Philippians 3:7-14 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord… That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead… 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… For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul had a pretty impressive resume, to say the least. When it came to the Jewish law, he was “the man”. His knowledge and position would have been the envy of any young man aspiring to be a religious leader or role model. He had given his life chasing hard after all those things that would make him righteous in the eyes of the law. But then something happened – Paul met Jesus. And when he did, everything changed. All the things he had given his life for were no longer important, because instead of pursuing knowledge, prestige, the holiness of the law, and man’s applause and accolades, His high-speed pursuit changed directions toward a single goal and a single Being – Jesus Christ.

In this chapter, Paul, like any good preacher, starts off the middle of his sermon by saying “finally brethren”. He then goes on to write the second half of his letter to Philippians :). But I’m sure thankful he did, because we find here invaluable principles to help us to pursue (chase) Christ as we live here below. Let’s see what Paul did to “finish his course (pursuit)” with joy.

1. Paul counted his accomplishments, past and present, as loss (vs7-8) – Maybe it was a great doctrinal dissertation, or a tremendous sermon he preached. Maybe it was the Scripture he had memorized from a child. Maybe it was his training in the law. Paul realized that the only thing that really mattered was his position in and knowledge of Christ. We might have merits to our name, or “great” accomplishments, but if we’re going to finish our course with joy, we ought to glory only in the cross and in Christ!
2. Paul had the right perspective on “things” – When he had to choose between valuing things or winning Christ, he “counted all things as dung, that I might win Christ”. What value do we place on things that we possess? If we’re to pursue Christ like Paul did, we must have the right perspective on things.
3. Paul pursued hard after a relationship with Jesus (vs 10) – Verse ten ties the former verses to it and leads to the following ones. Paul was willing to suffer loss, to count things as dung, to trust Christ, for the purpose of knowing Him. It didn’t matter what it took – the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death – it didn’t matter if Paul could know Jesus! How is my relationship with Him today? Do I have a burning passion like we see here to “know Him…”? Let this be the first desire of our morning, the driving force of our day, and the that which we dwell on at night.
4. Paul pressed toward the mark (vs 14) – The word press literally means “to follow after; to pursue”. Paul chased after it. Wherever life led, as long as it was leading toward that day, Paul ran on. When it was hard, he pursued. When he was persecuted, he pursued. When it was tiresome, he pursued. Paul kept his eyes on the finish line, pressing toward the day when he’d see Jesus and receive the prize.
5. Paul’s conversation was in heaven (vs 20) – Paul didn’t chase after earthly things, but heavenly things. His lifestyle was “in heaven”. As a runner isn’t thinking about those things around him as he pursues the finish line, or as in a high speed pursuit nothing around matters, but following hard after the target, if we’re to chase Jesus and “win Him”, we must devalue earthly things, and live with heaven on our minds. We must realize that one day we will be there, with Jesus, giving account and receiving reward or suffering loss, and pursue accordingly.
6. Finally, Paul looked to Jesus (vs 20-21) – Watching police pursuits is exciting. One thing we know is that, once the helicopter has it’s eye on someone, they’re not going to get out of view! That camera man is not going to let him go or get away. This may be a poor illustration, but we need to be like the cameraman in that helicopter in the high-speed chase. Once we get a glimpse of Jesus and “that day” comes into view, let us never take our eyes off of Him.

In this chapter we see why Paul was able to finish his course with joy. Once he saw Christ, he pursued Him till the day he met Him. Let us seek to do the same today!

Philippians 2:5-10 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

The first eight verses of this chapter go against my natural inclinations! Be merciful. Be likeminded. Be lowly. Look not on my own things. Look on the things of others. Esteem others better than myself. This is NOT a natural way of living. This kind of living is going to take help. I need a model. I need someone to whom I can look.

Verses 7-8 of Philippians 2 give me this model. The model is called “this mind”. “This mind” is to be “in” me. If it’s going to be in me, I must look to Christ. If I want to live how I’m exhorted to live in verses 2-4, I must apply verses 5-8. Jesus Christ is our example, and the mind He had is our model. Briefly, here is how “this mind” was lived out through Christ.

