Philippians 3 - January 6, 2022

Today's Scripture Here: https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/111/PHP.3.NIV

Hello, this is Paul Lancaster, your guest host for today’s SOAP from New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida for Friday, January 6, 2023: Our scripture reading today is from Philippians chapter 3 verses 10-12 and 18-21. I will be reading from the New International Version. As always, we recommend you read the entire chapter of Philippians 3 to receive other thoughts, blessings, and revelations from God. Scripture: Philippians 3: Our Identity in Christ - No Confidence in the Flesh Philippians 3:10-12 — “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained 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.” Philippians 3: 18-21 — “For as I have often told you before and now tell you again, even with tears, 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. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.” Observation: The Apostle Paul’s focus is to be “found in Christ”, finding a righteousness not based on works but on faith (Philippians 3:9). His goal is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. He wants to also share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in death (Philippians 3:10). Paul emphasizes in Romans 4:4-5, that “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a favor, but as an obligation. But to the one who does not work, but believes in the One who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Application: How should we live our lives in light of our identity in Christ? Our identity in Christ is first and foremost one of newness. We are new creations in Christ Jesus. Identity is defined as “the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing is definitively recognizable or known.” So, our new identity in Christ should be always recognizable both to ourselves and others. If we are “in Christ,” that should be evident, just as “being in the world” is equally evident. Another definition of identity is ”the quality or condition of being the same as something else.” In the case of our identity in Christ, our lives should indicate that we are the same as Christ. New Hope is a body of believers who strive TOGETHER to grow closer to God. If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are no longer citizens of this world. Even though sin is ever present, our mission statement is to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ. Let’s place our identity where it truly belongs — in the outstretched arms of Jesus. How about giving yourself a new identity in Christ in 2023 — how about you as a: “Child of God”, you as an: “Ambassador for Christ”, you as a: “Faith Follower”, you as a: “Believer”, you as a: “Christian”, and my favorite, you as a: “Child of the One True King.” Prayer: Lord, I don’t want to be identified with titles of earthly jobs and occupations. I want to be a Child of The One True King, Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. I want everyone to see my identity and love for You, Our Creator. Make me more like Jesus and less like Paul Lancaster. Amen. This is Paul Lancaster, child of the One True King

 

Go to https://www.findnewhope.com  to plan your visit! Our staff and leadership employ what's called the “S.O.A.P. Method”. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Each day, we read one or two chapters of Scripture and focus on one particular verse. We make some observations about how that verse touches us, discern how it applies to our lives, and offer a prayer related to what we have read. -- Donate via PayPal to support the podcasts and the Technical Arts Ministry of New Hope! https://goo.gl/o2a9oU Subscribe at: http://www.findnewhope.com/soap (813) 689-4161 keywords: devotional, bible study