10. READ: PHILIPPIANS 3:12-21 AND PHILIPPIANS 4:1
[Philippians 3:12] "Not that I have already obtained
all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take
hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers,
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, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which
God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
[15] "All of us who are mature should take such a view
of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God
will make clear to you. [16] Only let us live up to what we have
already attained.
[17] "Join with others in following my example,
brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern
we gave you. [18] For, as I have often told you before and now say
again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
[19] Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and
their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
[20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a
Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] Who, by the power
that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will
transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious
body."
[Philippians 4:1] "Therefore, my brothers, you whom I
love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand
firm in the Lord, dear friends!"
a. What did Paul strain toward?
b. What was Paul pressing on to win?
c. Where is our citizenship?
d. How will Jesus transform our bodies?