1. He “made” Himself of no reputation – Jesus emptied Himself of His glory and reputation that He had before coming to earth. This was a voluntary act. He came without pomp or grandeur. He didn’t look to make a name for Himself. If we’re to have “this mind”, we’re not to seek to make a name for ourselves. We’d do well to seek to preach Christ, pass the baton, die, an be ok with being forgotten.
2. He “took” upon Him the form of a servant – Jesus took on a servant’s form. He washed feet. He served. He helped. He gave. If we’re to have this mind, we’re to look for ways to serve our fellow brethren and our fellow man. This is what He came to do – not to be ministered unto, but to minister.
3. He humbled Himself – A true mark of the mind of Christ is one of humility. We must ask, is there humility in my lifestyle, my preaching, my counseling, and my living as a whole?
4. He was obedient unto death – Jesus was obedient, no matter what it cost Him. He always did the things that pleased His Father. He despised the shame. He took up the cross. He was obedient to the end. If we’re to have the mind of Christ, we will be obedient to the Father, no matter the cost. Where He leads us, we will follow. What He asks of us, we will do. What he requests of us, we will give up. This is the mind of Christ – the mind of obedience.

Let’s pursue the mind of Christ in our lives today!

A preacher once told me this: “Many preachers’ soul winning illustrations are a decade old. When they preach on winning souls, why is it that they use the same illustrations? Maybe, because they aren’t winning souls as they once did“. I cannot speak for other veteran Christians, I can speak for myself. I fear that we can get caught up in our ministries, programs, and fellowships that we forget about the main thing – sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul lived his life to further the Gospel. It didn’t matter how much Paul knew, or how influential he was, he never stopped living to share the Gospel. It didn’t matter what came upon him – life, death, imprisonment, peril, scourging, or mocking, under one condition: the Gospel was furthered because of it. In this chapter, he’s not only sharing his own desire for the Gospel’s furtherance, but he’s calling those saints in Philippi to do the same – to use their lives as springboards for the Gospel to go forth.

Might we not get so caught up in “life” that we neglect to live to share our faith. It’s so easy to do. But the Gospel is the reason we’re left here. Are there tracts in our pockets this morning? Is there a desire and willingness to approach that person and warn him of hell, and tell him of the gift of salvation? Might we reevaluate our lives in light of this thought – “am I living my life for the furtherance of the Gospel”?

Philippians 1 – Paul, the Philippians, and the Gospel

Verse 5 – I thank God for your fellowship in the Gospel

Verse 7 – You are with me in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel.

Verse 12 – The things that happen are for the furtherance of the Gospel.

Verse 17 – I am set for the defense of the Gospel

Verse 27 – Let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel

Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

I’ve come to the conclusion after comparing the works of the flesh (wrath, strife, envying, fornication, etc.), with the fruits of the spirit, that walking after the Spirit is a MUCH better way to live the Christian life! It’s a great life when there’s joy. It’s good where there’s peace. It’s Christ-honoring when there’s love. It’s Christ-evident when I’m longsuffering to others as He is with us. Why would I choose to live otherwise?

I believe many Christians forfeit the “better”, Spirit led life, for a cheap alternative. And why? Why would we substitute the rich fruit of the Spirit for anything else? We’d be wise to ask, “is my conversation (manner of life) becoming of a life marked by the Spirit’s fruit?” Do people see joy in my life, or wrath? Do they see peace, or strife? Do they see meekness, or variance and emulations? Do we possess gentleness, or do we provoke. Do they see temperance and long-suffering, or hatred? The two lists simply can’t compare.

After contrasting the lists, Paul exhorts us once more: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit“. Are we walking in the Spirit today? The evidence of the Spirit’s fruit will answer that question for me. Let’s choose the Spirit-filled, Spirit-led life.

Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

This chapter is rich in doctrine, and a tremendous encouragement as we realize our position – as Gentiles (though now, sons) – in Christ. We see that God (the Father) sent the Spirit (The Holy Spirit) of His Son (Jesus Christ) into our hearts (what a great picture of the trinity in one verse). And though we were servants, because of God’s goodness, we have been made sons.

As sons, we have the Spirit of Jesus Christ within us, crying and testifying of our relationship to the Father, with and for us. We know that the Spirit bears witness with our spirit, that we are the sons of God. Romans tells us that the Spirit helps our infirmities, and makes intercession for us when we don’t even have the words to say. But here, we see that the Spirit simply utters “Father, Father” on our behalf. Today, I thank the Lord that I have a rich position as a son and an heir with Christ. And with this, I have access to the Holy Spirit, through Whom I have access to the Father. Spiritually, I’m a rich man, and thank the Lord for it!

