Bible Study - Thrive (4) - Growing with Joy - Philippians 3:12-21 - February 12, 2017

Bible Study – Thrive (4) – Growing with Joy – February 12, 2017

This lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Thrive: Living in Real Joy.”

Our focus scripture is Philippians 3:12-21.

Day by day, I can become more and more like JESUS.

We live in a time when most of us want something now! Many who are parents of young children are ready for them to grow up. As the parents of four children and grandparents of ten grandchildren we have found that they all grow up too fast. But we rejoice in the growth and development of each one.

I recall as a child, I wanted to grow up to be an adult. I wanted the freedom of being an adult but not realizing that with freedom comes responsibility. 

Growing physically and chronologically does not equate to maturity. It is the same in our Spiritual lives. Just because we have been a Christian for many years does not equate to Spiritual maturity. But getting to know JESUS as our very best friend comes as we study GOD’S Word to learn of HIM. But we must apply what we learn by obediently following and serving HIM. This is the beginning process for establishing the right relationship toward building Spiritual maturity.

Growing physically and mentally takes time and so does growing, developing and maturing Spiritually. Salvation is step one in this process toward Spiritual maturity.

There is a process which takes place within each of us to grow both physically and Spiritually. For us to grow physically we, of course, must be born physically and for us to grow Spiritually, we must be born Spiritually. Just as the divine Sperm of GOD activated the human egg of the Virgin Mary which resulted in JESUS, the divine Sperm of GOD unites with our human spirit when we place our faith in JESUS. This miracle takes place when we ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins and ask HIM to come into our lives. Thus, Spiritual conception or what is referred to as rebirth or being born-again takes place in an instant. Once this Spiritual conception takes place it can never be reversed or undone. When Spiritual rebirth takes place our human spirit changes from spirit to Spirit and we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit Who confirms our being the Son or Daughter of GOD. The Holy Spirit is GOD’S way of assuring each of us that we are born into HIS family.

By faith in JESUS, those born-again are Spiritually born into GOD’S family to become GOD’S Sons or Daughters. Once a person is born into the family of GOD he or she becomes a citizen of Heaven and that will never change. Just as once you were conceived physically your parents are your parents for eternity.

This is a powerful lesson. My prayer is for all who read it to encounter JESUS and GOD as they have never before. Let’s explore!

The Apostle Paul covered a number of subjects between our last week’s study and this week’s study such as:

Philippians 2:12, 2:13-16, 17-18, 19, 24, 25-30, 3:1-2, 8, and 10. This leads us to this week’s study.

Let’s read Philippians 3:12-14:  Reaching Forward to God's Goal

12 Not that I have already reached [the goal] or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

What was the goal? What is the measure of being fully mature Spiritually? What energized Paul naturally to become more like JESUS as he lived each day in obedience to GOD?

The Apostle Paul recognized and acknowledged that he was still in the race toward the goal of obedient living according to GOD’S plan for him. What key phrase did Paul write that is vital for all Christians?

Paul knew the goal of perfection as expressed in the life of JESUS because JESUS was totally committed to doing the will of HIS Father GOD. Paul knew that goal was a reality because it was based upon truth as we read “because Paul also had been taken hold of by CHRIST JESUS!” Paul had been taken hold of by CHRIST. Paul was still yielding to CHRIST Who was in him. He realized that he was still in the flesh and subject to the things the flesh entices us to do. This battle would continue until the moment he would exit his earth suit and meet JESUS face to face.  The same is for us.

When we yield more of our will to GOD, the Holy Spirit becomes greater in our lives. When self is diminished it makes more room for the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our power, strength and guide but only to the extent we allow HIM to be manifested in and through our lives. Has JESUS taken over our lives?

Paul knew that he had yielded his life to JESUS and all that he had experienced reflected his obedience to GOD and re-enforced GOD’S care for him. Yet, he knew he was still running in the race toward the goal. Paul knew he had not arrived at the finish line of Spiritual completion.

The Apostle Paul had obediently walked with JESUS for many years and had suffered much because of his faith in JESUS, yet he considered himself in the process of maturing Spiritually. Paul knew that GOD’S goal for every Christian is to be made into the image of JESUS and he still had a ways to go. How far did Paul have to go?

13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,

What is the “it?” It is the goal.

The Apostle Paul had suffered many things spreading the Gospel. He knew that JESUS had taken hold of him but he was still taking hold of the fullness of JESUS in him. Some who knew what Paul had suffered may have thought those sufferings were proof that he had arrived Spiritually and was a fully mature Christian. They were indications.

Paul made it clear that his past suffering did not mean that he had arrived but they, his past experiences, spurred him on to be even more committed and yielded to obediently serving the LORD JESUS.

Christians are to learn from their failures and triumphs. We are not to dwell in the past by being hampered by our failures or dwell in our successes and get puffed up. Time is of the essence because those who know the truth must press on toward the goal and as they do share the Gospel of Salvation through faith in JESUS.

14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

What was the goal Paul was still pursuing? It is revealed in Philippians 3:10-11:

10 [My goal] is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Paul had not achieved the goal and would not until he saw JESUS face to face and hear the words from JESUS “Well done, good and faithful servant” as JESUS expressed in the parable JESUS told as written in Matthew 25:20-30:

20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I've earned five more talents.'

