 2:19-20, 22) Paul describes Timothy’s character in these ways: A. _____________________________________ “no one else” had this B. _____________________________________ C. _____________________________________ D. Timothy has __________________________ (v. 22) E. He served for the _______________ of the ___________ F. He served like a ____________serving his ____________ This is where true Christian joy comes from (Phil 1:18) Do these characteristics typify your life in Christ? 2. False “Fellowship” is False Christianity (Phil. 2:21) A. _____________________________________ Is this the “majority”? B. _____________________________________ see Phil 1:15, 17; 3:2-3, 18-19; 4:2 C. _____________________________________ 3. Which one of these WILL WE BE most like? In this thing called Christianity, what are you seeking after? Are the interests of Jesus Christ your top priority?
“Share The Joy” Philippians 2:18 True Christian JOY comes from sharing in the advance of the gospel 1. Review of our Joyous Life in Christ Conduct Worthy of the Gospel (1:27-30) The Basis of Christian Joy (2:1) Unify (2:2) Be Humble (2:3) Serve Others (2:4) Think as Christ (2:5-11) Show Your Salvation (2:12-13) Do All Joyfully (2:14-17) 2. Share the Joy (2:18) Be__________________ in the ____________ _________ S__________________ your _______________ with me. See Matthew 5:11-12 How not to be a “Christian Scrooge” Mark 8:35 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. Psalm 126:6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Conclusion: You can’t separate JOY from advance of the gospel!
“Lights In The World” Philippians 2:14-17 How to be lights for Christ in the world! 1. Proven Followers of Christ are Joyful (2:14) Do _________ things without _______________ or ________________ 2. Proven Followers of Christ Are … (Phil. 2:15-16) 1. ____________________________ 2. ____________________________ 3. ____________________________ 4. ____________________________ Where do Proven Followers Live? ___________________ Proven Followers are called what? ___________________ Proven Followers Do what? _________________________ Why? ______________________________ 3. Proven Followers of Christ Joyfully Trust God (v. 17) Paul’s humility leaves the outcome to God! We must trust God and obey Him in the present, knowing that He will work out His perfect will in and through us for the advancement of the gospel in the future, even if we can’t see what the future holds!! See Psalm 37:1-9
“Jesus Is Our Example” Philippians 2:5-11 Jesus Christ is our example to follow! 1. Have the same ______________ as _____________ (Phil. 2:6-8) v. 6 Jesus’ motive = v. 6 Jesus’ factual identity = v. 7 Jesus’ action = v. 8 Jesus’ factual appearance = v. 8 Jesus’ action = 2. How did Jesus do this? (Phil. 2:8) Jesus ___________________ Himself. Mark 9:33-35 3. God’s Reward to the Humble! (Phil. 2:9) Luke 14:7-11 So when we ________________ ourselves, God will _____________ us. Psalm 138:6; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5 4. The Result of All of This (Phil. 2:10-11) “The way up is down.” And God gets all the glory! Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11; Ephesians 1:10 Conclusion: Is Jesus Christ your example for how to live?
“Living Out Christ” Philippians 2:1-4 Three Ways to Live Out Christ! 1. The Basis of Joy (Phil. 2:1) If Christ . . . then what? 2. If Christ, Then Unify (Phil. 2:2) How must we unify? 4 ways: 1. ____________________________ 2. ____________________________ 3. ____________________________ 4. ____________________________ 3. If Christ, Then Be Humble (Phil. 2:3) The Negative _________________________ The Positive _________________________ 4. If Christ, Then Serve Others (Phil. 2:4) The Negative _________________________ The Positive _________________________ Conclusion: Are you truly in Christ? Then how will you live for others?
“Free To Serve” Philippians 1:22-26 What are you truly living for? 1. The Supremacy of Christ (Phil. 1:23b) What is “better” for Paul? What was Paul’s expectation once he died? Where does the believer in Jesus Christ go when they die? 2. The Priority of Helping Others See Christ (Phil. 1:22-26) What is “more necessary” for the church? (v. 24) What’s the main point of all of this? (v. 25) Who get’s the glory? (v. 26) Conclusion: What are you living for? Is your faith about yourself, or about Christ and others? Have you believed in Jesus Christ, His Cross, His resurrection? If so, you cannot help but to want others to know Jesus Christ! It’s all about the gospel!
“To Live Is Christ And To Die Is Gain” Philippians 1:18-21 What’s the most important thing in your life? 1. Our Conclusion: Christ Proclaimed! (vv. 18-19) What is Paul’s overriding concern? What kinds of fellowship does Paul have? 1. 2. 2. Our Confidence: Christ Exalted! (v. 20) What is Paul’s confidence, his expectation? 1. 2. Paul’s testimony is the gospel message AND his body given for that message. What’s your testimony? 3. Our Cause: Christ Is My Life! (v. 21) How do you fill in the blank? To live is and to die is (see Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:4; John 10:10, 14:6; 1 John 5:20; Phil. 3:7) Conclusion: How should we view our life purpose? How should we view our life circumstance? What “filter” are we using to “assess our success”?