Live Joy | Week 9 | Joyful Prize
Philippians 3:12-21 | Pastor Kyle Hall
Living for Christ is Only Possible Because of the Blood-Bought Union with Christ | v. 12
Union with Christ
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
The Cost of Union with Christ was His Innocent Blood and Crucifixion on Our Behalf
Blood-Bought Union with Christ
Precedes
Produces
Heaven-Oriented Living for Christ
Big Idea: 5 Characteristics of Heaven-Oriented Living
Pursue the Eternal Prize | v. 13-14
Two mile-markers on the road to glory:
- Share the Gospel – Seek the Lost
- Grow in Christ – Train the Found
Set Your Mind on Eternal Things | v. 15-16
Imitate Those Who Imitate Christ | v. 17
Who should we imitate?
- Imitate God through Christ
- “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” – Ephesians 5:1
- Imitate Christ in… Church members
- “For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:14
- “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” – Hebrews 13:7
- Imitate Christ in… those who do good
- “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” – 3 John 1:11
- Imitate Christ in… Paul / Followers of Christ
- “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
- “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Avoid Earthly Things | v. 18-19
Eagerly Await Eternity with Christ | v. 20-21
Christ’s work impacts our living:
- Christ’s work on the Cross leads us to gratitude & worship.
- Christ’s work in Us leads us to strength & mission.
- Christ’s work in Heaven leads us to eagerness & evangelism.
Application Questions
What on earth has kept your head, heart, & hands from heaven-oriented living?
What’s at stake if we take the blood-bought union with Christ for granted?
How does understanding the cost of the Cross impact our motivation to evangelize and disciple?
What contexts of your life do you find yourself more prone to earthly eyes instead of eternal eyes?
How does a heaven-oriented heart and eternal eyes change the way you respond to circumstances and approach life?