What is the life of a true Christian?
“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 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. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Philippians 3:1, 10-16 NIV
True way of salvation - Rejoice in the Lord always to find victory in all circumstances
•Put Lord first and have all thing in your life be God-centered
•Assure that everything else is in moderation and that nothing is more
emphasized and prioritized than God
•Why rejoice? •Because we are citizens of Heaven and we have received
salvation
•Joy begins with love
•receive the Holy Spirit to feel compelled to greet everyone with the love of
God
•Who lives with joy in the world? •those who love God
•those filled with love
•Why do saints have joy?
•Because of salvation
•there is freedom
•How can we obtain joy?
•Be thankful in all circumstances
•allow it to be freely expressed from our hearts
•What is the result of being joyful?
•All your wishes are fulfilled
•it builds noble character
•you will be loved
Do's and Don't's
•DO: Serve in the Holy Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus
•DON'T: Do not be fooled by the false righteousness of empty circumcision
and false teachers who prioritize the law above and beyond God's will…
Self righteous
Paul's hope: know Christ
•know the word of God
•experience the walk in Christ
•receive rest and peace
•gain righteousness
•receive eternal life
Life of obedience
•life of union with Christ
•experience the power of the resurrection of Christ
•We must first fully surrender ourselves
•wholly trust God
•participate in the sufferings of Christ
•seek the help of Christ by confessing inability
•be a spirit of hope to pursue it
How must we prepare in Christ Jesus?
•Do not be boastful or self-righteous
•look straight ahead
•encourage others to join you in your journey with Christ
Preserve the Citizenship of Heaven
•our citizenship is in Heaven
•wait for the return of Jesus Christ
•we will be transformed into the glorious body
APPLICATION: The life of hope of a Christian must be placed in Heaven. Rejoice always. Be thankful in all circumstances. Trust God and put Him first in your life, glorifying Him wholeheartedly
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