Life in the Light of the Gospel - Phil 3:12 - 4:1

12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

We wrapped up our Philippians study this week by talking about the great freedom that the Gospel brings to our lives. here's what we saw...
Living in the Light of the Gospel means:
1) We Live BECAUSE we are His.
We cannot earn the right to be a child of God - We cannot work hard enough or good enough to maintain a place in his presence. We don't live IN ORDER TO BE His.
This Frees us from a life of fear - fear that our works are not enough.
Instead - we live BECAUSE WE ARE His
2) We live life FORWARD.
We forget what lies behind - namely our sins.
Like Paul we a) Understand that forgiveness is NOT based on works (Romans 4), b) Understand that forgiveness is forever (Psalm 103), c) Understand that We are Robed in Righteousness (Philippians 3:9)
Rather than being frozen by the guilt of our past - the Gospel frees us to live life foreward - to press on to the prize that is set before us - Jesus!
3) We Live as Sojourners.
Our citizenship has changed. We are not citizens in this world - this country - this city - our citizenship is heaven. Ours is a different kingdom and we serve a greater king - Jesus.
This frees us from worldly pursuits - power, possessions, people... We are free to live as foreigners in a land that isn't our own!

Here are a few questions to help you think through your response to this passage:
1. What did you hear God saying through this passage?
2. What does that mean?
3. What is God calling you to do? and/or Who is God calling you to be?
4. What would prevent you from doing or being that?
5. How can we help?

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS...
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