Lesson Scope: Philippians 3 Lesson 10 5 April, 2015 Pressing Toward The Mark Lesson Focus The spiritual outlook that Paul described in chapter 3 is possible only as we have the mind of Christ discussed in chapter 2. Likewise, the forward look of chapter 3 is essential for the life of joy described in chapter 4. The Judaizers posed a threat to the early church almost everywhere the Gospel went. These false teachers insisted that Christianity was merely a sect of Judaism. They taught the need to observe the Law of Moses in addition to believing in Jesus for salvation. The apostle Paul, however, emphasized that salvation depends solely upon a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The eternal reward for the faithful lies at the end of the Christian race. Only those who "count all things but loss" and zealously "press toward the mark" will obtain the prize. Our lesson text includes some very familiar verses. We want them to be familiar not simply because we admire the apostle Paul in his renouncing of his fleshly credentials and declaring his determination to gain the prize, but we also want them to be familiar because we personally know what it means to "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." We want that earnest desire to gain the prize to motivate us in our daily decisions. This lesson will be inspirational and profitable to all believers as the aspirations of the Apostle Paul are also your own. Lesson Aim: To identify essentials for spiritual progress. Theme Verses: Philippians 3:13-14. 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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Lesson Text "No Confidence in the Flesh" Colossians 3:1-7 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. "Be Found in Him" Philippians 3:8-15 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. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. "We Look for the Saviour" Philippians 3:16-21 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and
now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Questions for Study "No Confidence in the Flesh" 1. Who were the "dogs" Paul warns about in verse 2? 2. What did the apostle Paul lay down in order to win Christ? 3. What are some hindrances to spiritual growth? 4. How does rejoicing in the Lord keep us from carnality? "Be Found in Him" 5. What was Paul striving to attain? 6. What are some essential helps as we press toward the mark? "We Look for the Saviour" 7. What are the benefits of honoring the practices of the past? 8. How do we keep an eager anticipation for our Lord's return? Analyzing the Passage all references in brackets from Philippians Dogs (3:2) in this case speaks of the unbelieving Jews, though ironically, the Jews often used this term to refer to the Gentiles. Concision (3:2) refers to Judaizers who insisted on circumcising Gentile believers. Their belief resulted in putting confidence in the flesh rather than in Christ. The paradox expressed in "the loss of all things... that I may win Christ" (3:8) relates to Paul's exchange of his Jewish credentials, which had no saving merit in the New Testament dispensation, for "the faith of Christ" (3:9), which made him righteous. "Being made conformable" (3:10) comes from the same Greek word as "fashioned like unto" (3:21). This conforming to Christ's death is the same as being "crucified with Christ," "[dying] daily," and being "buried with him." We come to know "the fellowship of his sufferings" through daily cross bearing. Apprehend (3:12) means "to take eagerly or to seize." The mark (3:14)
is the goal. Conversation (3:20) means "community or citizenship." (Vine s Bible Dictionary) Principles and Applications "No Confidence in the Flesh" 1. We must rejoice in the Lord in order to progress with Him (3:1). Rejoicing in the Lord depends upon our commitment to Him. Failing in submission to Christ leads to unholy and unthankful attitudes. We progress with the Lord as we rejoice in circumstances beyond our control, even unto death. 2. God's people must beware of false teachers, who hinder spiritual progress (3:2). In every generation, false teachers creep into spiritual church groups, casting aside the commandments of God and "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" Matthew 15:9. Christ said, "But in vain they do worship me." True believers grow spiritually as they reject partial truth and doctrinal error. They obey and follow Christ's teaching as the infallible Word of God. 3. Spiritual progress depends upon true worship and faith in Jesus Christ (3:3). False teachers are not the only cause for our worship to fail. Our own evil heart can take us far from God's requirements of holiness. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that what matters is not the place of worship but that the worship is in spirit and in truth. True worship can issue only from a heart surrendered to God in faith. 4. Refusing to place confidence in the flesh is essential to spiritual progress (3:3-8). The devil wants us to believe that it is acceptable to please the flesh occasionally. We cannot progress to spiritual heights while fulfilling our carnal appetites. Confidence that is based on our ancestry, our accomplishments, or our capabilities is sure to end in defeat. We must root out all "confidence in the flesh." "Be Found in Him" 5. The supreme motive of our lives must be to win Christ (3:8-11). When Christ is our true desire in life, we are willing to give up all else. Our most important goal is to possess the righteousness of God by faith. We forget those things which are behind (and sometimes things present, as well) and reach forth unto those things which are before. "Those
