The Philippian Principles

Pressing On to Fruitful Labor

Assumptions:

1. You understand salvation
2. You understand the Jesus is coming again and your life will be evaluated by him
3. The Word of Truth causes growth in the believer’s life and produces maturity
4. We live our lives as servants of God who do the good works he has called us to

How do we live a life that is productive and honorable to God?

- We press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us (Phil. 3:12)

1. Thinking – be positive, victory is in Christ
1. Phil. 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
2. Specify Goals – make a plan, write it down, identify what you plan to do
1. Phil. 1:12, Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
2. Phil. 1:7, It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel
3. Phil. 1:18, The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
3. Begin to Do Something – Don’t wait for something to happen, make something happen. Action and Achievement.
1. Phil. 1:13 - what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
4. Learn and Keep Improving - read, listen to online and .mp3, befriend the wise
1. Phil. 1:9-11 – And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
2. Phil. 3:17 - Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do
5. Work and Never Quit – hupomone – persistent, endure, keep going when others quit
1. Phil. 2:12 – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
2. Phil. 4:13 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
6. Make Adjustments - call an audible, be flexible, change strategies
1. Phil. 3:1-3 – Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh
2. Phil. 3:18-19 - many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
7. Focus Resources – time, money, effort need to be sent towards the goal
1. Phil. 2:19-29 - I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
8. Be Unique – learn from others but do not imitate others
1. Phil. 4:14-16 - Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.
9. Communicate – we are social creatures, we live and function in groups.
1. Phil. 4:1-2 - I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
10. Take Responsibility – excuses, blame or saying “My failure is God’s will” destroys production
1. Phil. 4:11-13 – I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
2. Phil. 3:12-15 - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.

Focus, but do not be like the Priest and Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan