LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
PHILIPPIANS 3
Introduction:
The Apostle Paul opens this third chapter of Philippians with a positive note: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” However, right after his opening words he gives a warning: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”
Whether you realize it or not, we are in a battle for the truth of the Word of God. We are not fighting men; rather, we are fighting Satan, the enemy of God. Sometimes I wonder if we know who the enemy really is because it seems that we are fighting everyone other than Satan.
We need to look back at Calvary and remember what happened there and what has happened in our lives because of what happened there. Then we need to look to the future forgetting our failures and reach “forth unto those things which are before.”
I. FORGETTING THOSE THINGS, WHICH ARE BEHIND.
A. Past victories cannot be all there is.
1. Some were glorious victories that lifted our spirits.
2. Others were learning opportunities that enabled us to do better for the Lord.
B. Past failures are but history from which we must learn, v. 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,”
II. REACHING FORTH UNTO THOSE THINGS, WHICH ARE BEFORE.
A. But I follow after, v. 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.”
B. Pressing toward the mark, Philippians 3:13-14, “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, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
III. LET US THEREFORE, AS MANY AS BE PERFECT, BE THUS MINDED.
A. Let us walk by the same rule, Philippians 3:16, “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”
B. For many walk… vs. 18-19,
1. As “the enemies of the cross of Christ… Philippians 3:1-2, “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. 2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”
2. Whose end is destruction… those who had been deceived and had not received Christ as Savior.
3. Whose God is their belly… “They minded nothing but their sensual appetites.” Matthew Henry. Romans 16:18, “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
4. Whose glory is in their shame… “They glory in their shame. They not only sinned, but boasted of it and gloried in that of which they ought to have been ashamed.” Matthew Henry.
5. Who mind earthly things.” 1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
C. Let us mind the same thing, Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
IV. OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN.
A. We are looking for the Lord, v. 20, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
B. We should be seeking “those things which are above,” Colossians 3:1-3, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2-Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3-For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
C. We should be setting our “affection on things above.”
1. The Coming of the Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
2. The redemption of our “vile bodies.” Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
CONCLUSION
The need of our day is some strong men of faith. Men of courage to stand for the truth and trust God for results. Our example is the Lord Jesus Christ.