7. The Upward Call of Christ
Philippians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 2 viewsPaul works hard to communicate that His journey of knowing Christ is not complete. But his desire is that his fellow Christians wouldn't settle, but rather push forward to seeking to know Jesus in order to become fully mature Christians.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Main Point: We come to imitate Jesus, because we want to be like Him forever.
Daniel Day Lewis: King of modern-day method acting. Not just considering the subject, but becoming like the character in every regard - even in experience. Not bathing for the entirety of The Crucible, spending nights locked in solitary confinement while shooting In the Name of the Father, only eating food he could catch and kill himself in Last of the Mohicans and going around in a wheelchair, demanding to be spoon-fed for My Left Foot.
Went to extraordinary lengths to learn how to act like these characters and give a good performance.
As Christians, it is our desire not just to act like Jesus - but to become like Him. In order to do so we have to know Him, really know Him. Consider His mind, His heart and motivations, immerse ourselves in His being.
This morning God would remind us through the words of the apostle Paul that this is a worthy aim indeed!
1. Not Perfect… Yet
1. Not Perfect… Yet
Paul has just been talking about his life and achievements and what ultimately matters to him is not his achievements but whether or not he knows Jesus. Which is why he continues:
Philippians 3:12-13 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,”
What is this? This, is the ‘understanding of Jesus.’
But he isn’t there yet - he isn’t perfect! He isn’t fully mature. Interesting how our growth is measured not by achievement, but how much we know Jesus. As a Pharisee, Paul could boast to be blameless ‘under the law’; he knew the rules and followed them well.
Yet when it comes to Jesus, he still has much to learn - Reassuring? Depressing? Neither - it’s realistic.
This depth of Christ is captured in our songs:
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
It’s no wonder Paul prays for the Ephesian’s:
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
God initiated the relationship - Paul on the Damascus road - now Paul wants to know Jesus. Paul “presses on” to make this knowledge of Jesus his own.” “forgetting what’s behind” including his achievements, and straining to what’s ahead - focussed runner, not looking over shoulder - Jesus is ahead and the glories to come.
Dating - getting to know someone - Jesus: Do I want to spend the rest of my life with this man, look him in the eye through the gospel writers eyes as eyewitnesses.
What’s he like? Caring - loves the outsider, Wise - incredible teacher, Powerful - storm obeys. Brave - stands up for others, even at cost to himself. Humble - so much power, yet he allows himself to be killed. Even non-Christians can appreciate the character of Jesus:
“A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” Mahatma Ghandi
So with Jesus - Paul’s heart is set on knowing Jesus - as Jesus knows him and has made (Paul) His own.”
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Changed affections lead to a changed life: Upward Call - Upward Spiral - not behaviour, but affection and pursuit. Focus is on relationship first.
But behaviour can enhance a relationship: date night! Make yourself a pattern of life of spending time with Jesus, learning more about him. Lent - Lectio 365. Giving something up...
Aim is to know Jesus better - not to earn something! The result is behaving more like Jesus.
Ethics: What would Jesus do -> what would Jesus do if he were you with your gifts and in your situation - you can only answer this if you know HIm. But the spiral leads upwards - climbs higher - Knowing Jesus is good for us. To find virtue we must find Jesus
2. Downward Spiral
2. Downward Spiral
Christ and our pursuit and knowledge of Him leads us higher - heaven-bound, the “upward call”. But the alternative leaves us firmly planted on the earth.
Philippians 3:18-19 “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
As much as there are patterns of thinking and behaviour that leads us upwards, there are p
"Walk as enemies of Jesus." Christians who once believed? Deceivers who seek their own interests - opposite to Paul who suffers - they don't suffer they enjoy. Good sign of a false Gospel - what does it cost the preacher?
Libertines - opposite of law - hedonistic in nature. “God is their belly”-worship experience.
“Glory in shame” - somehow what is shocking is a matter of pride.
Ultimately- mind on Earth - we miss out on who is truly worthy of worship:
Bernard Levin was one of the great columnists of the last century, writing a long time ago, but he wrote this. He wasn’t a Christian – one time he wrote: ‘For the fourteenth thousandth time, I’m not a Christian!’ – but this is what he wrote. He said:
‘Countries like ours are full of people who have all the material comforts they desire, together with such non-material blessings as a happy family, and yet lead lives of desperation, understanding nothing but the fact that there is a hole inside of them. And however much food and drink they pour into it, however many motorcars and television sets they stuff it with, however many well balanced children and loyal friends they parade around the edges of it, it aches.’
Similarly, Jim Carrey once said: ‘I think everyone should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of, so they can see it’s not the answer.’
If you don’t consider yourself a follower of Jesus this morning, what is it that has truly satisfied you? Or are you still searching?
Like we’re thirsty, but never quenched. Hungry but never filled - it’s a problem when our God is our belly because that god can never be fully filled.
Christians fall into this trap too - professing Jesus and our love for Him, but pursuing other things or people with the kind of affection only Jesus deserves. Jesus is the only one that satisfies. As Paul writes in 4:1 “we must stand firm” against the temptation to become earth-dwellers.
Paul said - "tears" - sadness - He wants more for them than what they are aiming for.
Revelation, earth-dwells who make their home on earth and perish with the earth. “Their end is their destruction” - the earth will perish, and they with it.
Better vision - citizenship in heaven. Philippians 3:20-21 “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
Infinite value life. Vs downward spiral - look up not down!
3. Are You Worth Imitating?
3. Are You Worth Imitating?
Gym - Finally trusted to spot a gym bro. I looked the part, I could be trusted. Then someone comes and asks me for advice.
We’re not supposed to be beginners forever! We’re supposed to progress - milk - meat.
We’re supposed to grow, not stay the same. Philippians 3:16 “Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” At least hold on to what you already have - don’t shrink. But really aim to be like Paul who can ask people to imitate him and those who also imitate Jesus:
1 Cor 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
1 Tim 4:15-16 “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Philippians 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
So important to have people to look up to - who has inspired you? Rolemodels.
Look to those Brothers and Christians who are walking well!
BUT, don't just receive - be the one's worth imitating - pass the baton! Imagine a relay race where the athletes kept the baton! There’s no way they’d win.
Grow for others as well as yourself - take up the responsibility, because you have it whether you acknowledge it or not - children have eyes and ears, they use them well!
STRUGGLE: Technology has rapidly disconnected generations - Elder’s it's hard to speak in such a rapidly changing context ' your voice is valuable, but use it well to build.
Village raises a child. Start w/ children. Pass on what you have received - like we did this morning with communion. What can you pass on?
People don’t follow rules, they follow other people. Take the opportunity to be a leader in your context, but lead like Jesus the servant King - not out of your own strength.
The more Jesus people see in you, the bigger impact your life will make.
But it begins with the adoption of the aim of knowing Jesus, more and more, day by day.
We don’t just want to ‘play Jesus’ for a season - dressing up and cosplaying as Him.
We want to grow more like him day by day, year by year, decade by decade. A lifetime quest that results in an eternity in His presence.
Today is a reminder to adopt that stance, not just for yourself, but for the world in which you serve as a citizen of heaven.