Wk 3 // March 22 & 23
Wk 3 // IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD
March 22 & 23, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
Tap here to view the sermon notes.
What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
INTRODUCTION
In Philippians 3, Paul used the analogy of running a race to capture his passionate, all-consuming desire to pursue Christ. The apostle’s desire to run hard after his Savior is a great example of how we can strive to become more and more like Jesus.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14.
Paul, the great apostle, knew he wasn’t perfect. He had progressed in his walk with Christ, but he wasn’t content to stay there. So he pressed forward, making “every effort to take hold of it” (v. 12), “reaching forward to what is ahead” (v. 13), and pursuing “as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (v. 14).
Notice Paul’s use of both “forgetting” and “reaching forward.” We can let go of the past when it’s forgiven in Christ. Paul had persecuted Christians—some even to death (see Acts 22:4-5). But he was forgiven. He simply let go of the past.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 3:15-19.
Paul knew that who we choose to follow is important. He told the Corinthians to follow his example, just as he followed Jesus (see 1 Cor. 11:1). Here, he highlighted the same theme as he instructed the Philippians in how to grow up spiritually. First, Paul encouraged Christians to adopt his outlook and values. He included himself in the phrase, “we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.” Second, Paul instructed the Philippians to “observe those who live according to the example you have in us.” Faithful examples included those who lived out the values Paul wrote about, such as putting the needs of others ahead of their own (see 2:3-4), not grumbling or complaining (see v. 14), and pouring out their lives for the cause of the gospel (see vv. 16-18). It’s essential not only that we hear sound teaching, but that we also observe sound teaching through the lives of others.
In the same way, we should aspire to be faithful examples for others. We don’t need a “position” to influence people by our example. We’re already examples to our children, neighbors, and co-workers. In verses 18-19, Paul offered several examples we should avoid following. He called them “enemies of the cross of Christ.” Such people appear to profess some sort of Christian faith, but in reality, they’re pretenders or deceivers. Enemies of the cross don’t boast of what Jesus has done for them; instead, they glory in their own abilities and accomplishments. Their actions aren’t consistent with their professions. And because their professions are false, Paul said, “their end is destruction.”
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21.
Beginning in verse 20, Paul turned back to the mindset we should have as disciples of Christ. Specifically, we’re to live in light of our true citizenship, which is in heaven. As we grow in spiritual maturity, we realize that this world is not our home—and that we won’t reach our full maturity until we reach heaven. Certain things in this life cause us to “groan within ourselves” because we aren’t there yet (see Rom 8:22-23). We belong in heaven. For this reason, our values and lives as Christ’s followers should point to heaven. Through our lives here on earth, we can show others what the King is like and what His kingdom is like.
Believers aren’t just to live out heaven’s values; we also should be awaiting heaven’s Lord: “We also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” One day, we will see Jesus face-to-face. In that moment, “He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body.” Christian maturity is about growing in Christlikeness. Each day as we follow Jesus, we have the opportunity to become more and more like Him—a process that will reach its completion when Christ appears.
APPLICATION
PRAYER
Thank God for the freedom from sin and death available to believers in Christ through the gospel and for the hope you have that one day this transformation will be complete. Give over to Him some of the things holding you back from growing in joy.
—----------------------------------
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
PHILIPPIANS 3:12-21
3:12. Paul’s description of his desires pointed forward to a goal. Not yet mature, he was still very much in the race of the Christian life. The perfection he would have at the future resurrection was not yet attained. He still had to deal with what in Romans 7 he calls “the flesh,” an innate pull to sin. He had to deal with his sinful body and was only too aware of the need for further spiritual growth. He purposes to press on as he had not attained the intense personal knowledge of Christ that he desired and had not become all that Christ wanted him to be. Paul always held God up as the source of every part of the salvation experience.
3:13. Paul, in verse 13, underlines his denial of personal power or attainment and his single-minded focus. To describe that focus, he employs the image of a runner in a race who hopes to win the prize. He cannot look back. He cannot cloud his mind with past memories. He strains every muscle in his body to achieve forward motion. Eyes focus on the finish line. Paul forgets the guilt of persecuting the church. He forgets the pain of prison and physical punishment. He forgets the frustration of disobedient church members and false teachers. He looks ahead to see the resurrection, where he will meet Jesus face-to-face.
