GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes GUIDE: Draw members attention to the image on Personal Study Guide (PSG) page 128 and ask if any members have ever run in a marathon. Highlight in The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 129) the added challenge for runners in the Boston Marathon the year after the terrorist attack. Briefly discuss how the endurance needed to run a marathon is similar to the Christian life. DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 128): When have you been thankful you didn t quit? GUIDE: Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 129): Day by day, I can become more and more like Jesus. SAY: The apostle Paul s desire in Philippians 3 to run hard after Christ is a great example of how we strive to become more and more like Jesus. SESSION 4 GROWING WITH JOY The Point Day by day, I can become more and more like Jesus. The Bible Meets Life We like quick results. We can convert a cold meal into a hot dinner in a minute or less. Movies can be streamed quickly without the once-common trip to the video store. Infomercials invite us to try their quick-and-easy weight loss or musclebuilding program. One area that offers no such claim to being quick and easy is spiritual growth. We can be saved in a moment, but growth in Christ is a life-long journey. The Passage Philippians 3:12-21 The Setting Although chained to a Roman guard and awaiting trial before Caesar, Paul found joy in focusing his attention on the prize of complete spiritual maturity in Christ. He warned the Philippian believers about false teachers with worldly desires, and exhorted them as citizens of heaven to imitate him in forgetting the past and pursuing together the goal of Christlikeness until they received the reward of glorious transformation in the presence of Christ. 128 Session 4
Philippians 3:12-14 12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Spiritual maturity is a continual journey toward Christlikeness. We live in a culture of instant gratification where we are accustomed to having whatever we want, whenever we want, and however we want it. We even seek quick do-it-yourself spiritual growth with books and videos that promise much growth with little or no apparent effort. Spiritual maturity is a continual journey toward Christlikeness. The plan is progress toward a perfection we will never attain this side of heaven, and there is truly joy all along the journey. As long as there is breath, there is room for growth. Even the apostle Paul recognized this fact. After listing his previous religious benefits and desires in the earlier part of this chapter, he declared that his supreme desire was to know Christ more intimately in power, suffering, and experience. It is here that we pick up the narrative with Paul s honest personal appraisal. STUDY THE BIBLE Philippians 3:12-14 15 minutes READ: Read or invite someone to read Philippians 3:12-14. to PSG page 130 to make the point that the apostle Paul realized he was a work in progress. He was: making every effort to take hold of it. reaching forward to what is ahead. pursuing the prize God s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. LEADER PACK: Use Item 12: Union with Christ to illustrate that all our spiritual growth results from our union with Christ. Verse 12. Although no real believer would have labeled Paul as immature, he himself realized he was not fully mature. Indeed he had not yet reached this goal. The Greek root occurs three times in this verse ( reached, take hold of, taken hold of ). Paul s great desire was to know Christ and His resurrection (vv. 10 11). The perfection he would have at the resurrection was not yet his. Realizing he had not yet reached his goal, he made every effort to do so. The phrase brings to mind a runner straining toward the finish line, a metaphor Paul developed more fully in this passage. Here again he strived to take hold of (active form) this elusive goal for which he willingly spent his life. He did so because Jesus had taken hold of him (passive SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 12 129
THE POINT Day by day, I can become more and more like Jesus. to PSG page 130 to explain the use of athletic images found in this passage and other texts. Ask for two volunteers to read: 1 Corinthians 9:24 Hebrews 12:1-2 DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 130): Why is athletic imagery appropriate for the Christian life? to PSG page 131 to remind us of some things from the past we need to forget: past failures past achievements SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 1 to highlight why forgetting and reaching forward are vital to the Christian run. form). In the last two instances this phrase has a sense of catch and force down, as a football player pursues the ball carrier in an effort to catch him and force him to the ground. The Son of God chose Paul and grabbed hold of his life on the Damascus road (Acts 9). Paul wanted to catch and make his own the same gospel of Jesus that had already caught Paul and made him Christ s own. Verse 13. Again Paul reiterated that he did not consider himself fully mature. The word implies reviewing a process and reaching a conclusion. Paul s deliberation led him to the conclusions of verse 12. Having done so, as a runner in a race hopes to win the prize, he strained every muscle to achieve and maintain forward motion. 