Sermon Notes: “Looking at the Wrong Thing”

Main Scripture: Philippians 3:8, 12-14

Key Sermon Parts

Introduction:

There’s always a risk of focusing on the wrong things in life, making you miss the important things.

The Illusion of Perfection:

• Concept: The mistake of believing one is better than others based on their deeds or status.
• Paul’s Example:
• Paul, as a leader and apostle, could boast about his previous achievements and condition.
• He emphasizes that these are worthless (“rubbish”) compared to knowing Christ.
• Greek Term: σκῠ́βᾰλον (skúbalon) – dung, excrement, manure.

True Focus:

• Christ’s True Presence:
• Not found in titles, actions for power, or superficial piety.
• True focus is in wholehearted devotion and understanding of Christ’s sacrifice.
• Paul’s Pursuit:
• Continual striving (Pressing on – καταλαμβάνω).
• Not a competition but a personal spiritual hunt for true connection with Christ. A matter of survival.

Our Message:

• Self-Examination: Are we focusing on achievements or titles rather than genuine spiritual growth?
• Value of Deeds: Are our actions done out of genuine faith or for show?
• Continuous Pursuit: How can we actively pursue a deeper relationship with Christ?

Our Conduct:

• Humility: How can we maintain humility in our daily walk, acknowledging our continuous need for Christ?
• Simplicity: Are there areas in our lives where we complicate our faith with unnecessary rituals or actions?
• Authenticity: How can we ensure our faith and actions are genuinely for Christ and not for appearances?

Practical Application:

• Focus Shift: What practical steps can we take to shift our focus from superficial to substantial spiritual matters?
• Daily Reflection: How can we incorporate daily self-examination and prayer to stay aligned with true spiritual priorities?
• Community Influence: In what ways can we encourage others to focus on Christ rather than external achievements?

Personal Commitment:

• Identify Distractions: What specific distractions in your life are taking your focus away from Christ?
• Pursue Earnestly: What actions can you take this week to pursue a deeper connection with Christ, akin to the hunting metaphor Paul uses?
• Genuine Giving: How can you ensure that your acts of service and giving are done out of a true desire to honor God?

Prayer Points:

• Clarity in Focus: Pray for discernment to recognize and shift focus from distractions to Christ.
• Humility in Pursuit: Ask for the grace to pursue Christ with humility, acknowledging our need for Him.
• Authentic Faith: Seek God’s help in making our faith and actions genuinely reflective of our love for Him.

Summary:

This sermon encourages us to refocus our lives from superficial achievements to the genuine pursuit of Christ, much like Paul’s example. We are reminded to humble ourselves, continuously strive for deeper spiritual connection, and remember the true sacrifice of Jesus Christ.