3:14. With this focus he pursues his goal intently (v. 14). His goal is to win the prize for which God had called him in Christ Jesus. He wants to hear God call his name and summon him to the victory stand, where he will meet Jesus face-to-face and know Him in perfect intimacy. Earthly prizes do not last. Eternal prizes do. The goal can never be realized on earth. It is a goal that pulls us heavenward. Note 1 Corinthians 9:25: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”While Paul was not spiritually where he thought he would ultimately be, he intended not to be distracted by anything as he pursued his goal (Heb. 12:1-2). Both discipline and determination are required to accomplish this objective.
3:15. Paul believed that all spiritually mature Christians would agree with or would share his philosophy toward life (v. 15). Mature translates the same Greek term as did perfect in verse 12. Paul pointed to a difference of opinion as to the meaning of perfection. His opponents thought they had obeyed the law and achieved perfection in this life. Paul knew he would never obtain perfection. The only persons who could claim to be part of the “perfect ones” were those who knew that running the race and seeking the goal was the only mark of perfection possible on earth. If they thought differently, Paul was confident God could cause them to change their minds, since Paul’s human arguments could not. Paul was content to shed some light on the subject.
3:16. As followers of Christ, we are responsible for living out or putting into practice what we have learned (v. 16). We are not perfect, but that is no excuse not to run the race and seek the prize. God is calling us to the victory stand. We must run as hard as we can to cross the finish line.
3:17. Paul urged his brothers in Christ to join in imitating him (v. 17). He was not bragging or holding himself up as the perfect model, yet he was the best example of Christ’s follower they had. He urged the Philippian believers to fix their attention on believers who were following his example. The Philippian Christians were to pattern their lifestyles after Paul and other believers who imitated him—all of whom were following Christ’s model.
3:18. With deep emotion, Paul warned his friends against enemies of the cross of Christ (v. 18). Paul described these enemies as unbelievers and wept because of their tragic condition and their negative effect on others in the church. They were enemies of the cross because their lifestyles contradicted their professed commitment to Christ.
3:19. Paul declared that these pseudo-Christians were headed for destruction—that is, ruin in the sense of eternal separation from God (v. 19). Though they professed to worship God, they had made an idol of their stomach, a term for the wide range of their sensual (bodily) appetites. Their self-indulgence contrasted sharply to Christ’s sacrificial self-giving. Rather than center their lives on heavenly or spiritual values, truths, and goals, the professing Christians were focused on earthly (material) things. The Greek term rendered is focused on means “to set the mind on,”“to be intent on,” and conveys continuous action. They consistently pursued material things as their priority.
3:20. In contrast, genuine believers’ citizenship is in heaven (v. 20). Paul maintained that Christians were (and are) members of two realms. They were citizens of the Roman Empire and should be exemplary citizens. More importantly, they were citizens of God’s kingdom and owed their primary loyalty to God. Their heavenly citizenship governed their earthly lives. Paul emphasized the creative tension in which believers lived: they eagerly awaited the return of Christ their Savior. Paul’s emphasis may have been on the fulfillment or culmination of Christians’ salvation at that time or their being delivered from persecution.
3:21. Christ has supernatural power to subject everything to Himself (v. 21). He is sovereign. With such unlimited effective energy, Christ will transform believers’ bodies when He returns. The Greek word translated transform has the idea of changing something so it conforms to something else. The body of our humble condition is the physical body. The phrase His glorious body refers to the Lord’s spiritual or resurrection body appropriate for eternity. Christ will change believers’ bodies to be like His, not merely in external appearance but also in essential nature. Believers will reach full maturity.
March 22 & 23, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
Tap here to view the sermon notes.
What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
- Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
- Was there anything that challenged you?
INTRODUCTION
- What is the hardest physical activity you’ve ever done?
- When have you been thankful you didn’t quit?
In Philippians 3, Paul used the analogy of running a race to capture his passionate, all-consuming desire to pursue Christ. The apostle’s desire to run hard after his Savior is a great example of how we can strive to become more and more like Jesus.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14.
- What stands out to you the most about this passage?
- To what goal is Paul referring in this passage?
