Go read Philippians 3:20-21
<> What does it mean to you for your citizenship to be in heaven?
<> What does it look like in your life to eagerly wait for your Savior?
Perspective Driven Life
I have often heard the phrase, “ __________ is so heavenly-minded that they’re no earthly good.” That’s dumb. Having your mind set on heaven and Jesus puts things into a perspective that helps us live out a lot of practical earthly good.
Eternal mindset does the following (not an exhaustive list):
- gives you urgency to join Christ in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
- gives you patience when things hear aren’t going so well (Colossians 1:10-12)
- kills a complaining attitude by showing you the comparative goal (Philippians 2:14)
- creates trust that God is in control and we are not. (Romans 15:13)
<> Do you struggle with urgency in terms of being a missionary, patience in hard times, or complaining?
<> Is it because you don’t have a correct perspective on life?
Go read James 4:13-15
<> What changes if all the events of your life are just small droplets of a vapor in the scope of eternity?
Go read 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:9
<> If we are groaning here and hoping to be with him, what is the conclusion of Ch. 5:9?
Restrained Power
Reread Philippians 4:21.
<> How much power does Christ have?
I think it is very easy to forget about the depth of the power that Christ wields. The truth of the matter is that at any moment He has the power to bring all things under His control. And He will someday. I don’t know why He waits. Except that He desires for more to come into the family. When you understand that someday God will restore all things – He will bring everything under His control visibly and tangibly – doubt and fear start to erode as valid concerns. He is powerful enough to deal with our problems. He is mighty to save. His arms are long enough to hold us – and to reach the lost – no matter how far we go.
Wednesday
Week 13 – Wednesday – You Follow the Right People
Go read Philippians 3:17.
<> Are you a natural follower or a leader?
<> Regardless of that answer, how good are you at following?
True Following
True following is a rarity in our culture. It is far overshadowed by 1.) Open rebellion – outright refusal to follow and submit or 2.) Insubordination – an outward show of following while inwardly rejecting the example set and spreading divisive philosophies that undermine the authority.
Both of these are caused by pride. As long as I think I’m smarter/better/more competent than the person I am supposed to be following, my brain will refuse to truly follow. Biblically, this is going to be a major issue.
Go read Matt. 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, Mark 1:17, 2:14, Luke 5:27, 6:46, John 14:15 and 23-24
<> How clear is Jesus about what we are expected to do?
<> Do you follow Jesus in the way His disciples did?
<> Do you obey His commands?
There is an instant theological rebellion that starts to well up in me as I look at these passages. My heart says, “yeah but wait! Jesus doesn’t really care about mindless obedience. He wants relationship!” That’s true. He wants relationship – and He wants your obedience. He wants you to know Him – and He wants you to obey Him. This is not some kind of balanced friendship relationship with a whole lot of give and take. He wants to be the Master of our lives. In fact, He is the Master of our lives whether we submit to Him or not. The real question is whether we will continue to live in denial of that fact or whether we will start to humbly align our lives with that truth.
The Right People
I start by talking about following Jesus, because until we submit to Him, we will never learn to walk in the balance of following the right people. Once you start to deal with your proud heart that refuses to follow Jesus or people, then you can start dealing with the logistics of following.
Go read Eph. 5:21.
<> Out of respect for Christ, do you submit to other believers?
Without a doubt there is an example worth following and there is one to be very cautious about. Paul makes this clear in Phil. 4:17-19. So here are the grid questions to ask yourself:
1.) Do they submit to Christ and His Word? Do they obey the Bible to the best of their ability and understanding?
2.) Is there any area of life where they are more mature or proficient than you? What is it about the person that you respect?
3.) How can you get what they have? How is the best way to go about getting assistance from them?
Too often we assume that in order for someone to disciple us, we need to set up a formalized weekly meeting for them to pour into our lives. That is not true. Sometimes you might just need to grab coffee one time with someone and ask them twenty questions before you lose them. Sometimes you might need to hang out once a month. Sometimes you just need to watch them from a distance and observe how they live.
At the end of the day it’s this simple: 1.) Repent from your pride. 2.) Follow Jesus. 3.) Follow other people who follow Jesus.
<> Are you a natural follower or a leader?
<> Regardless of that answer, how good are you at following?
True Following
True following is a rarity in our culture. It is far overshadowed by 1.) Open rebellion – outright refusal to follow and submit or 2.) Insubordination – an outward show of following while inwardly rejecting the example set and spreading divisive philosophies that undermine the authority.
Both of these are caused by pride. As long as I think I’m smarter/better/more competent than the person I am supposed to be following, my brain will refuse to truly follow. Biblically, this is going to be a major issue.
Go read Matt. 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, Mark 1:17, 2:14, Luke 5:27, 6:46, John 14:15 and 23-24
<> How clear is Jesus about what we are expected to do?
<> Do you follow Jesus in the way His disciples did?
<> Do you obey His commands?
There is an instant theological rebellion that starts to well up in me as I look at these passages. My heart says, “yeah but wait! Jesus doesn’t really care about mindless obedience. He wants relationship!” That’s true. He wants relationship – and He wants your obedience. He wants you to know Him – and He wants you to obey Him. This is not some kind of balanced friendship relationship with a whole lot of give and take. He wants to be the Master of our lives. In fact, He is the Master of our lives whether we submit to Him or not. The real question is whether we will continue to live in denial of that fact or whether we will start to humbly align our lives with that truth.
The Right People
I start by talking about following Jesus, because until we submit to Him, we will never learn to walk in the balance of following the right people. Once you start to deal with your proud heart that refuses to follow Jesus or people, then you can start dealing with the logistics of following.
Go read Eph. 5:21.
<> Out of respect for Christ, do you submit to other believers?
Without a doubt there is an example worth following and there is one to be very cautious about. Paul makes this clear in Phil. 4:17-19. So here are the grid questions to ask yourself:
1.) Do they submit to Christ and His Word? Do they obey the Bible to the best of their ability and understanding?
2.) Is there any area of life where they are more mature or proficient than you? What is it about the person that you respect?
3.) How can you get what they have? How is the best way to go about getting assistance from them?
Too often we assume that in order for someone to disciple us, we need to set up a formalized weekly meeting for them to pour into our lives. That is not true. Sometimes you might just need to grab coffee one time with someone and ask them twenty questions before you lose them. Sometimes you might need to hang out once a month. Sometimes you just need to watch them from a distance and observe how they live.
At the end of the day it’s this simple: 1.) Repent from your pride. 2.) Follow Jesus. 3.) Follow other people who follow Jesus.
Tuesday
Week 13 – Tuesday – You Apply what you know
Sorry about the lack of blog yesterday. Due to technical difficulties and a stereotypical Monday of hilarious mishaps, it just wasn’t a possibility. I missed you. Glad to be back with you on this beautiful Tuesday.
One of the most dangerous aspects of following Christ in the culture and spiritual climate we live in is that for the most part, in the Bible belt, people who claim to be Christians are intellectually overfed and spiritually malnourished. We are full of spiritual information and trivia about God the Bible while our lives are empty of true Godliness and repentance. We are spiritual gluttons; constantly wanting one more pre-processed nugget of spiritual truth from the Jesus buffet, and never putting His truth into practice. We don’t exercise enough. If this pattern of eating and eating and eating without ever exercising continues, we get to a point where we can’t lift our fat, lazy selves off the couch of apathetic comfort.
Go read Philippians 3:15-16
Maturity
Paul straight up calls us out when he says “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.” What view of things? Look back in vs. 12-14. Paul says ALL mature believers should take a this view. 1.) I have not arrived at the goal yet. 2.) By forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I am pressing on toward the goal. What is the goal? Jesus -- knowing Him. Why does that fly in the face of our cultural spiritual gluttony? Because forgetting and straining so as to press on involves movement. It involves neglecting our past and letting Christ heal us. It involves seeking Christ actively as we strain toward what He has for us in the future. It has no room for complacency. It cuts to the heart of over-informed, lazy Christianity (if that is Christianity at all.)
<> Is your walk with Christ more marked by movement or stagnancy?
<> Is it possible to follow something or someone without moving?
The second one is kind of a trick question. It is possible to follow someone without moving if they stop moving. Go look through Jesus’ life and the times He stopped moving were for two main reasons: 1.) to teach people spiritual truth about Himself and 2.) to hang out with the Father. If you aren’t actively moving in terms of actions, then following Jesus’ example means you are actively helping push others toward following Christ or you are sitting at His feet getting to know Him – which means actively moving your heart towards Him.
<> Do you have long periods of spiritual downtime where you are neither moving in obedience to God or moving relationally closer to Him?
Read vs. 15 again.
Isn’t that beautiful? If you are mature then you will think like this: humbly accepting you are not there yet, you will patiently persevere as you press on toward Christ. BUT just in case that is not your attitude in some area of life, He will fix that too.
