NOTES: Here I Stand
Sermon: Here I Stand
Text: Phil. 3:1-16
Date: Sunday Sept 4 2022
Philippians 3:1–16 (ESV)
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Introduction
Resolve to think rightly and act on the Word of God.
There is no higher calling than the pursuit of knowing Christ in increasing fulness.
Martin Luther’s resolve:
Text (Phil. 3:1-16)
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: (then goes on to lay out some of his story)
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
In the flesh, we live in an all too consuming gain-mode.
In the Spirit, we live a life of all consuming worship for the glory of God.
Resolve doesn’t come from magical tear drops from heaven, it comes from a life tested by the fire of heaven and perhaps, at times, Hell’s fury.
All of us can have a life that makes for a good God-story!
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Here I Stand: Forgetting (casting aside) yesterday’s gains/losses while stretching our faith towards all that heaven has to give us in Christ.
What is it to know Christ?
Jeremiah 9:23–24 (ESV)
23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
John 17:3 (ESV)
3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Application:
"The joyful, focused, even relentless discipline of meditating on Scripture will inevitably plant God (and not ourselves) at the center of our universe; it will try all of our thoughts, desires, and ambitions against his living, active, and invincible word; and it will set us aflame — to enjoy him with all our hearts, to see him everywhere in his creation and providence, and to stand against anything that challenges or dishonors him.
-Martin Luther
Phil. 3:15-16
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Resolve to think and act rightly on the Word of God.
The resolve of a believer is anchored in what we already know to be true from Scripture and inspires us to know Him even more.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Closing Challenge-together
As a church, there must be no higher calling than our pursuit of knowing Christ in increasing fulness.