Paul, the great apostle, knew he wasn’t perfect. He had progressed in his walk with Christ, but he wasn’t content to stay there. So he pressed forward, making “every effort to take hold of it” (v. 12), “reaching forward to what is ahead” (v. 13), and pursuing “as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (v. 14).
Notice Paul’s use of both “forgetting” and “reaching forward.” We can let go of the past when it’s forgiven in Christ. Paul had persecuted Christians—some even to death (see Acts 22:4-5). But he was forgiven. He simply let go of the past.
- How can we have reverence for the past without relying upon it?
- What experiences or encounters have helped you grow spiritually?
- What principles in these verses can help us pursue the goal of Christlikeness?
- What is our “heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (v. 14)?
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 3:15-19.
- How important is it to have a spiritual mentor or someone you look up to in the faith?
Paul knew that who we choose to follow is important. He told the Corinthians to follow his example, just as he followed Jesus (see 1 Cor. 11:1). Here, he highlighted the same theme as he instructed the Philippians in how to grow up spiritually. First, Paul encouraged Christians to adopt his outlook and values. He included himself in the phrase, “we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.” Second, Paul instructed the Philippians to “observe those who live according to the example you have in us.” Faithful examples included those who lived out the values Paul wrote about, such as putting the needs of others ahead of their own (see 2:3-4), not grumbling or complaining (see v. 14), and pouring out their lives for the cause of the gospel (see vv. 16-18). It’s essential not only that we hear sound teaching, but that we also observe sound teaching through the lives of others.
- Is your life such that someone could look to you as a model? Why or why not?
In the same way, we should aspire to be faithful examples for others. We don’t need a “position” to influence people by our example. We’re already examples to our children, neighbors, and co-workers. In verses 18-19, Paul offered several examples we should avoid following. He called them “enemies of the cross of Christ.” Such people appear to profess some sort of Christian faith, but in reality, they’re pretenders or deceivers. Enemies of the cross don’t boast of what Jesus has done for them; instead, they glory in their own abilities and accomplishments. Their actions aren’t consistent with their professions. And because their professions are false, Paul said, “their end is destruction.”
- What was the point of Paul’s warning in verses 18-19? How did this relate to imitating Paul’s example of serving Christ?
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21.
- What does “heavenly citizenship” mean? How does being a citizen of God’s kingdom impact your daily life?
- What do verses 20-21 tell us about the goal of spiritual growth—of God’s work in our lives? How does this goal motivate you to pursue Christ today?
Beginning in verse 20, Paul turned back to the mindset we should have as disciples of Christ. Specifically, we’re to live in light of our true citizenship, which is in heaven. As we grow in spiritual maturity, we realize that this world is not our home—and that we won’t reach our full maturity until we reach heaven. Certain things in this life cause us to “groan within ourselves” because we aren’t there yet (see Rom 8:22-23). We belong in heaven. For this reason, our values and lives as Christ’s followers should point to heaven. Through our lives here on earth, we can show others what the King is like and what His kingdom is like.
- What makes these verses challenging? What makes them encouraging?
Believers aren’t just to live out heaven’s values; we also should be awaiting heaven’s Lord: “We also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” One day, we will see Jesus face-to-face. In that moment, “He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body.” Christian maturity is about growing in Christlikeness. Each day as we follow Jesus, we have the opportunity to become more and more like Him—a process that will reach its completion when Christ appears.
APPLICATION
- What past failures or achievements do you need to let go of to move forward in your faith journey?
- How can we intentionally position ourselves to benefit from the examples of others?
- Are there some “earthly things” (v. 19)—habits, thoughts, beliefs, or actions—of which you need to let go? How does letting go of earthly things place you in a position of being able to hear the voice of God better, act in His will, and set an example for others?
PRAYER
Thank God for the freedom from sin and death available to believers in Christ through the gospel and for the hope you have that one day this transformation will be complete. Give over to Him some of the things holding you back from growing in joy.
—----------------------------------
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
PHILIPPIANS 3:12-21
3:12. Paul’s description of his desires pointed forward to a goal. Not yet mature, he was still very much in the race of the Christian life. The perfection he would have at the future resurrection was not yet attained. He still had to deal with what in Romans 7 he calls “the flesh,” an innate pull to sin. He had to deal with his sinful body and was only too aware of the need for further spiritual growth. He purposes to press on as he had not attained the intense personal knowledge of Christ that he desired and had not become all that Christ wanted him to be. Paul always held God up as the source of every part of the salvation experience.
