Teacher's Manual 2016 PDF

THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH NIGERIA.
LAWNA TERRITORY,
2016 SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
KNOWING
JESUSCHRIST,
ASTUDYOF
PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER THREE

(LESSONSSUITABLEFORSUNDAYSCHOOLORBIBLESTUDY)
(TEACHERS MANUAL)
LAWNASundaySchoolOffice,
LAWNASecretariat,Olorunda,Ketu
P.OBox32,EbuteMetta,Lagos,
Tel:+(234)8023009882
FOREWORD
In 2014, we began the study of the Epistle to the Philippians,
drawing vital lessons about the Principle of Life of the Christian
from Chapter 1. In 2015 we studied Chapter 2, whose message was
titled 'Jesus Christ, The Example Of Humility.'
This year, 2016, we are continuing our study of the Epistle,
focussing on Chapter 3. We title the study "KNOWING JESUS
CHRIST," drawing the inspiration from Paul's earnest desire as
expressed in verse 10 of the chapter. The verse says, "That I may
know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of
his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death."
We acknowledge the useful materials gained from commentaries of
Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, Adam Clarke, John Gill and some
others, as well as many reference Bibles. This write-up has also
benefited from the study of this epistle by A. L. Greenway who was,
at the time of documenting the study, the Principal of The Apostolic
Church Bible School, Pennygroes, South Wales.
We also acknowledge the incisive review of:
Pastor S O Ajibola, P/A to LAWNA Chairman
Pastor J. O. Oladipo, Ikeja District Apostle, Agege Area,
Pastor P. K. O. Oyelaran, LAWNA Missionary Secretary,
Pastor J O Akingbade, LAWNA Admin. Officer
ElderIsaacAmeobi,CEUDept.LAWNAHeadquarters
ElderTundeAdebisi,EditoroftheLAWNANEWS.
ElderDrAyoOluBanji,Lecturer,BowenUniversity.Iwo
We commend you to the grace of God as you use this book.

Pastor J. B. Coker,
LAWNA Sunday School Superintendent,
November 2015
Tel:+(234)8023009882;e-mail: jonahcoker@yahoo.com
2
Month
July
41C
42A
42B
42C
42D
43A
43B
43C
August
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
September
Review
38A
38B
38C
38D
39A
39B
40A
40B
40C
41A
41B
October
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
November
Month
January
Februar
March
April
May
PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR

Sunday
Lesson No.
Sunday
December
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
Lesson No.
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
44B
44C
45A
Convention
Convention
45B
45C
45D
46A
46B
46C
47A
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
47B
47C
47D
48A
48B
48C
48D
District
Rally
Prep.
Area Rally
Free
Free
43D
1st Sunday
43E
2nd Sunday
44A
3rd Sunday
Mid-year
4th Sunday
Examination
A fifth Sunday in any month should be used for revision.
June
GUIDENOTES ON SUNDAY SCHOOL MANAGEMENT

1. Participation
All members of the church (CHILDREN AND ADULTS) should be
encouraged to attend Sunday school.
2. Teachers
For each assembly, teachers should be appointed from among bornagain and Spirit-filled members. There should be a teacher for each
class.
3. Class Division
Students should be divided into classes, first on the basis of age and
then on the basis of language and gender, but based on the number of
teachers available. The classes should be available in every assembly
for at least three age groups (Children, Intermediate, Adult). The
children class can be sub-grouped by age into more classes for
effectiveness, provided there are teachers for the classes.
4. Officers
4.1
The following four officers are mandatory at each level of
administration (Assembly, District and Area): Leader,
Assistant Leader, Secretary and Treasurer.
4.2
At the Area level, at least one of these offices should be held
by a full-time Minister.
5. Management meetings
5.1
Assembly Teachers should meet every week or as frequently
as practicable.
5.2
District Management meetings, attended by Assembly
Leaders (Officers), should hold quarterly.
5.3
Area Management meetings, attended by District Leaders
(Officers), should hold at least twice a year.
5.4
Territorial Management meeting, attended by Area Leaders
(Officers), should hold twice a year (April and August).
6. Progress Report
6.1
Progress reports from Districts must be submitted to Area
headquarters quarterly.
6.2
Progress reports from Areas must be submitted to LAWNA
twice a year (May/Sept).
SUMMARY OF PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER THREE
LE SSON 38: BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS
Less
on
No
38
39
Verses
Topic
Parts
No of
Parts
1-3
4-6
A-D
A-B
4
2
40
A-C
41
A-C
42
A-D
43
10- 11
A-E
44
45
46
12
13-14
15-16
A-C
A-D
A-C
3
4
3
47
17- 19
A-D
48
20-21
Warning against false teachers

