Living The Jesus Life: Part 1
Philippians 1:1-11
Living The Jesus Life
This series is the next in an annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.
Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That’s why we’ve entitled the series, ‘Living the Jesus Life’.
Our journey begins today in Philippians 1:1-11.
Philippians 1:1-11
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 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, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 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, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Paul is saying, “You are pure and blameless when you are filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus.”
Living the Jesus Life means to be filled with HIS righteousness. Not just His righteousness, but the fruit that comes from being filled with HIS righteousness.
1. God’s Righteousness is not earned-We are talking about a standard that we don’t measure up to
More importantly, we can’t measure up to this standard.
-Trying to earn His righteousness is a life destined for frustration, for legalism, and for bondage.
-It’s true that you can’t earn this. But it’s also true that you don’t have to.
2. God’s Righteousness is not bought-Just as it cannot be earned. God’s Righteousness cannot be bought.
-God’s righteousness doesn’t cost you anything, but it cost Jesus everything.
-We receive His righteousness through an exchange: our sin for His righteousness.
-We are declared righteous and justified because of the blood of Jesus Christ. No other reason.
3. God’s Righteousness is not temporary
-God’s declaration over you is not temporary. It is over and done, once and for all.
-We don’t live our lives seeking to be more righteous, you already are.
-We now walk surrendered – in step with His Spirit.
Bottom Line:Self-righteousness isn’t righteousness at all – only that which is found through Christ.
Verses for further study/reflection:
1 John 3:7
1 John 2:29
Philippians 3:9
1 Corinthians 1:30
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
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