things which are before" include a fuller relationship with Christ in time and a blissful eternity in His presence. 6. To progress spiritually, we must recognize our need for growth (3:12-14). As we view Christ's complete work, we desire to be more like Him. We are more aware of our failures and imperfections, making us realize how much we need to grow. We must forsake those things that distract, giving priority to spiritual interests. All zeal and effort must be for eternal gain. 7. Openness to truth is essential to spiritual growth (3:12-15). Truth is revealed to us as we obey the truth we already know. Spiritual learning and spiritual practice together produce spiritual growth. Our response to truth and our resulting spiritual growth affect those around us. "We Look for the Saviour" 8. Spiritual progress is attained by giving careful attention to Bible principle and historical precedent (3:16). These give ample aid and safe direction to help us reach our heavenly goal. God's principles never change, giving us a stable course to follow. That is why we can look to the past for worthy examples of carefulness and obedience. What worked for the many prophets and apostles will certainly work for us today. The principles that have safely steered the church in the past are certainly worthy of our allegiance. 9. Spiritual progress is enhanced by eager anticipation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (3:19-21). One thing is apparent as Paul gives warning to the church at Philippi: the unholy desire to mind earthly things is shameful and spiritually destructive. Christ's appearing will be a blessing to those who are eagerly watching for His return. Summarizing the Lesson From unbelief to faith and from trust in the flesh to "the righteousness which is of God" that is spiritual progress. From newfound faith to growing faith and eager reaching to attain perfection that is also spiritual progress. Our progress will be complete in heaven when we reach the mark and obtain the prize. Important Teachings all references in brackets from Philippians 1. We must rejoice in the Lord in order to progress with Him (3:1). 2. God's people must beware of false teachers, who hinder spiritual pro-
gress (3:2). 3. Spiritual progress depends upon true worship and faith in Jesus Christ (3:3). 4. Refusing to place confidence in the flesh is essential to spiritual progress (3:3-8). 5. The supreme motive of our lives must be to win Christ (3:8-14). 6. To progress spiritually, we must recognize our need for growth (3:12-14). 7. Openness to truth is essential to spiritual growth (3:12-15). 8. Spiritual progress is attained by giving careful attention to Bible principle and historical precedent (3:16). 9. Spiritual progress is enhanced by eager anticipation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (3:19-21). Answers to Questions 1. Who were the "dogs" Paul warns about in verse 2? The dogs in this case were the Judaizers, although many Jews often used the term in referring to Gentiles. The Judaizers were good at "barking and biting" at the believers for promoting the Gospel of Christ. 2. What did the apostle Paul lay down in order to win Christ? Paul laid down his trust in the legal righteousness of the Old Testament Law (3:5). He forsook the carnal zeal of persecuting the church (3:6). 3. What are some hindrances to spiritual growth? The flesh must be crucified daily. An unsurrendered will destroys spiritual growth. Intimidation from those without could cause us to waver. False doctrine has caused many to fall away. 4. How does rejoicing in the Lord keep us from carnality? Rejoicing in the Lord requires submission to His will. We renounce unholy and unthankful attitudes. Without murmuring, we accept God's plan as the best. 5. What was Paul striving to attain? Paul was striving to attain the righteousness which is of God by faith. He wanted to know Christ, to experience the power of Christ's resurrection, and to share in the fellowship of His sufferings as he daily crucified self. Finally, he was pressing toward the goal of being all that God would have him to be and of being ushered into eternal glory. 6. What are some essential helps as we press toward the mark?
We must recognize our need for continual growth and feed on the Word to meet that need. We must be open to the truth. We must obey the truth we already know. We must crucify the flesh. We must be looking for the Lord's return. 7. What are the benefits of honoring the practices of the past? Following our faithful forefathers helps to keep us from following the world. We can have the benefits of following the faith and practice of those who reproduced godliness generation after generation. We can also learn from the mistakes and failures of those before us and not repeat them. 8. How do we keep an eager anticipation for our Lord's return? We must be busy occupying our time wisely and providing for the needs around us. We must not crowd out what is most important our spiritual needs. We must view our stay here as temporary and fleeting. We must engage in holy living and conversation, speaking of the imminent return of our Lord. We must encourage one another as we see the day approaching. Research Guide Use Nave's Topical Bible to research Scriptures under the heading "Death Figurative of Regeneration." Also study passages listed under "Self-denial."