NewSpring Church - Wichita, Kansas

20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT)

This is the time of year when we all make resolutions to change ourselves. Some of us want to lose weight or get into shape, some want to quit a habit or make a new one. It seems like we are always trying to change something about ourselves.

15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 

16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 

18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 

19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

Philippians 3:15-19 (NLT)

Sometimes it’s easy to fall into the “easy Christianity” trap. You know, it’s the trap that says, “I’ve been a Christian long enough now, I can put it on auto-pilot.” But here, Paul tells us that those who are truly spiritually mature take the view that we have to continually strive to reach that prize for which we have been called. There’s no cruise control in the life of the Jesus’ follower. Today, it will take effort to “strive for the prize.” It will be uncomfortable at times, but always worthwhile.

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)

Two hours into a ten hour drive, a little voice piped up from the backseat, "Are we there yet?" He had books, movies, video games, and snacks for distraction, but those things were not on his mind. What he wanted was to see Grandma and Grandpa. AT THEIR HOUSE. He was focused on the destination.

10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

Is there someone in your life that you feel you really know… someone that has shared with you and you with them – good times and bad?

4(b) If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put 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; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;

6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, 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 is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Philippians 3:4-9 (NLT)

1 Finally, my brothers, 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.

2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.

3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence...

Philippians 3:1-4 (NIV)

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.

26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,

30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Philippians 2:25-30 (NIV)

"Lean on me, when you’re not strong..."
 

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.

20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.

24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Philippians 2:19-24 (NIV)

The state of our economy has made it very evident that you don’t always get a good return on your financial investments. 

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing,

15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Philippians 2:14-18 (NLT)

It's hard to argue against the fact that we live in a "crooked and depraved" generation. It's a me-first, I-want-it-yesterday, don't-get-in-my-way, and I-deserve-this kind of culture. 

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)

Have you ever known someone that put on a good show when the “boss” was watching?