The Good Life: Kingdom Focused Living (Part 4)
May 29, 2022
We hope this guide will help you take the good news you hear today into your daily lives.
In Chapter 3, Paul urges the Church of Philippi to pursue the model of mature believers. He recognizes mentorship and fellowship as key to embracing the Good Life and ultimately following the example of Jesus Christ.
Scripture and Notes
Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. (Philippians 3:2+19)
Enemies of the cross of Christ…
1) …put their hope in their ____________________ rather than ____________________.
2) …seek _______________________ power, authority, and things.
3) …see their lives as a standard to ____________________ others.
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.... (Philippians 3:13-17)
Participants of the cross of Christ…
1) …put their ____________________ in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2) …seek _______________________ glory, power and influence.
3) …see their lives us a work in _______________________.
Going Deeper: The Value of Followership
As you consider this passage, reflect on the following questions...
(Reread 3:13-17)....For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:18-20)
Enemies of the cross of Christ
When have you found yourself following those (or becoming one of those) who have the appearance of a relationship with Jesus but have twisted heavenly pursuits with earthly ones?
Participants of the cross of Christ
Think about the people in your life. Who do you know that embodies the humble characteristics of the “participants of the cross” that Paul talks about in Chapter 3?
1) ___________________________________________
2) ___________________________________________
3) ___________________________________________
What might it look like for you to “model” your life after one of these people?
What is keeping you from being intentional in your pursuit of their example? (Pride, busyness, distractions, etc.)
Join Together
Who are you joining together with in your pursuit of Christ-Like example?
What is keeping you from pursuing a community to walk with during this season of life?
