Scripture Focus (Philippians 3:10-21) – “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
I. The Heart-Hunger of the Christian Man (Philippians 3:10-14)
A. Cultivating the highest hunger (Philippians 3:10-11) – “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
B. Refusing to settle prematurely (Philippians 3:12-13a) – “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind…”
C. Always pressing in for more (Philippians 3:13b-14) – “…and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
II. The Determined Mindset of the Christian Man (Philippians 3:15-16)
A. Submit your mind (Philippians 3:15a) – “Let those of us who are mature think this way…” (Referring to vs. 10-14)
B. Open your mind (Philippians 3:15b) – “…and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”
C. Discipline your mind (Philippians 3:16) – “Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”
III. The Potential Leaders of the Christian Man (Philippians 3:17-19)
A. Find an authentic testimony to learn from (Philippians 3:17a) – “Brothers, join in imitating me…”
Authentic does not mean perfect!
B. Commit to a solid tribe to run with (Philippians 3:17b) – “…and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
C. Develop a discernment to protect yourself (Philippians 3:18-19) – “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
IV. The Unfolding Glory for the Christian Man (Philippians 3:20-21)
A. Glory via right-now allegiance (Philippians 3:20a) – “But our citizenship is in heaven…”
B. Glory via remembering the end-game (Philippians 3:20b) – “…and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…”
C. Glory via an unstoppable promise (Philippians 3:21) – “Who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body by the power that enables him even to subject all things to Himself.”