<> How can you see God changing your attitude toward a more mature pursuit of Him?
Living Up to What We Have Attained:
Go read vs. 16.
<> What have you attained?
When we put our whole hope and faith in Christ’s death on the cross to pay for our sins and His resurrection from the grave to give us new life in Him – we attain relationship with God the Father. We attain the Holy Spirit who comes to live in us. Over time we learn spiritual truth about what God says is the best way to live life.
<> Are you living up to what you have attained?
<> Are there major spiritual lessons you’ve learned that you are ignoring right now in your life?
<> Go back through any old journals and see if you have backslidden on areas God convicted you about.
If we are ever going to become and remain maturing believers, we can not constantly be working from ground zero. Imagine a baby that had to relearn how to walk through the entire process of crawling every day. That baby would never be able to run. We have to build on what we know. We have to grow. And in the process He’ll keep showing us that He is really the one growing us.
One of the most dangerous aspects of following Christ in the culture and spiritual climate we live in is that for the most part, in the Bible belt, people who claim to be Christians are intellectually overfed and spiritually malnourished. We are full of spiritual information and trivia about God the Bible while our lives are empty of true Godliness and repentance. We are spiritual gluttons; constantly wanting one more pre-processed nugget of spiritual truth from the Jesus buffet, and never putting His truth into practice. We don’t exercise enough. If this pattern of eating and eating and eating without ever exercising continues, we get to a point where we can’t lift our fat, lazy selves off the couch of apathetic comfort.
Go read Philippians 3:15-16
Maturity
Paul straight up calls us out when he says “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.” What view of things? Look back in vs. 12-14. Paul says ALL mature believers should take a this view. 1.) I have not arrived at the goal yet. 2.) By forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I am pressing on toward the goal. What is the goal? Jesus -- knowing Him. Why does that fly in the face of our cultural spiritual gluttony? Because forgetting and straining so as to press on involves movement. It involves neglecting our past and letting Christ heal us. It involves seeking Christ actively as we strain toward what He has for us in the future. It has no room for complacency. It cuts to the heart of over-informed, lazy Christianity (if that is Christianity at all.)
<> Is your walk with Christ more marked by movement or stagnancy?
<> Is it possible to follow something or someone without moving?
The second one is kind of a trick question. It is possible to follow someone without moving if they stop moving. Go look through Jesus’ life and the times He stopped moving were for two main reasons: 1.) to teach people spiritual truth about Himself and 2.) to hang out with the Father. If you aren’t actively moving in terms of actions, then following Jesus’ example means you are actively helping push others toward following Christ or you are sitting at His feet getting to know Him – which means actively moving your heart towards Him.
<> Do you have long periods of spiritual downtime where you are neither moving in obedience to God or moving relationally closer to Him?
Read vs. 15 again.
Isn’t that beautiful? If you are mature then you will think like this: humbly accepting you are not there yet, you will patiently persevere as you press on toward Christ. BUT just in case that is not your attitude in some area of life, He will fix that too.
<> How can you see God changing your attitude toward a more mature pursuit of Him?
Living Up to What We Have Attained:
Go read vs. 16.
<> What have you attained?
When we put our whole hope and faith in Christ’s death on the cross to pay for our sins and His resurrection from the grave to give us new life in Him – we attain relationship with God the Father. We attain the Holy Spirit who comes to live in us. Over time we learn spiritual truth about what God says is the best way to live life.
<> Are you living up to what you have attained?
<> Are there major spiritual lessons you’ve learned that you are ignoring right now in your life?
<> Go back through any old journals and see if you have backslidden on areas God convicted you about.
If we are ever going to become and remain maturing believers, we can not constantly be working from ground zero. Imagine a baby that had to relearn how to walk through the entire process of crawling every day. That baby would never be able to run. We have to build on what we know. We have to grow. And in the process He’ll keep showing us that He is really the one growing us.
Friday
Week 12 – Friday – Straining Toward What is Ahead
Go read Philippians 3:12-14.
<> How are you straining toward what is ahead in your walk with God??
Straining vs. Complacency
Straining is a funny word to describe how we are following Jesus, because it just sounds like it would take so much effort. We don’t like that kind of religion. We like lazy religion – religion where we can claim to believe a certain set of doctrines and then sit down and do nothing about or because of them – religion where God isn’t all that interested in the daily actions of our lives – religion where progress and spiritual growth are optional – religion where we twist our theology to agree with and support the apathetic nature of our faith.
To this lazy, evil and complacent heart, Jesus whispers, “Come follow me.” He bids that we draw near to Him, that we seek Him – that we leave our bondage to sin behind in the pursuit of Him. But honestly, we don’t really want to. Why? Because it’s hard. Forgetting the past, straining toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal, and ultimately following Jesus with our lives is HARD. He daily calls us to die to ourselves, and to lay down our selfish desires. He daily calls us to serve our friends and our enemies. He calls us to walk humbly in the honest acceptance that He is God and that we are not, and that we are in desperate need of Him. He regularly shows us that we are up a creek without Him.
So, if we are not careful we will make the worst possible trade – we forfeit straining after knowing Him for religion and morality that makes us feel just godly enough to appease Him.
<> Are you lazy and apathetic in your following after Christ?
<> Have you traded knowing the real living Jesus for empty religion?
The Hardness of Straining
Go read Hebrews 12:1-12
<> According to vs. 2, what is ahead that we are looking towards?
<> According to vs. 7-12, what does God do to the children He loves?
Way to often we are ok with everything being easy in our lives. A complacent heart wants everything to be easy. The heart that is straining toward Jesus is ok with a little bit of hardship. Why? Because there is no straining without hardship. Hardship is a sign that God is disciplining you. Discipline is proof of His love. When you understand His goals and His love and His kingdom and the fact that everything is ultimately about His glory, your start to see that your hardship is part of His design for your life. Hardship helps us learn that life is not all about us and it also teaches us to seek Him desperately for our daily help. He loves both of those things.
Simply put: truly following Jesus is a beast of an uphill battle (the Scriptures call it a narrow path), but for those who strain ahead, Jesus is the reward and He is the sustainer along the way. If intimacy with Christ is your goal, then life will be hard, but He will be with you and He is better than the hardness of life.
<> How and where do you need to start straining after Christ?
<> How are you straining toward what is ahead in your walk with God??
Straining vs. Complacency
Straining is a funny word to describe how we are following Jesus, because it just sounds like it would take so much effort. We don’t like that kind of religion. We like lazy religion – religion where we can claim to believe a certain set of doctrines and then sit down and do nothing about or because of them – religion where God isn’t all that interested in the daily actions of our lives – religion where progress and spiritual growth are optional – religion where we twist our theology to agree with and support the apathetic nature of our faith.
To this lazy, evil and complacent heart, Jesus whispers, “Come follow me.” He bids that we draw near to Him, that we seek Him – that we leave our bondage to sin behind in the pursuit of Him. But honestly, we don’t really want to. Why? Because it’s hard. Forgetting the past, straining toward what is ahead, pressing on toward the goal, and ultimately following Jesus with our lives is HARD. He daily calls us to die to ourselves, and to lay down our selfish desires. He daily calls us to serve our friends and our enemies. He calls us to walk humbly in the honest acceptance that He is God and that we are not, and that we are in desperate need of Him. He regularly shows us that we are up a creek without Him.
So, if we are not careful we will make the worst possible trade – we forfeit straining after knowing Him for religion and morality that makes us feel just godly enough to appease Him.
<> Are you lazy and apathetic in your following after Christ?
<> Have you traded knowing the real living Jesus for empty religion?
The Hardness of Straining
Go read Hebrews 12:1-12
<> According to vs. 2, what is ahead that we are looking towards?
<> According to vs. 7-12, what does God do to the children He loves?
Way to often we are ok with everything being easy in our lives. A complacent heart wants everything to be easy. The heart that is straining toward Jesus is ok with a little bit of hardship. Why? Because there is no straining without hardship. Hardship is a sign that God is disciplining you. Discipline is proof of His love. When you understand His goals and His love and His kingdom and the fact that everything is ultimately about His glory, your start to see that your hardship is part of His design for your life. Hardship helps us learn that life is not all about us and it also teaches us to seek Him desperately for our daily help. He loves both of those things.
Simply put: truly following Jesus is a beast of an uphill battle (the Scriptures call it a narrow path), but for those who strain ahead, Jesus is the reward and He is the sustainer along the way. If intimacy with Christ is your goal, then life will be hard, but He will be with you and He is better than the hardness of life.
<> How and where do you need to start straining after Christ?
Thursday
Week 12 – Thursday – Forgetting the Past (Part 2)
Go read Philippians 3:12-14.
A Past that Haunts
Yesterday we talked specifically about dealing with sins from our past committed by us. Today I want to open up the conversation to other things from our past that have a tendency to haunt us. These things may include honest mistakes, shameful heritage, sins committed against us by other people, heart-wrenching tragedies or just the wasted years of ignorance to Jesus’ call for our lives.
