2 Tim. 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.

2 Tim. 3:13-15 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Philippians: A Book of Perspective. A humble perspective is one that puts the concerns of Christ above all else.

A life well lived is lived for the Lord. A life lived for the Lord has to consider the needs of others.

A Humble Perspective Can Bring Unity, Joy, and Peace Now and an Unashamed Life Before Christ

I. Prologue (1:1-11) A. Greeting (1:1-2) B. Perspective on their partnership: God will use your partnership and my suffering for good (1:3-11)

II. The value of a Humble Perspective (1:12-4:9) A. A humble perspective in the example of Paul’s suffering (1:12-26)

1.He could see the work of God in the spread of the gospel and have joy vv He could be unconcerned about dying and realize his goal (salvation) to be unashamed when he stood before the Lord vv

B. A humble perspective will also allow the Philippians to live worthy of the gospel, be unafraid of their adversaries, realize their salvation, and bring joy to Paul 1:27-2:4 C. A humble perspective is seen in the example Christ and the results in His life 2:1-11

D. A humble perspective would lead the Philippians to work out their salvation so that both they and Paul would be unashamed in the Day of Christ 2:12-18

E. A humble perspective demonstrated by the sending and the example of Timothy 2:19-24 F. A humble perspective demonstrated by the sending and the example of Epaphroditus 2:25-30

Remember this? Philippians: A Book of Perspective. A humble perspective is one that puts the concerns of Christ above all else.

And this? A Humble Perspective Can Bring Unity, Joy, and Peace Now and an Unashamed Life Before Christ

G. A humble perspective brings joy because it follows Paul’s example of the priority to be conformed to Christ’s life and death 3:1-21

Philippians 3:1 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.

The right perspective allows you to have joy. 3:1 …but that joy is “in the Lord”!

Joy protects you. 3:1

Philippians 3:2-3 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

The right perspective recognizes the danger of false teaching. 3:2

The right perspective… realizes that correct teaching involves more than “theology”, but is the stuff of life.

Philippians 3:4-5 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;

Philippians 3:6-7 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

The right perspective… also gives us the right view of our own accomplishments. 3:4-7

Philippians 3:8 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

Philippians 3:9 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;

The right perspective… helps us understand that the reality of who we are makes faith a necessity and righteousness a gift. 3:7-9

Philippians 3:10-11 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

The right perspective… realizes the ultimate goal of life is to know Christ by living out His resurrected life and suffering as He did. 3:10-11

Our goal is to live as He lived, to suffer as He suffered, with His power. 3:10-11 Rom. 6:1-12; Gal. 2:20

Our goal is to live in newness of life. Rom. 6:4 “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Col. 1:27

Philippians 3:12 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.

Philippians 3:13-14 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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The right perspective… realizes that, while no one has arrived, living as Christ lived has to be a constant and continual priority. 3:12-14

Christlikeness, living life in the power of the resurrected life, leads to joy now and a life that is rewardable later. 3:12-14

Paul’s desire was that “both his life and his death would conform to the standard set by Christ”. John Niemela on Phil. 3:10-11

…and so should ours!

Philippians 3:15-16 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. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

We should be careful not to let our lives “drift away” (Heb. 2:1-2) and slip back, but to stay focused on what is truly important. 3:15-16

God will show teachable believers areas in which they are deficient in their thinking. 3:15-16

“For Paul, the centerpiece of living life to the fullest and becoming rewardable was Jesus’ cross and resurrection. Christ’s death and resurrection give direction and enablement to one’s life, which (in turn) brings about rewardability”. John Niemela

Philippians 3:17-18 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 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:

Philippians 3:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

A correct perspective... cares enough about others to live as an example to them. 3:17

A correct perspective... Rescues us from false teaching that focuses on self, has a bad ending, and turns right and wrong upside down. 3:19

And, it all starts with the wrong mind-set! 3:19

The Bible is the most practical book on earth!

Philippians 3:20-21 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.

The right perspective… looks at the world properly, always remembering that this is not our home.

The right perspective… realizes that while we seek to be like Christ now, we will never “arrive” on this side. 3:20-21 …but one day we will!