Book of Philippians - Ch. 3, Vs. 14-Ch. 4, Vs. 23 (08/12/2001)

The Prize of the High Calling and the Mind of Christ

Paul says in 14, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. I press toward the mark for the prize. What is this prize? All right. Verge, what do you see? All right.

Dennis? All right. This prize is perfect likeness to him, full glory with Christ. Yes, sir. What chapter verse are we on? 14. We're in 3 .14. In order to either gain the prize or work toward it, what is involved?

As we work toward the prize, what is it that we must do, Clarence? What I wanted to know is what do we do to become more Christ-like, Joey? But what do we do today? Yes? All right. Verge? All right. Separate ourselves from the world.

Eliminate sin in our life. More today than yesterday. And believe on him. Let us, therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded. And if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

What is it, Bill, that he will eventually reveal to you? Well, I...

All right.

Let us, therefore, have the mind as just described, be otherwise minded. If any had not attained to so much light as their duty, let them improve what they had. Earnestly seek the teaching of God, and his would impart more.

Yes. Christ will reveal to us what is needed in us to be what he wants us to be. Now, the more we submit to that, the less we fight it, the more easy it becomes. But it does not lessen or water down where we're going.

Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us mind the same thing. So what is Paul trying to get them to do, Bill? All right. They had different levels of learning, just as we have.

Whereunto we have already attained, so far as we understand, duty let us hardly do it, taking the Bible for our guide, regarding God as our Father, and all of his children as brethren, affectionately united with them in what is right, and kindly endeavoring to enlighten and convince them where they're wrong.

Yes. As we can read this section.

All right, that's good. How many of you are right where you're supposed to be, spiritually? You all are. Well, it's where we need to be, but even Paul was not satisfied with where he was. Well, you're uncomfortable in that you want to attain more.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an example. For many walk of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are of the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

Now, be followers together of me. What does that mean? Be followers together of me, Greg. All right, be followers of me as I am a follower. All right, so as you have us for an example. Not example, in sample.

Again, somebody, Greg, you tell me, what is the definition of in sample? And in sample means you've been beat over the head. For many walk of whom I have told you before, and now I'm telling you again that they are the enemies of Christ, whose end is destruction.

Whose end? Joy, what is the end? There will come a time in this life when we are at the end of this life. I think more and more about that. Maybe you're supposed to when you get older, I don't know. I know 30 years ago I didn't think about it.

Whose God is their belly. What's that mean, Joy? All right, Virge, what does it mean? And whose glory is in their shame. That's exactly right. Who mind earthly things, Clarence? Who mind earthly things?

All right, are we to get in a situation where we concentrate on that situation only? Greg, do we ever get into a situation where we concentrate on that situation only? No. So don't let your earthly problems overshadow your heavenly goal.

For our conversation is in heaven. From whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now our conversation is in heaven. Joy, what's that mean? All of that's true, but that's really not what this means.

Dennis, all right?

That's right. Our conduct, our citizenship, our conduct, everything about us is centered in Christ. From whence also we look for the Savior. We look in the future for the Savior. Virge, shouldn't this be we looked for the Savior?

All right, we look for the second coming. For when he comes back, who shall change our vile bodies that it may be fashioned like unto the glorious body according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself?

Who shall change our vile bodies? Now, Dennis, is your body vile? What? The flesh is. All right. Greg, is all of your flesh? Why do we take such good care of it? All right. Who shall change our vile bodies?

Clarence, he's going to change it when? All right, he's going to change it how? He says, even to subdue all things unto himself. Bill, what does that mean? Even to subdue all things unto himself. What does that mean?

We are going to be changed. Yes. Yes. Yes. Well, we may go back in a way, but it's going to be better than that. To go back would mean it would be like it was. But it's going to be better than like it was.

Why? So, was the fall necessary? For two reasons. One, it was ordained of God. Second, it was for his glory through our betterment. Third, we're going to be better off than if there had never been sin.