<> What different kinds of things from your past have the tendency to haunt you?
To work through these things we need to understand the Greek word Paul uses that is translated “forgetting”. The word is epilanthanomai and means to neglect, or no longer care for. The problem is that a lot of us think that we are victimized weaklings compared to our big hairy monster pasts. Too much of the time we believe that we are hopeless to ever escape the lasting scars and effects of our past. While there is a truth to the fact that certain portions of our past will affect who we are forever, we must understand that Jesus is bigger than ANY aspect of our past.
<> Have you given up hope to be freed from bondage to the effects of your past?
<> How are you taking your past to Jesus and asking Him to help you heal?
An Active Fight
Go read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
<> In what ways is your battle with your past a spiritual battle?
<> According to vs. 5 what is the goal of these arguments and pretensions?
It is vital to realize that we have spiritual enemies who will use any ounce of a foothold from our past to wage war against our soul. Their goal is always the same: to separate us from the real knowledge of God. The fight is an active and simple response to these attacks. We run to God. We take captive our thoughts and we run to Jesus. When you are struggling with your past it can help to visualize yourself walking up to the cross with your past in your hands and laying it down at the foot of the cross.
There are two huge parts of this fight that are important to understand:
1.) You are not a helpless victim. You are a saved and rescued daughter or son of God who has been reconciled through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God. He sent His Holy Spirit. According to 1 John 2:27, the Spirit will always remind you to remain in Christ. So do that. Take your thoughts to Jesus. Ask Him what He thinks about them. FIGHT. Don’t give up.
2.) You are not the one who needs to win the fight. The outcome of the fight does not depend on you. He has already won the fight. In Col. 3:15, it says that Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities. He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through the cross.” Understanding that the battle is won has a certain manner of stripping the illusion of power from our enemies.
<> How have you given up the fight against your past?
<> Have you given into a selfish attitude of victimization?
<> In what ways do you think that you are ultimately responsible for the outcome of the fight against your past?
A Past that Haunts
Yesterday we talked specifically about dealing with sins from our past committed by us. Today I want to open up the conversation to other things from our past that have a tendency to haunt us. These things may include honest mistakes, shameful heritage, sins committed against us by other people, heart-wrenching tragedies or just the wasted years of ignorance to Jesus’ call for our lives.
<> What different kinds of things from your past have the tendency to haunt you?
To work through these things we need to understand the Greek word Paul uses that is translated “forgetting”. The word is epilanthanomai and means to neglect, or no longer care for. The problem is that a lot of us think that we are victimized weaklings compared to our big hairy monster pasts. Too much of the time we believe that we are hopeless to ever escape the lasting scars and effects of our past. While there is a truth to the fact that certain portions of our past will affect who we are forever, we must understand that Jesus is bigger than ANY aspect of our past.
<> Have you given up hope to be freed from bondage to the effects of your past?
<> How are you taking your past to Jesus and asking Him to help you heal?
An Active Fight
Go read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
<> In what ways is your battle with your past a spiritual battle?
<> According to vs. 5 what is the goal of these arguments and pretensions?
It is vital to realize that we have spiritual enemies who will use any ounce of a foothold from our past to wage war against our soul. Their goal is always the same: to separate us from the real knowledge of God. The fight is an active and simple response to these attacks. We run to God. We take captive our thoughts and we run to Jesus. When you are struggling with your past it can help to visualize yourself walking up to the cross with your past in your hands and laying it down at the foot of the cross.
There are two huge parts of this fight that are important to understand:
1.) You are not a helpless victim. You are a saved and rescued daughter or son of God who has been reconciled through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God. He sent His Holy Spirit. According to 1 John 2:27, the Spirit will always remind you to remain in Christ. So do that. Take your thoughts to Jesus. Ask Him what He thinks about them. FIGHT. Don’t give up.
2.) You are not the one who needs to win the fight. The outcome of the fight does not depend on you. He has already won the fight. In Col. 3:15, it says that Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities. He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through the cross.” Understanding that the battle is won has a certain manner of stripping the illusion of power from our enemies.
<> How have you given up the fight against your past?
<> Have you given into a selfish attitude of victimization?
<> In what ways do you think that you are ultimately responsible for the outcome of the fight against your past?
Wednesday
Week 12 – Wednesday – Forgetting the Past (Part 1)
Go read Philippians 3:12-14.
One Thing
When a guy like Paul – a master, a role model, a legend type of guy – says “one thing I do . . .”, it is probably worth paying attention. When that kind of veteran boils down his life and says, “Hey I don’t think I’m there yet but I’ll tell you the one thing that is helping me get from here to there . . .”, we should probably open our ears and soak on what he has to say.
<> In Phil. 3:14, what does Paul say is his one thing?
Paul’s one thing is pressing on toward the goal. Right before he says that in vs. 13 he gives the two main ways that he goes about doing his one thing. 1.) Forgetting what is behind and 2.) Straining toward what is ahead. Over the next few days we’re going to break down both of those parts to help us understand how to press on toward the goal.
Forgetting What is Behind
The first aspect of how Paul goes about pressing on toward the goal we talked about yesterday is “forgetting what is behind.” This is an incredibly practical understanding of spiritual attack that we will all experience if we are truly following Christ. If you have not yet been attacked about your past, go ahead and strap on your seatbelt because it’s coming.
Go read Acts 7:54-8:1.
Go read 1 Timothy 1:12-15
<> What kind of a past did Paul come from?
<> What kind of a past do you come from?
I think our main pushback to this idea of forgetting the past is “Whoa! Wait a minute you don’t know what kind of past I come from. You don’t know how I’ve blown it. You don’t know my sin.” Paul would respond to you, “Oh, trust me – I know. The truth is you don’t know MY past.” When you consider where Paul comes from and how murderous and violent he was and what kind of an enemy toward God he was, you start to realize that there is nothing that exists in your past that is too much for Christ to handle. The grace of the gospel is that Christ in the cross has already paid for – he has already endured the pain that your past deserves. For you to continue living in shame and guilt because of your past denies the gift of what Christ did in the cross.
Three Options
At the end of the day you have three options: 1.) you can continue living in guilt and shame about the sin of your past and never move forward toward what God wants for your life (this is a bad option), 2.) you can live in denial of your past and act like it doesn’t effect you now even though you’ve never healed or accepted forgiveness or moved on (this is also a bad option), or 3.) you can do the hard work of looking at your past in terms of the gospel and letting Jesus forgive you for the wretched way that you used to live. If you have confessed and repented, then it is time to move on.
One Thing
When a guy like Paul – a master, a role model, a legend type of guy – says “one thing I do . . .”, it is probably worth paying attention. When that kind of veteran boils down his life and says, “Hey I don’t think I’m there yet but I’ll tell you the one thing that is helping me get from here to there . . .”, we should probably open our ears and soak on what he has to say.
<> In Phil. 3:14, what does Paul say is his one thing?
Paul’s one thing is pressing on toward the goal. Right before he says that in vs. 13 he gives the two main ways that he goes about doing his one thing. 1.) Forgetting what is behind and 2.) Straining toward what is ahead. Over the next few days we’re going to break down both of those parts to help us understand how to press on toward the goal.
Forgetting What is Behind
The first aspect of how Paul goes about pressing on toward the goal we talked about yesterday is “forgetting what is behind.” This is an incredibly practical understanding of spiritual attack that we will all experience if we are truly following Christ. If you have not yet been attacked about your past, go ahead and strap on your seatbelt because it’s coming.
Go read Acts 7:54-8:1.
Go read 1 Timothy 1:12-15
<> What kind of a past did Paul come from?
<> What kind of a past do you come from?
I think our main pushback to this idea of forgetting the past is “Whoa! Wait a minute you don’t know what kind of past I come from. You don’t know how I’ve blown it. You don’t know my sin.” Paul would respond to you, “Oh, trust me – I know. The truth is you don’t know MY past.” When you consider where Paul comes from and how murderous and violent he was and what kind of an enemy toward God he was, you start to realize that there is nothing that exists in your past that is too much for Christ to handle. The grace of the gospel is that Christ in the cross has already paid for – he has already endured the pain that your past deserves. For you to continue living in shame and guilt because of your past denies the gift of what Christ did in the cross.
Three Options
At the end of the day you have three options: 1.) you can continue living in guilt and shame about the sin of your past and never move forward toward what God wants for your life (this is a bad option), 2.) you can live in denial of your past and act like it doesn’t effect you now even though you’ve never healed or accepted forgiveness or moved on (this is also a bad option), or 3.) you can do the hard work of looking at your past in terms of the gospel and letting Jesus forgive you for the wretched way that you used to live. If you have confessed and repented, then it is time to move on.
Tuesday
Week 12 – Tuesday – That for Which Christ took Hold of Me
Go read Philippians 3:12-14
<> What is the “that” in vs. 12 in the phrase, “that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me”?
