Rediscovering Joy #5 | February 12, 2023

Rediscovering Joy #5 | February 12, 2023 9a
Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor

1) Don’t chase RELIGION

“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:1-3 (NIV)

2) Don’t chase TROPHIES

“Though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more, circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.” Philippians 3:4-6 (NIV)

3) Do chase RELATIONSHIP

“BUT whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

Philippians 3:7-11 (NIV)

Salvation – past, present, future

Justification, Sanctification, Glorification
(v. 9) Justification - past

We are saved immediately from the penalty of sin.
(v. 10) Sanctification - present
We are saved progressively from the power and practice of sin.

(v. 11) Glorification - future
We are saved ultimately from the presence of sin.

Reflection Questions:
1) What was something that grabbed your attention from the sermon or from reading this text? What would Jesus want you to do about that?

2) What would be in your trophy case? What trophies are you chasing today? Trophy = accomplishments and achievements.

3) The so-called “Judaizers” (dogs) were trying to get Gentile converts to submit to the Jewish rite of circumcision and other legalistic rituals in order to be saved. Why did this bother Paul? Do we see this in the church today? Explain.

4) What is the difference between trying to adhere to a religious system and trusting in the person of Christ? (DO vs. DONE) How does this affect our relationship with Jesus? How can a person be very religious and not actually know Jesus? Why can it be difficult for religious and moral people to see their need for Jesus?

5) READ: Matthew 7:21-23. Why is this a sobering verse? What questions does this verse raise in your mind?

6) Why do you think Paul said he wanted to participate in Jesus’ sufferings? What had he learned during the course of his life about what it meant to truly follow Christ?

7) Paul says that because of Christ, the values and practices that were previously so important to him are now like “rubbish” or “garbage” (verse 8). How has this been your experience?

8) Paul’s one great passion in life was to know Christ more. How can someone know for sure that they know Jesus? How does a person get to know Christ better? How can you take a next step in getting to know Christ better?

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Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.02.12.pdf