Verses 3:12-16…Verses 3:12-16… Surely, if anyone could boast of “Surely, if anyone could boast of “having having

it madeit made” spiritually, it was Paul.” spiritually, it was Paul. One rule [with two parts] governed One rule [with two parts] governed

Paul’s race toward the crown of eternal Paul’s race toward the crown of eternal life:life: Forget the things that are behindForget the things that are behind.. Reach forward to the things aheadReach forward to the things ahead..

Philippians – Christ In The Philippians – Christ In The ChurchChurch

Lesson 7Lesson 7

Verses 3:12-16…Verses 3:12-16… One motive helped him to persevere.One motive helped him to persevere. As many as were mature would recognize As many as were mature would recognize

the divine wisdom in Paul’s instructions the divine wisdom in Paul’s instructions about “about “keeping on keeping onkeeping on keeping on.”.”

Spiritual immaturity might render some Spiritual immaturity might render some temporarily unable to see the value of temporarily unable to see the value of perseverance.perseverance.

God deals with people as they are and God deals with people as they are and works to bring them to where He wants works to bring them to where He wants them to be.them to be.

Philippians – Christ In The Philippians – Christ In The ChurchChurch

Lesson 7Lesson 7

Verses 3:17-21…Verses 3:17-21… There would be two classes of teachers There would be two classes of teachers

who now or later would seek to influence who now or later would seek to influence the Philippians with their teaching: the Philippians with their teaching: sound teachers and false teachers.sound teachers and false teachers.

Paul himself was certainly a teacher Paul himself was certainly a teacher whom less-dedicated church members whom less-dedicated church members could imitate in this matter of could imitate in this matter of persevering toward heaven.”persevering toward heaven.”

Philippians – Christ In The Philippians – Christ In The ChurchChurch

Lesson 7Lesson 7

Verses 3:17-21…Verses 3:17-21… There were other members and/or other There were other members and/or other

teachers among them who would also teachers among them who would also serve as good examples of constancy.serve as good examples of constancy.

Other teachers and their disciples were Other teachers and their disciples were guilty of setting examples that must not be guilty of setting examples that must not be followed.followed.

Who were these enemies of the cross?Who were these enemies of the cross? These pretenders were not friends but These pretenders were not friends but

enemies of the cross, and they must not be enemies of the cross, and they must not be allowed to deceive struggling disciples.allowed to deceive struggling disciples.

Philippians – Christ In The Philippians – Christ In The ChurchChurch

Lesson 7Lesson 7

Verses 3:17-21…Verses 3:17-21… In contrast, Paul’s attention was devoted In contrast, Paul’s attention was devoted

to heavenly, not earthly things.to heavenly, not earthly things. Paul’s example was very different from Paul’s example was very different from

the example set by these false and the example set by these false and dangerous teachers.dangerous teachers.

Philippians – Christ In The Philippians – Christ In The ChurchChurch

Lesson 7Lesson 7