Introduction: It all started with a homework assignmentIntroduction: It all started with a homework...

I Choose Hope Finding Hope (Part 1) Philippians 3:1-9

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Copyright © 2019 Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

Introduction: It all started with a homework assignment

The question: What’s the single most important thing you do as a leader?

The answer: “That’s easy, I make sure I stay ENCOURAGED.” “Discouragement is the anesthetic the devil uses on a person just before he

reaches in and carves out his heart.”

- Howard Hendricks

What is hope? – The mental and emotional outlook that life is good, the future is

promising, and progress is certain… even in the midst of difficult circumstances

and challenging relationships.

Why does it matter?

What’s your “HQ” today? 1

1 The Hope Quotient by Ray Johnson

What’s the source of your hope?




How to find and keep hope alive:

The context: Philippians 1-2

In difficult circumstances = I choose joy!

In challenging relationships = I choose love!

In confusion and chaos = I choose hope! The command: Rejoice in the Lord Philippians 3:1

The warning: Beware of false teachers Philippians 3:2

The reason: 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by His Spirit, who boast in

Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

Philippians 3:3 (NIV)

The proof:

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have

more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a

Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the

church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is

more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ

Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I

may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that

comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that

comes from God on the basis of faith.

Philippians 3:4-9 (NIV)




3 Vital Takeaways:

1. Whatever we put our HOPE in will determine what we WORSHIP.

False source of hope

True source of hope

External

vs. Internal

Rules, laws, success, status, salary

vs. Grace

Confidence in self-effort

vs. Confidence in Christ’s work

2. False HOPE always ends in either PRIDE or DESPAIR.

1 Timothy 6:17

3. True HOPE is rooted in RELATIONSHIP and results in JOY and

ENDURANCE.

Romans 5:1-5




Discussion Questions:

1. How important is hope in your life?

2. What new insight did you gain about hope?

3. What “false hopes” are you tempted to pursue? Which ones have you pursued in

the past?

4. How does a person come to have the kind of personal relationship with Jesus

that Paul describes?

5. What has helped you the most to enjoy your relationship with Christ?

6. How has your hope in Christ sustained you in difficult times?

I Choose Hope Experiencing Hope (Part 2) Philippians 3:10-11



Review:

Hope: The mental and emotional attitude that life is good, the future is promising, and

progress is certain… eve in the midst of difficult circumstances and challenging

relationships.

1. Whatever we put our HOPE in will determine what we WORSHIP.

Philippians 3:1-9

2. False HOPE always ends in either PRIDE or DESPAIR.

1 Timothy 6:17

3. True HOPE is rooted in relationship with Christ and results in JOY and

ENDURANCE.

Romans 5:1-5

The Question: How do we experience this true HOPE in everyday life?




The Answer: Philippians 3:10-11 The Context: Paul’s perspective 30 years after his Damascus road conversion… 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of

knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them

garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my

own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the

righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.


Paul’s hope and consuming passion:

“I want to KNOW Christ

(yada - Hebrew)

and the POWER of His resurrection,

(dunamis - Greek)

and the FELLOWSHIP of His suffering,

(koinonia - Greek)

BECOMING like Him in His death.

(morphe - Greek)

and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”





Question: How do we experience this intimate relationship with Jesus? Answer: It happens as we progressively know (by experience)…

1. His POWER in our weakness. Romans 8:11

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 2. His PRESENCE in our pain. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Romans 5:1-5

3. His LIFE in our death. Romans 6:4-7

Galatians 2:20





1. How would you describe the apostle Paul’s passion for knowing Christ after 30

years?

2. On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high), how would you describe your current passion

for knowing and experiencing Christ?

3. How do we experience the power of Christ’s resurrection in our daily life? How

have you experienced this in the past?

4. Why is suffering so essential for growth? How has God used past difficulties in

your life to transform your heart, life, and attitude?

5. What “one thing” do you sense God wants you to know, feel, or do to experience

Jesus’ love and power in your life today?

I Choose Hope Pursuing Hope (Part 3) Philippians 3:12-16



Introduction: Spirituality and the pursuit of hope

For many, finding and experiencing lasting HOPE in external success, rewards,

fame, and wealth have proved futile.

For others, seeking lasting HOPE in a person or persons has proved painful and

disappointing.

As a result, the vast majority of people on the earth (all non-atheists) seek lasting

HOPE via some pathway to spiritual development and maturity.

The Question: How do we pursue HOPE in a world filled with pseudo-spirituality?




The Answer: Philippians 3:12-16 The Context: Paul’s hope is knowing and experiencing Christ’s power, suffering, and

transformation.

Philippians 3:10-11

Paul defines authentic spiritual maturity 12 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.

Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

13 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,

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.


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. Philippians 3:15-16 (NIV)

Spiritual Maturity Is not…

Spiritual Maturity is…

Spiritual Maturity is not…

Compulsive perfectionism

A passionate pursuit of knowing & becoming

like Jesus Christ

Complacent passivity




3 Takeaways concerning spiritual maturity:

1. Spiritual maturity does not mean we are PERFECT (or will ever be in this life).

Philippians 3:12

2. Spiritual maturity does mean our lives are characterized by a PASSIONATE

PURSUIT of knowing and becoming like Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

3. Spiritual maturity does mean our lives will exhibit significant SPIRITUAL

PROGRESS within and without.

Philippians 3:15-16





1. List some common misconceptions about what it means to be “spiritual.” Where

did these misconceptions come from?

2. Why is it critical to remember that spiritual maturity is a process? What are some

common pitfalls when we fail to realize this?

3. What has most helped you grow in your passionate pursuit of knowing and

becoming like Jesus? How has this changed your life?

4. What failures do you need to “forget” because they bring condemnation? Who

could help you on that journey?

5. What successes do you need to forget that breed complacency? Who could help

you on that journey?

6. Is there a specific action step of faith you sense God would have you take to

mature in Christ?

I Choose Hope Knowing Hope (Part 4) Philippians 3:17-21



Introduction: The message of Jesus is hope

19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins

against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:19 (NIV)

You have been forgiven

You are wanted

You are completely understood

You have a gift

The big question: Where’s your hope today?




2 Sources of hope Philippians 3:17-21 The Context: Philippians 3:1-16

The apostle Paul contrasted his “false hopes” of:

Past success

Education

Status

Wealth

Personal morality

with the “true hope” of:

Love

Joy

Peace

Purpose found through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ

Paul admits he is far from perfect, but is passionately pursing Christ and experiencing

daily His transforming power and hope.




Paul’s Plea: Choose the hope that delivers life

The Command: You must “LIVE OUT” your hope every day. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to

the pattern you have in us.

Philippians 3:17 (NASB)

Reason #1: Because “false hopes” deliver TRAGEDY.

18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there

are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They

are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things,

and they think only about this life here on earth.

Philippians 3:18-19 (NLT)

Reason #2: Because “true hope” delivers TRANSFORMATION.

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord

Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity

with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all

things to Himself.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NASB)





1. What new insight did you glean from today’s message?

2. If only your behavior could speak, what would it say about “where you place your

hope”?

3. How does the life of Paul help you see the power of placing your hope fully in

Christ?

4. What “next step” do you need to take to experience the hope God offers? Who

could help you take that step?

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