Notes
…We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
Philippians 3:3b-4
Going forward with our faith starts with confidence. Having full confidence in what Jesus has done is foundational and is required for us to make progress.
Paul was writing to a community full of retired military leaders and soldiers. People were relying on themselves - what they knew or their experience, their bloodline or heritage, or their education level. But we need confidence in His power and that He can do for us what we can’t do for ourselves.
1. Submit
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
Philippians 3:10-11
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Philippians 2:6-8
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:23-24
Our faith grows when we say no because we have a bigger yes. Jesus did - He was disciplined to say no to divine privileges and temptation because of the bigger yes of His calling. He knew that doing what He came to do was more important than anything else. We need to submit to the purpose God has placed on our lives and turn away from temptations and other things that turn our focus away from that purpose.
2. Commit
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. 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, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:12-14
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 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.
Philippians 3:20-21
Commit to the journey of doing life with Christ. Our faith grows when we can focus on what lies ahead. Jesus’ plan didn’t end with His death, His resurrection, or even His ascension. He will be returning and when He does, He will make all things new.
3. Don’t Quit
It will be worth it! Keep your focus on the future. No matter what goes on in the world or in our personal lives, we shouldn’t give up. Not quitting means seeing when there is progress. Celebrate every step! Together as God’s people, as the Church, we work together to fulfill God’s purpose.
Group Questions
- What is faith?
- What is the “bigger yes” we have from God?
- How do we know what we are committed to?
- Why is it important to be a part of a local church?
Prayer
Thank you for doing for us what we can’t do for ourselves. We submit to your authority over our lives and commit to doing what you have set out for us to do.