Lesson 10, page 6
“For Me To Live Is Christ”
PHILIPPIANS
Lesson 10
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20, 21
Where do you really belong? Are the roots of your life clinging deeply to the things of this world? Or are you, like Paul, reaching upward? Are you eagerly awaiting our Lord’s return? How do you picture that moment of seeing Him face to face? Take a few moments before you begin this week’s lesson to reflect on this glorious truth, and let it sink deeply into your life.
DAY #1
Read Philippians 3:12-21. Read through again with pen in hand, making note of what is being said. Record the important words, statements and facts. Note, although last week we ended the lesson with verses 13 through 15, we will begin with these verses. Give a title to this section.
Title:
DAY #2 NO TURNING BACK, NO STANDING STILL, ONLY REACHING FORWARD
“Paul still had more spiritual heights to climb. This testimony of the apostle reminded the saints at Philippi----and it serves to remind believers today----that there must never be a stalemate in their spiritual growth or a plateau beyond which they cannot climb.” Robert P. Lightner
1. Read Philippians 3:12-14. Paul was not a young man at the point that he wrote this. And yet he writes with an enthusiasm and expectation that the best was yet to come. Each inch of spiritual growth to him was moving one inch closer to Jesus. Are there areas in your life in which you desire to grow? Maybe you have never written these spiritual goals down. Take some time with the Lord in prayer right now. Ask Him to help you see goals that would bring you closer to Him.
A. Record each goal and why you feel that they are important in your life right now. It is better to focus on 3 or 4.
B. Describe how past failures can cause us to feel defeated and quit before we even begin. Ponder how they have hindered you. Remember, Paul encouraged us to forget those things that are behind.
C. In verse 13, Paul said, “one thing I do.” This is a picture of focus, ignoring distractions. What are the distractions that can sidetrack your growth in attaining the goals you recorded in part A? *Personal* Will you set these aside for the sake of your goal?
2. “Reaching forward” and “pressing toward the goal,” both involve effort. The analogy of Christians being like runners in a race is used several times in the New Testament. After reading the following passages, describe the effort and rewards of this race.
A. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
B. 1 Timothy 4:8 “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
C. 2 Timothy 4:7, 8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
3. Although we need to give our all, we must never rely entirely upon our own abilities and efforts. The words “upward call” remind us to lift our eyes upward to Him. Review the following so that you continue to be dependant on the power of His Spirit within your life. State what encourages you.
A. Philippians 1:6
B. John 15:4-5
C. 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10
4. *Personal* All of our goals in the Christian life should merge into the category of “our upward call” to please our Lord and to become more like Him. It is not just pastors and missionaries who have a calling from God. God is personally calling you! Will you listen, will you respond?
*Quote* “I have learned to place myself before God every day as a vessel to be filled with His Holy Spirit. He has filled me with the blessed assurance that He, as the everlasting God, has guaranteed His own work in me.” Andrew Murray
DAY #3 Read Philippians 3:15-16 MATURITY CONTINUES TO MATURE
High in the Alps is a monument raised in honor of a faithful guide who perished while ascending a peak to rescue a stranded tourist. Inscribed on that memorial stone are these words: HE DIED CLIMBING. A maturing, growing Christian should have the same kind of attitude, right up to the end of this life.
1. Normally we think of maturity as the point in life where we have arrived at completeness. In verse 15, Paul states that the mature Christian will have the mindset that was stated in verses 12 through 14. A vessel that grows as it is filled will never be full. Explain how we can and should continue to grow in the areas stated in the following scriptures:
A. 1 Peter 2:1, 2
B. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17
C. John 15:17
D. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Romans 12:12
*True spiritual MATURITY manifests itself in:
1. The desire to be holy rather than happy.
2. The desire to see the honor of God advanced through his (her) life.
3. The desire to carry his (her) cross.
4. The desire to see everything from God's viewpoint.
5. The desire to die right rather than live wrong.
6. The desire to see others advance at his (her) expense.
7. The desire to make eternity-judgments instead of time-judgments.
A. W. Tozer (1897–1963)
2. Read Philippians 3:15b again. We are told here that when you are blind in your thinking to areas in your life that you need to grow in, that “God will reveal even this to you.” This should encourage, not discourage you. How does God reveal these things to us? Explain what you learn from the following passages about the different ways that God uses to speak. Also share any additional insights or examples.
A. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
B. John 16:13a “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;”
C. Hebrews 3:13 “but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
DAY #4 Read Philippians 3:17 MATURITY MODELED
“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”
Paul knew that many truths are “caught as much as taught.” He knew that if people cannot see the truths being taught them in the lives of those teaching them, it is difficult for them to hear those truths.
1. By using the term brethren, Paul put himself on equal standing in the family of God with the other believers. Yet, he understood that he played an important role as an example.
A. How is Paul a role model to you?
B. Our Lord Jesus modeled for us the principles He taught. Read John 13:3-5 and John 13:12-17. The pattern Jesus gave us was not just the habit of washing dirty feet. What was it, and how can we follow His example?
C. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Explain what you learn from this, and how this can apply to your own life.
D. *Personal challenge* “WWJD” These letters stand for “What would Jesus do?” Some people wear bracelets with these letters, worn as a constant reminder of the opportunity we have to make choices that reflect the Lord’s imprint on our attitudes, words and actions. Will you write these letters in a place that they will be a reminder to you? Then, throughout the day will you silently ask the question WWJD? Then, will you follow His example? Share any encouraging blessings you receive after you have done this.
*Definition* The word example in the Greek New Testament (tupon) is where we get the English word type as in a typewriter. As the keys of the typewriter hit the paper and leave a mark behind, so there are people who have made an impression on our lives. *Personal reflection* What kind of imprint do you leave on others?
DAY #5 Read Philippians 3:18-19 ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST
*Quote* “Freedom in Christ does not mean freedom to be selfish.” Life Application Bible
1. In verse 18 Paul tell us that he spoke often of those who were enemies of the cross of Christ.
A. Explain in practical terms what it was about their lives and motives that was a contradiction to true Godly discipleship and harmful to others (verse 19)?
B. Attitude is important. In scripture, we are warned against talking critically about other people, and we shouldn’t, except for the right reasons. Why do you think Paul had informed them about these people often? What were his motives? *Notice, he “told them weeping.”
DAY #6 Read Philippians 3:20-21 OUR REAL HOME IS HEAVEN
Jesus said, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
As we read these words, all that Paul has said thus far in this book falls into place. No wonder he wasn’t overly stressed about his circumstances. No wonder he was more interested in investing in people than in things. No wonder he loved using Jesus as his supreme example. No wonder he was willing to lay aside all of his earthly accomplishments for the prize that was priceless. Paul viewed himself as a temporary resident on this earth. “For our citizenship is in Heaven.” This truth should stir us as it stirred him. Pause and pray that it will!
“Heaven is not just a destination, it is a motivation.” Warren Wiersbe
1. Citizens of Philippi had the same rights and privileges as the citizens of Rome, because Philippi was a Roman colony. Each citizen’s name was recorded in ledgers to assure the protection of these benefits. We as Christians are assured that our Heavenly citizenship is secured because we belong to Christ. Our names are written in Heaven. This truth should inspire us to live as ambassadors of our true country. As you reflect on the following, how does this affect, prompt, encourage and comfort you? Share the insights you gain.
A. Heaven, the place where God dwells: Revelation 22:1-5 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”
B. Heaven, where our names are registered: Luke 10:20 “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Revelation 21:27 “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.”
C. Heaven, where our inheritance awaits us: 1 Peter 1:4, 5 “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Jesus taught us to pray; “Your kingdom come.
Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
2. Picture the moment described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
A. After looking at the details of this glorious future event, what do you learn?
B. Explain how these words are encouraging and comforting.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
3. Our earthly bodies have limitations. Fortunately, they are temporary. Reflect on and share the insights you gain as you read the following passages. If you are short on time, choose just one or two.
A. Philippians 3:20b, 21 “We also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
B. 1 Corinthians 15:40-44 “There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”