PRESSING, NOT PRETENDING (2)

Philippians 3:12-15

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1. It is important for God’s people to be real, genuine, and authentic as they live their Christian lives.

 

B.   It is possible for God’s children to be fake, to put on, to be what some might call “pretend Christians.”

 

C.   In a previous lesson, we noted that Paul was not a pretend Christian.  In Philippians 3:12-15, Paul notes three positive things he did as a Christian.

1.    “I follow after”

2.    “I reach forth”

3.    “I press toward”

 

D.   A genuine Christian is not just a mindset. 

1.    It is a lifestyle. 

2.    There are evidences that we can put forth that prove we are real and authentic.

3.    In a previous lesson, we looked at four of those evidences.

a.    Our effort:  We are not stagnate, we are progressing.

b.    Our worship:  We do not shun the worship.  We are true worshippers.

c.    Our giving:  We do not rob God.  We are cheerful, bountiful givers.

d.    Our purity:  We do not consistently practice sin.  We live lives of holiness.

 

I.             OUR SERVICE:  SEEKING TO BE SERVED INSTEAD OF SERVING

 

A.   We live in society in which individuals believe that others should always take care of them and their needs.

1.    Children in the home

2.    Citizens in society

3.    Christians in the church

a.    Christians attend churches that meet their needs.

b.    Christians do not assemble with churches who stand in need of the Christian’s time, talents, and treasures.

 

B.   Service is the essence of the Christian’s life.

1.    Jesus is the one we seek to emulate.

a.    Mark 10:443-45

 

But so shall it not be among you:  but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister;  and whosoever will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 

b.    John 13:14-15

 

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you.

 

2.    Many passages of Scripture exhort us to serve and to put others first.

a.    Romans 15:1-3

b.    1 Corinthians 9:19

 

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

 

c.    1 Corinthians13:5

d.    2 Corinthians 4:5

 

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

 

e.    2 Corinthians 12:15

 

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you…

 

f.     Galatians 5:13

g.    Galatians 6:1

h.    1 John 3:16

 

II.           OUR EVANGELISM:  SILENCE INSTEAD OF PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL

 

A.   Being evangelistic ranks right up there with consistent prayer on the list of difficult things for Christians to do.

1.    Very few seek to obtain Bible studies with others.

2.    The church depends on a handful of “special” people to do the work of evangelism.

3.    Fear grips our hearts when we think about talking to others about the gospel.

4.    We have a long list of excuses and justifications for not doing evangelism.

 

B.   Pressing involves proclamation.

1.    “Go ye therefore and teach…” (Matt. 28:19).

2.    “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel…” (Mark. 16:15).

 

C.   Those who press know:

1.    The message is about Jesus.

2.    The message is good news.

3.    There are lost people who will receive it.

4.    We may be the only ones from which some will hear the gospel.

5.    Some of those who hear will be saved.

6.    It is the way we grow.

7.    Heaven will consist of our labors.

 

III.         OUR PEACE:  SCHISMATIC INSTEAD OF ENDEAVORING TO KEEP UNITY

 

A.   In 1 Corinthians 12:25, Paul begins the verse with these words:  “That there should be no schism in the body…”

1.    The word “schism” means “split, rend, division.”

2.    What if we split our human body in half?  What could the body really accomplish?

3.    Division is harmful.  It is for this reason that Paul states that no split, rend, or division needs to be found therein.

 

B.   There are some individuals, however, who enjoy causing trouble.

They love to stir the pot.

They enjoy creating drama that keeps the church in a stir.

 

C.   Those who create division in churches:

1.    False teachers (Gal. 1:6-7): trouble churches

2.    Carnally minded (1 Cor. 3:3):  create envy, strife, and division

3.    Those who love to quarrel and wrangle (Rom. 1:29):  argue, strife of words

 

D.   The genuine Christian does not enjoy wrangling and strife and confrontation.  He seeks peace and endeavors to create unity.

1.    Romans 12:18

 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 

2.    Ephesians 4:3

 

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

IV.         OUR STABILITY:  SHAKY INSTEAD OF BEING STEADFAST

 

A.   In a recent Wednesday night devotional, I spoke about the meaning of the word “steadfast.” 

1.    It means “to sit, sedentary, anchored, firm.

2.    1 Corinthians 15:58

 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

3.    The Lord wants our hearts and our service firmly anchored to the Rock of Ages.

 

B.   The Lord does not want His people to be shaky and flippant, “on-again/off-again” in His service.

 

C.   In Scripture, there are two Greek words that are translated unstable.

1.    James 1:8

 

A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

     a.  Strong (182):  inconstant

     b.  Thayer:  unstable, inconstant, restless, that which cannot be restrained

     c.  Vine:  unstable, unsettled, disorderly

2.    2 Peter 2:14

 

…beguiling unstable souls…

 

     a. Strong (793):  unfixed, vacillating

     b. Thayer:  unstable, unsteadfast

     c.  Vine:  not fix, unstable

 

D.   What does being unstable, vacillating, and inconstant look like?

1.    Attending worship and Bible classes sporadically.

2.    Dependable at times, but undependable at other times.

3.    Allows problems, struggles, and challenges to impact his/her service.

4.    Has divided alliances between the church and the world.

5.    Service is controlled by emotions rather than convictions:  anger, fear, envy.

6.    Struggles with the flesh and Spirit

7.    Prone to doubt, criticism, negativity.

8.    Easily influenced by others.

9.    Faith in people rather than faith in God.

10. Little strength through Bible study and prayer.

 

E.   Hosea 7:8

 

Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

 

1.    Have you ever had a pancake that was only partially cooked?

a. Part is hot, and part is cold.

b. Part is fluffy, and part is runny.

c. Part has a sweet taste, and part has granular taste.

                   2.  Sometimes God’s people are like cakes not turned. 

                        a. They are not pleasant.

                        b. They are not useful.

                        c.  They are usually just cast out.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Whether we press, or, whether we pretend both can be seen in our lives.

 

B.   Both actions have manifestations, displays within our lives.