1. PURSUING GOD’S PRESENCE
Philippians 3 v15-Chapter 4v9.

2. Paul’s relationship with the Church
A soft spot for them.
Great love.
Affection.
This is how you should stand firm.

3. Beware the enemies of the Church.
Enemies of the CROSS 3.v18.
Mind on earthly things. 3.v 19.
Confidence in “the flesh” 3v3
Disunity 4.2.
Losing JOY 4v4.
Becoming angry. 4.5.
Anxiety 4.6.
Prayerlessness 4.6.
Negative thinking. 4v8.
Inaction. 4.9.

4. Pursue the Pattern.3v17 Our citizenship is in HEAVEN 3v 20
We Eagerly await a Saviour. 3.20
He has the power to control 3.21
He will transform our lowly bodies so that we will be like His glorious body

5. STAND FIRM :Pursue His presence
In the face of all onslaughts against our spirituality.
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
I press on towards the goal to win the prize

6. 1. Stand firm in the LORD.4.1. Key to confidence building.
Psalm 27. The Lord is my Light.
Be fully in Christ. Ephesians Ch.1.
Every Spiritual blessing is IN CHRIST v3
Holy and blameless and chosen IN CHRIST v 4.

7. HOW do we STAND? Recognize the opposing strategy. World. Flesh. Devil.
Repent. Be prepared to Change.
Trust in the LORD
Baptism. Live the Baptized life.Go on being Filled with the Holy Spirit.

8. 2. Stand Firm in Agreement.
Tensions in the fellowship.
What are the root causes of leadership tension?
Jealousy ,Pride, Control, Territorial issues.
Bringing the Church into disrepute.
Re-visit Matt
Agreement is so powerful it activates the Father in Heaven.

9. 3.Stand Firm in CELEBRATION.
Rejoice in the LORD always I will say it again :REJOICE.
Circumstances ,tensions, disharmony and dysfunction are hardly causes for JOY.
The Joy of the LORD is our strength. Neh.8.10
His promise is to be with US.
Joy is flowing like a river.

10. 4. Stand firm in GENTLENESS v5.
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
One of the fruit of the SPIRIT.
The challenge of living in an aggressive ,competitive society.
Loud voices grab the attention.
Stand against bullying.
James 1.20.Man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires
Our inspiration is JESUS.

11. 5 Stand Firm in Confidence
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything. V 5.
I can do anything through Him who strengthens me.
Paul confronts fear, worry and anxiety which rob us of the sense of. the presence of the LORD
Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John.4.18.

12. 6. Stand firm in PRAYER. V 6 Prayer. Petition Thanksgiving. Requests.
The key to building confidence is a real relationship.
Two way communication.
Who are you talking to? Is it the top man ?

13. 7. Stand Firm in PEACE.
The Peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.v7.
Peace is the security guard on the door of our lives.
Jesus is the PRINCE .
My Peace I give you.

14. 8 Stand firm in Assurance.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.
Receive Him as Saviour,Healer,Mentor,Guide and Leader even through death to life.
1.John And this is the testimony, God has given us eternal life and this life is in His son, He who has the Son has life.

15. 9. Stand firm in a positive attitude. V 8.
Whatever is true,noble,right,pure,lovely,admirable,excellent,praiseworthy.. THINK about such things.
NOT negatives, lies, squalid impure ugly,despicable,failures, Blame
Phil.2.5. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
YES!

16. 10. Stand firm in action. Put it into practice.
Be practitioners rather than spectators.
Be active rather than passive.
Be intentional rather than inert.

17. The Pattern of Pursuing God.
Stand Firm in the LORD
Stand Firm in agreement
Stand firm in Celebration and JOY
Stand firm in Gentleness
Stand firm in Confidence.
Stand firm in prayer
Stand firm in Peace
Stand firm in Assurance
Stand firm in a Positive Attitude
Stand firm in Action.