Understanding the Goal
Over the next few days we are going to talk very practically about forgetting the past and straining towards what is ahead. If we don’t know what the goal is that we are straining towards, we aren’t going to get anywhere. The phrase Paul uses in Phil. 3:12 is incredibly powerful: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” I’m pushing forward to grab onto the very thing that for which Jesus took hold of me. Paul’s goal is Christ’s goal for Paul. The reason Christ took hold of Paul on the Damascus Road (Acts. 9:1-31) is what Paul is laboring towards with all his might. So why did Christ take hold of us?
Go read John 17:3.
<> What is eternal life?
Go read 2 Cor. 5:17-21
<> What was Jesus’ mission?
<> How did He accomplish it?
Phil. 3:7-11
<> What does Paul want more than anything else?
When you start to piece together the facts that Christ offers eternal life which is knowing Him and His Father – that His mission was to reconcile us to His Father by not holding our sins against us – that He is the surpassing value for which everything is worth losing – empty religion and moralism start to fade as goals and the only remaining goal is true intimate relationship with the one and only living God. Christ took hold of you so that you could be reconciled to the Father. Now go press on towards knowing the Father. It’s really pretty simple – until we complicate it.
Take some time to think about your relationship with God:
<> At it’s core, is your desire to know Him?
<> What kinds of things do you let distract you from the main goal? (i.e. religious checklist mentality, doubts, selfish desires, moral effort, laziness, etc.)
Humble Repentance
I think more than anything else Jesus might want us to repent of the ways that we replace following Him with any number of things that aren’t necessarily bad . . . but aren’t the main goal.
So go repent and seek Christ.
Go read James 4:7-10 and obey it.
<> What is the “that” in vs. 12 in the phrase, “that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me”?
Understanding the Goal
Over the next few days we are going to talk very practically about forgetting the past and straining towards what is ahead. If we don’t know what the goal is that we are straining towards, we aren’t going to get anywhere. The phrase Paul uses in Phil. 3:12 is incredibly powerful: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” I’m pushing forward to grab onto the very thing that for which Jesus took hold of me. Paul’s goal is Christ’s goal for Paul. The reason Christ took hold of Paul on the Damascus Road (Acts. 9:1-31) is what Paul is laboring towards with all his might. So why did Christ take hold of us?
Go read John 17:3.
<> What is eternal life?
Go read 2 Cor. 5:17-21
<> What was Jesus’ mission?
<> How did He accomplish it?
Phil. 3:7-11
<> What does Paul want more than anything else?
When you start to piece together the facts that Christ offers eternal life which is knowing Him and His Father – that His mission was to reconcile us to His Father by not holding our sins against us – that He is the surpassing value for which everything is worth losing – empty religion and moralism start to fade as goals and the only remaining goal is true intimate relationship with the one and only living God. Christ took hold of you so that you could be reconciled to the Father. Now go press on towards knowing the Father. It’s really pretty simple – until we complicate it.
Take some time to think about your relationship with God:
<> At it’s core, is your desire to know Him?
<> What kinds of things do you let distract you from the main goal? (i.e. religious checklist mentality, doubts, selfish desires, moral effort, laziness, etc.)
Humble Repentance
I think more than anything else Jesus might want us to repent of the ways that we replace following Him with any number of things that aren’t necessarily bad . . . but aren’t the main goal.
So go repent and seek Christ.
Go read James 4:7-10 and obey it.
Monday
Week 12 – Monday – Accurate Humility
Go read Philippians 3:12-14
<> What two startling things does Paul say in vs. 12 and vs. 13? (Or maybe, what startling does Paul say in two different ways – once in vs. 12 and once in vs. 13?)
<> How does it make you feel that Paul considers himself and says, “not that I have already obtained all this?”
Humility and the Gospel
There are two main thoughts that I hear about humility. The first goes something like this: Jesus hates the proud and wants you to be humble. Here’s how you can be humble – think less of yourself and think more of other people. Treat other people like they are awesome. Be humble.
I don’t think this idea is very far off – but I also don’t think it’s completely accurate. There are two reasons why. 1.) This thought process makes humility out to be something you have to conjure up – you have to try really hard to force it whether it’s accurate or not. 2.) According to the gospel, people really aren’t that awesome – Jesus is.
The second thought on humility goes like this. God is awesome. You are not. God wants to know you and when you meet Him, He humbles you. You cannot actually be in the presence of the God of the universe without coming to understand how small you are. Your humility is the natural process of living in light of this truth.
<> Is humility a defining attribute of your life?
<> Is your humility a tried for and fought for effort of piety, or is it the natural reaction to a proper view of God and hanging out intimately with Jesus?
Accurate Humility
I think Paul’s humility matches the second option. Paul who knew met Christ supernaturally on the road to Damascus, converted from militant oppressor of the church to passionate missionary and wrote more than half of the new testament, learned one main thing from hanging out with Jesus: Paul hadn’t arrived yet.
I loved how Dustin talked about how blown away we would be if Tiger Woods said he hadn’t really made it yet in terms of golf. You can also take the analogy and swing it another direction. If Tiger invited you to come learn how to play golf with him as your one-on-one mentor – you could learn from him for years and still know that you were not as good as him. The greatness of the master determines the humility of his followers. If we are honestly spending quality time with the Creator, Sustainer, Savior and Hope of the Universe, then our humility has to be growing.
Let me make this plain: If humility is not growing in your life, then you are not spending adequate time with the one true living God.
<> Does the humility of your life indicate that you are growing steadily and relationally with God?
The amount that you live your life in humility will tell the world how majestic you believe God is. This is why it is extremely necessary that we preach the gospel to ourselves daily. Every time we reset the center of our lives on the hope of gospel – Jesus will chip away more of our foolish pride and replace with accurate humility – the accurate humility that says I had nothing to offer and He offered me everything.
<> What two startling things does Paul say in vs. 12 and vs. 13? (Or maybe, what startling does Paul say in two different ways – once in vs. 12 and once in vs. 13?)
<> How does it make you feel that Paul considers himself and says, “not that I have already obtained all this?”
Humility and the Gospel
There are two main thoughts that I hear about humility. The first goes something like this: Jesus hates the proud and wants you to be humble. Here’s how you can be humble – think less of yourself and think more of other people. Treat other people like they are awesome. Be humble.
I don’t think this idea is very far off – but I also don’t think it’s completely accurate. There are two reasons why. 1.) This thought process makes humility out to be something you have to conjure up – you have to try really hard to force it whether it’s accurate or not. 2.) According to the gospel, people really aren’t that awesome – Jesus is.
The second thought on humility goes like this. God is awesome. You are not. God wants to know you and when you meet Him, He humbles you. You cannot actually be in the presence of the God of the universe without coming to understand how small you are. Your humility is the natural process of living in light of this truth.
<> Is humility a defining attribute of your life?
<> Is your humility a tried for and fought for effort of piety, or is it the natural reaction to a proper view of God and hanging out intimately with Jesus?
Accurate Humility
I think Paul’s humility matches the second option. Paul who knew met Christ supernaturally on the road to Damascus, converted from militant oppressor of the church to passionate missionary and wrote more than half of the new testament, learned one main thing from hanging out with Jesus: Paul hadn’t arrived yet.
I loved how Dustin talked about how blown away we would be if Tiger Woods said he hadn’t really made it yet in terms of golf. You can also take the analogy and swing it another direction. If Tiger invited you to come learn how to play golf with him as your one-on-one mentor – you could learn from him for years and still know that you were not as good as him. The greatness of the master determines the humility of his followers. If we are honestly spending quality time with the Creator, Sustainer, Savior and Hope of the Universe, then our humility has to be growing.
Let me make this plain: If humility is not growing in your life, then you are not spending adequate time with the one true living God.
<> Does the humility of your life indicate that you are growing steadily and relationally with God?
The amount that you live your life in humility will tell the world how majestic you believe God is. This is why it is extremely necessary that we preach the gospel to ourselves daily. Every time we reset the center of our lives on the hope of gospel – Jesus will chip away more of our foolish pride and replace with accurate humility – the accurate humility that says I had nothing to offer and He offered me everything.
Friday
Betting the Farm
Paul says in Philippians 3.8 that he counts everything else as a loss compared to knowing Jesus. He says that for the sake of gaining Jesus he has lost all things that he once held dear, and that he now compares the things he left behind as trash. What a beautiful and provocative thought.
I think the real issue Paul is addressing here is an age-old question: Is Jesus worth it? Is knowing Him worth giving up everything—worth the cost that he demands of us?
Paul’s answer screams “Yes!” a thousand times over. There is no hesitation even while Paul sits chained up in prison—beaten, lonely and persecuted.
Think of the parable of the pearl of great price: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he had and bought it”(Matt. 13.44). Notice that it was in his joy that he sold everything in order to gain Jesus.
