What have we learned from our study of Philippians? What have we actioned? How has God changed us? How will we hold ourselves accountable? Bible teaching is not just an intellectual exercise. We need to move what we have learnt from our heads to our hearts and our hands. As we begin a new series, let us not forget what God has already taught us.

Our citizenship is in heaven, but this life is more of a reflection of who we are at present. However we need to be moving in the direction of reconciliation. Firstly we need to have reconciliation with God. If we do not have peace, we need to change focus and find God’s desires not our own. And if we have conflict with others, we need to take the initiative to reconcile. When we move in God’s direction, that is when rejoicing comes because it is not bound by what happens in this world.

Anything not of Christ is a loss and we need to give up all earthly things in order to obtain the heavenly treasure that Jesus offers. We are to carry our cross and this call to follow Jesus is not some things or sometimes, it is always and everything every day.

Paul tells us how we achieve a Christlike attitude. There is a balance between what we are to do and be and become, and what has already been done and is being done by God. The mark of a true Christian is obedience. We are to take responsibility for what God has placed in us. We need a self feeding program to grow in Christlike actions and character, not wait to be fed. We should view our salvation with healthy respect and fear to disappoint God. We are to be different from this world, as both our actions and words should reflect Christ. We are to commit ourselves to this, no matter what. We can not do it alone, but God enables us.

What do you stand for in life? Paul stood for one thing - the advancement of the gospel. What he stood for took priority over everything else. It determined where he went, and what he said and did. There are causes and injustices we need to stand against, but the gospel must be at the centre of all we do. This is a challenge for us as a church as we look to discern God’s vision for us among so many opportunities.