Media, Philippians, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Last week we looked at Philippians 3:12-4:1. We will be revisiting the same passage today, though from a different angle. In this passage Paul is encouraging us to press on, strain forward and persevere as we follow Jesus. Last week we looked at “why” we should do that (i.e. our motivation). Today we will look at the “how”. Practically, what does it look like to “press on” to make Jesus our own?

Media, Philippians, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Today in our study of Philippians we have reached chapter 3:12 – 4:1, in which Paul is exhorting us, amidst the many varied difficulties and discouragements of life, to keep trusting, straining, and pressing on to know Jesus and, one day, be with him. The summary statement of this passage is in verse 12, “I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me His own.” Paul describes our condition outside of Christ as those who through indifference to Christ and dedication to our own appetites and desires have become enemies of the cross, headed toward destruction with eyes fixed on earthly things. But, in Christ we are described as citizens of heaven, our hope found in our savior who will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body, and because of this hope can stand firm in the Lord.

Media, Philippians, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

In Philippians 3:1-11 we get to the heart of Paul's letter to the the church at Philippi. Here Paul explains that one of the primary ways we display the all-sufficiency of Jesus is by trading in our bankrupt self-righteousness for His perfect righteousness. We are all asking at some level the questions of what our purpose and place is in life, and as humans the default mode of our hearts is to find worth in our works. Paul warns against adding our own merits to those of Christ however. In order to gain Christ we must put no confidence in our own efforts, but rather count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus and being found in His righteousness.

Media, Other Sermons | by Pastor David Parker

When it comes to the future most of us like the idea of being at a future destination, but we don’t necessarily like the process of getting there. It’s the prize that motivates us to persevere to push on. What we unpack this morning in Philippians 3 is that the same attitude is true with our spiritual journey. We often can envision ourselves at a future reality, a better place, but how do we get there? More importantly, how does knowing the surpassing worth of Christ instruct us and guide us on that journey?

Media, Other Sermons | by Pastor David Parker

We all have a past, it’s unavoidable. Everyday we make decision in light of what we believe is true, and what will often bring us the most joy and happiness. But we can also hold onto our past, live in fear of our past, or live trying to make up for the past. The only way we can let go of and put our past in perspective, is by letting the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, His righteousness, His suffering, and His resurrection, shape, and interpret all of our past success, failures, and the failures of others. Today Pastor David Parker uses Phillipians 3:7-11 to guide us in our understanding of knowing Christ's power in our lives.