1 Two all-important phrases explain Paul s dedicated pursuit. Forgetting what is behind would include all the points of pride of Philippians 3:5 6, all he had done as Saul the persecutor, all the pain he had endured for Christ, all the headaches of immature church members and false teachers. Looking back can draw us back (Luke 9:62; 17:31 32). Let us forget great accomplishments that can make us proud or indifferent and failures that can cause guilt or shame. Reaching forward to what is ahead is to exert with all one s being in pursuit of a goal. These terms were often used of a runner, blanking out every other distraction, and straining with every sinew, reaching and grasping for the finish line. Verse 14. It was with such determination and focus Paul continued to pursue (to chase, to follow hard after) the goal. This word is used in both hunting (relentless pursuit of game) and athletics (diligent pursuit of victory). Such pursuit requires both discipline and determination. At stake is the prize promised at God s call upon Paul s life. Paul wanted to hear God call his name and summon him to the victory stand where he would meet Jesus face to face and know Him in perfect intimacy for faithful service. Rather than slack off toward the end of the race, Paul was motivated by the calling of God on his life to strain harder in purity and service. He wanted to get to know every dimension of Christ, through every means. The joy of experiencing progress kept him going, but the ultimate joy would be the completion of God s plan for his life. 130 Session 4
Philippians 3:15-19 15 Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. 17 Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, Spiritual maturity comes as we follow the example of mature believers. A true indicator of spiritual growth is that we realize how much further we have to go to become like Christ. This should make us thankful and joyful for God s gracious activity in our lives, and more determined to honor Him by our continual progress toward complete maturity. 2 Verse 15. Paul used the adjective for mature eight times in his writings, but only two times describing those who had attained maturity or perfection (v. 15 here and 1 Cor. 2:6). In other passages maturity is the goal (1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:13; Col. 1:28). Those with spiritual maturity would think this way: they would value the truths regarding life and continuing maturity as Paul himself did (Phil. 3:7 14). Paul left those believers who think differently to God to correct their thinking. Human arguments cannot convince others of the need for spiritual maturity, nor cause it to happen. It is a work of God (Matt. 16:17; 1 Cor. 3:6). This word combination is used only here in the New Testament. In general use it suggested a wrong frame of mind. Perhaps some Philippian believers thought they had reached the place beyond which there could be no further spiritual development. Elsewhere Paul warned of this prideful frame of mind (1 Cor. 10:12; see also Prov. 16:18). A teachable attitude is a mature attitude. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 132): How would you describe the goal for followers of Jesus? (Alternate: What experiences or encounters have helped you grow spiritually?) TRANSITION: As we realize how much we are growing in Christ, this should make us joyful and thankful for God s gracious activity in our lives. STUDY THE BIBLE Philippians 3:15-19 10 minutes READ: Ask a volunteer to read Philippians 3:15-19. SAY: Spiritual maturity is a work of God that He does in us. Ask two volunteers to read: Matthew 16:17 1 Corinthians 3:6 SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 2 to help group members see the great emphasis placed on spiritual maturity in this passage. 131
THE POINT Day by day, I can become more and more like Jesus. to PSG pages 132-133 to discover examples to follow and examples to avoid. Examples to follow: Paul (imitate me) Other faithful believers Jesus (see Phil. 2:5-8) Examples to avoid: Enemies of the Cross Characteristics: Pretenders Deceivers to PSG pages 133-134 to reveal the values of those enemies of the cross, whose ways lead to destruction: 1. Their God is their stomach. They serve their lustful appetites and seek to please self. 2. Their glory is in their shame. They show off things for which they should be ashamed. 