1 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3 AN EXAMINATION OF THE TRUE AND COUNTERFEIT OF CHRISTIANITY. Philippians 3:1-3 Charles e. Whisnant July 11, 2010 PAUL’S MAIN THEME: LIVING ABOVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES: REJOICE. Yet few Christians experience Christian joy in their daily life. WHAT IS JOY : “Joy is a supernatural delight in God and in God‟s goodness.” There is a difference between JOY and HAPPINESS. Happiness is closely related to CHANCE. Thus, if things work out in a way which we approve, we are happy; if they do not happen, we are unhappy. Happiness then becomes circumstantial. JOY is an inner quality of DELIGHT IN GOD. DEPRESSION AND CHRISTIAN JOY CANNOT GO HAND IN HAND. Depression is a lack of trust in God‟s promises to do what He has promised. Anger multiplied by self-pity = depression. JOY IS A SPECIAL QUALITY OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN. Two groups of people: Those who know they are not Christians, but who think that the fruits of Christianity can be grown without the life of Christianity, that which comes from Jesus Christ. Then those who are not Christians, but who think they are Christians. They have not actually committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and thus cannot understand their failure to experience the fruit of such commitment.‟ Thus, Paul is helping us see who is the true child of God: Philippians 3:1-7. The false Christians 3:2 and the true in verse 3. Each has three character qualities. Paul points out a clear distinction between the religious and the righteous. Those who have an inward change and those who have an outward mark. The Bible has a major theme, and a secondary theme: 1. Major: The setting forth of the gospel according to Jesus Christ. 2. Secondary: The matter who is a true Christian. KEY: Once the Gospel has been clearly delineated, the goal is to see if you are in it. Matthew 7:21-23 . THEME : Jesus, Peter, Paul, James, Jude, and John all confronted false teachers. SO MANY ARE RELIGIOUS BUT NOT RIGHTEOUS. THE TEXT: Philippians 3:1-3 Three Christian duties are enjoined in this brief paragraph: We are to rejoice in the Lord; we are to beware; and we are to examine ourselves that we be of the true circumcision „Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.2699 (short and compressed in order to be brief.)
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1 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
AN EXAMINATION OF THE TRUE AND COUNTERFEIT OF CHRISTIANITY.
Philippians 3:1-3 Charles e. Whisnant July 11, 2010
PAUL’S MAIN THEME: LIVING ABOVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES: REJOICE.
Yet few Christians experience Christian joy in their daily life.
WHAT IS JOY: “Joy is a supernatural delight in God and in God‟s goodness.”
There is a difference between JOY and HAPPINESS. Happiness is closely related to CHANCE.
Thus, if things work out in a way which we approve, we are happy; if they do not happen, we are
unhappy. Happiness then becomes circumstantial. JOY is an inner quality of DELIGHT IN GOD.
DEPRESSION AND CHRISTIAN JOY CANNOT GO HAND IN HAND. Depression is a lack of trust in
God‟s promises to do what He has promised. Anger multiplied by self-pity = depression.
JOY IS A SPECIAL QUALITY OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN.
Two groups of people: Those who know they are not Christians, but who think that the fruits of Christianity
can be grown without the life of Christianity, that which comes from Jesus Christ.
Then those who are not Christians, but who think they are Christians. They have not actually
committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and thus cannot understand their failure to experience the fruit of
such commitment.‟
Thus, Paul is helping us see who is the true child of God: Philippians 3:1-7.
The false Christians 3:2 and the true in verse 3. Each has three character qualities.
Paul points out a clear distinction between the religious and the righteous.
Those who have an inward change and those who have an outward mark.
The Bible has a major theme, and a secondary theme:
1. Major: The setting forth of the gospel according to Jesus Christ.
2. Secondary: The matter who is a true Christian.
KEY: Once the Gospel has been clearly delineated, the goal is to see if you are in it. Matthew 7:21-23.
THEME: Jesus, Peter, Paul, James, Jude, and John all confronted false teachers.
SO MANY ARE RELIGIOUS BUT NOT RIGHTEOUS.
