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“Stepping Up in Discipleship”
Categories: Sermons
A few weeks ago, I preached a 20,000-foot view sermon on 2 Timothy, in which I spent a lot of time reading and a little time highlighting main themes. The brethren here seemed pleased with that, so this evening, I’d like to return to the concept. Let’s see what Philippians can teach us about stepping up in discipleship.
Let’s begin by reading PHILIPPIANS 1. Here, Paul teaches us to see the world through Christ’s eyes. Paul could have been depressed about his situation. He was imprisoned, and his enemies were cynically using the gospel to make him look bad. However, because he had learned Jesus’ perspective, he was able to see good in both of those things and even rejoice in them.
Next up is PHILIPPIANS 2. This text calls us to show Christ’s humility in the way we treat one another. It’s so easy for worldliness and selfishness to slip into the thinking of even mature Christians. Let’s say, for instance, that the coming auditorium remodel doesn’t turn out exactly to our taste. Are we going to be upset that we didn’t get our way, or are we going to rejoice because others in the church got theirs?
PHILIPPIANS 3 offers us another valuable spiritual lesson. It tells us to be willing to sacrifice anything for Jesus. As a Jew, Paul had it all, and he gave it all up for Christ. What’s more, it was a trade he was glad to make. All of us are called to give up things in our lives too. Usually, these things are minor in comparison to what Paul gave up. Do we cling jealously to them anyway, or, like Paul, do we gladly forfeit them for Christ’s sake?
The epistle concludes with PHILIPPIANS 4. This chapter calls us to find the solution to our problems in Christ. If we are anxious, we can find peace in Christ. If we are tempted, we can find strength by meditating on the things of Christ. If we are suffering, we can find contentment in Christ. If our hearts are set on Him, there is nothing we cannot overcome!
