Embracing Our Identity and Calling in Christ

 

Summary

In our journey through the book of Philippians, we have been exploring the profound impact of God's Word on our daily lives. The Scripture is not merely a spiritual guide for eternity; it is a practical manual for our everyday decisions. Today, we delved into Philippians chapter three, where the Apostle Paul shares insights that are pivotal for our growth as disciples of Christ.

Paul understood the tension between two truths: his identity as the Son of God and his role as a servant. He never set aside his deity, yet he embraced servanthood. This dual recognition is essential for us as well. As children of God, we have the privilege of direct access to our Heavenly Father at any time. Yet, we are also called to serve, not to be served. Balancing these truths allows us to live out Christ's example in the world.

Paul's life was marked by a relentless pursuit of Christ. He desired to know Christ deeply, to experience the power of His resurrection, and even to share in His sufferings. This pursuit was not passive; it required intentional effort and a willingness to leave the past behind—both successes and failures. Paul pressed on toward the goal of his high calling in Christ, a calling that each of us shares in our unique contexts.

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. We are part of a church, a community where we are to follow godly examples, support one another, and grow together. Our children and new believers look to us as models of faithfulness. We are to be vigilant in identifying and emulating those who exemplify a life pleasing to God.

Finally, we are reminded that our life is about growth. Our relationship with the Lord is never static; it is a continuous journey of becoming more like Christ until we meet Him face to face. This growth is fueled by remembering where we came from—our state before Christ saved us—and by pressing forward to what God has called us to do.

Key Takeaways:

- Our identity as children of God grants us unparalleled access to the Father, yet we must also embrace our calling to serve others. This balance reflects the life of Christ and is the foundation for living a life that honors God. [32:38]

- The pursuit of Christ is an active endeavor that requires us to leave our past behind and press toward the future God has for us. This pursuit is marked by a desire to know Christ more intimately, which often deepens through the trials we face. [45:26]

- The church is not a collection of isolated individuals but a community of believers called to support, encourage, and learn from one another. We are to seek out and follow the examples of those who live out their faith authentically. [50:30]

- Spiritual growth is a lifelong process that does not end until we stand before our Savior. We must continually seek to grow in our knowledge and relationship with the Lord, remembering the grace that saved us and the future that awaits us. [41:28]

- Prayer is a powerful tool that not only fulfills our duty to God but also transforms our hearts. As we intercede for others, we become more attuned to how we can serve as God's hands and feet in the world, fulfilling His command to love and serve one another. [49:33]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:10-14 (ESV)
> "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

#### Observation Questions
1. What two aspects of Christ's identity did Paul emphasize in Philippians 3, and how did he balance them in his life? ([32:02])
2. According to the sermon, what are the three ways Paul desired to know Christ more deeply? ([34:45])
3. What does Paul mean when he says he is "pressing on toward the goal"? ([44:39])
4. How does Paul describe the Christian life in terms of community and mutual support? ([50:55])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Paul acknowledges he has not yet "attained" or "been made perfect"? How does this humility impact his pursuit of Christ? ([40:01])
2. How does the concept of forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead apply to both successes and failures in a believer's life? ([44:00])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that suffering can deepen our relationship with Christ? ([35:02])
4. How does the idea of following godly examples within the church community help believers grow in their faith? ([50:55])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. How do you balance your identity as a child of God with your calling to serve others? Are there areas where you feel this balance is off? ([32:27])
2. Paul talks about pressing on toward the goal. What specific goals has God placed on your heart, and what steps can you take this week to pursue them actively? ([44:39])
3. Think about a time when you experienced suffering. How did it impact your relationship with Christ? How can you use that experience to encourage others who are currently suffering? ([35:02])
4. Identify someone in your church or community who exemplifies a godly life. What specific qualities do they exhibit that you can emulate in your own walk with Christ? ([50:55])
5. Paul emphasizes the importance of community and mutual support. How can you be more intentional in supporting and encouraging others in your church this week? ([50:55])
6. Reflect on your past successes and failures. How can you let go of these to focus on what God is calling you to do now? ([44:00])
7. Prayer is highlighted as a powerful tool for transformation. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine, especially in interceding for others? ([49:33])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Servanthood in Sonship
In the Christian walk, there is a profound balance between understanding one's identity as a child of God and embracing the role of a servant. This balance is not about diminishing the divine relationship one has with the Father, but rather about reflecting the life of Christ, who, though He was God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Instead, He took on the nature of a servant. As children of God, believers have the privilege of direct access to the Heavenly Father, a relationship that is intimate and personal. Yet, this relationship is complemented by the calling to serve others, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs His touch. This service is not a burden but a joyous expression of the love that God has poured into the hearts of His children. [32:38]

"But made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." - Philippians 2:7 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate servanthood in your daily interactions while holding onto your identity as a child of God?