THE TEXT: Philippians 3:1-3
Three Christian duties are enjoined in this brief paragraph: We are to rejoice in the Lord; we are to beware;
and we are to examine ourselves that we be of the true circumcision
„Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is
safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.2699 (short and compressed in order to be brief.)
2 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the
flesh.’
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble
to me, and it is a safeguard for you 2 Beware of the dogs beware of the evil workers, beware of the false
circumcision 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship) in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ
Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.
Paul uses this illustration of circumcision to illustrated the difference between the false and the true
Christians.
BACKGROUND ON CIRCUMCISION THEN IS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT PAUL IS
SPEAKING ABOUT.
JEWISH PERSPECTIVE
From the Jewish mind, circumcision was a mark of identity into the covenant relationship with God. That mark
affirmed their right to be called Children of God supernaturally. They believed by that mark they were secured
with God, and that they would receive the Kingdom and the glory.
THE TERM CIRCUMCISION EXPLAINED
Circumcision (4061) (peritome refers literally to cutting and removal of the foreskin. Both the Old and New
Testament also use the concept of circumcision in a figurative or metaphorical sense,
God established the practice: Genesis 17:1-14. For a sign, a spiritual reminder, which was this: “No where, or
at no point, is a man‟s depravity more manifest then in the pro created act.” Why? Man is a sinner by what he
says, does, thinks, and in attitude. And at the root of his existence, where he creates, we know he is a sinner. In
that, what he creates he produces a sinner. Which is the reason Jesus had no human father. You do not see the
deeds of sin, but the nature of sin passed on to the next generation.
What is the connection here?
When God said to cut away the foreskin, he was reminding them that man needed cleansed at the point of his
body, and to be cleansed at the deepest part, the root of his being.
Man needed to be cleansed of his sin through a spiritual surgery at the very root of his nature.
SO WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM?
The Jews were committed to the ritual but not committed to the spiritual reminder. Genesis 34; 1 Samuel
18:17-30; Jeremiah 4:4; Ezekiel 44:7 They could see the natural fleshly things but not the supernatural on the
inside. Religiously doing their duty on the outside, poorly not doing the spiritual on the inside.
The idea is boasting with exultant joy about what a person is most proud of: Boasting in Christ Jesus, not in
human works. Galatians 2:16; Galatians 6:14; Jeremiah 9:23-24.
Worship expresses an unusually high degree of confidence in someone or something being exceptionally
noteworthy. As used in the positive sense, self-confidence is radically excluded and all self-boasting is
abandoned. Faith implies the surrender of all self-glorying.
18 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
Philippians 3:3 “Believers REJOICE in Christ Jesus
A true believer will exalt Christ for all HE is. The false religious person will take credit. Look what I do in
religion. I gain approval of god by my good deeds. True believers will never claim any merit. I Corinthians
1:31, Jeremiah 9:23-24, 2 Corinthians 10:17,.
CHRIST is the focus point of my life, not me. The only grounds of rejoicing are in the LORD.
1. His Works: Psalms 104:31
2. His Word: Psalms 1:2; 119:103
3. His Goodness; Luke 18:19
4. His Mercy, Justice, Power; Psalms 63:5-7
5. His Wisdom and Truth.
There are certainly many people who would want God‟s grace but not his Rulership. They want Heaven but
not the narrow way.
3A CONFIDENCE
AND PUT NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH:
Flesh: Self: that expresses that attitude or condition of our moral being which is not subject to God‟s law.
Anything other than God taken by man as his trust and strength is in the flesh.
If all the boasting goes to God and it‟s all in Christ, so then there‟s no boasting in the flesh.
This context represents man in his unregenerate state and unredeemed humanness, in short picturing human
ability apart from God, whether in the religious or moral realm.
As Paul here shows, he was (Philippians 3:4-6, man apart from God and out of agreement with God, man
without the possession of the Holy Spirit. Paul knew that there was nothing good within his flesh (Romans
7:18)
True Christians are humble; when they see themselves, they see their flesh as sinful. James 4:6,10
SALVATION IS NOT SELF-EFFORT, IT’S GRACE EFFORT. It is a total repentance of self and a
complete turning to Christ for salvation. It is a complete turning from sinful self. The flesh does not see the
sin that produces the sin.