Paul's Impressive list of
Human Achievements
Futility of Human
Achievement to earn salvation
Following Jesus Christ as His
Disciple
Righteousness is only by Faith
in Christ
Earnest Desire to grow in
grace
Pressing Forward in perfection
Progress in perfection
A Plea for Tolerance among
Members
Warning against Enemies of
the Cross
Citizens of Heaven
A-D
4
39
Text:
Philippians 3: 1- 3
Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the
same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for
you it is safe.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the
concision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in
the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no
confidence in the flesh.
Memory verse:
Beware lest any man spoil you through
philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the
rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Col 2:8)
Lesson objective
At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:
1. describe the real source of the joy of the Christian,
2. discuss the benefit of repeating gospel truths,
3. explain what Christians should be careful about,
4. describe who are the true Christians.
Relevant Hymns:
Redemption Hymnal 425. 429, App 71
Introduction
The Philippian church, a faithful and flourishing church, was being
disturbed by those Paul referred to as evil workers who were
Jewish Christians that wrongly believed it was essential for
gentiles to follow their laws, especially those which had to do with
circumcision, in order to have salvation. Paul begins this chapter
with warnings against these seducers clearly, stating that true
worshippers of God rejoice and glory in the Lord Jesus Christ, who
is sufficient for them, rather than putting any confidence in the
flesh.
5
c. "... for you, it is safe ..." means that it is for the benefit
of the saints. False teachers try to destroy the gospel
truths and those who propagate them. To hear the
truth, therefore, is to prevent danger arising from the
work of false teachers.
SUBJECT MATTER
Part A
1. Exhortation to rejoice in the Lord: Finally, my brethren,
rejoice in the Lord
a. Paul exhorted the Philippian church to rejoice in the
Lord implying they should be satisfied with the
interest they had in Him and the benefit they hoped
for in Him.
b. Those who rejoice in the Lord do not grumble or
complain. A bible scholar said Joy is the quiet,
confident assurance of Gods love and work in our
lives; He will be there no matter what happens.
c. It is in the nature of sincere Christians to rejoice in
the Lord. The more we rejoice in Christ, the more
willing we shall be to do His will and suffer for
Him.
d. When we rejoice in the Lord, we shall be less prone
to be drawn away from Him.
e. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8: 10).
Joy does not come from outward circumstances
but from inward strength.
2. The letter was written to remind the saints of the danger to
their safety - To write the same things to you to me indeed
is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
a. "... the same things ...", that is, 'the same things which
I have already preached to you.' It is like saying
What I have spoken formerly shall now be written
to show that I am still of the same mind.
b. ... to me indeed is not grievous ..., that is, it is not
hard for me or it does not weary me. Whatever
ministers of the gospel preach, since it is the truth, it
should not be hard for them to preach over and over
again.
Part B
3. The importance of the ministry of bringing truths once learnt
to the remembrance of saints:
a. Hearing the same truth, reviving the remembrance of
and strengthening the impression of things of
importance on our minds is very good for heavenlyminded believers.
b. Peter in his second epistle spoke at length about the
ministry of reminding the saints or putting them in
remembrance to further establish them (2Pet. 1:12,
13, 15; 2Pet. 3:1).
c. Jude, in his one chapter epistle, also spoke of the
same ministry of reminding the saints of what they
already know. (Jude 1:5).
d. The epistle to the Hebrews has this to say: "Therefore
we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things
which we have heard, lest at any time we should let
them slip." (Heb 2:1).
e. Today, ministers must not neglect such an important
ministry; they must teach the truth of the gospel,
repeating it over and over again, so that the saints
will be well informed in the truth, which will
encourage the putting into practice of such truths.
f. Those who have such clear knowledge are able to
teach others (2Tim. 2:2).
g. The saints themselves must cultivate the habit of
reminding themselves of the truth of the gospel. Not
to remind themselves of the truths is like going into
a spiritual slumber.
Part C
4. False teachers of whom the saints must beware: Beware of
dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
a. Paul here likened false teachers to dogs. The
following are five distasteful characteristics of dogs:
i. Dogs bark (Ex. 11:7, Ps. 59:6). Spiritual dogs
bark at holiness, total devotion to God,
wholehearted service to God etc.
ii. Dogs bite (Jer.15:3). Spiritual dogs actually
hurt fellow members especially those who
they see as threat to their wicked devices and
can expose them.
iii. Dogs are greedy (Isa. 56:11), never satisfied,
and eat what does not belong to them. Those
in the church who embezzle church funds are
dogs (Prov. 1:19; 15:27).
iv. Dogs are regarded as unclean; dogs were not
to be used for sacrifice to God, only to idols
were they sacrificed; hence Isaiah said that
the sacrifice of Israel by their sins had
become the sacrifice of dogs (Isa. 66:3).
v. Dogs are scavengers, eating anything
including their vomit, dead bodies and things
thrown away (1Kings 14:11; 1Kings 21:24;
Prov. 26:11, 2Pet. 2:22).
b. He also called them evil workers, either because:
i. they were evil in themselves or
ii. their work was evil,
iii. they intended nothing good for saints.
c. He called them the concision.
i. They were Jews preaching that the gentiles
needed to be circumcised and to keep other
ceremonial laws to complete their salvation.
ii. By calling them "concision", he was deriding

