1. Are you a cheerful giver? How is that modeled in your life? Who do you know that gives cheerfully for God's glory?
2. Who can you partner with to put a "pep in their step"? Who has been a blessing to you?
3. Where have you seen someone exhibit "improbably joy" recently?

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Robert Leahy, a psychologist, said the average high school student today has the same level of anxiety as an average psychiatric patient in the early 1950’s. Anxiety and depression are rampant in our culture, and many point to the rise of the smartphone back in 2010. We are constantly aware of what we don’t have, who we are not with, and the decline of the culture. Paul speaks to this in his letter to Philippi when he says, “Don’t be anxious about anything…” In other words, stop perpetually (habitually) worrying because it will become a part of who you are. Anxiety involves fear or worry that you can’t control. Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness.

Sources of anxiety and depression are: physical exhaustion, spiritual attack, brain chemistry, circumstances, loneliness, social media, and loss. In reality, a child of God who is always anxious and worried is saying that they don’t trust God. Worry is gazing at problems in self-reliance, rather than looking to the Lord in dependence.

“But in everything”

By prayer – this is general worship of the Lord

And supplication – a cry for personal needs

With Thanksgiving – even when it’s hard, have a grateful heart

Present your requests – He already knows, but it is an act of humility and trust to share our needs and wants with Him. We are conformed to Him when we pray.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Remember, Paul has been under house arrest for two years, chained to a Roman guard while he is writing this. When we “cast our cares” on the Lord, He will give us a supernatural ability to have peace in the most difficult circumstances. Jesus IS our peace (Eph 2:14),

and every Christian has peace with God through justification by faith (Rom 5:1).

Paul goes on to say, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” We must choose to think more on the Word, and more on Jesus.

“What the mind attends to, it considers. What the mind does not attend to, it dismisses. What the mind attends to continually, it believes. And what the mind believes, it eventually does.” Isaiah 26:3 says, ” You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you.”

Questions:

What is weighing you down (a burden) in your life? How much time do you spend thinking about that? Have you given it to God?

How do your media habits impact your mind and your heart? Reread the quote about the mind above. What is social media causing you to believe? Is it true?

How can you practice thinking about “whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, etc…” as a family? What you read, what you watch, when you pray together, etc.

What is a habit you can start this week to put your mind’s attention on the best things so you can “practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (v9)?

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1. I am what I do - contentment from accomplishments
2. I am what people say about me - contentment from status and society
3. I am what I have - the sum of my possessions

1. In what circumstances do you fall into the trap of trying to find contentment in A)what you do B)what people say about you C)what you have?
2. How does that false view of contentment affect your life?
3. Who does God say that you are? How does that impact you?
4. What do you rejoice about today regarding the Father's love for you?

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As we pursue Jesus (Philippians 3:12-16), Paul writes here how we have an example to follow, a kingdom to belong to, and a future to hope in as followers of Christ.

We must be mindful of the examples we follow and those we set for others. The goal of our example is not perfection, but faithfulness in following Jesus as we rely on the grace of God in our lives. There is also a warning of dangerous examples from those who are enemies of the cross of Christ. We should recognize their walk and avoid imitating their example. We can learn from the Spirit-led response of Paul to those who were enemies of the cross of Christ. He wept for those who were being deceived and for the fate of those who were walking in opposition to Jesus.

We are citizens of heaven. One day Jesus will rule and reign over all, but we demonstrate His rule now in the church, which serves like a colony on earth of God’s heavenly kingdom. We await the return of Jesus with joyful expectation of renewed creation, including a glorified body made possible by HIs resurrection power. No matter what the future holds in the short term, we can live as faithful citizens of heaven who place their hope in their Savior King!

Questions:

1. Who are those in your life who have given you an example to follow? What is it about their lives that are worth imitating?
2. Do we respond to enemies of the cross of Christ with tears in our eyes or rage in our hearts?
3. Is there any area of sin, frustration, or personal struggle in our life we need to trust in the power of Jesus to bring under His good rule?
4. Discuss this quote by CS Lewis: “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

Let’s pray together that we live as citizens of heaven that reflect our lasting hope in Jesus as King.