21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!'

22 "Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I've earned two more talents.'

23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!'

24 "Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, 'Master, I know you. You're a difficult man, reaping where you haven't sown and gathering where you haven't scattered seed.

25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.'

26 "But his master replied to him, 'You evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven't sown and gather where I haven't scattered,

27 then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money back with interest.

28 " 'So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents.

29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

30 And throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

What was the prize? It is the heavenly call to eternal life which can only be realized through faith in JESUS. Faith in JESUS is the only way anyone can experience the resurrection and receive his or her Glorified body, just like the Glorified body of JESUS. What a prize indeed!

Let’s read Philippians 3:15-19:

15 Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this to you also.

All mature Christians should think this way. Mature does not mean perfection. It refers to having a mindset of perfection and it was not Paul’s calling to determine the maturity level for all who were in the race toward the finish line. 

All Christians are on different levels of Spiritual maturity and positions in the race. Paul was responsible for himself before GOD and each of us are equally responsible before GOD.

It is not our job to judge others, that is GOD’S job.

16 In any case, we should live up to whatever [truth] we have attained.

All Christians attain truth and we should live up to that truth realizing that we will gain more truth as we mature Spiritually. The longer we obediently serve GOD, the more truth we attain and truth builds upon truth. Truth is one thing and understanding and applying truth is another. This is Spiritual growth and maturity.

Spiritual growth and maturity are never ending processes because they build upon each other. It will be fully obtained when we exit our earth suits and see JESUS face to face. The Bible tells us in 1 John 3:2:

2 Dear friends, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is.

Why do we not know “what we will be?” It is because we are still under Spiritual construction and will be until we draw our last breath as a human and go into eternity.

17 Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.

Are you an example to others? As Christians, we should be. Whether we like it or not we are always on display to others – fellow Christians or non-Christians. Only by and through the indwelling Holy Spirit can Christians live the Christian life.

Notice, Paul used the word “us.”

Paul did not set himself up as the only example for others to follow. He knew there were many other Christians who knew the truth and lived the truth. But Christians must be discerning regarding the person or persons they follow. Knowing JESUS and what GOD’S Word reveals about JESUS will quickly identify those who are true followers of JESUS and those who aren’t. It may be that some we follow need to mature more Spiritually. Ask GOD to reveal to you those you should follow and regardless of who you follow always check their teaching and lifestyle against GOD’S Word.

The Spiritual gift of discernment is a very good gift for Christians to have. But GOD gives Spiritual Gifts to whom HE chooses. But we can always make a request to GOD.

18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

As Christian, do we weep over the things that break GOD’S heart? When we see or know of others doing the things that break GOD’S heart, do we weep?

19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things,

The ultimate end of those who reject JESUS is eternal destruction/eternal death. Satan’s desire is for us humans to focus on the physical and material things upon earth. He wants us to think that what we see, feel and experience is all there is to physical life.

In truth, life upon earth is designed to lead us to truth that awaits all who place their faith in JESUS.

Salvation from the consequences of sin is eternal life in Heaven, where truth resides. We upon earth are looking through a glass darkly and then face to face as we build the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. GOD can be found by all who seek HIM.

The Apostle Paul makes it clear that once we are born-again in our spirit our eternal destination has changed from eternal death, outside of Heaven, to eternal life, inside Heaven, in the presence of GOD and JESUS. Salvation transports Christians from earth to heaven with our duty station being earth until JESUS calls us home or comes to deliver us. Christians reside upon GOD’S earth colony as HIS ambassadors.

Let’s read Philippians 3:20-21:

20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you recall what is recorded in 2 Corinthians 5:20?

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God."

All Christians represent CHRIST to fellow humans upon earth.

JESUS is in Heaven with GOD. JESUS eagerly awaits the time for HIS second-coming to earth to redeem all who belong to HIM and are alive upon earth. This is the rapture of the true believers who make up the Spiritual church upon earth.

We, as Christians, eagerly await JESUS’ return. We should consider that each day could be the day of JESUS return. This anticipation keeps the urgency of HIS return fresh in our minds because we encounter those who do not know JESUS as their Savior each day and we may be their only hope to hear the plan of salvation.

21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.

In an instant, in the twinkling of the eye Christians who are alive upon earth will be changed to their New Glorified bodies, just like JESUS’ Glorified body. All Christians who have already died and gone to Heaven will come back with JESUS and they will receive their New Glorified bodies at that instant as well.

The Apostle Paul referred to this in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

The Comfort of Christ's Coming

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep (have died), so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord's coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

In verse 21, in our focus scripture, Paul was explaining the importance of being committed to obedient service to GOD through faith in JESUS. Faith is turning loose and trusting GOD. This is not testing GOD but trusting GOD by building the right relationship with HIM through faith in JESUS.

When GOD, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, prompts you to take a step of faith, do it. This comes from trusting GOD which is built through relationship. GOD gives us baby steps and then bigger steps as we build our trust in HIM and put what we know into action as we walk with HIM. As we walk with HIM by faith, the joy of obediently serving HIM is overwhelming and leads to truth and Spiritual maturity. Growing with JOY!

Blessings!!!