them that they were concerned with the
physical aspect of circumcision only, the
cutting away of the flesh; but they ignored the
fact that this rite was intended to separate
them as God's people.
d. Therefore he cautioned the believers to beware of
these false teachers. Some of the steps we are to take
include:
i. knowing the truth and thus be able to identify
false doctrine. (John 8:32)
ii. contending earnestly for the truth and fiercely
resisting false teaching. (Jude 3),
iii. steering clear of them, since they are
dangerous, (2Cor. 6:17), and
iv. praying and seeking their conversion.
Part D
5. Characteristics of true Christians - For we are the
circumcision, which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in
Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
a. The true Christians are the true circumcision.
i. They are the real circumcision, the spiritual
circumcision, the circumcised at heart. (Rom.
2:29)
ii. The peculiar people of God. (1Pet. 2:9)
iii. Those who are in covenant with Him just as
the Israelites of old (Lev. 26:12; Hos. 2:23).
b. True Christians are true worshippers of God
i. They worship in the spirit as opposed to
boasting in carnal activities,
ii. They do things inwardly with God in all
worship. (John 4:23).
iii. Whatever they do, they must do it heartily as
to the Lord (Col. 3:23).
10
iv. They worship God in the strength and grace

of the Holy Spirit.
c. True Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus.
i. They rejoice in Christ Jesus and not in the
peculiar privileges of the Christian church mere outward enjoyments and performances.
ii. Their relationship with Christ and the interest
they have in Him are now the basis of their
rejoicing.
d. True Christians have no confidence in the flesh:
i. They have no confidence in the flesh - they
must not trust in themselves and what they do
or have achieved in the flesh.
ii. Rather, their confidence should be in the
finished work of grace (Eph. 2:8-9).
Evaluation
1. Describe the real source of the joy of the Christian.
2. Mention five benefits of repeating gospel truths and explain
any two.
3. Explain what Christians should be careful about.
4. Describe the characteristics of true Christians.
5. State five characteristics of dogs and explain how they
relate to Christians.
Lesson 39
PAUL'S IMPRESSIVE LIST OF HUMAN

ACHIEVEMENTS
Text:
Philippians 3: 4- 6
Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If
any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust
in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of
the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as
touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Memory verse:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, (Jer. 9:24)
Lesson objectives
1. give five reasons why the issue of confidence in the flesh
came for discussion
2. mention Paul's impressive list of credentials which he had
thought could earn him salvation.
Relevant hymns
Personal Assessment Questions

1. Is the source of your joy your worldly possessions and the
position you hold in the church?
2. Do you glory in your activities in the church as if that is
your passport to heaven?
Introduction
Contrary to the impression one may have on first reading this
passage that Paul was boasting about his life achievements, he was
actually underlining the fact that human achievements, no matter
how impressive, cannot earn a person salvation and eternal life with
God. He was therefore showing himself as an example of trusting in
Christ only and not in his privileges as an Israelite. Here he made a
list of his human achievements, so as to be able to debunk the claim
of any one of them entitling him to the salvation of God.
11
Redemption Hymnal 325, 377, 378
12
SUBJECT MATTER
touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting

the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law,
blameless. (Php. 3:5-6)
a. Here, Paul talked about the possibility of him having
confidence in the flesh. He showed what he had to
boast of as a Jew and a Pharisee.
b. His birth-right privileges:
i. He was not a proselyte, but a native Israelite:
of the stock of Israel.
ii. And he was of the tribe of Benjamin, in which
tribe the temple stood, and which tribe
adhered to Judah when all the other tribes
revolted. Benjamin was the father's darling,
and this was a favourite tribe.
iii. A Hebrew of the Hebrews, an Israelite on
both sides, by father and mother, and from
one generation to another; none of his
ancestors had matched with Gentiles.
c. He could boast of his relations to the covenant.
i. He was circumcised the eighth day; he had
the token of God's covenant in his flesh.
ii. He was circumcised the very day which God
had appointed, implying that he was not a
proselytes who was circumcised at adult age,
nor was he sick at birth which could delay his
circumcision beyond the eighth day (Gen.
17:12).
d. His learning:
i. He was a Pharisee, brought up at the feet of
Gamaliel, an eminent doctor of the law (Acts
22:3),
ii. He was a scholar learned in all the learning of
the Jews (Acts 26:24),
Part A:
1. The reason for Paul's reference to his credentials:
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh,....
a. He had said in verse 3, that the Christian should
worship God in the spirit and have no confidence in
the flesh. He now elaborates on the issue.
b. Therefore the expression here was made, lest it
should be thought that the reason he had no
confidence in the flesh, and did not boast of it, was
that he had no credentials to glory of, and put his
confidence in.
c. This was not the apostle's case, he had as much
reason, and as good a foundation for trust in himself,
his privileges and attainments, as any man had, and
more;
d. The meaning here is not, that he might lawfully have
confidence in the flesh, but that he had as good claim
to it;
e. He had better carnal credentials than anyone in his
generation: if any other man thinketh that he hath
whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
i. if there were any other person, including the
false teachers he spoke of in Php. 3:2, who
had reasons for boasting and trusting in
themselves and in their carnal privileges and
performances, he, Paul, had more.
ii. Were these credentials lawful, he might with
greater boldness boast of them than any
other.
Part B
2. Paul's impressive list of human achievements:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of
the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as
13
14
e.
f.
g.
h.
iii. Taught according to the perfect manner of the

laws of the fathers (Acts 22:3),
iv. He was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee
(Acts 23:6), and after the most strict sect of
his religion lived a Pharisee, (Acts 26:5).
He had a blameless character.
i. Touching the righteousness which is of the
law, blameless: as far as the Pharisees'
exposition of the law went,
ii. And, as to the mere letter of the law and
outward observance of it, he could acquit
himself from the breach of it and could not be
accused by any.
He was sincere.
i. Paul said that he lived in a good conscience
before God ( Acts 23;1).
ii. He had a zeal without knowledge to direct
and govern the exercise of it: "Who was
before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and
injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did
it ignorantly in unbelief." (1Tim. 1:13).
He had been active in the defence of his religion.
i. As he made a strict profession of it, under the
title and character of a Pharisee, so he
persecuted those whom he looked upon as
enemies to his religion. Concerning zeal,
persecuting the church.
ii. He showed that he was in good earnest: I was
zealous towards God, as you all are this day,
and I persecuted this way unto the death,
(Acts 22:3-4).
Paul profited from the Jewish religion as Gal 1:13-14
says, "For ye have heard of my conversation in time
past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I

persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And
profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals
in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous
of the traditions of my fathers."
i. Paul's conclusion:
These credentials were not
sufficient to earn him salvation.
Evaluation
1. Give five reasons why the issue of confidence in the flesh
came for discussion
2. State Paul's impressive list of credentials which he had
thought could earn him salvation.
1. What human achievements have you acquired and can you
list them like Paul?
2. Did you acquire each one truthfully and lawfully as Paul
acquired his own?
3. How do you view falsification of credentials which appears
common today?
15
16
Lesson 40
THE FUTILITY OF HUMAN

ACHIEVEMENTS TO EARN SALVATION
Part A
The Futility Of Human Achievements To Earn

Salvation
1. The error of Paul's judgment: But what things were gain
to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (Php 3:7)
a. What the apostle meant:
i. While in an unconverted state, not only were
these things judged by him as good in
themselves, and in some respects useful in
this life, but also that they were actually
gainful and deserving of happiness in the
world to come.
ii. But having been converted, he saw all those
things in a different light, and had a different
opinion of them.
b. Hence, what before he pleased himself much with,
and promised himself much from, he could not now
reflect upon with any pleasure and satisfaction of
mind.
c. Even if the things he did had been perfect, they could
not have been meritorious of eternal life, as he once
thought them to be.
d. He saw now that they were of no use in justification
and salvation.
e. He saw that they were hurtful and destructive, being
relied on, and keeping persons off from Christ and
His righteousness.
f. He now saw it as the case of a drunken man, when he
becomes sober; and he is told what he has done,
being drunk, he grieves over it, "and counts all loss
and not gain." In other words, he can take no pleasure
reflecting on it.
g. Therefore, Paul gladly suffered the loss of all his
legal righteousness, and renounced and disclaimed it,
as well as all false claims to justification and
Text:
Philippians 3: 7
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss
for Christ.
Memory verse:
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no

flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the
knowledge of sin. (Rom 3:20)
Lesson objectives
1. explain the error in Paul's judgment
2. why each of the credentials he had trusted in were actually
worthless in securing salvation.
3. give reasons why Christians should not despise human
achievement.
4. Explain why the believer has no reason to glory in human
achievements.
Relevant hymns
Redemption Hymnal 333, 353, 369
Introduction
In our last passage, Paul listed his human achievements. But as
noted, this was not to boast about these achievements, but he was
actually underlining the fact that human achievements, no matter
how impressive, cannot earn a person salvation and eternal life with
God. Here, in this passage, he shows the futility of these credentials,
though impressive, to earn him salvation. He was therefore showing
himself as an example of trusting in Christ only and not in his
privileges as an Israelite.
SUBJECT MATTER
17
18
salvation by it. He suffered the loss for the sake of

Christ and of life and salvation that come by Him.
h. He now preferred the knowledge of Christ and of His
justifying righteousness.
2. The only relevant credential:
" those I counted loss
for Christ"
a. It was true Paul had all the credentials for which he
could raise his head high on the scale of Jewish
religion.
b. But here, he told the Philippian church (and even us
today) that he attached far less importance to all that
in comparison to his interest in Christ and his
expectations from Him.
c. Rather than those things enriching him, if he had
stuck to them only, they would have been his ruin.
d. So also, if we are not careful, the worldly
achievements can become our ruin.
e. Can we also confidently affirm that today?
d. For any outward form or sect of religion, he knew

there was no salvation in it, nor in any other name
but that of Jesus Christ, (Acts 4:12).
e. It was now clear to him that, on account of his zeal
in persecuting the church, he was undeserving of
heaven, he was not even worthy to be called an
apostle of Christ in the church here on earth nor had
assurance of heaven above (1Cor. 15:9).
f. As for his legal righteousness, he found it to be as
bad as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6), because God requires a
perfect obedience to all the laws (Gal. 3:12).
g. Since no man can meet that condition (i.e. perfect
obedience to all the laws), only faith in Jesus Christ
avails for man's salvation before God (Gal. 3:10-11;
2:16).
h. No amount of human achievement, however
impressive, can meet the divine requirement of
perfect obedience for righteousness (Gal. 2:16).
i. Many things Paul did as a Pharisee were really evil
in themselves, such as his observance of the
traditions of the elders, whereby the commandments
of God were transgressed (Matt. 15:3-6), so also was
his mad zeal in persecuting the followers of Christ
which amounted to persecuting Christ Himself (Acts
9:4-5).
j. Some other things, which had the appearance of good
works, were not truly so, because they did not spring
from love, they were not done in faith, and with a
view to the glory of God; rather, they sought the
praise of men (Matt. 6:5; John 12:42-43; Rom. 2:29).
k. The best of these things were very imperfect, and
exceeding blameable. Man is imperfect, therefore,
whatever man does or achieves remains imperfect.
l. Any other thing, which was not blameable, was far
from being useful and necessary to salvation, rather
Part B
Carnal Credentials Cannot Earn Salvation.
3. Why Paul's human achievements could not secure his
salvation
a. He now saw physical circumcision as nothing, and
that the circumcision of the heart was the right thing
(Rom. 2:28-29).
b. Similarly the opinion he had had of the whole
ceremonial law was no longer valid; for the sacrifice
of Jesus Christ had put an end to them all (Heb. 9:812).
c. As for natural descent, which he once valued and
trusted in, he now rejected it, well knowing that
whether a man was a Greek, or a Jew, a Barbarian, or
Scythian, provided he was but a believer in Christ, he
was accepted of God (Col. 3:11);
19
20
it was hurtful and was a yoke of bondage, which

bound men over to keep the whole law, and made
Christ of none effect to them.
4. The possibility of church credentials without Christ.
a. Like Paul, we too may have credentials which we
may want to flaunt but which are no proof of
conversion. Such include:
i. our office in the church, pastor, elder, deacon
etc,
ii. being born in the church, probably as the
child of a pastor or an apostle,
iii. being baptized in water at the stipulated age,
iv. having received the right hand of fellowship,
v. spending so much money for the church.
b. We may have all these and yet not have salvation,
that is, we may not have been converted or
circumcised at heart at the time of joining the church,
and the old man may still be there ruling very
strongly.
Part C
Christians
should
not
despise
human
achievement.
5. The reasons why Christians should not despise human
achievement
a. Paul did not despise human achievement.
i. Let none think that the apostle despised
these things because he did not have them
himself to glory in. No.
ii. If he had gloried and trusted in the flesh, he
had as much cause to do so as any man: If
any other man thinketh that he hath whereof
to trust in the flesh, I more, (Php. 3:4).
iii. He had much more to boast of than any Jew.
b. Unfortunately some people use this passage to
support their despising human achievement; but
most of the time, this is because they do not possess

