TOPIC: ALL TO JESUS

Text: Philippians. 3:1-21

Memory Verse: Philippians. 3:8
The subject of today’s discourse is pivotal to fulfilling our calling in Christ. This chapter paints a vivid picture of a man whose consecration and submission to Christ is all encompassing and absolute. Paul gives us an insight to his spiritual biography, his past (vs 1- 11), his present (vs. 12 — 16) and his future (vs. 17 — 21). After we have experienced God’s love and mercy in salvation, He expects us to present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice (2 Cor. 8:3-5, Rom 12:1). It is easy to get wrapped up in “things”-tangibles and intangibles such as reputation, fame achievement, etc. In outward ground of confidence, no man could surpass Paul. Yet he surrendered all for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.

Paul’s Past, and New Values: Phil 3:1-11, Romans 12:1-2, Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 1:13,14.
Q1. Enumerate those things which meant much to Paul in the past?
Q2. How do these relate to us today? Give practical examples?
Q3. How can the past be a stumbling block to our walk with Christ? Discuss with personal examples?
Q4. What can you point to in your life as a mark of consecration and surrender to God?

The key word in Philippians 3:1-13 is “count”. In the Greek, two different words are used, but the basic idea is the same: to evaluate, to assess. It was Socrates who said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. Yet few Christians sit down to weigh seriously the values that control their decisions and directions. Paul, now looking back at his past writes using the past tense -“K~7iat things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ ‘~ Are your new values dictated by your past or your new relationship with Christ?

Pauls’ Present and New Vigor: Philip 3:12-16, , Luke 9:23, Col. 3:1-25.
Q5. What did Paul mean by “forgetting those things which are behind”’~
Q6. Identify the verbs used by Paul in expressing his desires? (Philip. 3:10-14)
Q7. What are the typical desires among believers today?

In these verses we see Paul like a spiritual athlete pressing towards the finish line in the Christian race. His dissatisfaction with the status quo (vs. 12—13), his devotion (vs. 13b), sense of direction (vs. 13c), determination (vs. 14) and discipline (vs. 15-16) are worthy of our emulation. Today’s anointing is definitely not sufficient for tomorrow’s assignments. A sanctified dissatisfaction is the first essential step towards progress in the Christian race. Are you resting on your oars? What are your goals and desires in view of heaven’s expectations?

Paul’s future and New Vision: Phil 3:17-21, 4:9, Col. 3:1-2, Heb.11:13-16, 24-25; 12:2; I John 2: 28-3:3. I
Tim.4:1-3, Matt. 25: 1-13.
Q8. What do you understand by Paul’s advice “be followers of me”?
Q9. Explain the terms “eathly minded and spiritually minded”?
Q10. What is the ultimate expectation of the believer? (Philip. 3:20)
Q11. How should this expectation guide our day to day living?

In Philip. 3:18-19, Paul describes professed Christians who “mind earthly things” but in vs.20, he describes the believer with the spiritual mind who “minds heavenly things”. He opines that since our citizenship is in heaven we should look at the earth from heaven’s point of view. The spiritually minded believer does not live for the things of this world that are temporal and ephemeral, he anticipates the blessings of the world to come. What he does today is governed by what counts in eternity. When we do not allow Christ to arrange things in our lives in line with eternity’s value, our values may be twisted. Consequently our vigor will be wasted on useless activities and our vision may be clouded such that Christ’s return is no longer a real motivating power in our lives.

Conclusion
“All to Jesus” should imply that He is indeed Lord of everything in our lives. He is either Lord of all or Lord of none. Are there areas in your life that He is not Lord? He is coming soon to gather His faithful followers. Are you ready?