Day 2: Pursuing Christ with Intentionality
The pursuit of Christ is an active and intentional endeavor that requires a conscious decision to leave the past behind and strive towards the future that God has prepared. It is a journey marked by a deepening desire to know Christ more intimately, which often grows through the trials and challenges faced. This pursuit is not about dwelling on past achievements or failures, but about pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. It is a daily commitment to seek Christ in all things and to allow His life to be lived out through one's own. This active pursuit shapes the character and directs the path of the believer, leading to a life that is increasingly aligned with the heart of God. [45:26]

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead." - Philippians 3:13 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to actively pursue a deeper relationship with Christ?

Day 3: Fostering Community in the Church
The church is not merely an assembly of individuals but a vibrant community of believers who are called to support, encourage, and learn from one another. This communal aspect of the Christian life is essential for growth and maturity. Believers are encouraged to seek out and follow the examples of those who authentically live out their faith. This means being intentional about forming relationships within the church, participating in the lives of fellow believers, and being a godly example to others. It is within the context of community that faith is strengthened, gifts are nurtured, and the body of Christ is built up. The church is a place where the collective wisdom and experience of its members can be shared, providing a rich environment for discipleship and spiritual growth. [50:30]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community can you encourage this week, and how will you do it?

Day 4: Continuous Growth in Christ
Spiritual growth is a dynamic and continuous process that lasts a lifetime. It is fueled by a remembrance of where one came from—the state before Christ—and a pressing forward to what God has called one to do. This growth involves an ever-deepening relationship with the Lord, where believers are transformed to become more like Christ. It is a journey that does not end until one stands before the Savior. The grace that saved believers and the future that awaits them are the motivations to keep growing, learning, and maturing in faith. This process of growth is not passive; it requires active engagement with God's Word, prayer, and the practice of spiritual disciplines. [41:28]

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you sense the need for growth, and what practical step can you take to foster that growth?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool in the life of a believer, not only as a duty or a spiritual discipline but as a transformative practice that aligns the heart with God's will. Through intercessory prayer, believers become more attuned to the needs of others and to how they can serve as God's hands and feet in the world. Prayer is an act of love and service, fulfilling the command to love one another. It is through prayer that believers can experience a change in their own hearts, becoming more compassionate, empathetic, and willing to act on behalf of those in need. The practice of prayer is a vital part of living out the Christian faith and serving the world around us. [49:33]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." - Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

Reflection: How can your prayer life become more focused on interceding for others, and what specific action can you take to serve someone in response to your prayers?

Quotes

1) "The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. We are part of a church, a community where we are to follow godly examples, support one another, and grow together." [50:30](Download | Download)

2) "Our identity as children of God grants us unparalleled access to the Father, yet we must also embrace our calling to serve others. This balance reflects the life of Christ and is the foundation for living a life that honors God." [32:38](Download | Download)

3) "The pursuit of Christ is an active endeavor that requires us to leave our past behind and press toward the future God has for us. This pursuit is marked by a desire to know Christ more intimately, which often deepens through the trials we face." [45:26](Download | Download)

4) "Spiritual growth is a lifelong process that does not end until we stand before our Savior. We must continually seek to grow in our knowledge and relationship with the Lord, remembering the grace that saved us and the future that awaits us." [41:28](Download | Download)

5) "Prayer is a powerful tool that not only fulfills our duty to God but also transforms our hearts. As we intercede for others, we become more attuned to how we can serve as God's hands and feet in the world, fulfilling His command to love and serve one another." [49:26](Download | Download)

6) "God has placed you in the job that he wants you to be in. God has put you in the community where you're supposed to be. God has placed you with the friends and those who are around you, exactly where he wants you to be." [45:26](Download | Download)

7) "Being a good parent doesn't just happen. Being the spouse that the Lord wants us to be doesn't just happen. Being the friend that the Lord would want us to be doesn't just happen. All these things require our work, our effort." [46:45](Download | Download)

8) "We can look at that in our life. If we're going to accomplish something for the Lord, if we're going to do what God has called us to do, it is going to require intentionality on our part." [46:45](Download | Download)

9) "God has not asked us and called us to live this Christian life in isolation all by ourselves. He has not asked us to do this alone. He has placed in our life examples of how to live a godly Christian life." [50:30](Download | Download)

10) "And all of a sudden we forget, we forget that our life is about growth. Your Christian life is about you growing in your relationship with the Lord, and that never stops. It's never completed until that moment when we stand face to face with our Savior." [41:28](Download | Download)

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Transcript
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