2019 Philippians series Philippians 3:12-16 Race for the Reward 2019 Philippians series Philippians 3:12-16

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV) 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.

Intimacy with Christ: 10a I want to know Christ Holy Spirit power: 10b to know the power of his resurrection Suffering with Christ: 10c to know and participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death Becoming my future glory self: 11 attaining to the resurrection from the dead

Race for the Reward

As an athlete for Christ you are: Participating which means you are not alone Competing which means it takes personal diligence and effort

Intimacy with Christ: 10a I want to know Christ Holy Spirit power: 10b to know the power of his resurrection Suffering with Christ: 10c to know and participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death Becoming my future glory self: 11 attaining to the resurrection from the dead

Five Principles: Race for the Reward Discontent Dedication Direction Determination Discipline

Philippians 3:12-13 (NIV) 12 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. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.

1. Discontent Intimacy with Christ: 10a I want to know Christ Holy Spirit power: 10b to know the power of his resurrection Suffering with Christ: 10c to know and participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death Becoming my future glory self: 11 attaining to the resurrection from the dead

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, (become perfect, Gr: teleioō)…to bring one's character to perfection

2. Dedication Philippians 3:13b ‘But one thing I do:’

Philippians 3:9 (NLT) and become one with him Philippians 3:9 (NLT) and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

Consumed with loving Jesus Consumed with loving others

3. Direction Philippians 3:13c “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”

Forgetting has to do with directional focus

1 Timothy 1:12-16 (NIV) 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

4. Determination Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

12 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. 13a Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.

13b But one thing I do 13c Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Discipline Philippians 3:15-16, “All of us, then, who are mature (Gr: teleios, perfect) should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

Matthew 5:47-48 (NIV) 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 19:21 (NIV) 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Five Principles: Race for the Reward Discontent with the place we are and hunger for deeper relationship with the Lord. Dedication to focusing on intimacy with Christ and suffering for Christ

Direction is forgetting what was formerly of value and have a directional focus toward what holds value Determination to live into the new frontiers of intimacy and suffering for Christ Disciplined to not experience a reversal rather to live up to what I have already experienced in Christ Jesus.

We are Athletes for Christ Let us Race for the Reward