7/21 Life Group

*7/21/2023* Young Adult Life Group guide

 
Press On!
(PHILIPPIANS 1-4)
 
Life-Sharing

1. What has God been teaching you through last week’s “Press On” Revival Lock-In? Read the selected texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit desires to say through it.

 

 
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
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21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
 

1. [chapter 1] *The biblical principle – Pressing on to the LORD is the posture of pressing against what holds back your partnership, your progress, and your pleasure to gain more of Jesus Christ. Is there someone you “thank God in all your remembrance of them…. with joy because of their partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”… that “you hold in your heart” as partakers of God’s grace… that “you yearn for them with the affection of Christ Jesus”? How does Paul’s affectionate prayer show you what covenant partnership within the church should be, and how that helps us to press on? How can you cultivate your posture of pressing against the things holding you back from the Lord? How is even death a progress for us? How does this transform the way we live and continue joyfully in the present?

 

 
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
 

1. [chapter 2:1-11] *The biblical principle – Have the mind of Christ Jesus to what is pressing back against you. The mind of Christ pressed against grasping equality with God, being served as God, physically appearing like God, even the way He was to die as God. As low as Jesus was pressed down is as high as the Father God exalted Him up over all things, so that every knee and tongue – whether receiving or rejecting Him – will bow and confess that He is Lord. How is the mind of Christ different from the mind of self? How has the Lord given you the equipment of Christ’s mind to put on that empowers you to press forward? Although putting on the mind of Christ will press us down in the world, what will the Father God do as we obey Christ at all costs?

 

 
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
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17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
 

1. [chapter 2:12-18] *The biblical principle – Like Christ, being pressed down does not mean it is impossible to press on. Like Paul, even if you are being poured out, God pours in simultaneously. There is light shining through you that is straightening and untwisting what is around you. Be glad and rejoice at God who works in you His good and pleasing will, so as you press on, it is really Christ generating it within you. Although we are being poured out in the service of Christ, what should be pouring in as Christ – the chief servant – serves us? What needs straightening and untwisting within us and around us as the light of Christ shines forth for us to press on?

 

 
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need
...
29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
 

1. [chapter 2:19-30] *The biblical principle – The mind of Christ is carried on by fellow workers and soldiers, messengers and ministers to the needs of God’s people. Press on by their work, which is Christ’s work for you. How does living into the soldier’s mentality help us press on in the Lord? Does a soldier get involved in civilian affairs, or live half-alerted to their surroundings? How can our identity as soldiers of Christ to each other, and other soldiers around us, help us press on in Christ’s work?

 

 
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh--
…
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
 

1. [chapter 3:1-6] *The biblical principle – The goal is not in the flesh but in the Spirit. Paul had many things to boast about in the flesh that came by way of his birth, reputation, and achievements. Yet, none of these were things to put confidence in because they pressed against the goal of the Spirit, which was to confidently worship and glory in Christ Jesus alone. What can you boast about in your flesh – by way of your birth, reputation/title, and achievements? How can these things be hindrances to pressing forward in the goal that the Spirit has for your life? Where are you placing your confidence?

 

 
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
 

1. [chapter 3:12-16] *The biblical principle – The goal of attaining Jesus is fixed and guaranteed in the future, but we have not already obtained it in the present. Therefore, we are called to press on in forgetting what lies behind, and straining forward to what lies ahead. Maturity is measured on humility – not on what we think we’ve attained, but on how far Christ has progressed us. How are you growing in maturity through humility? How is our pride obsessing over something in the present, over humbly hoping for to attain Christ in the future? How do we want all of something now, when Christ wants us to confess we have yet to obtain it?

 

 
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
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20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
 

1. [chapter 3:17-21] *The biblical principle – Maturity in Christ will influence those around us, and call them to imitate our progress and example in walking with Christ, avoiding the enemies of the cross of Christ. Progress toward the goal points others to our citizenship in heaven with Jesus through a new glorious body. Can you call others to imitate you, because of your imitation of Christ? How can we progress to towards that – so that we might set the example with our lives pressing onward towards the Lord?

 

 
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
 

1. [chapter 4:1-3] *The biblical principle – Joy is the fuel to press on in the Lord. The joy of Christ is unleased when brothers and sisters in conflict agree in the Lord. Gospel laborers are not in competition but companionship, laboring side by side for the same cause. Where are we disagreeing with one another? How can we agree “in the Lord”? How is a focus of being “in the Lord” the key to igniting joy in our brotherhood, sisterhood, families, marriage, and church?

 

 
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
 

1. [chapter 4:4-9] *The biblical principle – The joy of Christ is the power to release anxiety about anything, but in everything keeping to prayer with persistence and a thankful heart. The peace of God rests on those who rejoice in this power, and it will guard their hearts and minds to think the thoughts of Jesus. How is the power of Christ’s joy being released in your life? How is joy both an emotion of the heart and a condition of the heart through all circumstances? How does joy in the Lord cause thankfulness to the Lord in every situation to press on?

 

 
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
 

1. [chapter 4:10-13] *The biblical principle – The joy of Christ does not depend on the fulfillment of needs but on the strength of God to endure any need, empowering us in Christ to go through all things with Him. The joy of Christ teaches us to be content, whether in need or in need to give more out of our plenty. His joy strengthens us to obey to face every circumstance with Him. How have we sought joy in fulfilling needs over the strength of God to endure every need? How is your joy in the Lord not swayed by whether you are in need or in plenty? How does Christ’s joy cause you to live in neither poverty nor riches, but only on what is needful, “lest you be full and deny Him and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest you be poor and steal and profane the name of your God” (Proverbs 30:7-9)?

 

 
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
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19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
 

1. [chapter 4:14-23] *The biblical principle – The joy of Christ’s provision seeks the fruit that increases to the credit of others. When our joy is when God supplies the needs of others through us, then our supply will never run dry in Him, according to the riches of His glory in Christ. How is it far more joyful to seek the fruit that increases to the credit of others? How has God’s supply never run dry when our aim has been to supply the needs of others to press on fully in the Lord?

 

 
The central truths of Philippians –
 
Press On by Christ’s Example
(PHILIPPIANS chapters 1-2)
Although He was pressed down in every way, Jesus pressed on for the joy set before Him – to put His mind in you. Put on the mind of Christ! Press against the crooked and twisted mind of this generation. He has given you the desire to gain His mind in every situation, so press forward to live worthy of the gospel of Christ! We are at war – be the soldier in this army for Jesus. Let us be alert, awake, and in joyful adoration as we press on to hear and follow our worthy Commander and King.
 
Press On Toward the Goal
(PHILIPPIANS chapter 3)
The goal is to attain the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus, showing even the gains we get in this world are all really a loss compared to gaining Jesus and being found in Him. Those who are mature will confess this has not been obtained yet, but is humbly realized as we progress towards our heavenly citizenship and new glorious body.
 
Press On in Joy
(PHILIPPIANS chapter 4)
Joy is the fuel of God’s strength that causes us to press on. Joy from God is unleashed in peace (brothers and sisters in conflict agree in the Lord), in prayer (that removes anxiety), and provision (whether plenty or still needy). Joy is the contentment we can always take from the LORD to endure all things over have all things. Joy is the power to give thanks in all things. May the joy of the LORD – rejoicing in the LORD – always be your forever strength for all things!
 
– *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this?
 

 
Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.
 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
 
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)