LET’S STICK IT OUT TOGETHER!

LET’S STICK IT OUT TOGETHER!

CONNECT An old man sits in house arrest several hundred miles from home, shackled to a guard 24 hours a day. His frail body, weakened by years of abuse, has little protection against the cold and he has asked a friend to bring him a coat and the scrolls, the Bible. He is sometimes alone; sometimes a doctor is with him; sometimes friends come to visit him from all over the region. He has nothing to read, and no one to read to him, since he is almost blind. What does he do? He writes letters, or dictates letters, to old friends and groups he has met alongside his journey.

The man is the Apostle Paul; he is in Rome and is writing what we call “The Prison Epistles”: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Philippians is one of his most intimate letters.

We have been in chapter 3 the last several weeks talking about forgetting, reaching, and pressing. Today we want to finish the chapter. I believe God has some special things to say to us this morning.

TEXT Philippians 3:15–16 (MSG) So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.

Paul is encouraging those he birthed into the Kingdom of God over a decade before this. He had visited them several times; they had supported his ministry for years; they were close; more than a pastor, more than a father, they were dear trusted friends.

He is reminding them of their total commitment to Christ. There are lots of people who say they want everything God has for them, but there are fewer who are willing to do all that God requires to live at that level. The church at Philippi was part of that group!

TENSION Paul is asking us if we have that kind of total commitment. Are we “all in”? What will our answer be? And how can we walk it out?

SOLUTION Today I want us to ask that question and answer it with certainty in our hearts, knowing that God will give us the tools to accomplish the task ahead. The future is before us. Let’s stick it out together!

PRAYER

Philippians 3:17–19 (MSG) 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. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

INSTRUCTION

1. Stick with me!

1 Corinthians 4:15–16 (NKJV) For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore, I urge you, imitate me.

How did Paul birth them? How did the church at Philippi get started?

You can read the story in Acts 16. Let me paraphrase it for you…

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

2. Pattern your life after committed people!

Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV) …imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

3. Be cautious of people who are not committed!

How do we know who they are? Look at the signs Paul mentions…

1.  They have different paths and different goals.
2.  They hate the Cross.
3.  They want an “easy street”.
4.  They live for their desires.

Belly: koilia; womb (sexual desires), stomach (sensual desires), appetite (selfish deires), inner man…

1 John 2:15–16 (NKJV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

5. They cause division.

Romans 16:17–18 (NKJV) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Where are you looking for satisfaction? Some look to external things for fulfillment and tries to get you do go along with them. Jesus says true happiness comes from within!

John 7:37–38 (NKJV) On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart (belly) will flow rivers of living water.”

INSPIRATION This life is not all there is! We have more to live for. In fact, we have more to die for!

Philippians 3:20–21 (MSG) But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

APPLICATION How did Paul do it?

If we go back to Acts 16, we see a pattern we can follow; this will do until something better comes along.

1.              He saw where God was taking him.

2.              He immediately obeyed.

3.              He found a place to worship.

4.              He hung out with people.

5.              He led people to Jesus.

6.              He practiced the miraculous.

7.              He suffered persecution without complaint.

8.              He prayed fervently In the midst of pain.

9.              He praised loudly in dark places.

10.           He lived on miracles.

11.           He preached the Gospel and baptized.

12.           He didn’t run from conflict.

13.           He only went when and where God led him.

INVITATION Let’s stick it out together. There are great days ahead of us. I, along with the staff and leaders will show you how to do it. We haven’t arrived; but we’re on the right path. Paul said that about himself earlier in this chapter. Follow us, stick it out with us, and others will follow you. Each one of us needs to be a Paul.

Philippians 4:9 (NKJV) The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.