1. Natural conviction deals with my conduct. Spiritual repentance deals with my conditions.
2. Natural conviction deals with the symptom. Spiritual repentance deals with the diseases.
3. Natural conviction makes a person shy away from God because they are fearful. Spiritual repentance
makes a person run to God for forgiveness. SPIRITUAL REPENTANCE MEANS PUTTING NO
CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH.
19 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
7. INTRODUCTION: TO KNOW ‘I AM A TRUE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER.”
A. Mere externalism (excessive concern about outward appearances) is of no
avail. Any ceremonial requirement for salvation is a defilement of the truth
8. THE SINGLE BEST DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIAN
A. Philippians 3:3 “Worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus and
have no confidence in the flesh.”
B. The outward mark done by surgery vs. the inward cleansing performed by
the power of the Holy Spirit.
9. The duty of the Pastor/Elder/Teacher is to affirm to you the clear marks of a
true believer. Charles e. Whisnant. Rivers of Joy Baptist Church. 10-10-10
A. Always bringing up the question: “Do you believe that person is a Christian?”
10. In 1661 Matthew Mead wrote a book: “The Almost Christian Discovered.”
A. To address a very significant problem.
1. Many people claimed to be saved and weren’t.
2. Where the Gospel is presented, often it’s followed with instructions as how to tell a
true response to the Gospel from a false deceived one.
B. HOW FAR CAN A PERSON GO AND STILL NOT BE A TRUE CHRISTIAN?
1. Have much knowledge of Christ and yet be almost a Christian
2. Have a great gift and yet be almost a Christian
3. Have a high profession of religion and yet. . . .
4. May go far in opposing his sin and yet….
5. May hate sin and yet be almost. . . . .
6. Make great vows and promises and resolutions and yet . . .
7. Maintain a striving and a combat against sin and yet . . . .
8. Have great hope of heaven and yet . . . .
9. Very zealous to matters of religion and yet be almost . . . . . .
10. Be much in prayer
11. May even suffer for Christ’s sake
12. May outwardly obey the commandments
13. May perform external worship
14. May be a member of a church
15. May be under visible change, alter life
20 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
C. Reverse the list you would think you were describing a Christian.
11. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TRUE CHRISTIAN?
A. What it does not take to be a true Christian
1. Outward profession and outward good
12. What are the marks then of one who has been truly saved.
A. Worships God in (by) the Spirit is the first mark of a true believer.
1. Worship is supernatural, not natural. Worship is generated by the Spirit of God, not
by selfish desires or rituals. Worship is removed from the flesh and is in the Spirit. Worship
is beyond the external things.
2. Worship that is false: Pressured by the culture, by tradition, guilt, fear, desire to be
popular, go through the motions
3. Believers deeply understand that to glorify God is the truest mark of his desires.
4. Jesus explains to the Samaritan woman in John 4:19-24.
a) Worship is not in a place; worship is not where you are.
b) Worship is not accomplished by means which you have developed
c) Worship is a way of life, worship is a life in total, a lifestyle
d) Worship is in spirit, in heart, in life. Romans 8:8-9, 12:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17
5. Worship God in the spirit from the inside, and by the knowledge of the Word of God
6. Definition of worship: to serve, to render religious service. “Service” Romans 12:1
“To render respectful spiritual service.”
a) Worship is more than: saying things that praise God; singing things that
praise God; thinking things that do. Yes, it is; but more that…..
b) Worship comes down finally to how you live: In the church, but also at home.
B. Do I worship God? How do I look at my heart and know I am a worshipper of
God?
1. The Heart of Worship: Loves God and Loves Christ; Desire for closeness, tenderness,
fondness; Expressed in attitude and behavior and talk.
2. There will be a splendid, overwhelmed pleasure in God and delight in Christ.
Jeremiah 9:23-24, I Corinthians 2:2, Galatians 6:14
3. There will be assurance and relying on Christ, A peace about the future.
a) As a result of this kind of worship
(1) Devotion: When the conversation turns to Christ, the heart pounds with
overwhelming joy.
