Introduction
Striving for God, striving for grace. We aren’t justifying ourselves but learning about His justification. V12 not that we are perfected but we press on.
Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
God called you to be like His Son. Our goal is to become what God chose us to be. In all we do we do for this one pursuit. Follow godly examples. Paul is aware of the bad (many) examples. They deny the message of the cross. They are legalistic – their god is their belly. They set their minds on earthly things. They are boasting in the flesh. We need to flee from these enemies of the cross.
Philippians 3:20-21 (NKJV) 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.
Focusing on great expectations
If are going to live the Christian life we have to have
1 – our glorious home V20
Our citizenship is in heaven. This fallen world is not our home. Act as citizens of heaven. Live worthy of the gospel. He is appealing to their citizenship as many of them were Roman citizens. He is emphasizing this world is not our home. Don’t get enticed by the glories of this world which is rubbish. We are pilgrims here. The pleasures of this life are nothing compared to the heaven.
Philippians 1:21 (NKJV) For to me, to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.
2 – Glorious savior V20
Philippians 3:20 (NKJV) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
John 14 – Jesus prepared a place for us. He is coming back for us to bring us where He is. This will be the final and full deliverance of His people. Don’t doubt the second coming. We don’t doubt the cross. The coming is the extension of the cross.. Romans 8:23 “we groan” – He will come again in glory not humility.
Philippians 2:9 (NKJV) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
He is coming again and to judge.
“Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” Psalms 2:12 NKJV
3 – Our glorious transformation V21
Philippians 3:21 (NKJV) 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.
Christ has the power to preserve us to the end of the race. If He has the power to save then He has the power to preserve you to the end. Remember He defeated death and all creation. Live like we are citizens of heaven. Run after it with all your might. Pursue the prize..
Philippians 3:1-21 (NKJV) 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you [is] not tedious, but for you [it is] safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which [is] from the law, but that which [is] through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do,] forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end [is] destruction, whose god [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame–who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.