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Paul begins this section of his letter by reminding the church in Philippi that the church is protected from legalism and false gospels by hearing the gospel regularly. He goes on to say, “look out for dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh”. In that day, dogs were dirty, unclean, and dangerous. The often wandered where they didn’t belong, and Paul is comparing them to the false teachers know as Judaizers.

The Judaizers believed that Gentiles had to become Jews before becoming Christians. This involved the act of circumcision and taking on the law of Moses (Acts 15). But Paul and others denied this claim and preserved the gospel of grace. Salvation comes through Christ alone. The Judaizers often called the Gentiles “dogs”, but now Paul is calling the Judaizers “dogs”.

The circumcision that Paul speaks about (v3) in one of a changed heart

1. Who worship by the Spirit of God – serving
2. and glory in Christ Jesus – to boast in His glory

Paul then goes on to say that he isn’t going to play this game of comparison, “but if I did, here’s what I would say”…(vs5-6)

1. Circumcised on the 8th day – ritual (Gen 17)
2. of the people of Israel – not by conversion – ethnicity
3. of the tribe of Benjamin – rank
4. A Hebrew of Hebrews – tradition – he was a Hebrew-speaker
5. as to the law, a Pharisee – rule keeping (Acts 26:5)
6. as to zeal, a persecutor of the church – (Acts 7)
7. as to righteousness under the law, blameless – self-righteous

Verse 7 says, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” Salvation is about knowing Jesus. It doesn’t mean merely to know about Him; it means that you have a relationship with Him. After meeting Jesus over 30 years prior, Paul still wants to know Him more and more!

He counts it all as trash in order that He knows Christ. (v8).

Other religions are driven by a works-based righteousness, but the gospel is about imputed righteousness, which is about receiving Christ’s righteousness as our own. Righteousness is not achieved by trying harder but by imputation-the Lord places it in you and credits it to you. It is the great exchange!

Questions:

1. To be steady and joyful in all circumstances, we must place our confidence in Jesus. When we struggle in our marriages or in our careers or in school, we’ll be miserable if we’ve placed our confidence in things. What things pull your attention away from Christ?
2. In what ways are you like the Judaizers? Where do you look at yourself as “better” than others because of what you do or where you have come from? What “false rules” have you (accidentally or deliberately) put on others before they can know the love of Jesus?

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Right here in the middle of Paul’s letter, he does something a little unexpected. He gives us living examples of men worth imitating. Typically, this would be at the beginning or end of the letter, but by putting it here in the middle, it brings more emphasis to it. Both Timothy and Epaphroditus were examples of verses 1:5 and 3:17.

First, Paul mentions Timothy (vs 19-24). Paul was a father in the faith to Timothy, and loved him dearly. Timothy was kind. He epitomized vs 2:3-4 when it says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Paul says, “there is no one like him”, which means he is “equal-souled” to Paul.

C.S. Lewis said, “True friends don’t spend time gazing into each other’s eyes…but they face int he same direction – towards common projects, interests, goals – above all, toward a common Lord.” This was Timothy.

Timothy was also like kin to Paul (v 22). Timothy traveled over 800 miles for Paul, which proved his character and loyalty. That is why Paul mentions him 24 times in his letters.

Second, Paul mentions Epaphroditus. He would have come from a very pagan family since his name came from the Greek goddess, Aphrodite. According to chapter 4, Epaphroditus brought Paul financial help from the church in Philippi. He volunteered to make a dangerous 800-mile trip to Paul. The church probably expected him to stay and minister to Paul, but Paul tells them that he’s sending him back because Ephaproditus had gotten gravely sick.

Paul describes Epaphroditus as “my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister”. Epaphroditus had such a heart for people that he was “distressed” that the church in Philippi was worried about him because he was so sick. Paul tells the church to honor him when he shows up. It is a reminder for us to look for the people who are not known and show them honor and encourage them. Romans 12:10 says, “outdo one another in showing honor.”

We were not built to live life alone. A life with good friends is a good life.

