THE PERSUIT OF TRUE BELIEVERS Philippians 3:1-21

MEMORY VERSE “I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3: 14).

LESSON: Knowing more about Christ and following Him all the way should be the pursuit of every saved child THOUGHT: My greatest desire is to know more about Jesus

INTRODUCTION In a soccer match, the earnest pursuit of all the members of the football team is to score goals. They spend their time and energy trying to kick the ball to the goal post of the opponents. True believers also have their pursuit in life which they give their time and energy to achieve.

INTRODUCTION The goal scored by the soccer team make the members to win Laurels, different types of prizes, medals, trophies and also receive honour and praise from men. The pure believer enables them to accomplish crown of glory in eternity. Who then are the true believers and what are their pursuits?

TRUE BELIEVERS PHILLIPPIANS 3: 1-9; JOHN 8: 34, 36 True believers are friends of Jesus. They are Children who have repented of their sins and received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. They no longer live in sin such as: Lying, abusing others being proud and stubborn, cheating, stealing, fighting etc. If you are a true believer, the Bible says you are already condemned to spend eternity in a place of suffering called hell. God does not want you to go to hell. You can become a true believer now by taking

TRUE BELIEVER PHILLIPPIANS 3: 1-9; JOHN 8: 34, 36 You can become a true believer now by taking these steps: Realize that you are a sinner and that is why you are doing these bad things (Romans 3: 23) Repent of your sins and confess them to God (Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9). Ask God to forgive you and cleanse you with the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7) Thank God for answering your prayer (Matthew 7:8a). Jesus said in John 6: 37b…. him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

THE PURSUIT OF TRUE BELIEVERS PHILLIPPIANS 3: 9-16 Paul the Apostle started his own pursuit in the above passage. These are: I. To live righteously, that is, to be holy within and without and to be blameless in all his ways. This is what Jesus expects from all His friends (Verse 9). II. Abiding in Christ always- This means, living in obedience to the word of God (John 15:14). He never depended on his works but love to do the will of God all the time. III. To know Christ the more. Remember the hymn which says “More about Jesus would I know…more about Jesus would I learn” . You must take time to study the word of God and pray if you want to know more about Jesus

THE PURSUIT OF TRUE BELIEVERS PHILLIPPIANS 3: 9-16 PAUL : IV. To know Christ’s power of resurrection (Phillippians 3:11,12).He looked forward to the resurrection of the human body to life; when true believers who are dead and those still alive will be changed from mortality to immortality. This is what we call the rapture. True believers wait for the rapture by keeping away from every appearances of sin (I Thessalanians 5: 22; I John 3: 2,3). V. To know the fellowship of Christ’s suffering- Apostle Paul was always ready and willing to suffer for Christ’s sake (Matthew 5: 11, 12) VI. To be in unity with others true believers and avoid those who are false These earnest pursuit of Paul the Apostle when he was on earth, should be the pursuits of all true believers who want to get to heaven at last

THE RESULT OF TRUE BELIEVERS PURSUIT MARK 16: 15; PHILLIPPIANS 3: 13-16, 20,21 The duty of every true believer is to preach the gospel. Nothing else is more important than obedience to this great command. Apostle Paul was able to obey this great command. True believers will also be able to carry out this great command when they have the same goal he had. In 2 Timothy 4:7, 8a Paul said “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness”.

PAUL THE APOSTLE AND STEPHEN i. He overcome Satan and other enemies of the gospel ii. He finished his God given assignment iii. He kept the truth of the word of God These are the result which believers who pursue after holiness while here on earth will receive. Stephen also ended up with a great testimony of victory. Heaven opened before him, his face shone like the face of an angel and he saw Jesus waiting to welcome him (Acts 6:15; 7: 55, 56). Paul the Apostle Heaven open before Stephen

1. How did Saul became converted ?________________. 2. Who are believers? _________________________. 3. Mention four other names which believers are called?________, ________,________________,____________________. 4. Mention four duties of believers? ____________, _______________, _____________________,________________. What should What should be the joy of believers?