Tag: leadership lessons

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Summary of Previous Weeks

Today we look at Paul’s present situation. The last two weeks we have studied Paul’s past (Phil 3:1-11), today we will study his present (Phil 3:12-16), and next week we will study his future (Phil 3:17-21).

If you have missed past studies in Philippians you can read them below:

• An Introduction to the Book of Philippians
• Paul’s Greeting, Gratitude, and Group Focus (Phil 1:1-11)
• A Leader Rejoices When His Cause Advances (Phil 1:12-18)
• Paul’s Life for Christ (Phil 1:19-26)
• Leaders Lead and Live in an Ethical Way (Phil 1:27-30)
• Leaders Focus on Others (Phil 2:1-4)
• Have the Same Attitude as Christ (Phil 2:5-11)
• Leaders Shine Brightly for Christ (Phil 2:12-18)
• Christian Leaders Have Confidence in Christ (Phil 3:1-6) 
• Righteousness Is Through Jesus Christ (Phil 3:7-11)

Photo Credit: brando.n

B. Philippians 3:12-16

¹²I do not mean that I have already attained it, or that I have been made perfect, but I keep pressing on to attain it, for which I have been won by Christ. ¹³Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this, but I focus on one thing: by forgetting the things behind while stretching for the things ahead. ¹⁴I press on toward the goal, to the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵Therefore, let all those who are mature think about these things. If you think anything different, God will reveal it to you. ¹⁶In any case, to which we have attained maturity on this issue, let us stay there. ~ Phil 3:12-16

C. Introduction of Passage Today

While I normally try to share jokes that relate to our passage and topic for the day, these are unrelated.

Christian Pick-up Lines

1. “My parents are home, wanna come over?”
2. “I didn’t believe in predestination until now.”
3. “Is it hot in here or is that just the Holy Spirit burning inside of you?”
4. “I was reading my Bible the other day, and I was wondering if you know what Paul meant by ‘greet one another with a holy kiss?’”
5. “How many times do I have to walk around you before you fall for me?”
6. “So I was reading the book of Numbers the other day and realized I don’t have yours.” (from charlesspecht.com)