Let us follow Jesus’ commands to count the cost before following Him, but let us also never forget that He is well worth joyfully sacrificing all He asks.
<>Do you believe that Jesus is worth it?
I think the real issue Paul is addressing here is an age-old question: Is Jesus worth it? Is knowing Him worth giving up everything—worth the cost that he demands of us?
Paul’s answer screams “Yes!” a thousand times over. There is no hesitation even while Paul sits chained up in prison—beaten, lonely and persecuted.
Think of the parable of the pearl of great price: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he had and bought it”(Matt. 13.44). Notice that it was in his joy that he sold everything in order to gain Jesus.
Let us follow Jesus’ commands to count the cost before following Him, but let us also never forget that He is well worth joyfully sacrificing all He asks.
<>Do you believe that Jesus is worth it?
Thursday
The Great Trade
Philippians 3:7 says, "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."
John Calvin says that before we have Christ we esteem to things that we had gained, but "so soon as Christ shines forth all those things that formerly dazzled our eyes with a false splendor instantly vanish." The thing that we wanted, desired, and worked towards before seeing Christ are no longer what life is about. We see things in a different light now, the light of Christ
Another translation for the word "loss" here is "damage". When we hold on to things we damage the sake of Christ, in our own lives and in our impact on others. The thing we need to do is realize that the things we aspire to and hope for can get in the way of Christ. We should desire only Jesus. Not Jesus and...
It isn't bad to enjoy the gifts of God, but to pursue the gifts instead of the Giver is ridiculous. We need to pursue Christ and be satisfied. He is all we need.
Wednesday
Defining Christians
Philippians 3.3 “For we are the real circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—“
In Romans 2.28-29, Paul talks about circumcision being a matter of the heart. Real circumcision is an outward expression that flows out of an inward change. An understandable parallel for us would be baptism. What do you call getting baptized without an inward change marked by repentance and belief in Jesus?
A bath. That is all it would be good for.
Paul is teaching here that the Gospel is always taking things deeper—to their roots. This is why Jesus says that lusting after a woman is the same as committing adultery. The root of the problem is not found in our wrong actions—it is found in our wicked hearts and minds. This is where our rebellion is birthed.
Logically, if the problem begins at the root, the solution must go as deep. The redemption of Jesus must go all the way to our impure thoughts and motives, changing us from the inside out. This is what defines a true Christian. Behavior modification without a change of heart is a lie.
This inward change may be a little intimidating at first, but luckily God has given us a helper called the Holy Spirit. He comes to live inside of us who trust in Christ, to change us and make us new. The Spirit teaches us to put our trust in Him and not in ourselves, to glory in Jesus and nothing else.
--Are you brave enough to allow the Spirit to teach you and change you?
May we all have the courage to listen carefully as Jesus points out the ugly places in our hearts where our sinful actions come from. These dark places run deep, but the good news is that the grace and power of Jesus reaches down and rescues from any depth.
In Romans 2.28-29, Paul talks about circumcision being a matter of the heart. Real circumcision is an outward expression that flows out of an inward change. An understandable parallel for us would be baptism. What do you call getting baptized without an inward change marked by repentance and belief in Jesus?
A bath. That is all it would be good for.
Paul is teaching here that the Gospel is always taking things deeper—to their roots. This is why Jesus says that lusting after a woman is the same as committing adultery. The root of the problem is not found in our wrong actions—it is found in our wicked hearts and minds. This is where our rebellion is birthed.
Logically, if the problem begins at the root, the solution must go as deep. The redemption of Jesus must go all the way to our impure thoughts and motives, changing us from the inside out. This is what defines a true Christian. Behavior modification without a change of heart is a lie.
This inward change may be a little intimidating at first, but luckily God has given us a helper called the Holy Spirit. He comes to live inside of us who trust in Christ, to change us and make us new. The Spirit teaches us to put our trust in Him and not in ourselves, to glory in Jesus and nothing else.
--Are you brave enough to allow the Spirit to teach you and change you?
May we all have the courage to listen carefully as Jesus points out the ugly places in our hearts where our sinful actions come from. These dark places run deep, but the good news is that the grace and power of Jesus reaches down and rescues from any depth.
Tuesday
Battling Self-Righteousness
Read Philippians 3:2-6.
In Philippians 3:3, Paul talks about the real circumcision. Now read Romans 2:28-29. This is Paul's answer to the Judaizers, the "mutilators of the flesh" that Paul is referring to, who preach Jesus and adherence to the Jewish laws, something that Jesus redeemed.
Paul wants us, the real circumcision, to worship by the Spirit of God, to glory in Christ, and to put no confidence in the flesh.
- Read John 3:5-6. We can't put any confidence in the flesh because the flesh leads to death. We need to put confidence in the things of the Spirit.
Paul goes on to say that if were possible to have confidence in the flesh that he would be the one who could. The list that Paul rattles off is a list of "wow" factors in the Jewish culture. Paul is a stud. But the thing is in all of the things that Paul could have put confidence in he couldn't because he had encountered Jesus.
We have nothing to pump our own selves up about besides Christ. Our 4.0 GPA isn't something to put confidence in. In the eternal scope of things that doesn't matter. That doesn't mean do your best and go for the 4.0, it just means that our confidence can't be there. Another way to translate the word "confidence" here is trust. We can't trust our 4.0 to do anything for us. We can't trust our awesome car, our six pack, our money, our job to do anything. It is all Christ. We have no right to have pride in this because none of it can save us from our sin.
- What do you put your confidence or trust in apart from Christ?
- How does putting confidence in that take Christ out of the equation for getting the glory for your life?
- Pray that Christ would change your perspective about our "resumes" from something that we can put our confidence and identity in to something that we thank Christ for and glorify Christ with.
Monday
Week 11 - Monday - The Safeguard of Rejoicing in the Lord
Go read Philippians 3:1-11. Reread Philippians 3:1
<> Write down every reason you have right now to rejoice in the Lord.
<> What big picture reasons do you have to rejoice (i.e. the gospel)?
<> What small practical reasons do you have to rejoice?
The Gospel Safeguard
Learning how central the gospel is to our lives is a huge safeguard to us if we understand the danger of Hebrews 3:12-13. Go read it.
<> What is sin’s greatest desire according to Hebrews 3:12?
<> How does sin try to deceive you personally?
Learning how sin attacks us is vital to following Jesus. Knowing the specific ways that we are attacked regularly is the only way that we will come to understand how the gospel is a safeguard for us. Paul writes to us and says, “It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again.” He knows that as we live we will continue to be attacked regularly and learn where we need safeguards and protecting. Therefore he knows that it will continue to be beneficial to remind us that the gospel is our safeguard. The cross of the Christ is the pivotal moment that reminds us of God’s love for us when we didn’t deserve it at all.
Go read Romans 5:8
<> How mind-blowing is God’s love?
Jesus for Jesus’ Sake
The heart of the safeguard is that Jesus is your hope. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the way to know HIM. Jesus is the truth about knowing God the Father. He is the life of living in relationship with God! He’s the point. He’s what it’s about.
<> In what ways has the gospel been perverted in your brain to be “Jesus + _________” is what life is about?
<> How is Jesus invading every area of your life for His sake?
As Jesus permeates our lives we learn more and more that life is better when Jesus is the goal and purpose and joy of life. In my spiritual life – the more I interact with Jesus, the more joyful I am. In my finances – knowing and worshipping Jesus is what I want every dollar to be about. In my career and my academics – how can I know Jesus more as I work my tail off? In my dating life – Jesus is the goal and He is my joy. I rejoice in Him – I remind others to rejoice in Him – I remind myself to rejoice in Him.
Jesus is it.
The end.
<> Write down every reason you have right now to rejoice in the Lord.
<> What big picture reasons do you have to rejoice (i.e. the gospel)?
<> What small practical reasons do you have to rejoice?
The Gospel Safeguard
Learning how central the gospel is to our lives is a huge safeguard to us if we understand the danger of Hebrews 3:12-13. Go read it.
<> What is sin’s greatest desire according to Hebrews 3:12?
<> How does sin try to deceive you personally?
Learning how sin attacks us is vital to following Jesus. Knowing the specific ways that we are attacked regularly is the only way that we will come to understand how the gospel is a safeguard for us. Paul writes to us and says, “It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again.” He knows that as we live we will continue to be attacked regularly and learn where we need safeguards and protecting. Therefore he knows that it will continue to be beneficial to remind us that the gospel is our safeguard. The cross of the Christ is the pivotal moment that reminds us of God’s love for us when we didn’t deserve it at all.
Go read Romans 5:8
<> How mind-blowing is God’s love?
Jesus for Jesus’ Sake
The heart of the safeguard is that Jesus is your hope. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the way to know HIM. Jesus is the truth about knowing God the Father. He is the life of living in relationship with God! He’s the point. He’s what it’s about.
