Sermon Blog for the week of February 20, 2022

Scripture Starting Point: Philippians 3:5-21

Memory Verse: Philippians 3:8

Message Reflection Questions

1. Begin in silence, recognizing the presence of Jesus. Imagine Jesus giving you new eyesight to see yourself as He sees you.

2. Read Philippians 3:5-21. What does this show you about Jesus? What does this say about humans?

3. So, let me blunt. Are you saved? Are you in touch with your own deep need to measure up in life? If you are trying to measure up in every other area of your life, how could you possibly not be trying to also measure up and get a "good grade" with God?

4. What is it about you that wants others to see your collection of spiritual merit badges? Where are you in your grasping of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus your Lord and being found in him with a righteousness you had nothing to do with?

5. How are you growing in your understanding of sharing in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings? What does this mean to you? “I want to know Christ.” On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest value), where do you scale yourself?

6. How do you define the marks of mature and maturing faith? Who do you think of as a mature follower of Jesus? What makes that so? On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being infantile and 10 being saintly), where do you place yourself on the spectrum, and what words would you use to classify it?

7. Are you willing to put your life and faith forward as an example to be followed?

Daily Readings

□ Feb 20 Philippians 3:5-21, Philippians 3:8

□ Feb 21 Philippians 1, Philippians 3:5-7

□ Feb 22 Philippians 2, Philippians 3:8-12

□ Feb 23 Philippians 3, Philippians 3:13-15

□ Feb 24 Philippians 4, Philippians 3:16-18

□ Feb 25 Philippians 3:17-19

□ Feb 26 Philippians 3:20-21, Philippians 3:8

Helpful Instructions for reading

1. Start with silence. Recognize that the Jesus in scripture is the Jesus with you where you are.

2. Thank God for something that happened in the last 24 hours.

3. Keep a list of names and descriptions of Jesus from the text. If someone calls him by certain name or characteristic, write this down. Ask: how can I receive Jesus as this name or characteristic? How can I live this name or characteristic in my life?

4. Finish in prayer for yourself, your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, your church. Consider praying through the nations at www.prayercast.com/nations.html.