Growing in Christ pt 2
Philippians 3:17-21
1. To grow spiritually: we have to own our shortcomings
PHILIPPIANS 3:12a (ESV)
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect,
PHILIPPIANS 3:13a (NIV)
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
2. To grow spiritually: we must press into Christ
PHILIPPIANS 3:12b (NIV)
but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
3. To grow spiritually: we need to forget the past
PHILIPPIANS 3:13b (NIV)
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
4. To grow spiritually: we cannot let other’s lack of progress detour us
PHILIPPIANS 3:15b (NIV)
And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
5. To grow spiritually: we need godly examples
2 CORINTHIANS 12:7 (NIV)
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me.
1 CORINTHIANS 11:1 (ESV)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
PHILIPPIANS 3:17 (ESV)
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
10 Marks of a Mentor:
The ideal mentor is a person who...
1. Seems to have what you personally need
2. Cultivates relationships
3. Is willing to take a chance on you
4. Is respected by other Christians
5. Has a network of resources
6. Is consulted by others
7. Both talks and listens
8. Is consistent in his/her lifestyle
9. Is able to diagnose your needs
10. Is concerned with your interests
6. To grow spiritually: we must avoid spiritual imposters
PHILIPPIANS 3:18 (ESV)
For many, of whom I have often old you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
MATTHEW 7:15 (ESV)
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
ACTS 20:28-30 (NLT)
So guard yourselves and God's people.... I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
PHILIPPIANS 3:19 (ESV)
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
7. To grow spiritually: we need to remind ourselves about eternity
PHILIPPIANS 3:20a (ESV)
But our citizenship is in heaven...
PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21 (ESV)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him to even subject all things to himself.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:16 (NIV)
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:51-52 (NLT)
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-3 (NIV)
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
PHILIPPIANS 3:21 (ESV)
who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him to even subject all things to himself.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9 (NIV)
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18 (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
1st Are you growing spiritually?
2nd Have you begun walking with Christ?
