Guide 7 - Philippians 3:12-16

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Hill City Church

Philippians Guide Week 3 / Philippians 3:12-16 / Plan A

Reading: 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.

Getting Started Read the above verses 1. In your own words, summarize the verses above.

Digging in 1. What type of attitude and mindset does Paul advocate for in verse 15?

Going Deeper Coming off of Easter, we are reminded of not only what Christ accomplished on the cross, but also what He was able to accomplish by His resurrection. What is amazing about this, is that it not only helps lead us to salvation, but it is the daily “striving” towards this resurrected savior that leads to sanctification and glory. ●

Read Paul’s words to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 15:45-58 ○ How does the hope of the resurrection and a glorified body motivate you to live for Christ today? ○ Re-read verses 55-57, how does the truth of Easter prove this?

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A good reminder ○ Verse 16 is a wrap-up concluding what Paul stated in the preceding verses, what is it that we have attained? ○ What is the impact of Paul using the word attained, rather than “earned”, “achieved”, or “bought”? Do you think it makes a difference?

Application 1. Who you are now vs. Who you were In verse 13 we see Paul talking about his own life in which he is “...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”. Whether we are just starting our walk with the Lord, or have been at it for a while, it is tough to move forward when we only have our eyes focused on the rear-view mirror. It is very easy in our Christian walk to either rely on things that we have done in the past to propel us forward, or allow things that we have done in the past to keep us pressing on towards the prize a. What is something in your past or present that you have tried to use to propel you forward? i. i.e. what virtuous deeds or achievements in ministry have you held on to (or are prone to hold onto) instead of looking to Christ? b. What is something in your past or present that you feel yourself constantly looking back towards that is keeping you from moving forward in your walk with Christ?

Reflection We had the amazing opportunity to see 11 different people be obedient to the Lord in Believer’s Baptism on Easter Sunday. Baptism accomplishes a variety of things in the life of a believer. Besides being a picture of the Resurrection of Christ (burial/rising), it also symbolizes the truth of washing sins away (or putting to death one’s old way of life) and coming out clean (rising with Christ). 1. What does your baptism experience look like? a. Did it come out of a heart of obedience and pursuing Christ? Was it due-diligence or out of an unhealthy place of fear? b. Has it happened at all? 2. When looking at your answers in the Application section, how has what Christ did on the cross help you find victory over those things? Special Thanks to: MacArthur, John. Philippians: Christ, the Source of Joy and Strength. Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2016. Philippians: The Resurrection Life. Perspective, Participation, Practice, Joy. Redeemer Fellowship. Kansas City, MO. September 2015. MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2005

Hill City Church

Philippians Guide Week 3 / Philippians 3:12-16 / Plan B

Reading: 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.

Questions Paul wants nothing more for the Philippian church (and in turn, the family of believers) to keep their mind centered on the gospel and focused on Christ, rather than on their own efforts. When we rely on our own efforts, we tend to look back in the rear-view mirror instead of looking ahead, making it difficult to move forward. We either look back, and try to rely on things that we have done to move us forward; or we look back with regret, which keeps us chained to our past making us unable to move forward.

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A good reminder 1. 2.

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Verse 16 is a wrap-up concluding what Paul stated in the preceding verses, what is it that we have attained? What is the impact of Paul using the word attained, rather than “earned”, “achieved”, or “bought”? Do you think it makes a difference?

Who you are now vs. Who you were 1. 2.

What is something in your past or present that you have tried to use to propel you forward? a. i.e. what virtuous deeds or achievements in ministry have you held on to (or are prone to hold onto) instead of looking to Christ? What is something in your past or present that you feel yourself constantly looking back towards that is keeping you from moving forward in your walk with Christ?