Questions to consider:

1. Who in your life is worth imitating? Is your life worth imitating?
2. Who is the Paul in your life, someone that loves you like a parent in the faith?
3. Who is your Barnabus, someone who encourages you?
4. Who is the Timothy in your life, someone who you give your life to as you disciple them?

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This portion of Paul’s letter speaks to how we live because of the justification of Christ. We are to “do all things without grumbling or disputing”. Grumbling means “to mutter in a low voice, a low tone, under your breath.” You are not vocalizing to somebody else. It’s a bad attitude. Disputing is when you take it from under you breath and it becomes a dialogue. You are telling everyone what’s wrong with everything.

This matters because verses 15-16 say, “that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” This does not mean sinless perfection, but is a reminder that the testimony of the church is in view. The people were to (and we are to) live so that those outside of Christ could not rightfully point an accusing finger at them.

We live in a twisted and morally bent world. It is easy to be disgusted and always avoid those that are not believers in Jesus. We can’t forget that without Jesus, we would be just as hopeless. But when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them (Matt 9:36). Remember that those who are in that crooked and twisted darkness have an eternity waiting for them which should compel us to be compassionate for them.

The world is as crooked and twisted as ever which means the opportunity for us to shine has never been better than now. Remember, we do not create the light; we get to reflect it. But, if all we do is shine among other people who are shiny, we are not doing a lot of good. We must be “among” those who are in the dark. (Matt 5:14-16).

When we choose to live with an improbable joy rather than grumbling, and to shine like lights in the world…things will change.

For Paul, all of our shining, all of our light bearing, all of our gospel preaching, and all of our attitude adjusting is a part of our worship to God. Paul felt his life draining away during his long wait for trial, and he was prepared to give his life for the Lord on behalf of the churches he served. By multiplying himself in others, the gospel is able to advance exponentially!

Questions:

1. Where are the places that you find yourself grumbling and/or disputing? What do you need to do to adjust your attitude to be a light for Jesus?
2. Where do you go that puts you around others that are not believers in Jesus? How do you let your light shine in those situations? Are you only in “holy huddles”? If so, what can you do to expand your light?
3. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you compassion for others living in this “crooked and twisted” generation. Pray that you will see others like Jesus did, with compassion. We all have an eternity with God or separated from Him.

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Remember, each Sunday we will read a portion of the letter that Paul wrote to the church at Philippi. This week’s portion begins with “therefore”. Paul had just made a case that oneness comes through humility, and we see the ultimate example of that through Jesus (Ch. 2:5-11). With that in mind, Paul says, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”.

He does NOT say, “work for” or “work at” your salvation. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. Remember, Paul is writing to Christians here. You work FROM your salvation (Phil 3:8-9). To “work out” is like working out a math problem. As the progression of the work is shown, we can see how we get to participate in God’s big picture. We see this in salvation:

Justification – We were saved

Sanctification – We are being saved

Glorification – We will be saved

You are not the same person that you were when you first became a Christ-follower. You see things differently, and you are convicted differently. We are transformed into His image more each day. This is what sanctification is all about.

How does this happen? It happens because God has already worked IN us. He has already put into us that which needs to be worked out. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit allows us to live by working out our salvation.

Living the Christian life is not willpower, it is the power of God working in us. The desire to do God’s will, as well as the power to obey it comes from Him. Remember, justification was a supernatural work of God. Sanctification is too!

We live in a microwave culture, but sanctification is a slow process. Our responsibility is our response to God’s ability. And as we do this, we do it in community. Paul is reminding us that yes, we each have a responsibility to work our our salvation, but when we all do our part, the church is sanctified too.

Remember, wherever you are in the journey, keep facing the right direction. Stay pointed towards Jesus Christ.

Questions to discuss:

1. How do you feel knowing that God is the one doing the work in you? When or where do you forget that reality?
2. Do you look at justification and sanctification differently when it comes to God working in you? Why?
3. Read the article from the Gospel Coalition linked above? What season are you in right now?
4. What do you need to do to make sure you “keep facing the right direction?”

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