RENOUNCE EvERYTHING FOR CHRIST

Transcription

1 RENOUNCE EvERYTHING FOR CHRIST Lesson Scripture: Philippians 3: 1-16 Focus Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14 Key Verses: Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ] esus. Philippians 3: 13,14 (NRSV) PHILIPPIANS 3:7-14 (NRSV) 7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 1 0 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this 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 heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 3:7-14 (KJV) 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus... 50

2 KEY TERMS Surpassing Value: Excellence, preeminence. Suffering: Affliction. Rubbish: Worthless, any refuse, garbage.. ' Press Toward the Mark: Run swiftly in the direction of the goal. Faith: Conviction that a belief is absolutely true. INTRODUCTION Gatherers and hoarders accumulate. Collection rates vary, but everyone has extra things. Perhaps you have an abundance of material possessions such as shoes, jewelry, books, and clothes. Or maybe you amass titles, diplomas, awards, recognition, and promotions. Possibly you compile jokes, recipes, proverbs, trivia, stories, pictures. Even worse, you may store bitterness, unforgiveness, worries, fear. None of these wholly contributes to spiritual growth. In the grand scheme of things, we may spend too much of our energy and efforts on meaningless things. Why don't we make a change? Let stuff go. Focus on whatever helps you grow closer to Christ. Aim for heavenly possessions; they are far more valuable than anything this world offers. Lesson TELLING THE BIBLE STORY Pau I desires to know Christ-to be deemed righteous - to suffer - to experience resurrection power. Because of his faith, Paul is willing to sacrifice everything -to undergo trials - to experience anything that will make him like Christ. Paul set a prescribed course. In his view, he had a heavenly reward, which is everlasting life. Renounce It All (verses 7-11) Paul had an impressive resume. An Israelite, descended from Abraham, his ancestry traced to the tribe of Benjamin. A leading Rabbi, Gamaliel, a leader of the Sanhedrin, educated him. Paul held the distinct honor of being a Pharisee. Born in Tarsus, Paul was a Roman citizen, which afforded him the privilege of appealing to Caesar. With all of this at his disposal, Paul could have wielded power throughout the Empire. Instead, Paul readily gives up the titles for the sake of Christ. In fact, Paul classifies his pedigree as manure. Paul spurned secular accolades that he wanted God's approval - to have righteousness based up his firm belief that Jesus died and rose again, so that Paul could do the same. Racing Toward the Finish Line (verses 12-14) Ancient Olympic Games held during a religious festival honoring Zeus had

3 competitors from all parts of Greece. Athletes spent months in training. During training, perspective participants exercised and ate special diets. Trainers helped athletes develop muscles that would make them competitive and hopefully victorious. Every contestant was expected to follow the rules. Paul, familiar with these games, ~-~es the Olympic Games as an analogy. Like Olympians, Paul moves steadily toward his goal. At track meets, once runners leave the blocks they do not look backwards. They run as fast as they can toward the finish line. Their goal is to win. polio and double pneumonia, and scarlet fever almost claimed her life. The bout with polio caused Rudolph to wear a brace on her left leg. Her mother took her to a doctor at Meharry Medical College where she was prescribed therapeutic massage. For two years, Rudolph's family took turns massaging her leg. Rudolph's mother advised that belief in God's power would result in healing. Rudolph's Christian faith helped her overcome her disabilities. This same faith helped her Like these athletes, Paul lightened his load forgive Americans for the way they treated African Americans. Rudolph, a runner, strived to move closer The word Paul uses to by shedding his past. to her Savior, Jesus describe his progress is "press." This Greek word for press, dioko (pronounced de-6'- ko ), means to run swiftly in a race to reach the goal. Olympians competed nude. This would rid them of any encumbrance that would impede their performance. Like these athletes, Paul lightened his load by shedding his past. He set his sights on one goal - the prize that comes from answering God's heavenly call. SANKOFA Christ. She advised that, "Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday." ( people/wilma-rudolph ) CASE STUDY Demond Wilson, best known as Lamont Wilma Rudolph, from Clarksville, on the hit TV series, Sanford and Son, Tennessee, the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field, was born prematurely. She contracted had a highly successful acting career. Raised in New York, Wilson began acting after he returned from a tour in Vietnam. 52..

4 He appeared in several stage plays. After moving to Hollywood, Wilson had guest appearances on a variety of shows. Norman Lear noticed his talent and called him to become a regular requires a new mind that is determined to have resurrection power. This can only be accomplished when answering God's call becomes paramount. Every day we should ask ourselves, on the then new series, are my actions moving Sanford and Son. To Instead of seeking me toward Jesus or am I the surprise of many, right~ousness in God's wasting time and energy Wilson eventually on frivolous endeavors? turned his back on his acting career. His call to ministry stemmed back to his childhood. When he was 12 years old, he almost died when his sight, we often worry about what people think of us. Every AME Church provides opportunities for service. Clergy and Ia ity need to identify their spiritual gifts and pray that supernatural appendix ruptured.ltwas then that Wilson power accompanies their use. Imagine made a promise to serve God. Currently stewards, trustees, class leaders, a renowned preacher, he believes that stewardesses, ministry chairs, and his previous experiences prepared him to answer God's call. Wilson says he has no desire to return to acting as everything presidents filled with resurrection power from being members of our churches. QUESTIONS else pales in comparison to his life as a What hinders your progress on your preacher. Christian journey? LIFE APPLICATION Much of what we consider important is worthless. Our reputation, education, previous experiences, and commendations can blind us to the importance of being Christ-like. Instead of seeking righteousness in God's sight, we often worry about what people think of us. Moving toward a resurrected life How can you determine if you are following God's call? What can we learn from Rudolph and Wilson's lives that will help on our Christian journey? SUMMARY Paul believed that his sole goal was to please God. He released everything that would block him from being like 53

5 Jesus. Paul did not allow his history of persecution, his cultural identity, or his titles to deter his decision to move closer to God. For Paul, the only thing that mattered was being sure he would experience resurrection power in this world and the next. CLOSING DEVOTIO~S Sing: "Guide My Feet" or "Lead Me, Guide Me" Share with the class one thing you will give up so that you can become more like Jesus. After each person shares, pray a communal prayer. Prayer: God, thank you. You have blessed me richly. Let me worship you more than things. I want to be righteous so help me get rid of anything in my life that is not like you. In Jesus' name. Amen. HOME DAILY BIBlE READINGS January 28-February 3 Monday Tuesday ~omans 2:25-29 (A Matter of the Heart) Mark 7:24-30 (Persistent Faith) Wednesday 2 Corinthians 11:21b-30 (Paul's Solid Credentials for Ministry) Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Philippians 3:1-6 (Boast in Christ Jesus) Philippians 3:17-4:1 (Live as Heavenly Citizens) Philippians 4:2-9 (Guard Your Heart and Mind) Philippians 3:7-14 (Be of the Same Mind) 54