1. Paul says he wants the Philippians to work together, but that will take a new level of commitment.

2. After a while, teams/groups/couples can drift, and it feels more like work than fun. We get disillusioned and disgruntled. Sometimes people don’t realize it until it’s too late.

3. Sometimes chains can enable or help us, and open new doors for us, rather than hinder or limit us.

4. The emphasis at funerals is what the person did for others — was he selfless and fruitful, with a life lived for Christ. It’s not how many trophies he earned or how many toys he owned.

5. We should live so that the gospel advances, our opponents are silenced, we win, and Jesus is glorified. Live a life that honors Christ and helps others know and experience Jesus in a real way.

6. Working together, as one, is the only way to get that job done.

7. We need to lay aside petty differences and unite for something greater than ourselves.

8. Most things we do are out of mixed motives, even though they’re an act of service to others. We look out for our own interests and want to make ourselves feel good.

9. Much of the friction in groups is because our independence is more important to us than our interdependence. I am more important to me than you are to me, or we are to me.

10. Heritage focuses on three things: Bring, build, bless. We try to create an environment with a clear message that will bring people to Jesus. We provide people and resources to help us grow in Christ. We bless others by finding ways to serve and do good in Jesus’ name.

11. The more we do things together, the better chance there is at success.

12. To increase unity, we need to have humility and value others above ourselves. This takes an understanding of who Christ is. We have no excuse for not humbling ourselves when the Son of God laid His rights aside when He didn’t have to, and we’re the recipients of His sacrifice. We need to extend that same grace to others.

13. Verses 6-11 show Christ in glory, always God, but submitted for something greater than Himself and dying in a most humiliating way.

14. Trust God like Jesus did; humble ourselves and wait on God to lift us up.

Aim

We need to lay aside what’s important to us so that what’s important to God can happen, to get our petty stuff in perspective for Someone so much greater than ourselves. If we die to ourselves, our opinions, self-promotion and ambition, God will move and make His name the name above all names. Death must happen before reconciliation and restoration.

Application Questions

1. What are some areas where you and other people work together well? Some areas that could use improvement?

2. What are some ways you serve God in your job, school, home, etc.?

3. What do you need to die to? What are you holding on to that you need to let go of?

4. What does it mean to make yourself nothing? What are some tangible ways you can do that and make yourself a servant?

Outline

1. Three kinds of difficulties:

A. Difficult setbacks — vs. 12-14

B. Hurtful responses — vs. 15-18

C. Uncertain outcomes — vs. 19-20

2. Three undeniable realties:

A. God is in control. Realize we’re not, and surrender our life to Him.

B. Christ is my passion. Want Him most in life, and want others to love Him.

C. Knowing Jesus means suffering with Jesus. We’re not exempt from tragedy or

people hurting us. But Jesus is in all those situations.

Content

1. Events in everyday life are influenced by our attitude, our outlook, how we handle obstacles and opposition.

2. In Philippians we can learn about the most positive mental attitude imaginable. What Paul says, how he responds, shows a winner’s mindset that isn’t just positive, but profound. He leads by example and appeals to us to follow. (Phil. 4:9)

3. This perspective about what winning is and how we can be winners is the only one that will enable us to go the distance and be winners.

4. We all want God’s peace, but often we separate the condition from the outcome and wonder why it doesn’t happen. The answer is often what we’re not doing — we’re not practicing what we see. Practice means doing something over and over in order to improve.

5. Difficult setbacks are when something happens that prevent you from being able to do what you’ve been doing. Paul faced limitations but the gospel wasn’t contained; he was still in the game.

6. It takes a different kind of mindset not to sulk and complain and miss out on the good that could happen if we respond positively.

7. When someone deals you a low blow, it’s hard not to retaliate, especially if we thought that person was in our corner.

8. No one likes to wait, especially when we don’t know the outcome. In this situation that Paul’s in, he doesn’t know the outcome, but either alternative offers deliverance.