21 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
THE SPIRITUAL WEALTH OR BENEFITS OF PAUL’S GAIN IN JESUS CHRIST
Text: PHILIPPIANS 3:8-11 Speaker: Charles e. Whisnant Date: November 10. 2010
When a person‟s life undergoes an absolute spiritual transformation he has an altogether different perspective.
His life has a different outlook. From the hour of one‟s conversion there commences a re-evaluation of life‟s
values.
VERSE 9 Is a one verse summary of the book of Romans: What is salvation? What is Faith? What is it that
we believe.
4. Matthew 16:25-26 Jesus comments on salvation/conversion. If you desire to
hold on to what you believe is valuable and reject those things which God says are
precious, it’s going to cost you your eternal soul..
Salvation requires an exchange and transformation. An exchange of all that I am, for all that Christ is. I
might have spent a lifetime of human achievements and yet all must go to gain Christ. So I could have spent a
lifetime gaining the riches of the world and lose my own soul.
1. In measuring my assets of human works to the value of losing eternal glory, there is no amount of
human merits which could be worth losing my eternal soul.
2. A person who comes to God for salvation must be willing to do anything God says. Matthew 13:44-46.
3. What was going on in Paul‟s heart when he ran into Christ? Acts 9. He knew the facts, he knew what
the Christians were saying. He just said it was all heresey. But when Christ confronted him, the Spirit
gave him understanding, and he began to consider Christ for the first time.
4. Acts 9 was the external act of salvation. Philippians 3 was the internal response to salvation. Salvation
is a sovereign act of God whereby He invades the sinners darkness and gives him light and saves him.
Yes, true, but God does not bypass the human will, mind and emotions.,
SO WHAT DOES PAUL GAIN IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND WHAT IS
GAIN IN COMING TO CHRIST:
1. 1A KNOWLEDGE.
2A RIGHTEOUSNESS
3A POWER
4A FELLOWSHIP
5A GLORY
1A KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST.
1. Vs. 8b “the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Paul says
“Nevertheless, whatever category of virtues used to be my assets, these very things I have
learned to consider a loss for the sake of Christ. Let me be clearer: I countinue to consider
everything (achieved in the flesh) to be a loss for the sake of the incomparable value of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
22 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
2. Yet indeed I also count all things loss: Paul did not only count his religious pedigree as a loss;
he counted all things loss - but he counted them as a loss in view of the excellence of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus.
3. It wasn‟t so much that those things were worthless in themselves, but compared to the greatness
of the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, they really were nothing.
4. Paul here put a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at the very center of the Christian‟s life.
He joyfully accepted the loss of all other things for the greatness of this personal relationship.
5. “After twenty years or more of experience Paul had an opportunity of revising his balance-
sheet, and looking again at his estimates, and seeing whether or not his counting was correct.
What was the issue of his latest search? How do matters stand at his last stocktaking? He
exclaims with very special emphasis, „Yea doubtless; and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.‟” (Spurgeon)
WHY IS KNOWING CHRIST MORE VALUABLE THAN ALL I HAVE GAINED BY
WORKS?
1B KNOWLEDGE: It‟s not knowing the facts, but also a personal acquaintance with Him.
Knowledge comes as a consequence of light given to our understanding by God. To know
experientially.
2B Salvation is knowing Christ, not knowing about Him with the mind, but personally. John 10
and John 17:3 and 1 John 5:20.
3B Salvation is a relationship in which I know Christ.
4B “To Know” means: He has a love bond with them. To know means a union of love; bonding
together in close love. “My sheep hear my voice and I know them.”
EXTRA NOTES
Few take serious to know the undertaking of the Bible, and take time to really development the discipline of learning
what God is really saying in the Bible. But thank the Lord for those who have taken serious the task of Christian
thought and the development of a distinctively Christian mind. I am continually working on that.
Christ Himself instructed Christians to love God with heart, soul and mind. Its not so we can be known as intellectual
smart but known as a person who loves to know Him.
