Sermon by Pastor Samaroo Sookraj
SUB: IF YOU'RE CONTENTED, THAT'S A SHAME!
TEXT: Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not 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,
Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phi 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Phi 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Phi 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Phi 3:18 (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:
Phi 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Phi 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Phi 3:21 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.
INTRO: 1) There are two kinds of contentment; each good or bad.
a. The good kind of contentment is satisfaction with the Lord and with what He is doing in our lives. 1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
b.
The bad kind of contentment is being satisfied with one's level of Spirituality. It is Spiritual apathy or complacency.
The bad kind of contentment is being satisfied with one's level of Spirituality. It is Spiritual apathy or complacency.2)If anyone could have been contented with his Spiritual life, it was the Apostle Paul. He had been saved through a miraculous appearance of the Lord Jesus on the Road to Damascus. He had been personally tutored by the Lord (Galatians 1:15-18). He was a great pastor, missionary, and theologian. Besides all this, The Holy Spirit used him as an instrument to pen parts of God's Word.
If anyone could have been contented with his Spiritual life, it was the Apostle Paul. He had been saved through a miraculous appearance of the Lord Jesus on the Road to Damascus. He had been personally tutored by the Lord (Galatians 1:15-18). He was a great pastor, missionary, and theologian. Besides all this, The Holy Spirit used him as an instrument to pen parts of God's Word.3) In this passage, however, Paul shows us that he was not contented with the level of Spirituality which he had attained. He continued to strive to grow in the things of Christ. If Paul was not contented with the status quo in his Spiritual life, why should we? He shows us three things we can do to avoid the wrong kind of contentment.
I. MAKE A CHOICE Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not 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,
Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phi 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Phi 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
A. Paul realized that he had not yet "arrived" Spiritually. He was not yet perfect (fully mature). Vs.12
i) He realized that he was (apprehended) saved for a purpose.
ii) He would strive to accomplish all for which he had been saved. Vs. 12
iii) One of the things for which he was saved was Christ-likeness. Phi 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
iv) He chose to forget his past failures and successes. Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not 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,
v) He chose to continue to press on to the finish line as a runner does in a race, where the Lord Jesus would hand out the prizes. 2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not 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,
Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
vi) We need to make the same choice if we are going to move forward Spiritually.
II. MARK THE CONSISTENT Phi 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Phi 3:18 (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:
Phi 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
A.Paul could humbly say "follow my example", because he was humbly seeking Spiritual growth and development.
Paul could humbly say "follow my example", because he was humbly seeking Spiritual growth and development. B.He was submissive to the Lord's leading in his life. Paul also encouraged the Philippians to "mark" or use as an example those who followed Paul's example. Vs. 17
He was submissive to the Lord's leading in his life. Paul also encouraged the Philippians to "mark" or use as an example those who followed Paul's example. Vs. 17C.The reason Paul wanted the Philippians to follow the good examples of Spirituality is because there are many bad examples. Vss. 18-19
The reason Paul wanted the Philippians to follow the good examples of Spirituality is because there are many bad examples. Vss. 18-19 D.Today, many of us are in contact with professing Christians who give the same bad example as mentioned in Vs. 19. We should "mark" the ones who are sincerely and accurately following Christ, and follow their example
Today, many of us are in contact with professing Christians who give the same bad example as mentioned in Vs. 19. We should "mark" the ones who are sincerely and accurately following Christ, and follow their example.
III. MAXIMIZE YOUR CITIZENSHIP Phi 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Phi 3:21 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.
A.In verse 20, the word "conversation" means citizenship. Our citizenship is in Heaven. Therefore, we should act like citizens of Heaven, and anxiously await the coming of our King, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In verse 20, the word "conversation" means citizenship. Our citizenship is in Heaven. Therefore, we should act like citizens of Heaven, and anxiously await the coming of our King, the Lord Jesus Christ. We maximize our citizenship when we live like Heaven's citizens. As we await the coming of Christ, we are to do it with the best possible behavior. Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Conc. 1) Are you satisfied?
2) Paul was not.
