October 15, 2023

PHILIPPIANS: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

October 15, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Most people—especially in the generations between college and middle age—have a goal for their life. For some, it may be work-related, or where they want to settle down and raise a family. Do you have a goal for your life? In Philippians, Paul speaks of the finish line we should have before our eyes constantly as we “run the race” of life in such a way that everyone knows we are following Christ.  We should be ready to leave this temporal home here on earth to be with Him in heaven whenever He wills it to be so. While we can enjoy our daily lives, as Christians we must keep our focus on Christ Jesus, taking worldly thoughts captive and seeking to please Him in all we do and say. What is your goal?

Focal Passage: Philippians 3

Keep your eyes focused:

  • Read Phil. 3:1-3. Why does Paul say “Finally,” when he has yet to finish the letter? When he says writing the “same thing” is not hard, what was he referring to? Why does he say it is “safe” for them?
  • Who is Paul warning the church about? What three areas of legalism does he warn them of? What was their “work”? Who are the Judaizers attacking?
  • How should we be worshiping God? Read John 4:24 and 14:17. How does this back up Paul’s statement? How do we rejoice in Christ? Give some examples of how we rejoice in the Lord. Who is able to have confidence in their works?
  • Read vv.17-19. How does Paul reassure them that they have no excuse to not know the truth? Who are true believers? Read Rom. 1:18-21. Is Paul saying the same thing here? Can you say you are an example of living righteously?
  • How does Paul react to their antagonism? Read Rom. 9:1-5. Is this again his statement of how badly he wishes Israel could be saved?
  • How does Paul describe these enemies, and what does he mean? Is it possible our own church today could be infiltrated by such enemies of Christ? Why? Does it bother you that we have enemies?

Keep your eyes on what matters

  • Read Phil. 3:4-11. How does Paul contrast what he had been before salvation (the “Best of the Best”) in vv. 4-6 as he writes verse 7? How do we often hear people express pride in themselves? Do you ever pull back from praising someone because they praise themselves (see Prov. 27:2)?
  • If righteousness could be attained by following the Mosaic Law, why would Jesus have had to die? How does Paul say we are made righteous (vv. 9-10)?
  • What is the only thing that is going to matter when you get to heaven? Why is it so necessary for runners to keep their eyes on the finish line, rather than looking close up?

Keep your eyes looking forward:

  • Read vv. 12-16. There is a phrase one often hears, “tunnel vision”; what does it mean? How, if we keep our focus on our own problems and trials, can it impact our spiritual life? Can we walk forward if we are looking behind us? Can you give an example?
  • What are the remedies Paul suggested for keeping your focus on your walk with Christ? Who is determined to keep you beaten down with your past? How can he render your present ministries ineffective if you let him win?
  • How should we live in relationship to other believers? Do you live your typical day like this?

Keep your eyes on Him

  • Read vv. 20-21. Where is your “home”? Do you consider earth to be your true home, or are you looking forward to being in heaven? Are you eagerly waiting for it?
  • What does Paul say will happen as Jesus takes us “home”? What do you remember about Jesus’ body after the Resurrection? What else is going to take place at that time?
  • Read Isa. 52:14, 50:6. As you have trials, do you ever reflect on how much Jesus went through in order to pay your sin debt so you can go to heaven? Can you cultivate that attitude?
  • Is any problem we go through here greater than the marvelous mysteries of what heaven will be like?

Close:

If you’re young, you probably feel there is so much to live for here on earth that you rather hope God will wait many decades before the Rapture occurs! Perhaps you want to marry and have children, experience travel—and a million other things. As you age, especially as you get nearer the age when you know you can’t have a lot of time on earth left, things of heaven become clearer and dearer, and you don’t hold on to life here quite as tightly.

So what should our perspective be? As Paul has stated, we need to remember that this earth is only a very short training ground, and for a few years—or many—we are to prove by our lifestyle that we desire first of all to live in such a way as to bring glory to God. Any other way of living will be deciding against God. Remember, there is no “sitting on a fence” with God! It is rather like voting: if you do not go out and vote, you are actually taking a vote away from the candidate who would be your choice. To try to live like the world now, partying and having “fun,” then planning on getting saved when you’re old, may backfire. You might die young, while still in your sins. Do you really want to take a chance like that?

 

Sandy Day

October 15, 2023

/by