Sabbath School Lesson Week 9
Introduction:
This weeks lesson is impossible to study without reflecting on last weeks. This past Sabbath afternoon I kept thinking about our class and the discussion. I have a few thoughts I would like to share.
We were talking about how Paul considered everything else nothing once he had this relationship with Christ and how he was willing to die as Christ etc. (Verses 7-11) We tend to get hung up on the sacrifice, on the dying, giving up everything etc. Yet when we do that we let our focus leave Christ. We know that Jesus is the light, he is where we need to keep our focus, and what Paul is saying here is that after entering in to a relationship with Christ EVERY thing else became clear. What was important and what wasn't, what he was really called to do, what his mission was, what he was willing to sacrifice for. If studying this passage we only see the loss, the sacrifice then we are empty. When we have a relationship with Jesus, the importance or the lack of importance becomes very clear. Our priorities will be straight. It is like seeing the world through your Jesus glasses. Everything that once was blurry is now in focus, everything that was once so important now isn't any more!
Chris and I just returned from Ethiopia and the trip changed us. It shifts your focus. When you see the poverty, the need, the drive to know Jesus, when you work hard and give much, you come back and nothing looks quite the same. Instead of seeing all the things we would like to change, or improve in our home, it seems incredibly lux. It is suddenly posh, instead of needing so much. The experience changed us, and our view of the world. When we have a relationship with Jesus it will change not only us but our view of the world as well. It will change where we place our value. So Paul is begging us to keep moving forward, to leave the past behind, to keep our focus on Jesus and let him change our view. Now let's continue our study in Philippians 3: 15-21....
Philippians 3: 15-21
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.1. Who should take this view of things? _______________________________________
2. Why is maturity important here? ___________________________________________
Paul is challenging the Philippians to live in a relationship with Jesus Christ that makes all that was important- unimportant and gives us a willingness to serve him and give it all up for him. A huge challenge but this is a call to a special people. This is a call for those who have a maturity in Christ.
Too many times we lead with the sacrifice, we lead with the giving it all up for Christ. Paul is clear that this challenge is NOT for the babies but for the mature in Christ. When introducing people to our Savior we don't need to introduce them to their sacrifice but to HIS! We don't need to hammer about what it will take to follow him, what they need to give up.... that will happen in time. Our lead should be developing the relationship, getting to know Christ. In fact if we lead with the sacrifice without having the basis or the reason for the sacrifice, then the sacrifice is empty.
When families welcome a new baby into the home, parents become very sleep deprived. Midnight feedings and just sleepless baby nights make sleeping difficult if not impossible. It is a terribly difficult and challenging time. Yet every parent is willing to go through this time because the reason for this time is the amazing miracle love of their new child. Take away the baby and let people sleep as little for no reason and you have crazy! The baby, the reason makes it not easy, not great, but you wouldn't choose sleep over baby!
Paul goes on to say, (from the message Bible)
17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them.
3. Should we really look at others? Should not our focus be on Christ? Didn't we just read about the importance of keeping our eyes on Christ?
I will never forget a sermon given by Pastor Gary a few years ago. He brought up the false idea that we should not look to others to see Christ. We all say that you shouldn't look at man, only look to God. That sounds great, in theory, but the truth is we don't physically see Jesus, we don't sit at dinner with him, we are not in day to day contact with him. Jesus wants us to be like Him, to help others to see him, because of our daily interaction.
There is no question that Chris, my husband, has given me a much clearer understanding of God's love for me because of how he loves and accepts me. His earthly day to day acceptance has given me an earthly example of Christs love. As Christians, to say people should only look to Christ is a cop out. We also need to be there for each other! We need to encourage one another, and not hurt each other. We need to give each other strength, and acceptance!
The fact is when we claim Christ as our Savior, when we accept the gift, we become ambassadors for him. What an incredible responsibility. So is the ingredient being the example or finding people of like mind that we stick with?
It is both! Find a community of believers, people who are striving for the same goal, and encourage one another, support each other and run this race together!
ACTION: FIND training buddies.
A couple years ago I ran a half marathon. I ran it with my girls. Others in our church also ran the race and they trained together, encouraged one another, and then on race day they stayed together. When trying to run a marathon, training with people, eating with them, surrounding yourself with people who understand the goal, understand the work it will take to get there and are willing to join you in that work is vitally important.
When people decide to loose weight it is much more successful long term if the entire family works together etc.
Find your training buddies, find your community of believers and stick together. Be both the encourager and the encouraged!
ACTION: Write out and bring to class a training program. A "couch to 1/2 marathon" training program. If we are focused on the goal living with Jesus in mind, what should our lives be filled with?
To write this plan, go back over the ingredients for Joy. Find promises, and talk with each other. What will this action plan, this training program look like? I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Paul goes on to say, (from the message Bible)
17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them.
3. Should we really look at others? Should not our focus be on Christ? Didn't we just read about the importance of keeping our eyes on Christ?
I will never forget a sermon given by Pastor Gary a few years ago. He brought up the false idea that we should not look to others to see Christ. We all say that you shouldn't look at man, only look to God. That sounds great, in theory, but the truth is we don't physically see Jesus, we don't sit at dinner with him, we are not in day to day contact with him. Jesus wants us to be like Him, to help others to see him, because of our daily interaction.
There is no question that Chris, my husband, has given me a much clearer understanding of God's love for me because of how he loves and accepts me. His earthly day to day acceptance has given me an earthly example of Christs love. As Christians, to say people should only look to Christ is a cop out. We also need to be there for each other! We need to encourage one another, and not hurt each other. We need to give each other strength, and acceptance!
The fact is when we claim Christ as our Savior, when we accept the gift, we become ambassadors for him. What an incredible responsibility. So is the ingredient being the example or finding people of like mind that we stick with?
INGREDIENT # 19 Be a COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS
It is both! Find a community of believers, people who are striving for the same goal, and encourage one another, support each other and run this race together!
ACTION: FIND training buddies.
A couple years ago I ran a half marathon. I ran it with my girls. Others in our church also ran the race and they trained together, encouraged one another, and then on race day they stayed together. When trying to run a marathon, training with people, eating with them, surrounding yourself with people who understand the goal, understand the work it will take to get there and are willing to join you in that work is vitally important.
When people decide to loose weight it is much more successful long term if the entire family works together etc.
Find your training buddies, find your community of believers and stick together. Be both the encourager and the encouraged!
Philippians 3: 18-21
18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.INGREDIENT # 20 LIVE with HEAVEN / A LIFE WITH JESUS in MIND!
ACTION: Write out and bring to class a training program. A "couch to 1/2 marathon" training program. If we are focused on the goal living with Jesus in mind, what should our lives be filled with?
To write this plan, go back over the ingredients for Joy. Find promises, and talk with each other. What will this action plan, this training program look like? I can't wait to see what you come up with!
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