BECOMING LIKE CHRIST

Part 2 of a series “Pressing on with Christ” from the Book of Philippians

Phil.1:21   For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Let us live in Christ, live with Christ and live for Christ. Let Christ be a present reality and the center of our lives.

Our Christian experience is not something that goes around us but in us. So what can we learn about “Becoming like Christ” in Philippians chapter 2?

1)    Serve like Christ (2:1-4)

Everything in our life flows out of our relationship in Christ - encouragement, comfort, fellowship, affection, service and mercy (2:1) These are the results and present realities of our union with Christ. Paul then appeals to them to make him joyful by being like-minded, loving, of one accord and mind, no selfish action, humble and serving others by looking at their interest more than ours (2:2-5) We need to consider others and serve people.

2)    Have the mind of Christ (2:5)

To become like Christ and serve people, we need to have the mind of Christ. We need to have His attitude of sacrificial humility and love for others

3)    Follow the example of Christ (2:6-11)

Christ is God but took the form of a human being to save and serve people. The Lord of all became a servant to all. He demonstrated great humility by being obedient to the death of the cross (2:6-8) God then exalted Christ where everything and person has to submit to Him and confess Him as Lord (2:9-11) Jesus Christ is our greatest example of love, servanthood and humility.

4)    Work out the plan of Christ (2:12-16)

Salvation is a gift received but it is also an ongoing process of perseverance and spiritual growth, We have to work out our salvation. (2:12) Realize that it is God who works in you (2:13) Let us not complain and murmur, be blameless, be a testimony for Christ and hold fast the Word of God (2:14-16)

5)    Learn from ministers of Christ (2:17-30)

We need to learn from the humility and servanthood of

·         Paul - he was willing to pour his life as a sacrifice  in service (2:17,18)

·         Timothy – he sincerely cared and serve people (2:19-24)

·         Epaphroditus – he was willing to serve even to the point of being close to death (2:15-30)

Let us become like Christ and serve people. Christ is our example. There is no crown without a cross

Serving is a command to be obeyed. Serving is a result of our relationship in Christ. Serving is a sacrifice. Remember that which cost nothing amounts to nothing.

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Phi.2:4  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others

Make this your life goal to serve people.  We choose to serve.

PRESSING ON WITH CHRIST (PART 1)

A series on the Book of Philippians  

1)    BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The book of Philippians was written around 62AD by Paul while he was a prisoner in Rome. The Philippian church was founded in 50AD by Paul on his second missionary trip (Acts 16). It was the first church to be founded in Europe.

Philippi was located in northern Greece (called Macedonia in biblical times). It was thriving commercial centre between the crossroads of Europe and Asia.  Because of his imprisonment, Paul could not personally oversee them, so he wrote this letter.

The Purpose of the Book:

• To make Christ our focus in life
• To experience the joy of Christ
• To thank them for their support
• To encourage them to preach amidst trials
• To teach them how to live
• To address specific problems

The Outline of the Book

• Chapter 1 (Christ our life) -                 Living for Christ
• Chapter 2 (Christ our Example) -       Becoming like Him
• Chapter 3 (Christ our Goal) -              Pressing on to His Call
• Chapter 4 (Christ our Sufficiency) -   Experiencing His Goodness

The key verse -    Phil.1:21   For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

One of the key words in Philippians is “Joy.” It is mentioned more than 18 times. Remember, repetition of words show emphasis of truth.

·         Joy in Living (Phil.1)

·         Joy is Service (Phil.2)

·         Joy in Fellowship (Phil.3)

·         Joy in Reward (Phil.4)

2)    LIVING WITH CHRIST (Philippians 1)

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ – that’s our title in ministry. As in all letters, Paul follows the format of his day (Phil.1:1-2)

·         Identification of sender

·         Identification of recipient

·         Greeting

What are the 7 powerful truths on how to live with Christ?

a)    Be thankful and prayerful (1:3-5)

Have a heart for people. Even in prison, Paul prayed for the Philippians, Remember, the best way to influence people is to pray for them.

b)    Trust God to complete His work (1:6)

God’s work for us started when Christ died for us. God’s work in us started when we believed on Christ. God’s work in us continues as Christ lives in us. God’s word will be completed when Christ comes again

c)    Abound in love for people (1:7-9)

Living with Christ involves loving people. Our love for Christ is reflected in our love for His Church and His people. Love people, serve people.

d)    Discern what is best (1:10, 11)

We need to have the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad, vital and trivial. Be sincere and without offense. Have righteous character traits that flow out of a right relationship with Christ.

e)    Proclaim Christ at all times (1:12-18)

Whatever the circumstance that you go through, it is a God-given opportunity to proclaim Christ.

f)     Magnify Christ with your life (1:19-26)

Magnify Christ, yield to Him and follow His leadership. As long as we insist on our own way, He is helpless to help us. As you magnify Him, He becomes more real to you.

g)    Stand fast in conduct and unity (1:27-30)

Cultivate responsibility, accountability, unity and a steadfastness in adversity

For me to live is CHRIST

•       Live for Him

•       Live in Him

•       Live with Him

•       Live through Him

Don’t run away from what God is doing in your life. You will miss the opportunity to get it right. Christ must become our all, our motive for action, our goal for life, our source of strength. Our whole life focus must be Christ. Jesus must be the centre of our lives.

·         Is Christ everything to you?

·         Is magnifying Christ you main purpose and aim?

                                          

MISSION HIM POSSIBLE

Keys to Overcoming Impossibilities (Exodus 14,15 - the Crossing of the Red Sea)

One of the greatest and most dramatic miracles in the Old Testament was the parting of the Red Sea.

The Israelites were battling an impossible situation. They had come out of an ordeal but were in a greater ordeal. Things got from bad to worse to impossible. The Red Sea was before them and the might of the Egyptian army behind them. What could they do?

What do you do when you are battling impossibilities? Why does God allow trials to take place?

·         Trials are opportunities to declare God’s greatness (Ex.14:4)

·         Trials push you into your destiny (Ex.14:23)

·         Trials position you to trust God (Ex.14:13)

·         Trials reveal the condition of your heart (Ex.14:10-12)

Remember that God’s Purpose for Israel was:

·         That Christ the Messiah would come through them

·         That they would fulfill destiny and posses the Promised Land

·         That they would serve God

Your journey to your destiny will involve overcoming impossibilities and triumphing over trials. Here are some inspiring statements about how people handled trials.

·         When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. (Corrie Ten Boom)

·         It's not the absence or presence of problems that determines one's peace of mind; it's the absence or presence of God. (Unknown)

·         God doesn't always still the storm, but He can calm the sailor. (Unknown)

·         A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain. (Mildred Struven)

·         In adversity we usually want God to do a removing job when He wants to do an improving job. To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the storm. (Unknown).

·         When you down to nothing, God is up to something (Unknown)

·         Man’s extremities are God’s opportunities (Unknown)

What is God’s formula to overcome Impossibilities?

1)    Don’t fear (Ex.14:13)

Ex.14:13  And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today….

2)    Trust God (Ex.14:13,14)

Ex.14:13,14  And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

3)    Go Forward (Ex.14:15)

We need to move forward in obedience

Ex.14:15   And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.

4)    Give Glory (Ex,15:1-21)

Ex.15:1…I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously…

God is able. God will save you. He will accomplish for you and fight for you. He who parted the Red Sea. will make a way for you through your impossibility. What impossibility are you battling?  God will help you overcome your impossibility. With God all things are possible (Mk.10:27)

Not Mission Impossible but Mission HIM possible