AMBITION 8 PM, Friday, March 20 Downtown, Second floor, Eros Theatre Building (Entrance next to CCD) Opp. Churchgate station

Philippians Chapter 3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Philippians Chapter 3 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

AMBITION a) Unraveling the heart of Worldly Ambition b) Finding Soul Treasure c) Being a Jesus Follower (Dying to Self)

AT THE HEART OF WORLDLY AMBITION Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh

Genesis Chapter 17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the L ORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” 3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” 9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner— those who are not your offspring.

AT THE HEART OF WORDLY AMBITION God creates a covenant with two sides: a. Abraham was to walk faithfully and blamelessly b. God would be his God and his future generations God forever. Keeping the Abrahamic Covenant was one sided!

AT THE HEART OF WORLDLY AMBITION To be God’s friend you need: i) SIGNIFICANCE ii) PERFECTNESS/COMPLETENESS iii) APPROVAL

AT THE HEART OF WORLDLY AMBITION 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh Jewish Impostors – Your accomplishments (Circumcision) get you ultimate Godly Significance, Godly perfection, Godly approval Paul – We are significant, we are perfect and approved because of the accomplishment of God through Christ

AT THE HEART OF WORLDLY AMBITION Significance Perfection Approval THROUGH OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

FINDING SOUL TREASURE If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

FINDING SOUL TREASURE Great Family Heritage – Hebrew of Hebrew/Circumcised on the Eighth Day Great Social Status – Of the People of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin Great Learning – Pharisee of Pharisee Driven by great zeal and passion- zealous persecutor of the Church Religiously Perfect – Perfect with righteousness to the law.

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.

FINDING SOUL TREASURE You can try to force yourself away from Selfish Ambitions through focusing on Good Ambition or You can drift along with your ambitions Knowing Jesus and having intimacy with Jesus is the ultimate treasure to our Soul

FINDING SOUL TREASURE Significance Perfection Approval THROUGH THE GOSPEL EXPERIENCING JESUS

BEING A JESUS FOLLOWER (DYING TO SELF) 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Is Jesus our greatest treasure daily? Are we sure we want to follow Jesus?