9. How we see death reveals what we’re really living for. Paul’s thinking was that death was a gain, so death completed his life of promoting Jesus, and he got what he wanted most. (Phil. 3:10-11)

10. Paul found Jesus in the midst of dark times and didn’t bail on his faith.

11. Sometimes it’s all about us and we don’t rejoice in troubles, even if our team is winning.

12. If we try to be validated and affirmed in this life, it might bring losses in heaven. If we live for Christ, it will always be a gain for us.

Aim

The kind of thinking that enables us to see difficulties as wins is if our living is about pursuing and promoting Jesus, and dying is about receiving the only prize we want. Only when living is about Jesus can death be seen as a gain because we want Him.

Application Questions

1. What do you want people to know when you’re going through difficulties? How much do you tell them? Do you tell different things/details to different people?

2. What is something you’ve practiced? How long did it take to notice an improvement?

3. What are some difficult setbacks you’ve experienced? How did you respond? What was some positive that came out of them?

4. What are some hurtful responses that you’ve experienced, and how did it affect your attitude? Have you ever dealt someone else a hurtful response?

5. Describe a time/experience when you were waiting. What was your attitude during this time?

6. Has there been a time when you felt people praying for you? Describe the situation and your mindset.

7. Would you say that you live life about yourself, or do you live for Christ? Explain.

8. What are some specific ways that you live for Christ and reflect Him to others?

9. Is Christ enough for you?

Outline:

Team Members are Partners in the Gospel

1. Support the Ministry (Philippians 4:15-18; 2 Corinthians 8: 1-5)

2. Stay in Relationship (Philippians 1: 7-8; Philippians 1:27)

3. Suffer for Christ (Philippians 1:29-30; Mark 4:16-17

Content:

1. Christians view Paul’s letters as personal correspondence to the believers in Philippi and as divine writ—inspired writings given by God for our growth and guidance in the faith.

2. This letter is a thank you and note of appreciation to the Philippians for their relationship, connection and commitment to Paul and the Gospel.

3. We do not equate attendance with adherence; there is a difference between a spectator and a participant.

4. The sermon series Full Court Press is about a strategy that requires total engagement by the church, the participants, everyone doing their part.

5. Business leader and author Max Dupree states that the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality and the last is to say “thank you,” and in between it is to be a servant. This was Paul’s approach.

6. Paul mentions in his letter two categories of people: servants and saints.

7. We should see ourselves as saints, holy ones, people who because of the grace of God, stand upright and right before God. We stand together under the Lordship of Christ.

8. Our standing and position before God is not determined by our behavior or good works but Christ’s good work on the cross.

9. What are the expectations and requirements to be a team member of this church and the Gospel? 1. To support the ministry, 2. To stay in relationship, and 3. To suffer for Christ.

10. Giving is never equitable, it is principled. Partners invest and teammates contribute.

11. Philippians stayed in relationship with Paul, through thick and thin and in relationship with one another. We need to show this same commitment and relationship with Heritage Christian Church.

12. Like Paul and the Philippians, following Jesus is going to cost us, such as enduring ridicule or rejection, feeling stupid or like a fool because you decided to follow Christ, speak up for Christ, or embrace the living standards Christ gave us. Taking up the cross and following Jesus means you are dying to something.

13. Planned Neglect: You’d better plan on neglecting some things if you are going to focus on really important things.

Aim:

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is going to press us on to what is important in life. The only way we are going to make changes necessary to live a life that is fruitful, honoring to Jesus, and bringing God glory is to grow in a heart that loves God and people more than self and stuff.

Application Questions:

1. Are you a spectator or participant? Explain.

2. Do you see yourself as God’s servant? How can we serve?

3. How do we partner and be a team member with HCC in the Gospel?

4. What is expected or required of me to be a team member, a partner at HCC?

5. How do you suffer for Christ?

6. What can you do to help make your heart to grow in Christ?