Many Christians and preachers ignore the intellectual component of discipleship. Many Christians fail to develop their
intellectual capacities in order that they may understand the theology of God, and the Christian faith, and develop the
habits of Christian thought. Many do not even want to form intuitions that are based upon biblical truth. Christian
discipleship requires growth and development, intellectual faithfulness requires a lifetime of devoted study,
consecrated thinking and analytical reflection. Few Christians it seems really want to devote themselves to knowing
the Word of God in depth. Few want to know the Biblical truth about what the Bible really is saying about God, Jesus,
the Holy Spirit, Prayer, Salvation, Christian living, Lordship, the Glory of God, the Church, the Holiness of God, etc.
23 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
WHAT -ARE YOU WILLING TO EXCHANGE FOR OF JESUS CHRIST?
Romans 4:9 Charles e. Whisnant December 05, 12 2010
1A SALVATION WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST
When a man‟s life undergoes an absolute spiritual transformation he has a altogether different persepective.
He has a completely changed outlook. Those things he formely cherished as valuable will appear to be
worthless and in some instances harmful.
I count all things lost to gain the knowledge of Christ. A deep knowledge of love. The knowledge of Christ
excels all others.
VIEW OF THE SURPASSING VALUE OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD;
THE LOSS FOR THE EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS, MY LORD.
IN ORDER THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST):(Mt 13:44-46; Heb 3:14; 1Jn 1:3 FOR THE EXCELLENCY OF CHRIST kjv “THAT I MIGHT WIN CHRIST.” Vs 8
Philippians 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith
What a privilege is gain in winning Christ.
IN HIM: Paul uses the term some 164 times. WE ARE IN CHRIST:
25 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
So what else is gain in me as a result of salvation? Vs. 10. Paul‟s major passion was to get more knowledge
of Christ by experience. A personal knowledge.
Spurgeon said: This is the desire of one who has been saved, who enjoys the full conviction that his sins are
pardoned, and that he is in Christ. It is only the regenerated and saved man who can feel the desire, “that I
might know Him.”
F.B. Meyer said: Paul‟s emphasis here is on gaining a deeper knowledge and intimacy with Christ.
Possessing Christ's righteousness by faith was not an end but in fact for Paul was the starting point...indeed
how could anyone ever get satiated with our infinite Redeemer? Never.
Spurgeon said: He became a holy walker, and a heavenly runner, because of what he saw in Christ
Jesus. Be you sure of this, that the less you value your own righteousness, the more will you seek after
true holiness; the less you think of your own beauty, the more ardently will you long to become like the
Lord Jesus.
WHAT IS THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION?
POWER
Dunamis: to be able, to have power especially achieving power. It refers to intrinsic power or inherent
ability, to carry out, the capacity to perform, it conveys the idea of effective, productive energy, rather
than that which is raw and unbridled.
What you have in Christ , what is available is the dynamic spiritual energy that comes from Him. Daniel
11:32. There is no power in the flesh, in the Law. There is power in the Blood: Jesus Christ.
Paul longed to have an ever-increasing supply of the power that proceeds from the risen and exalted Savior.
By His power we are given power to rise above the world and set in heavenly places with Christ.
By the resurrection we are giving an assurance in our MINDS as to the truth. We are raised from the dead and
walking with Christ That is the developed experience of the Christian person in the life of God.
TO KNOW His POWER is to be conscious of the working upon ourselves the quickening and renewing and
enlightening our MINDS and LIFE. It is to recognize and comprehend its working power as a reality.
There are four aspects of the Lord‟s resurrection power upon us.
It‟s an evidencing Power:
It is the justifying Power
It is the life-giving Power
It is the consoling Power
26 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
4A SALVATION BRINGS THE FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST
Vs. 10 The fellowship of His suffering.
(1) To know Christ or to have a richer experience of him, (2) To know the power of resurrection, or the
experience constantly, the same power that raised Christ from the dead (3) To participate in the suffering of
Christ for the sake of righteousness (4) To be conformed to the death of Christ, or to experience the same self-
emptying described of Christ (2:7)
Paul desired to participate more and more fully in the reproaches and afflictions of his Lord and Savior.
