Philippians 3
4 Outlines
Philippians 3:2-10
PAUL'S DISCOVERIES
Paul was a man who had been very involved in the
Jewish religion.
He actually persecuted Christians, he was so
zealous. However when Paul came to
Christ, he made three important discoveries.
1. HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH Vss. 2-3
2. THERE IS NO CONDUCT GOOD ENOUGH Vss. 4-7
We can not earn our way to Heaven. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
3. THERE IS NO CHOICE BETTER THAN CHRIST Vss. 8-10
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Philippians 3:12-21
IF YOU'RE CONTENTED, THAT'S A SHAME!
There are two kinds of contentment. One kind is good
and the other is bad. The good kind of
contentment is satisfaction with the Lord and with what He is doing in our
lives (1 Timothy 6:6, and Hebrews 13:5). The bad kind of contentment is being
satisfied with one's level of Spirituality.
It is Spiritual apathy or complacency.
If anyone could have been contented with his Spiritual
life, it was the Apostle Paul. He had
been saved through a miraculous appearance of the Lord Jesus on the Road to
In this passage, however, Paul shows us that he was
not contented with the level of Spirituality which he had attained. He
continued to strive to grow in the things of Christ. If Paul was not contented with the status quo
in his Spiritual life, why should we? He
shows us three things we can do to avoid the wrong kind of contentment.
MAKE A CHOICE Vss. 12-16
Paul realized that he had not yet "arrived"
Spiritually. He was not yet perfect
(fully mature). Vs.12
He realized that he was (apprehended) saved for a
purpose. He would strive to accomplish all for which he had been saved. Vs. 12
One of the things for which he was saved was
Christ-likeness. (Philippians 3:10)
He chose to forget his past failures and successes.
Vs. 13
He chose to continue to press on to the finish line as
a runner does in a race, where the Lord Jesus would hand out the prizes (2
Corinthians 5:10) Vss. 13-14
We need to make the same choice if we are going to
move forward Spiritually.
MARK THE CONSISTENT Vss. 17-19
Paul could humbly say "follow my example",
because he was humbly seeking Spiritual growth and development. He was
submissive to the Lord's leading in his life.
Paul also encouraged the Philippians to "mark" or use as an
example those who followed Paul's example. Vs. 17
The reason Paul wanted the Philippians to follow the
good examples of Spirituality is because there are many bad examples. Vss.
18-19
Today, many of us are in contact with professing
Christians who give the same bad example as mentioned in Vs.
19. We should "mark" the ones who are sincerely and accurately
following Christ, and follow their example.
MAXIMIZE YOUR CITIZENSHIP Vss. 20-21
In verse 20, the word "conversation" means citizenship.
Our citizenship is in Heaven. Therefore, we should act like citizens of
Heaven, and anxiously await the coming of our King, the Lord Jesus Christ. We
maximize our citizenship when we live like Heaven's citizens. As we await the coming of Christ, we are to
do it with the best possible behavior. See Titus 2:11-14.
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Philippians 3:17-21
FOR THE NEW YEAR! – NEW YEAR
As we face another year,
these words of Paul are a good reminder for us to follow.
OUR CHALLENGE FOR THE
NEW YEAR - Vs. 17 - Follow the example of Paul in Godly living and those who
are also following his example. Paul and others were not perfect, but still
excellent role models.
OUR CAUTION FOR THE NEW
YEAR - Vss. 18-19 - Avoid following the example of those who are ungodly.
OUR CITIZENSHIP FOR
ETERNITY - Vss. 20-21 - Our citizenship (conversation) is in Heaven right
now. We are away from home
temporarily. We should be looking for
the coming of our Savior, who will transform our bodies to be like His.
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Philippians 3:20, 4:1-3
GOOD CITIZENSHIP
Philippians 3:20 -
For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for
the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Because we are citizens of Heaven we should:
STAND FAST - Philippians 4:1 - Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and
longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
SHARE UNITY - Philippians 4:2 - I beseech Euodias,
and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind
in the Lord.
SUPPORT OTHERS - Philippians 4:3 - And I intreat thee
also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured
with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers,
whose names are in the book of life.
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