such achievements. This is particularly so in
respect of educational attainments.
c. While, as noted above, such attainments do not
secure the salvation of their souls, they may bring
positive effect to their lives after conversion.
d. It is clear that, looking at the ministry of Paul, the
apostle, his education had positive effect on his
outstanding performance in the ministry.
e. We may also infer from the parable of the talents
that it is expected of us to improve and develop
whatever God has deposited in us. Therefore the
saint should endeavour to acquire as much
education and learning as possible. We are
expected to improve our performance in secular
work as well as being agents of change for God who
gave us the endowments. (See Matt. 25:14-30).
6. The believer has nothing to glory about.
a. The believer has nothing to glory about because all
endowments are from God (1Cor. 4:7). It has been
said that all we have are LOANED and NOT
OWNED.
b. Therefore, there is nothing to attribute to ourselves
or glory about.
c. Far more so is our salvation which is given freely to
us through the grace of God despite the fact that we
do not deserve it (Eph. 2:8-9).
d. Paul said in Gal. 6:14, "But God forbid that I should
glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the
world."
Evaluation
1. Explain the error in Paul's judgment.
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2. Describe why each of the credentials he had trusted in was

actually worthless in securing salvation.
3. Give five reasons why Christians should not despise human
achievement.
4. State four reasons why the believer has no reason to glory
in human achievements.
1. Do you have the experience of human achievement
enhancing your spiritual life now that you are converted?
2. Are you improving sufficiently on the talents and
endowments that God has given you?
Lesson 41
FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST AS HIS

DISCIPLE
Text:
Philippians 3: 8
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for
whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count
them but dung, that I may win Christ,...
Memory verse:
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that
forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my
disciple. (Luke 14:33)
Lesson objectives
1. list the five groups of things Paul forsook to be a disciple of
Christ,
2. explain the implication of these things being considered as
dung,
3. discuss the great gain of discipleship in this passage,
4. compare what a disciple forsakes with what he or she gains
in following Jesus Christ.
Relevant hymns
Redemption Hymnal 564, 569
Introduction
In the last passage, we noted that Paul acknowledged that his
human achievements could not earn him salvation before God.
Here, in this passage he found what was far superior in Christ, in
the light of which his credentials became abhorrent to him. Thus
he would forsake all to follow Christ and learn about Him. The
passage is a lesson on Discipleship.
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SUBJECT MATTER
Part A
The Cost of Discipleship
1. Discipleship demands "forsaking all":
Yea, doubtless,
and I count all things but loss,....
a. Paul had stated that he had forsaken not only the
things he mentioned as his credentials which were
gain to him. These are:
i. his natural and acquired parts,
ii. the whole compass of learning he had
attained to,
iii. all that honour, credit, reputation, and
popularity he had for the knowledge of and
devotion to Christ,
iv. all worldly substance, the comforts of life,
and life itself,
v. and all his self-righteousness.
b. Now he expands the list, saying, "all things"
including anything that stood in competition with
Jesus Christ or that fell short of Him.
c. Here he repeats this with emphasis, saying, "Yea,
doubtless."
d. Perhaps more significant is his assessment of the
utter worthlessness of these human achievement in
securing salvation: and do count them but dung.
i. These carnal things become like what is fit
only to be cast to dogs (see Php. 3:8).
ii. This also implies that they are like everything
that is base, mean, and worthless; such as the
faeces of men, chaff, stubble, dung etc.
iii. So, Paul now reckons as worthless his carnal
descent; his form and sect of religion, and
zeal in it; his ceremonial and moral
righteousness, and everything of the creature.
iv. This is in line with Isaiah who reckoned

man's righteousness, the best, and the whole
of them, as "filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6).
e. Matthew Henry has this to say on this issue: "Loss is
sustained with patience, but dung is cast away with
abhorrence. The Greek word for "dung" signifies
any, the vilest refuse of things, the dross of metals,
the dregs of liquors, the excrements of animals, the
most worthless scraps of meat, the basest offals, fit
only for dogs."
Part B
Discipleship Is Profitable
2. There is great gain from discipleship:
for
the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:
a. The "knowledge of Christ" can mean
i. either the knowledge that is in Christ, or
which He has of others or things, either as
God or man; i.e. the knowledge that is
resident in Him.
ii. or the knowledge which believers have of
him, believers who know Him not only in His
person, as God over all, but as their Saviour
and Redeemer.
iii. However, the sense of the passage suggests
that the second meaning is the appropriate
one, i.e. the knowledge the saints have of
Him.
b. The excellency of the knowledge of Christ is that
superior light, information, and blessedness which
come through the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:1718).
c. This knowledge is very excellent, because it is
spiritual (1Cor. 2:14).
d. It is attained to, not by the light of nature, nor by the
help of carnal reason, nor by the law of Moses, but
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e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
Part C
by means of the Gospel of the grace of God (2Cor.

