SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 30-06-2019

RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY “Christ-like Love, Unity and Humility ”: Strife and vainglory cause disunity. To overcome them, we must allow the word of God to transform our minds and hearts. We should move from a place of serving self to a place where God and His work take the centre of our affection. We must prefer holiness, truth and duty to ease, credit and safety. Our steadfastness must lead to usefulness. And as our ministers labour, we should show love to them in practical ways and also pray for them.

TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 749: THE PURSUIT OF TRUE BELIEVERS MEMORY VERSE: …… “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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13,14). TEXT: Philippians 3:1-21​

INTRODUCTION Believers are exhorted to holy living and pursuit of higher spiritual attainment. This demands that we deny the flesh and its desires. We are equally warned again of the danger of the false teachings of Judaizers who trust in the flesh. Our works cannot and will not save us. We are admonished to “rejoice in the Lord” because He is the Author of our salvation, righteousness and the hope of eternal life. QUESTION 1: Why should believers rejoice in the Lord? – Romans 5:8-11; Hebrews 5:9

PAUL’S PEDIGREE AND WARNING AGAINST JUDAIZERS Philippians 3:1-6 Judaizers taught that for one to be saved, he must be circumcised. The Apostle disproves this by maintaining that salvation comes through repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Earthly achievements, cultural background, piety, Christian parentage, reputation, works, religious affiliations, rites and zeal, no matter how impressive, cannot earn us salvation. QUESTION 2: State the erroneous teaching of the Judaizers and how Paul proved them to be false – Acts 15:1; Ephesians 2:8-9

PASSIONATE PURSUIT OF SINGLE MINDED BELIEVERS Philippians 3:7-14 Paul set aside his religious heritage and credentials to “win Christ”. He counted all things “dung” compared to Christ’s excellency. He trusted in God’s righteousness through grace, not in human righteousness through the law. Similarly, we should set aside human credentials and consecrate our lives to God. Our pursuit should be heaven: to know more of Christ and the power of His resurrection, and to serve Him in an acceptable way. As we commune with Him in prayer and reading of His word and also apply our hearts to selfless service, we prepare ourselves for His glorious revelation in our lives.

PASSIONATE PURSUIT OF SINGLE MINDED BELIEVERS Philippians 3:7-14 QUESTION 3: From Paul’s examples, state some specific spiritual blessings believers should passionately seek to obtain in life and in eternity. – Philippians 3:10-11, Ephesians 1:17-20 QUESTION 4: What is the secret of Paul’s untiring spiritual pursuit which believers need to imbibe? – 2 Timothy 4:8, 2 Corinthians 5:9

PRIORITY OF EXEMPLARY LIFE WHILE WAITING FOR THE RAPTURE LABOURERS Philippians 3:15-21 The Apostle could confidently ask the discerning Philippians to follow his example. As Christians, our lives should be a model to others; the glorious light of God’s salvation should shine through us for alI to see. When a professing believer lives contrary to Christ and His word, he becomes a bad example that leads others astray and thus becomes the enemy of the cross of Christ. QUESTION 5: How should believers live with eternity in view? –  1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Peter 3:10,11; Colossians 3:2 

CONCLUSION Believers are to rejoice in the Lord because of the hope of eternal life. Salvation cannot be obtained by works  but by faith in Christ. We must deny the flesh and its desires, treat earthly credentials as dung and earnestly pursue God’s righteousness by faith. Moreover, we must remain an example for others to see by maintaining a holy, exemplary life and conviction and remaining fervent in spiritual service and pursuit of heavenly reward till Jesus comes.