At the resurrection, the almighty power or energy to subdue all things unto himself. Consequently, death also, the last enemy that should be destroyed. You want to say something? Where the destruction of death is mentioned in immediate connection with the subjection of all things to Christ.

So, even death will be subject to him. Now, we come to the last chapter of Philippians. By the way, we're going to James next, if you want to make a note of that. Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved.

Does he love these people? Yes. My dearly beloved, and long for my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Crown. What is the crown that he keeps talking about, Joey? Glory. All right.

All of this is a rehearsal of the conclusion. That they bravely continue until they have gotten the victory. Well, what is the victory that we keep striving for, Greg? Well, that's true, but I have no control over that.

All right. That's true, but I have no control over that.

All right.

How do we, until they've gotten the victory, how do we get that victory? Diane? In Christ. All right. By adhering to, working in, his instructions. The victory is the crown of life. I beseech ye, Rodius, and beseech Cynthia, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

He also calls on some by name, partly because they need private exhortation, and partly also to stir up others to be more prompt and ready. And I entreat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other fellow laborers whose names are in the book of life.

Whose names are in the book of life. Joey? What's her name? No, I know her. I met her this morning. It escapes me. June. That's June. Now I forgot the question. I entreat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other fellow laborers whose names are in the book of life.

What is this book of life? Is there a literal book of life? Well, that certainly is a book of life. But this particular book, it lists your name. Dennis, what is this? I don't know if there is one. All right.

It has to be in language that we understand. He chose a book. He doesn't literally keep a book. He doesn't write down your name in a book so he won't forget it. The book will be opened and the books will be opened.

The books. Bill, explain the books to me.

I have a question that you may want to ask.

All right. Where I was headed with this was we think we understand the book. We're written in it. Yes? Does that not mean? The books is what I'm after. Now, he doesn't keep a literal book. He doesn't have to write it down.

That's explained to us so we'll understand it. But John, what actually happens? Oh, we'll see our life. What do we do to see our life? Can you remember now everything that you've done? What part of you does?

Your subconscious, not your brain. Your subconscious. That's a part that if we could get a hold of it, then we would recall everything we've ever done or anybody else has ever done that affected us. I believe, and I cannot prove this, it's simply logic, that the books, plural, means that every one of us will open or have access to our subconscious.

And we're keeping that book. Never think you can sin so quickly that God won't see it because you see it. We'll come to that in another study. We were written down before the creation. Not in a literal book is what I'm trying to say.

We're not going to see this great thing. No, no, no. Now, the Jews had a book of the living and a book of the dead. What was that? The Jews in the Old Testament.

Book of living and book of death. Say it again. Wasn't it just like a family tree?

Yes, yes. They recorded and when they wrote it in, they'd have to write it in the book of living first. Then when they died, they moved it over to the book of dead. This was to keep track of tribes. God has said, after the manner of men, they have a book in which the names of the elect are written to whom he will give everlasting life.

He has given that to us. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice. Rejoice when? When are we to rejoice? Always. Always. Does that mean when you've been run over by a truck? It's hard to do. Brother, I was thinking right there.

It says always. It don't say always but. That's right. That's right. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, he says rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Now, the Lord is at hand.

Where? Right here. He lives within me by the spirit. Let your moderation be known unto all men. How are we to be known to people? What does moderation mean? John. Alright. Alright. Greg, what does moderation mean?

Alright. The Lord is at hand to deliver you. Punish your persecutors. The shortness and uncertainty of the time should moderate your desire for earthly things. How many of you. Now, don't answer this but think.

How many of you right now in your earthly life have something that you really want? Be careful for nothing. But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Here's the prayer line. Now, be careful for nothing. Bill, what does that mean?

The reverse. Be careful for what you ask for when you have to give it. Live the Christian life. Yes.

Don't be anxious, Diane. Sure. The only thing of which I do not. I can't phrase it right.

Yes. Whatever you have there. And if it's prayer and supplication you know, again, you know what you have. Because if that's what God has provided.