3. They are focused on earthly things. They get excited about worldly things. Verse 16. To live up to has overtones of all traveling to the same destination or living by the same standard. As followers of Christ, we are responsible to live out what we have learned. This produces joy. We are not perfect, but we must live what we know. Verse 17. Just as we are to imitate Christ (Phil. 2:5 11), we should also seek godly human role models. This theme occurs elsewhere in Paul s writings (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Eph. 5:1; 2 Thess. 3:7 9). This statement is not egotism, as Paul also exhorted believers to seek other role models as well. He recognized he was not the only one capable of being imitated. They were to imitate others who were like-minded. The sense is of keeping your eyes on the goal, or at least on one who can see the goal. The first believers had Jesus. But after His departure, there was still a need for a physical example. These role models were to live after the example Paul and others had set, so as to be worthy of emulation. 3 Verse 18. The strong emotion of this verse parallels that of Romans 9:1 3 where Paul pondered being accursed in the place of his kinsmen, the Jews. This is the only time Scripture records the apostle Paul cried. Some believe these similarities suggest he had Jews who opposed him in mind. Paul used the word enemies to describe those who opposed the doctrines of Christ and the practices of gracious humility. But notice they were enemies of the cross of Christ, not of Paul himself. Verse 19. Paul used four statements to explain the theology and practice of these enemies. They had a different result, a different goal, a difference source of pride, and a different focus. He highlighted their desperate end by altering the normal progressive description of their ways that lead to an end. Their result is placed first in this long sentence and is destruction (ruin, loss, perdition). It is a fixed doom of eternal damnation. Their god is their stomach, meaning the enemies of the cross had set their goal on physical desires (Rom. 16:18). For Greeks, satisfying physical appetites was the highest aim. They were driven by sensual appetites. For Jews, their goal became ritual purity, preserving their self-styled holiness. Their glory is in their shame, or they prided themselves in shameful things. For Greeks it would have meant pagan rituals involving sexual practices and prostitution. For Jews 132 Session 4
such pride would have been on circumcision of the shameful body parts as a requirement for rightness with God. They are focused on earthly things (Rom. 8:5). Jews focused on rules, regulations, and rituals they imagined would please God. Greeks focused on what would bring power or pleasure in life. Paul described enemies of the cross as destined for hopelessness, driven by sensual appetites, and dedicated to material things. They choose a path of pride, self-achievement, and self-declared perfection. In contrast to these foolish men are those who joyfully pursue spiritual growth in the humility of Christ. Christ s way is the cross. It is a way of suffering and serving now, looking ahead to future glory and satisfaction. Philippians 3:20-21 20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself. Spiritual growth is not complete until our glorious transformation in heaven. Mature believers live in anticipation, not merely participation. We are aliens far from home. A mentor of mine would liken our situation as believers to that of camping. When one goes camping, one only takes the necessities. In recent days, camping has taken on more elaborate trappings, but the principle still holds. We take only what we need to get by, although in some comfort. Eventually we plan to go home. Home is where our permanent life finds its center and focus. Home is where we base everything. Camping is temporary; home is permanent. 4 Verse 20. Paul contrasted the enemies of the cross described in verse 19 with those who have embraced the cross. He declared that the latter s citizenship is in heaven. Philippi, as a Roman colony with many Roman citizens, thought in terms of citizenship. The stability and security of citizenship were highly valued. Paul used the opportunity to illustrate heavenly citizenship with its privileges and responsibilities. There SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 3 on page 132 and this page to supplement conversation about the enemies of the cross of Christ. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 134): How can we intentionally position ourselves to benefit from the example of others? (Alternate: When have you been negatively influenced by someone and what did you learn?) TRANSITION: Believers joyfully pursue spiritual growth in the humility of Christ. We live not merely participating in life, but in anticipation of our home in heaven. STUDY THE BIBLE Philippians 3:20-21 10 minutes READ: Ask a volunteer to read Philippians 3:20-21. 133
