Choose Joy Part Seven

City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD

Philippians 3:12-21

What is “all this”? Philippians 3:10-11
Know Christ

The power of his resurrection

Participation in his sufferings

Attaining to the resurrection from the dead

How do we press on?

1. Strive/Strain

Philippians 1:27 Philippians 2:12-13 Luke 13:24 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Colossians 1:28-29 1 Timothy 4:8-10 1 Timothy 6:11-12 Hebrews 4:9-11 2 Peter 1:5-11

2. Forget

Do not hold onto guilt or shame

Do not hold onto “the good ‘ole days”
Colossians 2:13-15

3. Imitate

1 Corinthians 4:14-17 Philippians 2:5 1 Corinthians 11:1

Imitate the godly characters, not the personality of:

Faithful believers that we know

Read biographies of missionaries and other faithful Christians

4. Wait

Romans 8:22-25 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:50-56

How Should We Respond?

1) In your own words, describe the prize or goal that you are pressing on towards.

2) If you are holding on to past sin, release it to God, receive forgiveness and freedom from shame, and do not turn back.

3) Identify godly Christians whose character you can imitate. Consider reading biographies of missionaries.

4) In your own words, describe the hope that you are waiting for.

5) Encourage others to press on to know Christ more by sharing how God is working in your own life.