<> In what ways has the gospel been perverted in your brain to be “Jesus + _________” is what life is about?
<> How is Jesus invading every area of your life for His sake?
As Jesus permeates our lives we learn more and more that life is better when Jesus is the goal and purpose and joy of life. In my spiritual life – the more I interact with Jesus, the more joyful I am. In my finances – knowing and worshipping Jesus is what I want every dollar to be about. In my career and my academics – how can I know Jesus more as I work my tail off? In my dating life – Jesus is the goal and He is my joy. I rejoice in Him – I remind others to rejoice in Him – I remind myself to rejoice in Him.
Jesus is it.
The end.
Friday
Week 10 – Friday – Epaphroditus
Although we focused mainly on Timothy on Sunday night and then pointed out Jesus’ and Paul’s indirect impact on this passage, there is one more man who is celebrated in Philippians 2:19-30.
Go read Philippians 2:25-30.
<> Based on the passage, how is Epaphroditus described?
Taking Risk for the Cause of Christ:
The trip from Philippi to Rome is about a twenty-four hour journey by land and boat with today’s modern technology and modes of transportation. Without a doubt, Epaphroditus risks much in order to bring word and financial support from the church of Philippi to their beloved mentor, spiritual father, and friend; Paul.
<> What happened to Epaphroditus in the process of the journey?
The simple fact of the matter is that God might call some of us – some of our family members at Midtown – into intensely risky situations for the furtherance of His kingdom. Epaphroditus almost lost his life. You may have to risk your life in order to obey Jesus. YOUNG MALES BEWARE: This doesn’t mean that as a Christian we assume by formula that we should run headlong into the riskiest dumbest situation we can find hoping that we might die and become an “obedient” martyr for Christ. That’d be honorable right? No. That’d be dumb.
So how do we know when to risk and when not to? We listen to God and obey His voice which still speaks because He is still alive.
The Idol and Lie of Safety
The problem with this whole idea is that we are Americans. Whether we realize it or not we are all in danger or worshipping and valuing our own safety and comfort more than anything else. When you value anything more than Jesus, that’s called idolatry. In other words, it breaks the commandment of Exodus 20:3 that says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”
<> What evidence do you see in your life of ways that you over-value your comfort and safety?
<> Are there anyways that you are disobeying what God has called you to because of the risk involved?
Idolatry of safety and comfort will always lead to the bad kind of fear – the paralyzing fear. God says go right and we go left because we see all the danger of going right. In our heads we justify, “how could God possibly want me to do something risky?! After all what He wants most for me is safety and comfort. I’m His child after all. He loves me. He wants what is good for me.” In this manner of half-truths to justify disobedience we become guilty of the same mental game that Satan played with Eve in the garden when he whispered to her, “Did God really say . . .” (Gen. 3:1). If you want to live like Satan, then continue to use logic to disobey and ignore what God is telling you.
Risk and Mercy:
Go read Philippians 2:27.
<> What does Paul give credit to as the reason Epaphroditus survived?
I think a fundamental flaw in our thinking that exposes our idolatry of safety and comfort is when we start thinking that we deserve life, good health, safety, etc. Since we deserve that stuff we’re ok if God causes us to risk it as long as he makes it work out for our benefit in the end. It’s more of a barter system than surrender or submission. That’s not the way Paul thinks. Epaphroditus risked his life for the sake of Christ. Good. God didn’t let Epaphroditus die. Mercy. Paul says that God gave an undeserved gift of mercy by allowing Epaphroditus to live.
We all may be called to risky obedience in our following after Christ. The important understanding is that the life we have is a gift, the call to follow Jesus is a gift and if He allows us to survive until tomorrow that will also be a gift.
<> The question is will you hesitate, disobey and shake your fist at the Giver of all life, or will you trust, obey and worship Him?
Go read Philippians 2:25-30.
<> Based on the passage, how is Epaphroditus described?
Taking Risk for the Cause of Christ:
The trip from Philippi to Rome is about a twenty-four hour journey by land and boat with today’s modern technology and modes of transportation. Without a doubt, Epaphroditus risks much in order to bring word and financial support from the church of Philippi to their beloved mentor, spiritual father, and friend; Paul.
<> What happened to Epaphroditus in the process of the journey?
The simple fact of the matter is that God might call some of us – some of our family members at Midtown – into intensely risky situations for the furtherance of His kingdom. Epaphroditus almost lost his life. You may have to risk your life in order to obey Jesus. YOUNG MALES BEWARE: This doesn’t mean that as a Christian we assume by formula that we should run headlong into the riskiest dumbest situation we can find hoping that we might die and become an “obedient” martyr for Christ. That’d be honorable right? No. That’d be dumb.
So how do we know when to risk and when not to? We listen to God and obey His voice which still speaks because He is still alive.
The Idol and Lie of Safety
The problem with this whole idea is that we are Americans. Whether we realize it or not we are all in danger or worshipping and valuing our own safety and comfort more than anything else. When you value anything more than Jesus, that’s called idolatry. In other words, it breaks the commandment of Exodus 20:3 that says, “You shall have no other gods before me.”
<> What evidence do you see in your life of ways that you over-value your comfort and safety?
<> Are there anyways that you are disobeying what God has called you to because of the risk involved?
Idolatry of safety and comfort will always lead to the bad kind of fear – the paralyzing fear. God says go right and we go left because we see all the danger of going right. In our heads we justify, “how could God possibly want me to do something risky?! After all what He wants most for me is safety and comfort. I’m His child after all. He loves me. He wants what is good for me.” In this manner of half-truths to justify disobedience we become guilty of the same mental game that Satan played with Eve in the garden when he whispered to her, “Did God really say . . .” (Gen. 3:1). If you want to live like Satan, then continue to use logic to disobey and ignore what God is telling you.
Risk and Mercy:
Go read Philippians 2:27.
<> What does Paul give credit to as the reason Epaphroditus survived?
I think a fundamental flaw in our thinking that exposes our idolatry of safety and comfort is when we start thinking that we deserve life, good health, safety, etc. Since we deserve that stuff we’re ok if God causes us to risk it as long as he makes it work out for our benefit in the end. It’s more of a barter system than surrender or submission. That’s not the way Paul thinks. Epaphroditus risked his life for the sake of Christ. Good. God didn’t let Epaphroditus die. Mercy. Paul says that God gave an undeserved gift of mercy by allowing Epaphroditus to live.
We all may be called to risky obedience in our following after Christ. The important understanding is that the life we have is a gift, the call to follow Jesus is a gift and if He allows us to survive until tomorrow that will also be a gift.
<> The question is will you hesitate, disobey and shake your fist at the Giver of all life, or will you trust, obey and worship Him?
Extra Resources – Sermon – John Piper
Although he can be a little dry and heady, this is a strong and balanced argument for what taking risk in the cause of Christ looks like.
The Power to Risk in the Cause of Christ
http://www.desiringgod.org/resourcelibrary/topicindex/20_Risk/1972_The_Power_to_Risk_in_the_Cause_of_Christ/
The Power to Risk in the Cause of Christ
http://www.desiringgod.org/resourcelibrary/topicindex/20_Risk/1972_The_Power_to_Risk_in_the_Cause_of_Christ/
Thursday
Week 10 – Thursday – Confident in the Lord
Go read Philippians 2:24
<> Where is Paul while he’s writing this letter?
<> What does he say he’s confident will happen?
<> Does he have any control over this situation?
Go read Hebrews 11:1
<> Can Paul physically see a way for him to visit the Philippians?
<> Why is he confident anyway?
<> Are there any areas of your life where you can’t see a way out – hope for resolution?
Paul is stuck in a very physically daunting situation. He is in physical chains. He can’t physically go where he wants to go. And in the midst of that situation, he sits down and writes a letter to his friends in Philippi with a major emphasis on the idea of joy.
Despite his chains, despite his captivity he tells them he’s confident he’ll see them soon. That’s quite a claim for a man who has no control whatsoever of his physical freedom.
The Basis for Confidence:
Go read Acts 9:1-14, Acts 14:8-10, Acts 16:22-36.
<> What kinds of things had Paul seen God do in his life as a Believer?
Considering the fact that Paul had seen God work in miraculous ways, his current “impossible” situation was no reason to lose confidence. In fact, God had specifically released him from a more dire prison situation before. Faced with turmoil, Paul considered the Lord’s past performance record, and decided to continue trusting Him. Good call, Paul.
<> Considering your life, where has God shown up before?
<> How miraculous is it to consider the fact that God has freed you from sin issues that used to own you?
If you take stock of who you were before Christ got a hold of your heart and put His Holy Spirit inside of you to start to live out His purpose in your life, the miracle of salvation becomes crystal clear. Your past experiences and God’s faithfulness to continually grow you towards Him and advance His kingdom are worthy of your confident faith in whatever situation you are currently facing.
<> Where is Paul while he’s writing this letter?
