Introduction

• Philippians 3:8-14

Paul’s goal

• Philippians 3:11 - “attain the resurrection from the dead”
• In this context, how was Paul preparing to achieve his goal?
  • Philippians 3:7 - He counted what he previously had as loss.
  • Philippians 3:12-13 - “forgetting what lies behind”
  • Philippians 3:17
• For Paul, resurrection was a reality. Is it to us?

Resurrection

• What kinds of resurrection does the Bible discuss?
  • Figurative, spiritual - Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; 3:1
    • When? Baptism
  • Literal, body - John 6:40, 44, 54; I Corinthians 15:23; II Timothy 2:18
    • When? On the lasy day (day of judgment)
• Which resurrection was Paul aiming to attain?
  • Philippians 3:14
  • I Thessalonians 4:16
• Old Testament verses
  • Job 19:25-27
  • Psalms 16:9-10; 49:13-15; 71:20
  • Isaiah 25:8; 26:19; 53:10
  • Ezekiel 37:1-10
  • Daniel 12:2
  • Hosea 6:1-2; 13:14
  • Jonah 1:17-2:2, 6-7, 10
  • Acts 13:35
  • I Corinthians 15:4
  • I Corinthians 15:54-55

Resurrection in the Bible

• Old Testament
  • Widow’s son in Zarephath - Elijah (I Kings 17)
  • Shunammite’s son - Elisha (I Kings 4)
  • Man thrown into Elisha’s grave (II Kings 13)
• New Testament
  • Jairus’ daughter - Jesus (Mark 5)
  • Widow’s son at Nain - Jesus (Luke 7)
  • Lazarus - Jesus (John 11)
  • Many saints (Matthew 27)
  • Tabitha - Peter (Acts 9)
  • Eutychus - Paul (Acts 20)

Jesus’ resurrection

• Foretold three times (Matthew 16:21-23; 17:22-23; 20:17-19)
• Crucified, then buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb (Mark 15)
  • Tomb sealed by a large stone (Mark 15:46; 16:4)
  • Witnessed by Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses (Mark 15:4)
  • Guarded by soldiers (Matthew 27:65-66)
• An empty tomb = a risen Savior who appeared to many
  • I Corinthians 15:3-5

Resurrection

• How did people react to the idea of resurrection in the New Testament?
  • Acts 17:32; 23:8; 26:8; I Corinthians 15:12

Our goal

• Many say heaven is their goal, but whose home will heaven be?
  • I Corinthians 15:50-55; I Thessalonians 4:16-17
• Our goal ➡️ becoming Christ like
  • Romans 6:5, 11, 22
• If our goal is for our bodies to be resurrected, what steps should we take now to reach that goal?
  • Romans 6:12-13; I Corinthians 15:58; Philippians 3; Colossians 3
• What impact should remembering our future resurrection have on our daily life?
  • II Peter 3:11-12
  • I Thessalonians 4:18
• Have we become too comfortable on this earth? Do we look forward to heaven only during difficult times?
• What are the consequences of forgetting about or not believing in the resurrection - in reality or in effect?
  • I Corinthians 15:19
    • I Corinthians 15:32
    • Mo point in our spiritual servie if it isn’t goal-oriented.
  • I Corinthians 15:33
    • Caution against being around people who believe / act / talk like this life is all there is (Romans 8:5-8; Philippians 3:18-19)

Luke 18

Luke 18:9-14 - The Pharisee and the tax collector

• Luke 18:13 - The tax collector demonstrated modesty here in the humble posture and attitude he showed. Modesty involves more than just clothing.

Luke 18:18-30 - The rich young ruler

• Luke 18:24 - It may not be love of money that separates us from God, but whatever it is, we must let it go. We must tear down our idols.

Luke 18:15-17 - Jesus and the children

• Luke 18:17 - What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a child?
  • Innocence
  • Purity
  • Honesty
  • Awe

Luke 18:35-43 - Jesus heals a blind man

• Luke 18:39 - Sometimes the one we try to push away or ignore is the one Jesus wants to reach the most.

Introduction

• Philippians 2:3-8 - You’ll never find a more selfless person than Jesus!

First, the hard part: diagnosing selfishness in myself.

• Proverbs 21:2

Take a look at your budget.

• Matthew 6:19-21

Take a look at your calendar.

• Psalms 90:1-12
• Where is your time being spent?
• Am I almost exclusively focused on me?

Imagine how your spiritual résumé would look.

• Acts 9:36 - Dorcas had a great spiritual résumé!
• Galatians 6:1-2

Surround yourself with selfless people.

• Proverbs 13:20
• For better or worse, we rub off on each other.
• Proverbs 22:24-25
• Proverbs 27:17
• Mark 6:34
• When you spend time with spiritually mature people, it influences your world view.
• John 1:29; 3:29-30 - Would John have been a good person to hang out with?
• John 12:1-9 - Counter-example: the Pharisees.
• If you want to become selfless, learn from the masters.
• Philippians 3:17

Get busy serving others.

• Luke 9:1-2, 22-24, 28-31, 44, 46 - Jesus sent them to serve others.
• Mark 3:17 - Jesus had a nickname for James and John!
• I John 1:9-10 - Is this the same John?!
• I John 4:7-8, 11
• III John 1:4

Any sin is beatable! (continued)

Overcoming the lust of the eyes will require sacrifice.

• Matthew 5:29
• We may have to cut certain things ouf of our life. There may be a social cost.

I must be sincere in my desire to stop.

• II Corinthians 7:8

Sin enslaves us, and we get addicted to the lust of the eyes.

• John 8:34
• Romans 6:12-13, 16-17 - “Do not let sin reign”
• Romans 7:14-25
• II Timothy 2:26
• Titus 3:3
• Pornography elevates dopamine production to more than 250% of normal and keeps it there for hours.
• Cocaine provides a sharper spike, but it fades faster.
• Eating raises dopamine to 150% of normal.
• Nicotine raises dopamine to 200% of normal.
• Sexual activity raises dopamine to 250% of normal.
• God designed our brains and bodies to grow and adapt.
  • II Peter 1:5-8 - We can adapt to good.
  • Genesis 6:5 - We can also adapt to sin.
  • Ephesians 2:1-3

“Make no provision for the flesh.”

• Romans 13:11-14
• You must starve out this sin!

Introduction

• Acts 5:1-11

God holds us personally responsible.

• Acts 5:3-4, 9
• Satan didn’t take contorl and remove their power of choice. He influenced them, but they had the power to decide.
• II Corinthians 5:10

Good doesn’t cancel out bad.

• Acts 5:2
• Bad in the midst of good taints the good.
• Romans 4:7-8
• God describes forgiveness - not some ledger of good deeds versus bad deeds.

The fear of God is good and healthy.

• Acts 5:5
• Proverbs 1:7; 3:7; 8:12-13
• Matthew 10:28
• Proverbs 14:26-27
• Genesis 39:9 - Joseph showed reverance for God in a time of temptation.
• Hebrews 10:26
• Acts 5:5, 11-14
• I Corinthians 5:6-7

Don’t expect perfection.

• Acts 4:32-37
• Galatians 6:9