Notes for Small groups

Philippians 3 vs 12 – 4 vs 1 Pressing on in Christlikeness

Sunday 15 July 2018

Mike

Philippians 3 vs 12 – 4 vs 1 New International Version (NIV)

8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowingChrist Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ9and be found in him, not having arighteousness of my own that comes from the law,but that which is through faith in[a]Christ—the righteousnessthat comes from God on the basis of faith.10I want to knowChrist—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,becoming like him in his death,11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrectionfrom the dead.

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,but I press on to take holdof that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behindand straining toward what is ahead,14I press ontoward the goal to win the prizefor which God has calledme heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

15All of us, then, who are matureshould take such a view of things.And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17Join together in following my example,brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.18For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.19Their destinyis destruction, their god is their stomach,and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.20But our citizenshipis in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21who, by the powerthat enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodiesso that they will be like his glorious body.

4Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,my joy and crown, stand firmin the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Questions for small groups

  1. In verses 8 – 10 Paul talks about knowing Christ: of being found in Him, knowing the power of His resurrection and knowing participation in his sufferings. Is to know Christ to be like Christ?
  2. What is it in these verses (8 – 10) that Paul places such great value in?
  3. In verse 12 Paul says ‘I press on to take holdof that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me’. Why has Christ taken hold us? (see John 15 vs 16, Ephesians 2 vs 8-10 and other verses that declare that it was to reveal His glory!)?

Source: Got Questions

Q. What does it mean to be a fruitful Christian?

There are many ways Christians can be fruitful. True fruitfulness begins in the heart with the fruit of the Spirit. That inner fruit affects outward actions; our words and our activities will glorify the Lord, and God’s will is accomplished. God’s desire is to transform us into the image of Christ and make us as fruitful as He was. In our allegiance to Him, we want to be characterized by good works, humility, and forgiveness. We want to always be ready to “give an account for the hope that is within you”. We desire to be the “good soil” Jesus spoke of in theParable of the SowerinMatthew 13:3–9.

The result of spiritual fruitfulness is that God is glorified, we grow, and others come to know Christ—this is the ultimate fruitfulness for a child of God.

  1. Paul is urging us to press on by taking hold of, or appropriating fruitfulness and good works in our lives. But we have to choose to make these things happen. Think about the choices we make each day with regards to the extent that we are embracing good works and fruitfulness in our lives.

To do this it helps to think of some aspect of Christ’s teaching, and then compare that with our reaction to others and situations around us in daily life – For Example:

Humility and serving:

John 15 vs 16:

35Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said,“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Am I prepared to constantly clear up after others?

Forgiveness:

Colossians 3 vs 13

13Bear with each otherand forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Am I prepared to forgive others when it really hurts?

Stepping out in gifts of the spirit to serve others:

1 Peter 4 vs 10

10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,as faithfulstewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Am I prepared to develop my gifting, coming to meetings prepared to serve others?

Am I pressing on in Christ in these areas?

Two things can help us in this

  1. Why should we forget those things which are behind us?
  2. Why should we both look to those who are a good example, and be a good examples ourselves.