<> What does he say he’s confident will happen?
<> Does he have any control over this situation?
Go read Hebrews 11:1
<> Can Paul physically see a way for him to visit the Philippians?
<> Why is he confident anyway?
<> Are there any areas of your life where you can’t see a way out – hope for resolution?
Paul is stuck in a very physically daunting situation. He is in physical chains. He can’t physically go where he wants to go. And in the midst of that situation, he sits down and writes a letter to his friends in Philippi with a major emphasis on the idea of joy.
Despite his chains, despite his captivity he tells them he’s confident he’ll see them soon. That’s quite a claim for a man who has no control whatsoever of his physical freedom.
The Basis for Confidence:
Go read Acts 9:1-14, Acts 14:8-10, Acts 16:22-36.
<> What kinds of things had Paul seen God do in his life as a Believer?
Considering the fact that Paul had seen God work in miraculous ways, his current “impossible” situation was no reason to lose confidence. In fact, God had specifically released him from a more dire prison situation before. Faced with turmoil, Paul considered the Lord’s past performance record, and decided to continue trusting Him. Good call, Paul.
<> Considering your life, where has God shown up before?
<> How miraculous is it to consider the fact that God has freed you from sin issues that used to own you?
If you take stock of who you were before Christ got a hold of your heart and put His Holy Spirit inside of you to start to live out His purpose in your life, the miracle of salvation becomes crystal clear. Your past experiences and God’s faithfulness to continually grow you towards Him and advance His kingdom are worthy of your confident faith in whatever situation you are currently facing.
Wednesday
Week 10 – Wednesday – Models of Selflessness
Go read Philippians 2:19-30.
<> Who are the men in the passage?
<> What is celebrated about these men?
Selflessness:
I think we could just take a week of these blog posts and simplify them a lot. At the top of the post I could put, “Jesus is calling us to be selfless. Meditate and obey.” Selflessness is huge and needs to soak deep into our souls and not just be a surface, cognitive, knowledge-based idea.
<> What is your immediate reaction to the word selflessness?
<> In your life is selflessness the opposite of what you’re all about, an unachievable goal, an impractical dream, or something you actually trust Jesus wants to work out in your life – today – right now, etc.?
Hidden Models:
If you answered the first question of today’s post “Timothy and Epaphroditus” you’re not wrong. Those are the two main men talked about in the passage but I think the other two men in the passage are even more impressive examples and models.
<> Second try: other than Timothy and Epaphroditus, who are the other two men in this passage?
We’ll look at Paul first. The Scripture is not perfectly clear whether Paul knew what he was doing or just accidentally and inspired by the Spirit did something beautiful. Remember what Paul celebrates so much in Timothy? “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” Paul celebrates how selfless Timothy is in looking to Jesus and serving others selflessly rather than looking out for his own interests. Here’s what is so beautiful about the passage. At the exact same time that Paul celebrates selflessness in Timothy, Paul also models selflessness as he sends Timothy to the Philippians. Paul is in prison/house arrest. He’s alone. He just finished saying “I’ve got nobody like Timothy who gets it!” And then he sends Timothy to the Philippians. Selfless.
<> Are you selfless with people in your life?
<> Do you love to see people you love and who have loved and served with you get the opportunity to love other people and serve with them, or does selfish jealousy steal your joy?
The entire picture of this passage is intricately awesome. Paul lists ONE reason that Timothy is not selfish and ONE way that offers freedom from selfishness: Jesus. Common men look to their own interests – not to Jesus’ interests. Timothy looks to Jesus’ interests – not his own interests. Trying to become selfless on your own is impossible. Defining what you don’t want to be with no positive goal to move towards will inevitably be a fruitless venture.
Jesus was a selfless man. No doubt. But how though? He submitted to the authority of His Father.
Go read Luke 22:42, John 4:31-34, John 14:23-24 and John 15:10.
Obedience to the Father is the heartbeat of selflessness. Learning to listen to Him and obey His commands is both how you fall in love with Him and fall in love with people He is putting in your life. In doing so you align yourself with Jesus, Paul and Timothy – you begin the process of becoming a rare man.
<> Who are the men in the passage?
<> What is celebrated about these men?
Selflessness:
I think we could just take a week of these blog posts and simplify them a lot. At the top of the post I could put, “Jesus is calling us to be selfless. Meditate and obey.” Selflessness is huge and needs to soak deep into our souls and not just be a surface, cognitive, knowledge-based idea.
<> What is your immediate reaction to the word selflessness?
<> In your life is selflessness the opposite of what you’re all about, an unachievable goal, an impractical dream, or something you actually trust Jesus wants to work out in your life – today – right now, etc.?
Hidden Models:
If you answered the first question of today’s post “Timothy and Epaphroditus” you’re not wrong. Those are the two main men talked about in the passage but I think the other two men in the passage are even more impressive examples and models.
<> Second try: other than Timothy and Epaphroditus, who are the other two men in this passage?
We’ll look at Paul first. The Scripture is not perfectly clear whether Paul knew what he was doing or just accidentally and inspired by the Spirit did something beautiful. Remember what Paul celebrates so much in Timothy? “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” Paul celebrates how selfless Timothy is in looking to Jesus and serving others selflessly rather than looking out for his own interests. Here’s what is so beautiful about the passage. At the exact same time that Paul celebrates selflessness in Timothy, Paul also models selflessness as he sends Timothy to the Philippians. Paul is in prison/house arrest. He’s alone. He just finished saying “I’ve got nobody like Timothy who gets it!” And then he sends Timothy to the Philippians. Selfless.
<> Are you selfless with people in your life?
<> Do you love to see people you love and who have loved and served with you get the opportunity to love other people and serve with them, or does selfish jealousy steal your joy?
The entire picture of this passage is intricately awesome. Paul lists ONE reason that Timothy is not selfish and ONE way that offers freedom from selfishness: Jesus. Common men look to their own interests – not to Jesus’ interests. Timothy looks to Jesus’ interests – not his own interests. Trying to become selfless on your own is impossible. Defining what you don’t want to be with no positive goal to move towards will inevitably be a fruitless venture.
Jesus was a selfless man. No doubt. But how though? He submitted to the authority of His Father.
Go read Luke 22:42, John 4:31-34, John 14:23-24 and John 15:10.
Obedience to the Father is the heartbeat of selflessness. Learning to listen to Him and obey His commands is both how you fall in love with Him and fall in love with people He is putting in your life. In doing so you align yourself with Jesus, Paul and Timothy – you begin the process of becoming a rare man.
Tuesday
Week 10 – Tuesday – Becoming Rare Men
Can we be honest that there is a man-epidemic in our nation? We have almost no one men who will follow Christ in obedience – in a dangerous way – in relationship with Him – with genuine interest in the lives of others – in a SELFLESS way.
Go read Philippians 2:20-22.
<> How many men do you know who take a genuine interest in the needs of others?
<> In vs. 21 what are the two possible interests we could be looking out for?
Direct Correlation:
There is a very specific and intentional relationship that Paul just established very quickly. Timothy was genuinely interested in others because he was not looking out for his own interests, BUT THOSE OF JESUS CHRIST. The amount to which you kill your selfishness in the pursuit of Jesus is directly related to the way and the amount that you will care for other people.
Go read Matthew 22:36-40.
<> Why is the second commandment like the first commandment?
Why as men specifically do we seem to struggle so much to simply care at all about people? Based on the passage in Matthew, the amount we care about other people a huge indicator as to whether or not we care about God. Your selfishness is not separated from your godliness. You CAN NOT be passionately in love with Jesus and just not care about His people that much. You CAN NOT be passionately in love with Jesus and just not care much about people that He wants to be His people. When our role model and Savior suffered in every way imaginable, was tortured, bled and died for the sake of others, how do we think it’s possible that we can follow Him without any selfless sacrifice for the sake of others?
Go read 1 John 4:20-21
<> Men: how are you doing at loving your brothers?
<> Do you only love people who give you a kick back – women who make you feel emotionally whole – men who make you feel awesome about yourself – people who have something to offer you in response for your love?
Becoming Rare Men:
The greatest danger in response to all these thoughts is that as prideful men we would run off and try to fix the problem: both in ourselves and in all the other men around us. The great danger is ourselves. The greatest hope that we have is that we would set our minds and hearts on the interest of Christ at the expense of our needs, desires and effort. Our great hope is Christ.
Go read Luke 9:23.
<> How in your life are you taking up your cross?
In vs. 22 Paul writes that Timothy has labored with him as a son in the work of the gospel. I think if we are ever going to become the type of rare men it is going to come as the result of ONE thing only – that we would come to value the gospel of Jesus Christ more than anything else in our life.
Go read 1 Timothy 6:3-12. Reread vs. 11-12 about one thousand times.
Men of Midtown, die to yourself, claim the eternal life that is Jesus, and let Him make you the rare kind of man who lives a selfless life of service.