Growth and transformation are not to be had without pain. Our spiritual transformation into the image of
Christ does take place as we behold His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)
5A SALVATION GAINS THE RESURRECTION: Vs. 11
Paul had gain justification, sanctification, and glorification.
“If my any means…. I may attain.” Paul longed for the complete resurrection of his own life. Longing to be
like Christ in his glorified state.
KNOWING CHRIST also means identifying with His death. Romans 6:1-11. Christ completely died to self
and became a sacrifice for others.
It was the greatest demonstration of commitment to the will of God and it was that death which brought His
resurrection life. Paul realized that conformity to Jesus death made him a candidate for resurrection power.
In desiring to know Christ, Paul sought a complete relationship with Him.
Vs. 11 “I am hoping that I may yet reach the resurrection from the dead (corpse). This is the desire of the
Rapture. Getting a new body. He would enjoy a complete transformation of character, newness of body and a
perfect environment.
WHAT DO WE GAIN IN SALVATION?
1 Knowledge: Identification
2 Righteousness of Christ: Justification
3 Power: Sanctification
4 Suffering with: Participation
5 Glory: Glorification
27 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
Pressing on Toward the Goal or Straining Toward the Goal, Onward and Upward Philippians 3:12-14 Charles e. Whisnant January 02, 09 Two Thousand and Eleven
12 Not as though I had already attained , either were already perfect : but I follow after , if that I may apprehend that
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended : but this one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press
toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. KJV
12 I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to
reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I
know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward
what is ahead, 14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life
above. New Century Version
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. English Standard Version
Introduction:
“Make It To The Top Achievement Club”: A reality checkup of self.
THOSE WHO STAND THE BEST CHANCE OF WINNING THE RACE SET BEFORE THEM:
LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS A DISNEY CHARACTER, standing near the castle in Fantasyland, wishing upon a
star.
Cinderella‟s Castle, in Fantasyland Timon & Pumba (“The Lion King”)
LIFE is a long term commitment to a long and untiring determination going in the same direction.
LIFE HAS ITS FRUSTRATIONS - YES, BUT ITS HOPES SUPERCEED.
LIFE THAT HAS THE BEST CHANCE OF WINNING IS THE ONE WHO WILL DISCOVER THE
GREATEST SATISFACTION AND DELIGHT IN JESUS CHRIST.
TAKE THE RIGHT STEPS IN ADVANCING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TOWARD HOLINESS.
Society as a whole does not feel comfortable about long-term diligence and patience. They are seeking a quick
self-gratification now. Pursuit of anything better be quick. It is micro-wave Christianity living or it‟s out of
here.
28 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
The public is seeking “success” in the world‟s eyes. It‟s the Super Bowl or you are out as a coach mentality.
Take a look at today’s bookshelves: “Passport to Prosperity” “Winning Moves”
Are you kidding me? These books are light-years away removed from the truth.
How about these books on your bookshelves:
The Almost Christian Discovered
Baxter‟s Works: Vol. 11: An Alarm to the Unconverted
Packer‟s: Knowing God, and The Holiness of God
MacArthur‟s: Our Sufficiency in Christ.
Folks, hanging tough over the long haul is still the investment that pays the richest dividends, and I might add
the richest joy.
SUMMARY OF PAUL’S PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE IS GIVEN IN PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14
1. The PLAN is Progress… not Perfection.
2. The PAST is Over… Forget it.
3. The FUTURE holds out HOPE… Reach for it.
4. The SECRET IS A Determined Attitude… Maintain it.
5. The NEED is keeping High Standards…Together. (Chuck Swindoll, “Laugh Again.”)
“Not As Though” 3:12
A phrase that warns against false impressions. Paul wants to make sure that he is not misunderstood. “I
have not yet arrived at the zenith spiritually. I am still in need of progress. A divine dissatisfaction is
essential for spiritual progress.”
Paul‟s desire, his purpose, his pursuit, was God, and to achieve what God had in store for him.
Paul was in the process of achieving.
Not that “I had already attained” “either were already perfect:” “I follow after.”
