November 6 Care Group

We read Philippians 3 tonight.  Here are the comments from the sections:
v. 1-3
When we rejoice in the Lord it's a safe place to be.  It focuses our attention on what we have to be thankful for.  We must learn to trust God as being in control in all times.  "Beware of the dogs" in Greek had alliteration for emphasis against the Judaizers who were polluting people's faith by adding works.  God gives us clear warnings against perverting the gospel here and also in Jude and Gal 1.  Perversions of the gospel could happen about multitudes of issues from parenting to politics to schooling.  We must be on guard to not get arrogant and worldly about minor issues and forget the more important things.
v. 4-9
We should never put our hope in this world but only in God.  We can't count on worldly credentials to mean anything in God's kingdom.  The reality of grace when we get saved is such a miracle that we consider our past as "rubbish" when we come to Him.  As we walk with God there's a constant realization of loss, or succession of losses, then grace, then loss, then grace...as we get to know more of who we are in Christ, leaving our "rubbish" behind.  I want this to be my heart cry - "the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
v. 10-14
Paul had a focus.  He was intent on knowing Jesus - pressing on like a race, all else was rubbish.  This is a good wake-up call because we get distracted so easily by all the stuff of this earth.  We should ask ourselves "Where's the proof that I'm really living by faith?" and "What does running well look like?" - humility, putting others ahead of ourselves, bearing fruit...  Running has a destination, otherwise we meander aimlessly.  We want to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant" someday!  We long for that upward call and are heading towards heaven.  We want to finish well.
v. 20
Our citizenship is in heaven!  We await our Savior!!