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

When someone starts talking differently, we ask, “who have you been listening to?” When someone starts acting differently, we ask, “who have you been hanging around?” When someone begins to change their position, their doctrine, or beliefs, we ask, “who have you been reading,” or “who has been influencing you?”

This is what Paul asked the Galatians. There had obviously been a shift in belief, which led to a change in behavior. When Paul realized this, he didn’t ask “what”, but “who” hath bewitched you. The word bewitched means: To fascinate; to gain an ascendancy over by charms or incantation; or, to cast a spell over. The thing about bewitched people is that, many times they don’t realize that they’re being bewitched. They don’t see that they’ve been “fascinated” or “maligned” by someone until they’re already caught up in it, and they’ve begun to change.

This morning, might we take an honest evaluation of our lives and ask if we’ve allowed ourselves to be bewitched. Maybe we’ve been bewitched by Hollywood entertainment and the corruption that it spews out. Maybe we’ve been bewitched by those who give their lives to materialism instead of eternal investments. Maybe it’s a financial podcast or blog that has gotten our hearts set on “that which will burn”, instead of “on things above”. Maybe it’s another preacher, teacher, or philosiphizer that’s captivating and communicative, as in the Galatians’ case, that’s changing us. Maybe it’s a book, a blog, a sermon, or a Youtube channel that would influence us.

We must be oh, so careful not to be fascinated or caught up with people who would influence us to become something we really don’t want to become. Let’s realize the power of influence. Let’s be careful with the books we read, the sermons we listen to, the media we take in, and the people we’re around. For those we allow to influence us today determine who we are tomorrow.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

This morning I am reminded that the greatest way to live the Christian life is to live crucified with Christ. He not only brought my spirit to life, but He can be my very life itself (Christ liveth in me). When I do this, it’s “not I” – not my flesh, or my old man, or my natural sinful self, “but Christ” – His Spirit, and His leading, and His living, living in and through me. This is how I want to live!

We are reminded, however, that this is a daily process. Paul also said in 1 Cor 15:31, “I die daily.” Might we reckon ourselves dead, die daily, and allow Christ to live through us, even today.

Came across this quote today. Good thoughts. Might we have Christ-honoring marriages. 

“Christ-likeness may be especially important in our marriages because marriage is such a powerful way to display the gospel and the glory of God. It is the first place people will look to see if we really believe what we say we believe. Someone can have a dynamic speaking gift, or generously give to anyone in need, or appear to know a lot of Scripture, but if they have a terrible marriage, it raises questions. How can he treat his wife that way? Why is she so disrespectful to her husband? They obviously do not believe what they claim to believe. It should burden us deeply that many of our marriages paint the gospel in a bad light. Can you imagine if the divorce rate among Christians was next to nothing? What an incredible way to cry out to the world that we are different! We have the mind of Christ, we have the power of the Holy Spirit, we choose to die to ourselves and love and forgive even when things get difficult. This would turn heads. This is what God wants for us as His people.”

Galatians 1:23-24 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me.

Rebuke. Chasten. Marvel. Paul’s heart was heavy as he wrote this epistle to the Galatian churches. He wondered how they could have been so soon removed from the faith of the Gospel. He knew that they had allowed men to pervert their doctrine and view of Christ and the Gospel. He wrote for the purpose that he might, if by any chance, convince the Galatians to return to the true doctrine of the Gospel.

Paul takes time in the first chapter to give his credentials for writing and preaching. He writes of his conversion. He writes of his call by the Lord Himself. He writes of His Gospel that he preached – one not after man, but after God. He then makes a case for his honesty and sincerity, again, to the end that he might get them to return to the Lord. Those who serve in ministry have been here. We’ve written these kinds of letters. We’ve had these kind of meetings. We can relate with some of Paul’s heart.

However, the verse that sticks out this morning is one that is slipped in at the end of the chapter. It doesn’t have to do so much with his convincing them, but it has everything to do with his ministry. He says the brethren “that he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me.” Is not that the purpose of our lives? We can persuade men. We can cry over the lost. We can do the work of the ministry. But ultimately, our life’s purpose is the glory of God. If we were saved out of a life of sin, we ought to give tribute to the grace of God that led us to repentance. This brings glory to God. If we were sheltered from a life of sin, as we point others to Christ, we ought to point them to that same grace that works in our lives. This will bring glory to God. Today, let us seek how we can bring glory to His name through, in (through) us. For, Romans 11:36 reminds us that “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

Ezekiel 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God , I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways…”

He’s not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.