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Text: Philippians 3:10-16
Continuing at Philippians 3:10-16
Prepare
Questions to Consider:
- In verse 10, Paul continues his thought from verses 8-9a, 'in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him.' That 'in Him' language refers to what's called our union to Christ. Last week, in verse 9, we studied the first benefit of that union—our justification. What benefit do you think Paul moves to now?
- When we talk about maturing in Christ or becoming more like Him in the whole of our lives, that's called sanctification. How does sanctification (verse 10) relate to justification (verse 9)? How does it relate to glorification, or our perfection in Christ at the final Resurrection (verse 11)?
- From verse 12, it seems that there was a propensity in the false teaching of the Judaizers towards what's called Christian perfection. Perfectionism holds that the Christian can become perfectly like Christ in this life. Does Paul or, for that matter, the Holy Spirit agree? What comfort should we derive from Paul's clarification and confession? How might this look practically in our fellowship with one another and 'outsiders'? Even though it is comforting to find Paul saying this, do we find his confession leading him to slack off or press onward in the journey to the perfection of Glory? What reason does he give (at the end of verse 12) for his ambition?
- In verses 13-14, Paul seems to illustrate his ambition by way of a race. After repeating (remember 3:1) his clarification, he offers his resolution, which is really three! What actions do we find Paul linking together in his pursuit of the prize? Given the context, what is the prize?
- In verses 15-16, Paul then applies his ambition to the church by way of an exhortation or two. What are they? He specifies this is how 'the mature' will think? How will the mature Christian and/or church think? In the event that some don't think that way, what does Paul's relinquishment to the revelation of God seem to imply a) about the ultimate Overseer of our sanctification and b) about the patience we ought to have with those who might not pick things up as quickly or sweetly as we do?