The itching ears of our cultural forms of Christianity have left the church in America largely dull and unresponsive to much of the false teaching that is propagated through the medium of Christian TV, bookstores, and radio. We’ve bought into the temptation that heaven is now and God’s greatest concern is for our happiness.Today we will examine Paul’s explicit instructions concerning how he viewed his own efforts of following Jesus in the midst of false teachers and enemies of the grace of God.
Conclusions:
1. You’re not there yet
2. Progress in Christianity won’t happen by accident
3. Unity is a measure of maturity
4. A Christian ought to be identifiably different than a non-Christian through their pattern of living
5. Resurrection is the prize
6. There is a standard by which we ought to live
Application:
1. Forget the past – stop reaching for earthly things
2. Press on to what is ahead
What is your Goal? – Citizenship
Who is your God? – The Return of Jesus
Where is your Glory? – Resurrection
3. Find godly examples – avoid false teachers