3:13. Paul, in verse 13, underlines his denial of personal power or attainment and his single-minded focus. To describe that focus, he employs the image of a runner in a race who hopes to win the prize. He cannot look back. He cannot cloud his mind with past memories. He strains every muscle in his body to achieve forward motion. Eyes focus on the finish line. Paul forgets the guilt of persecuting the church. He forgets the pain of prison and physical punishment. He forgets the frustration of disobedient church members and false teachers. He looks ahead to see the resurrection, where he will meet Jesus face-to-face.
3:14. With this focus he pursues his goal intently (v. 14). His goal is to win the prize for which God had called him in Christ Jesus. He wants to hear God call his name and summon him to the victory stand, where he will meet Jesus face-to-face and know Him in perfect intimacy. Earthly prizes do not last. Eternal prizes do. The goal can never be realized on earth. It is a goal that pulls us heavenward. Note 1 Corinthians 9:25: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”While Paul was not spiritually where he thought he would ultimately be, he intended not to be distracted by anything as he pursued his goal (Heb. 12:1-2). Both discipline and determination are required to accomplish this objective.
3:15. Paul believed that all spiritually mature Christians would agree with or would share his philosophy toward life (v. 15). Mature translates the same Greek term as did perfect in verse 12. Paul pointed to a difference of opinion as to the meaning of perfection. His opponents thought they had obeyed the law and achieved perfection in this life. Paul knew he would never obtain perfection. The only persons who could claim to be part of the “perfect ones” were those who knew that running the race and seeking the goal was the only mark of perfection possible on earth. If they thought differently, Paul was confident God could cause them to change their minds, since Paul’s human arguments could not. Paul was content to shed some light on the subject.
3:16. As followers of Christ, we are responsible for living out or putting into practice what we have learned (v. 16). We are not perfect, but that is no excuse not to run the race and seek the prize. God is calling us to the victory stand. We must run as hard as we can to cross the finish line.
3:17. Paul urged his brothers in Christ to join in imitating him (v. 17). He was not bragging or holding himself up as the perfect model, yet he was the best example of Christ’s follower they had. He urged the Philippian believers to fix their attention on believers who were following his example. The Philippian Christians were to pattern their lifestyles after Paul and other believers who imitated him—all of whom were following Christ’s model.
3:18. With deep emotion, Paul warned his friends against enemies of the cross of Christ (v. 18). Paul described these enemies as unbelievers and wept because of their tragic condition and their negative effect on others in the church. They were enemies of the cross because their lifestyles contradicted their professed commitment to Christ.
3:19. Paul declared that these pseudo-Christians were headed for destruction—that is, ruin in the sense of eternal separation from God (v. 19). Though they professed to worship God, they had made an idol of their stomach, a term for the wide range of their sensual (bodily) appetites. Their self-indulgence contrasted sharply to Christ’s sacrificial self-giving. Rather than center their lives on heavenly or spiritual values, truths, and goals, the professing Christians were focused on earthly (material) things. The Greek term rendered is focused on means “to set the mind on,”“to be intent on,” and conveys continuous action. They consistently pursued material things as their priority.
3:20. In contrast, genuine believers’ citizenship is in heaven (v. 20). Paul maintained that Christians were (and are) members of two realms. They were citizens of the Roman Empire and should be exemplary citizens. More importantly, they were citizens of God’s kingdom and owed their primary loyalty to God. Their heavenly citizenship governed their earthly lives. Paul emphasized the creative tension in which believers lived: they eagerly awaited the return of Christ their Savior. Paul’s emphasis may have been on the fulfillment or culmination of Christians’ salvation at that time or their being delivered from persecution.
3:21. Christ has supernatural power to subject everything to Himself (v. 21). He is sovereign. With such unlimited effective energy, Christ will transform believers’ bodies when He returns. The Greek word translated transform has the idea of changing something so it conforms to something else. The body of our humble condition is the physical body. The phrase His glorious body refers to the Lord’s spiritual or resurrection body appropriate for eternity. Christ will change believers’ bodies to be like His, not merely in external appearance but also in essential nature. Believers will reach full maturity.