16 November 2008 – Guard Your Hearts – Philippians 3:12-4:7

Guard Your Hearts

November 16, 2008

Philippians 3:12-4:7

Key Verse: Philippians 4:7

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Introduction

The song of David in Psalm 18 is his testimony of victory, of being delivered by Jehovah from his enemies. It is a testimony that reveals the saving grace of the Lord: “Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters… He brought me forth also in a high place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me” (15-16, 19). This view of the saving grace of God in the deliverance he gave to his servant David on the battle field of this world is but an illustration of the greater victory of saving grace over our transgressions; for we, one with another in the Body of Christ, are the Lord’s delight “that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called out of darkness into his marvelous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which have not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Thus our prayers, our communion with our Father in heaven, finds confidence upon such a foundation as the saving grace of Christ our Savior; which moves Paul to encourage the Philippian saints to be “careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

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Press On in Christ -Phil. 3:12-14

In the Olympics men and women place on foot upon the starting block, with their backs bent forward, their knees raised and ready to push forward at the sound of the gun. Speed is essential to winning, and so is the goal. And, as in the relay race, one must stay in your own lane. Discipline must be a key performance in the life of the athlete. So with the Christian life; however he discipline, course, and goal of our life is centered in Christ and his righteousness. Our heart, mind, and soul are being made perfect in Christ. Paul wrote, “I follow after, if that I ay apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Our chief end in life has been laid out for us by the Savior who chose us to be his own. We are to glorify God and enjoy him according to the Word he has given us.

Christ has taken a firm hold on Paul. Now he would press on toward that for which he was chosen. We show our willingness to run that race sing, with Paul, “I count myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” We have received forgiveness of sins and given a new resurrected life in being called by the Father in Christ Jesus. We look forward to seeing him face to face. In this life we being perfected, made mature in faith and practice, to receive the prize of our high calling as we grow n the grace we have received. We rejoice in the fellowship of believers, in the love we have for one another, for the comfort we can give by the comfort given to us by Christ. We joy in tribulation that the name of our Savior be glorified. We serve Christ in the preaching his glorious Gospel that out of every nation and tongue people will come to know him as he has revealed himself in holy Scripture, our Lord and Savior.

Discussion: What does it mean to press on toward the goal which is in Christ?

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Being made Mature -Phil. 3:15-17

Our maturity in Christ progresses as we run the race that our Lord has set before us. We walk in Christ in this life, one with another. “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” We are being perfected, made mature in Christ Jesus. Moral perfection is our goal. We are being sanctified in Christ Jesus to bear the image of our Creator. Sanctification being “the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness (S.C.). Through his Word, the Spirit of God will teach us, write his truth upon our hearts, admonishing us to the truth that we might know that righteousness which we grant us spiritual maturity.

“Nevertheless,” writes Paul of those things we have already attained, “Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” In those truths we have been taught and find much agreement, let us walk heartily, giving glory to our Father in heaven, thereby edifying the Body of Christ. In those things where we find some disagreement, let us be patient one with another, looking to Christ and his Word, together, wanting to be taught the truth by the Spirit of God. Paul’s example is only that of Christ in him. Our example to others must radiate Christ and no ourselves. Be careful what you mark as examples in your life.

Discussion: What does in mean to be a mature Christian?

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Our Conversation -Phil. 3:18-4:1

In opposition to the Christian life are those who deceive themselves and others under the name of Christ. These are those who influence many with the Body of Christ, the church. Paul admonishes us that “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things.” Only anger and weeping can urge us to deal with these enemies of Christ. True sorrow stirs both our hearts and deeds to help those who are being led astray. Righteous anger leads us to speak the truth of the gospel with much boldness. How can we say all will be well when these purveyors of wickedness have no hope for themselves or others but destruction, satisfying their own lusts, their glory being darkness rather than light.

Our conversation is not with the wicked, but with heaven. We do not look for counsel from the wicked of this world. They have nothing to add to our knowledge. We are to “look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” We set our eyes upon Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith. It is he who will provide us with a new resurrected body, which will bear the glory of his resurrected body. He will also give us victory in this life. For all things, those of the wicked and the righteous are under his supreme rule. By his authority all things will work together for his glory and the good of his people. “As Christ’s resurrection was a glorious instance of the divine power, so will our resurrection be; and his resurrection is a standing evidence, as well as pattern, of ours. And then all the enemies of the Redeemer’s kingdom will be completely conquered” (M. Henry).

Paul calls upon the brethren, his “dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown,” to “stand fast in the Lord.” When we see each other as dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, our words, “stand fast in the Lord,” will take on a new and precious meaning. We must develop a deep love for one another, not just an outward appearance which fits the moment. Are we fickle Christians, showing love only when it pleases us? Or do we see each other as Christ sees us? For Christ loved us while we were yet sinners, ransoming our souls with his death upon Calvary’s cross. Having such a high calling, one with another, in Christ; with the hope of a glorious resurrection victory; let us exercise our faith in the love which God has given us in our Savior.

Discussion: Why must we always set our face upon Jesus?

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Conclusion: He Shall Keep Your Heart Phil. 4:4-7

Paul highlights the duty of the child of God to rejoice. We can understand that we must rejoice in the Lord. However, how do we rejoice in the Lord, always? George Wishart, faithful minister of the Word and Scots martyr, always willing to part with some of his own clothing to the poor, found himself, in March of 1546, climbing the steps of the scaffold. His word to the people from the stake, which was ready for fire, were, “I entreat you that you love the Word of God for your salvation, and suffer patiently and with a comfortable heart for the Word’s sake, which is your everlasting comfort; but for the true Gospel, which was given me by the grace of God, I suffer this day with a glad heart.”

Gladness of spirit and heart cannot be taken away from the Christian whose Savior is Christ the King. It is a light which cannot be snuffed out by any storm this world might muster against us. “He rejoices in the Lord, that is, because of his oneness with Christ, the fruit of whose Spirit is joy” (Gal. 5:22). This is reasonable, for in and through Christ all things, all things are received with thanksgiving and joy: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Discussion: What does it mean to have your heart kept in Christ?

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Dr. Robert LaMay

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2009 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.