I have not become complete, mature, fully developed, fully grown, and brought to the end (goal),
finished.
Paul is going to address the Church effort toward spiritual growth. Paul was not satisfied that he had
arrived, he still wanted to grow, he had not attained, he had not seized all that God was going to give
him in his spiritual journey.
The Christian believer already is a new creature, has a new heart, has a new attitude, and a new disposition
which gives him a strong desire to be holy. He has a new righteousness, has the Holy Spirit, and has the
promise of Heaven. But he is still able to be tempted, still has unredeemed flesh, still a sinner. 2 Peter
3:18.
29 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD:
Cultivate a passion for grace and an intense longing after holiness
Fight with sins every day.
Never let a dark past cloud a bright future.
Must learn to live with the consequences of our failures.
Pursue the Goal of Spiritual Maturity.
Press toward the mark of the high calling of Christ
Be involved still in the growth process, even after 10, 20, 30. 40 and yes 50 0r 60 years.
In a New Birth experience you will find:
Growth is necessary
Pursuit is necessary of the goal.
There is to be a running of the race.,
There is a pressing toward the mark of the prize.
There will be no debate where you decide to grow or not.
There is going to be a hunger and thirst for God.
There is going to be a drive, a strong impulse in the heart for growth.
Why should you chase after the prize and run the race? Why go for the Gold?
It will cause you to glorify God.
It verifies regeneration.
It allows you to wear the truth of God.
It grants you assurance.
It sparks you from sorrows of spiritual weakness.
It protects you from being a reproach to Christ.
It produces joy in your life.
It increases your witness to a lost world.
Perfection is a GOAL and not an ACHIEVEMENT in this LIFE. You PURSUE but never Reach.
Maturity is to be encouraged but not hurried. As someone said, God takes time to make an oak tree,
He takes time to make a saint. Christian growth is a process.
Paul deals a blow to the doctrine of Perfectionism. You never arrive but you strive to reach the place
where God would have you to be.
We are to give our whole life to gaining the PRIZE. We are to extend, stretch out, to literally overextend
oneself. We are to stretch our muscles to their limit, attempting energetically to attain a state or condition to
which we are called to be by Jesus Christ. This is to be a lifelong commitment and attitude. Every fiber of our
body, every bit of strength that we can draw from a breath of air is being put into the pursuit of this prize.
How are you doing in the race? Do you have the focused attention that Paul is describing in your spiritual
race? What is your primary focus in life? What drives you? Where do you invest your time and energy and
talent?
30 Sermon Notes by Charles e. Whisnant, Series on Philippians 3
THE CALL TO PURSUE THE PRIZE WHICH IS SPIRITUAL PERFECTION (maturity)
SIX PRINCIPLES GIVEN TO AID US TO PURSUE THE PRIZE OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
1A An awareness of Need
2A Maximum Effort
3A Concentration
4A Spiritual Motivation
5A Divine Revelation
6A Consistency
1A AN AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO PURSUE, TO CONTINUE, TO SEEK PERSISTENTLY
FOR, STRIVE FOR, TO HAVE AN EVER-PRESENT DESIRE FOR A BETTER
CONDITION IN YOUR GROWTH FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
Your position is okay, your condition must improve. You are yet to be what you should be.
The Spiritual Pursuit of growth in what you have already laid hold of in Jesus Christ, begins with a
dissatisfaction of what you have already obtained, in knowing what you are yet to obtain.
Seeing the need to grow in our Christian life is the key.
Paul said “I am very aware I have not arrived.” He was saying “I am not what I ought to be.” “I am
still in the process of becoming more like Christ. There is still an intense yearning and striving for
spiritual perfection.
WHAT IS YOUR TESTIMONY?
Too many have the frame of mind; they really believe they have reached the apex of spiritual
Christ likeness. The result of this state of mind is.
You will be insensitive to sin.
“Why would you think I am not spiritual?” “What makes you think I am not doing
what I ought to be doing?”
HAVING A REALISTIC VIEW OF SELF: vs. 12. IT IS CLEAR, I DON’T HAVE IT YET.
“Not that I have already received 2983.” (Attained.) Vs. 12.