Go read Philippians 2:20-22.
<> How many men do you know who take a genuine interest in the needs of others?
<> In vs. 21 what are the two possible interests we could be looking out for?
Direct Correlation:
There is a very specific and intentional relationship that Paul just established very quickly. Timothy was genuinely interested in others because he was not looking out for his own interests, BUT THOSE OF JESUS CHRIST. The amount to which you kill your selfishness in the pursuit of Jesus is directly related to the way and the amount that you will care for other people.
Go read Matthew 22:36-40.
<> Why is the second commandment like the first commandment?
Why as men specifically do we seem to struggle so much to simply care at all about people? Based on the passage in Matthew, the amount we care about other people a huge indicator as to whether or not we care about God. Your selfishness is not separated from your godliness. You CAN NOT be passionately in love with Jesus and just not care about His people that much. You CAN NOT be passionately in love with Jesus and just not care much about people that He wants to be His people. When our role model and Savior suffered in every way imaginable, was tortured, bled and died for the sake of others, how do we think it’s possible that we can follow Him without any selfless sacrifice for the sake of others?
Go read 1 John 4:20-21
<> Men: how are you doing at loving your brothers?
<> Do you only love people who give you a kick back – women who make you feel emotionally whole – men who make you feel awesome about yourself – people who have something to offer you in response for your love?
Becoming Rare Men:
The greatest danger in response to all these thoughts is that as prideful men we would run off and try to fix the problem: both in ourselves and in all the other men around us. The great danger is ourselves. The greatest hope that we have is that we would set our minds and hearts on the interest of Christ at the expense of our needs, desires and effort. Our great hope is Christ.
Go read Luke 9:23.
<> How in your life are you taking up your cross?
In vs. 22 Paul writes that Timothy has labored with him as a son in the work of the gospel. I think if we are ever going to become the type of rare men it is going to come as the result of ONE thing only – that we would come to value the gospel of Jesus Christ more than anything else in our life.
Go read 1 Timothy 6:3-12. Reread vs. 11-12 about one thousand times.
Men of Midtown, die to yourself, claim the eternal life that is Jesus, and let Him make you the rare kind of man who lives a selfless life of service.
Monday
Week 10 – Monday – News that Cheers the Soul
We are going to get straight to the heart of true Godly manliness . . . TOMORROW . . . but today we’re going to set up the whole passage.
Go read Philippians 2:19-30
<> This passage is not intensely theological so much as it is narrative. Paul is writing honestly about the situation with some men in his life. What can we learn from the fact that God thought this was worthwhile to include in His Word?
Stories
If we are not careful in the Bible belt culture that we live in, we can get confused into thinking that God wants more than anything for us to be incredibly smart and knowledgeable about Him. The truth is that God is writing a story and that He has decided to make us a part of it. He wants us to KNOW Him, not just to know about Him. The fact that the Scriptures are not just a textbook or encyclopedia of facts about God is testimony that God wants us to study how men interacted (well or poorly) with Him and each other. This section of Philippians shows Paul writing very honestly about two other men of God in his life. He honors them as men of God. God thinks Paul’s comments were important enough for us to be reading them thousands of years later.
<> Do you struggle with thinking that your spiritual growth is dependent on gaining more facts about God?
<> Why is it important to see Paul in a personal way as a man who interacted with God and other men?
I think there is a danger in thinking that the authors of the Bible were some kind of superhuman spiritually-perfect robots who never made mistakes and who loved God in an impossible to imitate way. If that is your attitude towards Paul and other writers, then you give yourself an excuse to ignore what they are teaching. “Oh yeah, of course he lived like that – he was Paul! I can’t do what he did. I can’t live like he did . . . I don’t have to listen to what he wrote.”
The problem is Paul was a man. In fact he was a pretty horrible man before God changed His life. The same Holy Spirit that God send to inspire Paul to write the Scriptures is the same Holy Spirit that lives in you and will teach you to obey the Scriptures.
News that Cheers the Soul
Go read Philippians 2:19.
I love the honesty and the implications of what Paul writes in the end of this verse, “that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.” Can you hear the honest and realness of a parent who’s child is in college? How much anticipation is in the question, “How is life going?” Hey! I’m looking forward to hearing from you cause I as tough as I’m trying to act right now, the truth is I MISS YOU. I liked it when you were part of my life more regularly.
There’s also a beautiful implication of this passage. When Paul writes that he can’t wait for Timothy to get back with news from the Philippians, he is implying, “I am expecting some good news.” Paul is saying that he can’t wait to hear from them because he can’t wait to hear great stories of what God has been doing in his absence. He’s looking forward to news of maturity and miracles and life change and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in a community of people who are radically giving their lives away for the Kingdom.
I remember when I first moved to Columbia and I heard reports that there was almost NO community here in Columbia where spiritual growth was the expectation. I think we have seen God changing that (and not just in our family at Midtown). Our hope as the pastors of Midtown is that our family would be an environment where growing towards maturity in Christ is an expectation, not a surprise. “What you aren’t growing in Christ regularly? – weird.”
<> Is your expectation of your life that God is and will continue to work in you towards spiritual grown and maturity?
<> Do you have high expectations for people in your life who claim to be Christians?
Go read Philippians 2:19-30
<> This passage is not intensely theological so much as it is narrative. Paul is writing honestly about the situation with some men in his life. What can we learn from the fact that God thought this was worthwhile to include in His Word?
Stories
If we are not careful in the Bible belt culture that we live in, we can get confused into thinking that God wants more than anything for us to be incredibly smart and knowledgeable about Him. The truth is that God is writing a story and that He has decided to make us a part of it. He wants us to KNOW Him, not just to know about Him. The fact that the Scriptures are not just a textbook or encyclopedia of facts about God is testimony that God wants us to study how men interacted (well or poorly) with Him and each other. This section of Philippians shows Paul writing very honestly about two other men of God in his life. He honors them as men of God. God thinks Paul’s comments were important enough for us to be reading them thousands of years later.
<> Do you struggle with thinking that your spiritual growth is dependent on gaining more facts about God?
<> Why is it important to see Paul in a personal way as a man who interacted with God and other men?
I think there is a danger in thinking that the authors of the Bible were some kind of superhuman spiritually-perfect robots who never made mistakes and who loved God in an impossible to imitate way. If that is your attitude towards Paul and other writers, then you give yourself an excuse to ignore what they are teaching. “Oh yeah, of course he lived like that – he was Paul! I can’t do what he did. I can’t live like he did . . . I don’t have to listen to what he wrote.”
The problem is Paul was a man. In fact he was a pretty horrible man before God changed His life. The same Holy Spirit that God send to inspire Paul to write the Scriptures is the same Holy Spirit that lives in you and will teach you to obey the Scriptures.
News that Cheers the Soul
Go read Philippians 2:19.
I love the honesty and the implications of what Paul writes in the end of this verse, “that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.” Can you hear the honest and realness of a parent who’s child is in college? How much anticipation is in the question, “How is life going?” Hey! I’m looking forward to hearing from you cause I as tough as I’m trying to act right now, the truth is I MISS YOU. I liked it when you were part of my life more regularly.
There’s also a beautiful implication of this passage. When Paul writes that he can’t wait for Timothy to get back with news from the Philippians, he is implying, “I am expecting some good news.” Paul is saying that he can’t wait to hear from them because he can’t wait to hear great stories of what God has been doing in his absence. He’s looking forward to news of maturity and miracles and life change and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in a community of people who are radically giving their lives away for the Kingdom.
I remember when I first moved to Columbia and I heard reports that there was almost NO community here in Columbia where spiritual growth was the expectation. I think we have seen God changing that (and not just in our family at Midtown). Our hope as the pastors of Midtown is that our family would be an environment where growing towards maturity in Christ is an expectation, not a surprise. “What you aren’t growing in Christ regularly? – weird.”
<> Is your expectation of your life that God is and will continue to work in you towards spiritual grown and maturity?
<> Do you have high expectations for people in your life who claim to be Christians?
Creative LifeGroup Idea - Quick Stories
One thing we talk about a lot in terms of LifeGroups is telling life stories. Something we don't encourage enough is regular or frequent telling stories of what God's doing in your life. Even if it it's just a 2 minute story that BARELY seems significant at all, we SHOULD be in the practice of talking about what God is doing in our lives.
Talk about this idea with your LifeGroup. Give everyone the opportunity to share with the clear understanding that the ONLY acceptable story is --> "I see God doing ________ in my life" or "I was hanging out with God and He told me ________ . "
Talk about creative and good ways that you can start making these statements be a regular part of your discussion with each others.
Talk about this idea with your LifeGroup. Give everyone the opportunity to share with the clear understanding that the ONLY acceptable story is --> "I see God doing ________ in my life" or "I was hanging out with God and He told me ________ . "
Talk about creative and good ways that you can start making these statements be a regular part of your discussion with each others.
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