4:4).
Therefore the knowledge of Him must be superior to
the knowledge of everything else.
And, to add to its excellency, the knowledge makes
Christ precious, it revives faith and confidence in
Him, influences the life and character of men,
humbles the soul, and creates in it true pleasure and
satisfaction.
But the knowledge of Christ is not only useful in life,
but it supports those who have it when they are under
afflictions, and even in the face of death and eternity.
Through it, grace is received now; and, by it, glory is
attained hereafter, because it is the beginning,
earnest, and pledge of eternal life (Eph. 1:13-14).
Knowing Him in all His relations, and particularly as
the Lord, not by creation only, but by redemption and
grace; hence the emphasis on these words, "my
Lord".
Though imperfect at any time, it is progressive and
capable of being increased, and will at last be brought
to perfection.
It is worked in the believer by the Trinity: Father,
Son, and Spirit:
i. the Father reveals Christ in His saints;
ii. the Son gives them an understanding to know
Him;
iii. and the Spirit is a spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of Jesus Christ,
the Son;
Consequently, the believer easily counts all things
but loss for this knowledge, as Paul did.
3. The pain in discipleship:

for whom I have suffered the
loss of all things;
a. Paul dropped all confidence in his carnal privileges,
and civil, ceremonial, and moral righteousness, for
Christ and His righteousness;
b. He parted with all for this pearl of great price (Matt.
13:45-46)
c. He lost his good name, credibility, and reputation
among men, and suffered afflictions and
persecutions in various shapes (Php. 3:8; Heb. 10:3334)
d. He lost the comforts of life, being often in cold and
nakedness, in hunger and thirst, and was ready to
suffer the loss of life itself for professing and
preaching Christ (2Cor. 11:23-27; Php. 2:17)
4. The goal of discipleship:
that I may win Christ;
a. "that I may win Christ" may mean either that he
might gain or acquire a larger knowledge of Christ;
or that he might gain by Christ, or that Christ might
be gain to him,
b. What the believer gains by parting with all for Christ
includes justification, righteousness, sanctification,
acceptance with God, peace, pardon, life, grace,
glory etc.(1Cor. 1:30)
c. Hence, Paul cared not about the pains he had, what
expenses he had incurred, nor what loss he sustained
for what he esteemed the most excellent, and for
which he had already suffered the loss of all things.
d. If he had had more to lose, he could willingly part
with it for more of this knowledge; (Compare. Php.
3:10).
e. This is in line with the teaching of Jesus Christ in Mat
13:45-46. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto
a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when
His Beauty for Our Ashes

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he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold

all that he had, and bought it."
Evaluation
1. Mention the five groups of things Paul forsook to be a
disciple of Christ.
2. What are the implication of these things being considered
as dung.
3. List ten and discuss the great gain of discipleship in this
passage
4. compare what a disciple forsakes with what he or she gains
in following Jesus Christ.
1. Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? If so, have you
forsaken all for Him?
2. How much of Him do you know?
LESSON 42 RIGHTEOUSNESS IS ONLY THROUGH

FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
Text:
Philippians 3: 9
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of
God by faith:
Memory verse:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
Ephesians 2: 8
Lesson objectives
1. explain the two possible meaning of "be found in Him"
2. define what the unacceptable righteousness is.
3. define what the acceptable righteousness is, and
4. list the four objectives of the law.
Relevant hymns
Introduction
In Romans chapter 7, Paul explained the battle of the man trying to
keep the law, which he acknowledged was good and spiritual
(verse 12), and he declared that it was futile to get right with God
by self-effort (verse 24). However, in the last verse (verse 25), he
declared, in triumph, his joy at finding the righteousness that had
eluded him being given him freely through faith in Jesus Christ.
This is what this passage of study is putting across to the
Philippians; that by discarding his own legal righteousness, he
would find the righteousness of God by faith in Christ Jesus. The
purpose of the law therefore becomes clear, a schoolmaster leading
man unto Christ.
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30
SUBJECT MATTER
Part A
1. The ultimate goal: And be found in him,....
a. This is another end or goal, which the apostle had in
view in counting all things loss and dung, and
suffering the loss of all for Christ.
b. Two renderings of the expression have been given as
follows:
i. "be found in Him"
1. It means constantly abiding in Him,
protected and shielded by Him,
nourished by Him, guided by Him;
trusting Him not just for justification
but also for sanctification (Ps 91:1).
2. It means being joined to Him as the
branch is joined to the tree for
sustenance and fruit-bearing. (John
15:1-7).
3. It implies not just being in Christ
nominally, or being in Him by
profession, but by practice and
experience.
4. Paul here talks about a clearer and
more evident manifestation of his
being in Christ.
5. His desire is that he might be seen to
be in Him, in life whether private or
public and at death; and on the day of
judgment.
ii. "may find in Him"
1. Calvin read the words differently as
"and may find in Him"; the sense here
is that the apostle renounced all things
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Part B
The Unprofitable Righteousness:
2. It is self-righteousness:
not having mine own
righteousness,
a. By "my own righteousness," Paul meant his
obedience to the moral, as well as the ceremonial
law.
b. He calls it his "own", because it was performed by
him, and worked out in his own strength.
c. He had such a high opinion of this performance, as if
it was perfect and blameless; and he had put his trust
and confidence in it.
d. This also distinguishes it from the other
righteousness, i.e. that which he later had in Christ.
3. It is legal righteousness: righteousness, which is of the law;
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for Christ, that he might recover all in

