First Baptist Lenoir City

1. Philippians 3:1-11

(self-righteousness vs. Savior-righteousness)

a. The Protection of Paul - v. 1

b. The Problem of Paul’s Past - v. 2

c. The Picture of Paul’s Present - v. 3

d. The Problem of Paul’s Pride - vv. 4-6

e. The Person of Paul’s Passion - vv. 7-11

f. The Pressing on of Paul’s Pursuit - vv. 12-21

ALL TRUE TESTIMONIES OF SALVATION HAVE 3 THINGS IN COMMON according to the Scriptures: The specifics will be very different but not these 3 are the same for all: (1) My life BEFORE encountering Jesus (2) My life WHEN I encountered Jesus (3) My life SINCE I encountered Jesus IN LUKE’S WORDS - ACTS 9:1 & 11:19-30 • It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, It only matters where you’re going • It doesn’t matter where you’re going if God is not leading you • It doesn’t matter if God is leading you if you live a life of inconsistent commitment • It helps to remember where you’ve been - Looking Back.. while Moving Forward” • If you follow God faithfully then you can say what Paul said in II Timothy 4:6-8 Galatians 1

I. The First ENCOUNTER of Saul/Paul - Acts 7:58-8:2

II. The Second ENCOUNTER of Saul/Paul - Acts 8:3

III. The Third ENCOUNTER of Saul/Paul - Acts 9:1-19

1. Paul was an enemy of God

2. Paul was an enemy to the people of God (John 16)

3. Paul became an enemy to the enemies of God - Acts 9:20-25, 9:26-31

4. Paul became an example for evangelism - I Tim. 1:12-15

5. Paul became an encourager to those who follow Jesus - Rom. 1:11-13

6. Paul became an exhorter to those who follow Jesus - Acts 20:28-31

“How God Pursues Us - How God Reaches Out” - The Seed is scattered. The Servants are sent to share. The Scriptures secure salvation.

I. The Scattered Seed of Salvation is Sent Out - The Global Gospel - The Encounters with Jesus - Where the seed goes is often based on where the seed blows -

1.           Acts 1:6-8.                                   

a. From Jerusalem

      b. To Judea

      c. To Samaria (8)

      d. To the road to Gaza (8)

       *Philip - an angel, a eunuch, a queen, and a prophet with Scripture in his hands!

GOD SEEKS SINNER - Luke 19:10

(1) The Word of God produces saving faith - Romans 10:13,17

(2) The Scriptures lead us to salvation - to the Savior THEN strengthens our faith us as we grow in our salvation - Psalm 19:7-9; II Timothy 3:15-16; I Peter 2:1-3

7 examples of preaching Jesus from the Old Testament

ISAIAH 53 is the greatest gospel passage about Jesus until He shows up and starts His ministry

• Before Philip preached Jesus from Isaiah 53 - Moses preached Jesus from Genesis (3:15,21; 22:9-14)

• Before Philip preached Jesus from Isaiah 53 - John preached Jesus from Exodus (12:46) in John 19:30-37 - John the baptizer references this same messianic identity in John 1:29

• Before Philip preached Jesus from Isaiah 53 - Peter preached Jesus from the Psalms (16:10-11)

• Before Philip preached Jesus from Isaiah 53 - Isaiah preached Jesus in (7:14; 9:6-7)

• Before Philip preached Jesus in Isaiah 53 - Micah preached Jesus in (5:2)

• Before Philip preached Jesus from Isaiah 53 - Zechariah preached Jesus in (12:10)

• Before Philip preached Jesus from Isaiah 53 - Jesus preached Jesus from the Law of Moses, from the Prophets, and the Psalms (Luke 24:44-49)