WELL-ADJUSTED MATURITY – PHILIPPIANS 3:11-21
FAMILY TALKS IN PHILIPPIANS #6 of 7
- How did you grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually from ages 5 to 13, to 18, to 25 years old, to now?
- Why is spiritual maturity especially important? Titus 2:1-6, Hebrews 5:12-6:2
- In our last study, we saw the Apostle Paul as a well-adjusted loser. Philippians 3:1-11
- This week we see Paul developing a well-adjusted spiritual maturity that we should emulate.
MAKE A CHOICE – Philippians 3:11-14
- Vss. 11-12 – Paul was looking forward to perfection by way of the rapture. This perfection is something we should look forward to as well. 1 John 3:1-3
- Both John and Paul knew that we aren’t perfect yet. There’s still room for Spiritual growth.
- Vs. 12 – Paul wanted to apprehend what Christ had apprehended him for. Vs. 10
- Vs. 13 – Paul says, “I haven’t made it yet, but I’m pressing forward.”
- He chose to be focused on “this one thing I do”. What things do we need to leave in the past in order to move forward? Do we ever have to deal with the past before we can forget it?
- Vs.13 tells us to forget the past, but to reach forward, like a runner, straining every muscle to reach the finish line.
- Vs. 14 – Paul says, I press toward the Mark! He is pursuing the target, the finish line of the race! The finish line is Christ-likeness. Philippians 3:10
- Paul made a choice. Because he made a choice and followed through, he was confident at the end of his life. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
MARK THE CONSISTENT – Philippians 3:15-19
- Why is it helpful to have good role models?
- Why would we refrain from saying, “Follow my example.”?
- Vs. 15 – Paul now says, “If you are perfect or mature have the same attitude which I have.”
- Vs. 16 – Paul is challenging us to continue to pursue maturity in Christ.
- Vs. 17 – Not only does Paul say, “Follow my example.”, but he encourages us to follow the example of others who are doing the same thing.
- Vss. 18-19 – Paul warns us that there are a lot of bad examples out there.
MAXIMIZE YOUR CITIZENSHIP – Philippians 3:20-21
- Vs. 20 – Our citizenship is in Heaven! We have never seen Heaven, but we have the rights and privileges of citizenship there. Some of those privileges are the power, protection, and answered prayer that come from God to Heaven’s citizens in the name of the Lord Jesus! Ephesians 1:19-22, 2 Timothy 4:16-18, John 14:13-14, Titus 2:11-14
- Vs. 21 – And when he comes, he will change this old body into a new body, one like His!
