Philippians: Jesus Gives Joy - Joy in the Pursuit

OUTLINE:

1. Right Pursuits vs. Wrong Pursuits (Philippians 3:1-6)
   • Paul’s Pursuit: A continual call to rejoice in the Lord, finding joy in Him over self-striving efforts (vs. 1).
   • Wrong Pursuits: Warnings against confidence in the flesh and legalism (vs. 4-6).
     Example: Serving in the church or community as a means of earning favor rather than from a transformed heart.
   • No Problem for Me and Safe for You Truth: We must shift our priorities from self-centered striving to a pursuit of an intimate relationship with Christ.
      
2. The Cost of Pursuing Christ (Philippians 3:7-14)
   • A Radical Shift: Viewing past achievements as loss compared to knowing Christ (vs. 7-8).
   • Transformative Relationship: Paul desires not only intellectual knowledge but relational transformation through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection (vs. 9-11).
   • Pressing On: The goal is to leave behind both successes and failures to focus on the prize—Christlikeness (vs. 13-14).
   • No Problem for Me and Safe for You Truth: True pursuit of Christ involves both personal cost and transformative gain—sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him.
      
3. The Ultimate Reward of Pursuit (Philippians 3:18-21)
   • Worldly Pursuits vs. Heavenly Pursuits: Warning against following earthly, self-centered desires that lead to destruction (vs. 18-19).
   • The Promise: The ultimate transformation when Christ returns—our bodies transformed into His glorious likeness (vs. 20-21).
   • No Problem for Me and Safe for You Truth: Our ultimate reward is found not in earthly success but in the full redemption and transformational work and person of Jesus Christ.

QUESTIONS:

1. What are the “wrong pursuits” in my life that might be distracting me from fully pursuing a relationship with Jesus?
2. Am I willing to view my past achievements and struggles as loss in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ more intimately?
3. How does my pursuit of Jesus go beyond intellectual knowledge and result in personal transformation and a deeper relationship with Him?
4. Am I tempted to seek fulfillment in earthly desires, and how can I shift my focus so it forms my pursuits on eternal things?
5. What does it mean for me personally to "stand firm in the Lord," and how can I actively press on in my pursuit of Christ amidst life’s challenges and distractions?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

Philippians 3

NEXT WEEK:

Philippians 4