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Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12-16

 

The Possibility of Faithfulness

 

Intro.

1.  We are familiar with the impossibility of apostasy: Warned not to fall, 1 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 3:12-14.

2.  Our conduct is to be worthy of the gospel, Phil. 1:27; 2:12-13.

3.  Paul’s life shows us the possibility of faithfulness, and assures us that God sees and rewards His faithful children, Phil. 3:7-16.

 

I.  PUT NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH, Phil. 3:3-7.

  A.  Commit to Unwavering Priorities, Phil. 3:7-11 (Matt. 6:33, 24).

    1.  What was “gain to me” … count as loss for Christ, 3:8; Lk. 14:33.

    2.  “That I may gain Christ” – Be profited by Christ; Be connected to Him. How?

      a.  Walk as He walked, 1 Jno. 2:3-6.

      b.  Keep His word, Jno. 14:21-24.

    3.  Do not love the world, 1 Jno. 2:15.

    4.  Outcome of worldly priorities is destruction, Phil. 3:18-19.

  B.  Set Your Goals, Phil. 3:9-11.

     -Why maintain such steadfast priorities-

    1.  To be found in Him, Phil. 3:9; Col. 2:6 (new creature, 2 Cor. 5:17).

      a.  In Him: Reconciled, Rom. 3:24; No condemnation, Rom. 8:1; Alive to God, Rom. 6:11.

      b.  Not my own righteousness, 3:9. 2 Tim. 1:9

      c.  Having righteousness through faith, Phil. 3:9 (Rom 1:17; 4:5-8)

    2.  That I may know Him­, Phil. 3:10. cf. Titus 1:15-16: Pure, obedient and qualified for every good work.

    3.  That I may know the power of His resurrection, 3:10; Rom. 6:4-9, 10-12. (Live free from the death and slavery of sin.)

    4.  Fellowship of His sufferings (being conformed to His death), cf. Gal. 2:20.

    5.  To attain to the resurrection of the dead, Phil. 3:11.

      a.  Arrive, come to (achieve with effort): Resurrection of the dead (righteous), Acts 26:15; Jno. 5:28-29; Phil. 3:21.

      b.  To be with the Lord, Phil. 1:21, 23; 1 Thess. 4:17.

 

II.  OUR BLESSED ASSURANCE, Phil. 3:12-14.

  A.  We will See Christ by Remaining Faithful, 1 Jno. 3:2.

  B.  “Not Yet” … - Paul was not Finished, 3:12.

    1.  I have not already attained (to seize).

      a.  Not yet apprehended (3:13): Win, acquire, 1 Cor. 9:24.

      b.  Paul had not yet received the blessed reward: The end of your faith, 1 Pet. 1:9 (salvation of your souls).

    2.  I am not already perfected (completed), God’s work in Paul was not yet complete, and so Paul would not stop working Heb. 6:1.

    3.  You have work to do! Phil. 2:12-14; cf. Elijah, 1 Kgs. 19:9, 15-16

  C.  “I Press On” – To Lay Hold of the Prize of Eternal Life, 3:13-14.

    1.  Forget yesterday and reach forward: Paul would not be defined by his past; For either good or bad, 1 Tim. 1:12-16.

    2.  Reaching forward…I press toward the goal: Strive after, chase (pursue) after the prize, 1 Cor. 9:26-27.

    3.  Confidence of salvation is revealed in pressing forward, assured that the Lord is at work in you, and that He does not forget your faithfulness, Phil. 2:12; Heb. 6:10-12.

 

III. PRACTICAL APPLICATION, Phil. 3:15-16.

  A.  Mature in Your Faith (grow up), 3:15; Heb. 5:12-14; Feed on word and obey it (2 Pet. 3:18).

  B.  Have the Same Mind as Paul, 3:15; Col. 3:1-2.

     -Be guided (only) by the revelation of God’s word.

  C.  Continue to Live Faithfully, 3:16; Heb. 3:14; 4:11.

    1.  Keep on living as you began, Gal. 5:6-7.

    2.  Walk by the same rule (canon: reed, standard), 2 Cor. 5:7.

    3.  Be of the same mind: Mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5, 1-4).

 

Conclusion

1.  It is possible to be faithful to the end, 2 Tim. 4:7-8.

2.  You must begin by putting away the flesh. The, live for Jesus daily.

 

 

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: September 14, 2017