Then it's almost like we're not saying well, if we're saying what I need to say. Alright. Yes.

He says to make your supplications known unto God. What supplication? Alright, your request. Make it known unto God. Greg, does he not know it? Why then do we need to make it known? What? Alright, but there's another reason.

Clarence? That's exactly right. Diane? Sure. Anyone that does not considers themselves not in need of divine help. Children of Israel got into a predicament. They left Egypt and God marched them down to the Red Sea.

Had water in front, a mountain on each side and Pharaoh coming up behind. Now, if you were in that situation would you still trust God? You don't know. You can't answer. But what I'm saying is we're never in a situation that first of all, God did not send it.

Second, we're to learn from it and it will pass. Whatever it is. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren. Well, this way do we get to that.

And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Everything going to and from God comes through Christ. Always. Now, in peace and the peace of God which passes all understanding.

John, what does it mean that the peace of God passes all understanding? That's right. All understanding means you cannot figure it out. It's not yours to know. So, we have to trust. We have to have faith in God through Christ.

Shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ. I can't emphasize enough through Christ. Everything comes and goes through Him. We have the Holy Spirit in us that listens to our prayer. He knows how to, if we can use human terms, relay that to Christ in heavenly language.

And Christ takes it up with the Father. And your prayer is answered. Now, over all of this, you can't do anything that's not ordained of God. Finally, brethren. Whatsoever things are true. True. What's true?

The Word of God. Whatsoever things are honest. What's honest, Jim? What's honest? Whatsoever things are just. What does that mean? Things are just. Virg? Alright. Whatsoever things are pure. Greg? Pure.

Alright. Whatsoever things are lovely. Dennis? Alright. Whatsoever things of good report. Bill? I think I had said it before. All of these things. That's right. If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Now, Paul has given us, in this verse, everything as to how the mind works. Things that are good, pure, lovely, good report, honest. Think on these things. Now, can you think of more than one thing at one time?

No, you can't. You may switch back and forth so fast you think that you're thinking of two things for one, but you're not. So, if you're thinking only of the pure and the lovely, the good, the true, the honest, the just, then you're not thinking about things that are evil.

Debauchery and all of this. You're thinking on good things. Now, whatever you put into your subconscious mind, it records everything you think. It doesn't recognize a joke. A joke comes in as fact. Everything in your subconscious mind, you have put into it, or God has.

Now, at the resurrection sometime, I don't know when, we will open our subconscious. General conclusion, that is, they have been taught both in word and example, so they build their lives to the rule of all holiness and righteousness.

Whatsoever things are such that they beautify, set apart with a holy gravity. These things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do, and the God of peace shall be with you.

Contentment, Partnership, and God’s Provision

But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again. When you also carefully, careful, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content.

Paul learned to trust God wholly. It made no difference to him if he had plenty or had nothing. God's the one that regulates it. I wish I could get that into my mind. God is the one that regulates it.

When I run out of bread, I get worried. How many of you have the patience to wait on God? That's right. Patience is not a passive verb. It's active. I know both how to be patient. I know how to abound everywhere and in all things.

I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I can do all things. To know that, if you'll permit me to take a personal experience, back when we were stripping and refinishing, rebuilding, restoring furniture, there would be a piece come in, anything.

Invariably, after the customer left, my wife would ask me, how are you going to do that? Well, I didn't know. I couldn't tell her how it was. I just knew I could do it. To know you can do it is different than how you're going to.

It will unfold itself if you start on it. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I mean all things. Notwithstanding, you have well done that you did communicate with my affliction. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you only.

For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my necessities, not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Now Paul was in need. He didn't know where things were coming from, but here they come.

But I have all and abound. I am full, having received of Ephroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

According to his riches, not out of his riches. What's the difference? According to and out of. Greg? That's right. According to does not diminish. According to means he has everything. Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever.

Amen. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you chiefly, they that are of Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Amen. Is there a word anybody would like to ask?