Christian Life Church
August 2, 2023 - 7pm
PHILIPPIANS 3 \ CHRISTIAN PERFECTION (VERSE 10-16)
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
PHILIPPIANS 3 AUGUST 2, 2023
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION (VERSE 10-16)
SCRIPTURE
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:10-16, NLT
MOVING FORWARD
Scripture always has us moving forward in our relationship with God.
Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Psalm 24:3
I press on to reach the end of the race. Philippians 3:14
Let us go on…and become mature in our understanding. Hebrews 6:1
…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION
1/ Christians are eternally perfect in Christ.
For by one sacrifice (Jesus) has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14
2/ Christians are earthly imperfect.
We must resist a works mentality, while striving for growth in Christ.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
The Lord has called us to continued progression not perfection.
“God is looking for love and faith, knowing full well both will be imperfect, no matter how much we grow in them.” Jon Bloom
Striving to earn the love of God must cease, while striving to grow in the love of God must increase!
THE PAST
In order to grow into the future, we must let go of the past.
1/ Let go of bad things from the past.
We must mourn and process the pain of the past (hurt, sin, etc.).
…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1
2/ Let go of benign things from the past.
No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:4
3/ Let go of best things from the past.
Contextually, Paul is speaking to his upbringing and accomplishments. He counts them as loss!
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION (VERSE 10-16)
SCRIPTURE
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:10-16, NLT
MOVING FORWARD
Scripture always has us moving forward in our relationship with God.
Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Psalm 24:3
I press on to reach the end of the race. Philippians 3:14
Let us go on…and become mature in our understanding. Hebrews 6:1
…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION
1/ Christians are eternally perfect in Christ.
For by one sacrifice (Jesus) has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14
2/ Christians are earthly imperfect.
We must resist a works mentality, while striving for growth in Christ.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
The Lord has called us to continued progression not perfection.
“God is looking for love and faith, knowing full well both will be imperfect, no matter how much we grow in them.” Jon Bloom
Striving to earn the love of God must cease, while striving to grow in the love of God must increase!
THE PAST
In order to grow into the future, we must let go of the past.
1/ Let go of bad things from the past.
We must mourn and process the pain of the past (hurt, sin, etc.).
…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1
2/ Let go of benign things from the past.
No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:4
3/ Let go of best things from the past.
Contextually, Paul is speaking to his upbringing and accomplishments. He counts them as loss!