It’s not your ability that pleases God. It’s not your best effort or production - that’s poop. It’s your position in Christ!

The only thing you can say to get into Heaven is, “that the Man on the middle cross said, I could come.”

You are righteous through faith alone in Christ alone.

Talk It Over

1. Review the message and first read Philippians chapter 3. What stood out to you the most about the chapter and the message? What was God saying to you? What confirmed your walk with God? What challenged your walk with God

2. It’s easy to think that we are good people because we do good things. Paul challenges that false idea with this statement Philippians 3:3, “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh” Paul outwardly keep the law so no one could accuse him of sin, but inside his heart wasn’t clean because he wasn't a believer. He was the best example of a proud and yet still lost legalist. Describe a time in your life when you put your trust in your outward achievements or works to get into God’s good graces? How did God reveal to you the error in your thinking? Respond to thought, “how good is good enough to earn God’s righteousness?”

3. Paul reminds us that it’s only by faith that we are made right with God. Philippians 3:8-9 says, "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in a Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Respond to these three quotes from Pastor Sean:
1. It’s not you ability that pleases God. It’s not your best effort or production - poop. It’s your position in Christ!
2. The only thing you can say to get into Heaven is, “that the Man on the middle cross said, I could come.”
3. You are righteous through faith alone in Christ alone.

4. Pastor Sean said, the false teachers of 2023 aren’t appealing to circumcision, but to comfort. Philippians 3:18-19 says, “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” Pastor Sean referred to a New Testament follower of Jesus named Demas that deserted the cause of Christ “because he loved this world.” Respond to these quotes from today's message:
1. Too many christians lost interest in God not for danger or suffering, but the desire of comfort.
2. The question every christian must ask isn’t, “What is comfortable?,” but rather, “What is necessary?” It’s not comfortable to take up your cross and follow Jesus.
3. There is a joy only found when you don't sell out to the things of this world.

Stop and pray to stand firm in your faith so you can fame the name of Jesus in your generation today.