Philippians 3:10-21
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But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I
count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ
Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count
them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not
having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which
comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on
faith—
(Philippians 3:7-9)
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that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his
sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I
may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 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. 13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if
in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us
hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep
your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in
us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with
tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their
god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly
things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.
(Philippians 3:10-21)
 Present
 To know Christ / gain Christ (v.8)
 Participation in His sufferings, and knowing the power
of His resurrection (v.10)
 Deeper personal relationship with Christ by being
conformed to Christ’s death (v.10)
 Future
 Be found in Him / united with Him completely (v.9)
when Christ returns
 Resurrection from the dead, be forever with Christ (v.11)
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that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his
sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may
attain the resurrection from the dead.
The
goal
12 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. 13 Brothers, I do not
consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies Pursuing
behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who
are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal
that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17 Brothers,
join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according
to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now
tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is
destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set
Good
on earthly things.
and bad
examples
is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ, 21 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.
Heavenly
(Philippians 3:10-21)
Focus
20 But our citizenship
 Self-awareness
 Strenuous Effort
 Single-minded Focus
 Eyes on the Prize
 Maturity
 Unity
(Phil. 3: 15-16)
 It provides evidence that salvation is genuine
 It adorns and makes visible the truth of God to others
 It brings assurance of salvation
 It preserves believers from the sorrow and suffering
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associated with spiritual immaturity
It protects the cause of Christ from reproach
It produces joy in believers’ lives
It equips them for ministry to others in the body of
Christ
It enhances their witness to the lost world
It glorifies God
- John MacArthur
 Professing Christians, who caused Paul to weep, and
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brought reproach to the cross of Christ
Did not pursue righteousness
Self-indulgent, took pride in shameful conduct, worldly
Headed toward eternal destruction
Contemporary application
 That same spirit of antinomian libertinism lives on today.
There are those in the contemporary church who teach
that saving faith need not result in a life of holiness. Since
Jesus’ death paid for believers’ sins, they argue, it does not
matter how they live.
- - John MacArthur
 Christians are citizens of heaven living on earth (Phil. 3:20)
 The Philippians were Roman citizens living in Philippi
Names recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3)
Fellow saints are in heaven (Heb. 12:23)
Inheritance is in heaven (1 Peter 1:4)
Reward is in heaven (Matt. 5:12)
Treasure is in heaven (Matt. 6:20)
They live in the heavenly realm (Eph. 2:6); they experience
to some degree the heavenly life here on earth
 Members of Christ’s kingdom, not of this world (John 18:36);
are under the rule of heaven’s King, and live for heaven’s
cause
 Eagerly anticipate the return of Christ and their bodily
resurrection (Phil. 3:20-21)
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