Philippians – Pt 6
Philippians 3:12-21 (NLT)
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.
17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
The completeness Jesus has in mind for you is to see you fully transformed into the image of Christ.
PAUL SHOWS US FIVE PRACTICAL WAYS TO GROW IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND BE TRANSFORMED INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST:
1. Knowing Christ deeply.
2. Becoming like Him.
Acts 9:3-22 NLT
3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”
15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.
Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 20 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”
21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”
22 Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
3. Aim for a heavenly mindset.
Acts 20:24 NLT
24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
4. Build a Kingdom community.
5. Forget the past and look ahead.
Galatians 2:20 NLT
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Ask the Lord…
– “What part of my life needs transformed by you?”
– “Where am I being called to press on?”
– “Who can I invite to run this race with me?”
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Christ didn’t save you to be perfect — He saved you to be transformed. So press on, because He’s not done with you yet.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
Read Philippians 3:12-21.
▶ Paul says, “I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” What does it mean to you for Christ to have possessed you for a purpose, and how are you learning to live into that purpose?
▶ Paul reminds the Philippians that they are citizens of heaven. What does it look like to live with a heavenly mindset in your everyday life – at home, work, or with friends?
▶ What helps you personally grow in truly knowing Christ – not just intellectually, but through experience, and relationship.
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
Spiritual maturity is described as becoming more like Christ over time. What is one practice or habit that has helped you grow in Christlikeness – and what’s one area you sense the Holy Spirit inviting you to grow in now?
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray that we would grow to be more like Jesus and let go of the things that hold us back, and for strength to press on.