THE POINT Day by day, I can become more and more like Jesus. to Digging Deeper on PSG page 135 to understand why the phrase citizenship in heaven would have been especially meaningful to the Philippian Christians. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 4 on page 133 and this page to make the comparison of the church as an embassy of the heavenly realm. Believers serve as ambassadors for our King, the God of heaven. SAY: This world is not our home. We are dual citizens of heaven and earth, but our primary allegiance is to our heavenly King. are more differences between us and the enemies of the cross than there are between the citizens of two earthly realms. We are pilgrims on earth; why should we focus our attention primarily on earthly things (see Phil. 3:19; Heb. 11:9-10,13 16)? Roman citizenship was highly prized (see Acts 22:28). How much more should heavenly citizens value their citizenship (compare Luke 10:20)? The church is an embassy of the heavenly realm. As representatives of our true country, we should accurately reflect its values and character (2 Cor. 5:20). Paul s words come across as literal and real to those who understand that God has called us out of this world (see John 15:19) and transferred us into His kingdom (see Col. 1:13). Having our citizenship in the kingdom of God by definition makes us aliens in the physical country in which we live. Like ambassadors of a foreign government, our views on the politics and practices of our host government will not necessarily be appreciated. But we must not allow that to distract us from our real spiritual goal. An ambassador is a representative of another culture, another way of life. In this capacity, he does not give his own opinions, but advances the positions of his home country. He functions as a servant or steward, representing his country faithfully. As faithful ambassadors of Christ with our true citizenship in heaven, we should live in a way that brings the health, refreshment, comfort, and heavenly values of the gospel to the people with whom we come into contact (Prov. 13:17). Just as the conquering Roman emperor came from Rome, our transforming King will come from heaven. We eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus in His capacity of Savior. Eagerly wait is the same Greek term used in Romans 8:19 for the whole creation s eager anticipation and yearning for its transformation at our Lord s return. Because He is the Lord (master, controller; supreme in authority) now exalted above every name (Phil. 2:9 11), we are assured our expectation is not in vain. Two thousand years ago our High Priest went up into a holy of holies not made with hands. He there makes appeal for us as our intercessor (Heb. 10:12; Rom 8:34). Picture the wandering Israelites of the exodus gathered outside the tabernacle anticipating Aaron s completion of his priestly duty of making sacrifice for the nation on the Day of Atonement (compare Lev. 16 with the scene in Luke 1:21). With the same eagerness we must look expectantly to the heavens for the return of Christ (see Matt. 24:42,44; Luke 12:37; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Rev. 22:7,12,20). 134 Session 4
5 Verse 21. When Christ returns He will transform (to transfigure, transfer) our bodies, said here to be in an humble condition (vile, humiliation; of low estate). This refers to the body in its present state, subject to infirmities, diseases, and death. It is sadly different from what it was when man was created, and from what it will be in the future. The word translated here transform speaks of a change that is brought about from outside us that brings about an outward change in us. Our mortal bodies become immortal. Paul emphatically taught that a part of the Christian hope and expectation that these bodies of ours, all too frail and subject to the ravages of illness and disease, will be gloriously changed. Our new bodies will be in the likeness (similar, conformed to, fashioned like) of Christ s own glorious resurrection body. In the Greek this phrase is literally the body of His glory. That would be the body He now has since He has been glorified. We see just a small sample of it in the transfiguration (Matt. 17). There are subtle hints as to its nature in the Gospel narratives that record Jesus post-resurrection ministry (Matt. 28:9 10; Mark 16:12,19; Luke 24:13 51; John 20:14 27; 21:4 19). However, there is no way we in our present state can know or understand completely the change Christ underwent in His body when He was resurrected. It was presumably adapted to the heavenly world where He dwells, and has none of the susceptibilities to which it was subject when on the earth. It is not subject to pain or death. The body of Christ in heaven is of the same nature that the bodies of believers will be in the resurrection (see 1 Cor. 15:44-57). Our body is destined for eternity. Our spirit is already experiencing resurrection with Christ, but our bodies must await this wonderful change. Such a change requires great power. This incredible transformation will be accomplished by the power (energeia, see our English energy) that only Christ possesses. This word is only used of super-human power beyond our realm of operation. It is this other-worldly power that enables Christ to subject everything to Himself (see Matt. 28:18; John 17:2). Subject is a military term used to describe a general marshalling of forces under authority and direction. Such is Christ s absolute authority and power to transform, rule, and reign over all of creation. Joy in knowing Christ includes a growing experience with the Son of God. It is a life-long process in which God uses every aspect of our lives to further develop His plan in and through us. This vital relationship is superior to the empty promises of false teaching, pride, and reckless living. It promises an eternity living in perfect joy in the presence of Jesus Christ. Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22:20). GUIDE: Use Bible Commentary 5 to conclude this session with a view toward the hope we have as citizens of the heavenly realm. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 136): What makes these verses challenging? What makes them encouraging? (Alternate: Christians are currently citizens of heaven. How should that reality influence your life this week?) DO: Complete the activity on PSG page 136, Pursuing the Goal. Call on volunteers to share what some of their short term and long term goals will be. 135
THE POINT LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes Day by day, I can become more and more like Jesus. LIVE IT OUT Spiritual transformation is something God does in you to make you more and more like Jesus. Here are some things you can do to position yourself for growth. GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Day by day, I can become more and more like Jesus. REVIEW: Live it Out (PSG, p. 117); see text to the right). Encourage each member to follow through this week with at least one of the applications. WRAP IT UP GUIDE: Emphasize the goal of becoming more and more like Jesus. SAY: My hope is that we will do the things necessary to strive toward the goal of becoming like Jesus. > > Forget what is past. Do you have something in your past that you need to forget in order to run? Are you coasting because you previously experienced victories in the glory days? Or, are past failures hindering you from running passionately? Ask His forgiveness if you still have something from the past you have not given to Him. Pray for the Lord to fill you afresh with joy. Ask Him to give you strength to run today. > > See others as Jesus does. As you look at people in our culture who are not following Jesus, do you respond to them in anger? indifference? Or, do you weep? Ask the Lord to deepen your concern for those who are enemies of the cross. > > Eliminate the sin. Evaluate your life for any sinful habits. Confess the sin and be aggressive in removing this as a habit. Do whatever it takes to remove the habit. Get a friend to hold you accountable and walk with you in seeing that the sin no longer has a stronghold in your life. PRAY: Father, help us to never take our eyes off of the goal of becoming more like Jesus. Give us endurance for the race as we strive toward that goal. 136 Session 4
ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/BOB SCHATZ (20/14/9) A scene from Trajan s column. This scene shows some of the various kinds of troops that were utilized in the Roman legions. Victorious members of elite units were often granted Roman citizenship. Decades before Paul ministered, Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus instituted a policy of granting citizenship to colonies of the provinces that learned Latin and Roman culture. At the time of Augustus one could not hold dual citizenship. People who became Roman citizens were required to give up their local citizenship. By Paul s time, this requirement and also a Roman citizen (22:27, literally, a man of Rome ). Paul s status of dual citizenship was rare. How Paul was granted citizenship is unknown. It was inherited (22:28), which would perhaps indicate that Paul s family was not only wealthy, but had been educated in Roman culture. Paul hesitated to take advantage of the legal protections afforded him by his Roman citizenship. In Philippi he did not use it to escape punishment, but to further his ministry. When Paul used the image of the honor of citizenship in his letters, he emphasized citizenship in the people of God. But our citizenship is in heaven, he wrote under the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20. Paul contrasted this honorable citizenship to the shame of those whose god is their stomach (3:19). SHARING THE GOOD NEWS Becoming more like Jesus means that we have His heart for people who are not believers. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. was dropped so that one could hold dual citizenship. Thus Paul was a citizen of Tarsus (Acts 21:39) The excerpt above is from the article The importance of Roman Citizenship (Summer 1993), which relates to this session. More Biblical Illustrator articles are available that relate to this session. See page 7 about Biblical Illustrator. Free additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 137