Him.
This must be true; that for the loss of
carnal privileges, Paul found in Christ
spiritual blessings.
For the loss of his own righteousness,
he got another, indeed a better one,
even the righteousness of God.
In lieu of external goods, or worldly
substance that he was stripped of, he
received true and lasting riches.
In place of outward credit, he found
peace and plenty, true honour, real
peace, and spiritual pasture.
Instead of the comforts of life, and
life itself, he was bestowed with
spiritual and eternal life.
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a. Paul also calls this righteousness "the righteousness

which is of the law"; i.e. which the law required, and
which he performed in obedience to it, seeking for
justification by it.
b. This character distinguishes it from the righteousness
of God, which is revealed in the Gospel, and is
manifested without the law.
c. God's standard of holiness is the law; therefore, the
law is good and holy (Rom. 7:12).
d. A man may approach God through the law, but this
requires complete obedience to all the laws without
breaking anyone (Lev. 18:5, Gal. 3:12).
e. In other words, such a man must do the things contained
d. Through "faith", implies that faith is the channel to

reach this righteousness, which comes from the free
grace of God.
5. It is the righteousness of God:
the
righteousness
which is of God by faith;
a. First, it is the righteousness of God.
i. The righteousness which Christ is the author
of, is the righteousness of God because Jesus
Christ is God.
ii. It is also of God because it is that which God
the Father approves of, and is well pleased
with, because His law is magnified, and made
honourable by it.
b. Hence it is pure and perfect, infinite, and therefore
cannot be exhausted.
c. It is what God graciously gives, and freely imputes
without works, to his people:
6. It is righteousness by faith: the righteousness which is of
God by faith;
a. This righteousness is "by faith".
i. Faith beholds the excellency of it,
acknowledges its sufficiency, renounces the
legal righteousness, and submits to, and lays
hold on this, and rejoices in it.
ii. Thus, men are justified openly and manifestly
by
faith,
receiving
the
justifying
righteousness of Christ.
b.
The words may be rendered as "upon faith".
i. This righteousness is as a garment put upon
him by faith;
ii. the righteousness put upon him by God, who
has true faith in Christ. (See Rom. 3:22).
c. Now, this is the righteousness which the apostle
desired to have, and be found in.
in the law, internally as well as externally, and therefore

must do them perfectly and constantly, without the least
failure in matter or manner of obedience.
f. Obviously, such a condition of perfect obedience can

no man fulfil (Jas. 2:10-11).
g. Therefore no man can attain to God's righteousness and
be justified before God by the works of the law (Gal.
2:16).
Part C
The Acceptable Righteousness:
4. It is the righteousness of Christ: But that which is
through the faith of Christ;
a. The righteousness of Christ is spoken of here, and it
is the sole basis of justification.
b. It comes to us through faith by understanding,
appreciating, receiving, and embracing it.
c. The "faith of Christ" is not that faith which Christ
Himself, as man, had and exercised on God, as His
God; but the faith of which He is the author and
finisher
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34
Part D
The Law was the Schoolmaster leading us unto
Christ
7. The purpose of the law
a. The law was added to.
i. define sin: "for where no law is, there is no
transgression" (Rom. 4:15). "that sin by the
commandment might become exceeding
sinful." (Rom. 7:13). "What shall we say
then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had
not known sin, but by the law: for I had not
known lust, except the law had said, Thou
shalt not covet" (Rom 7:7).
ii. act as restraining influence on man, (Ps.
119:11).
iii. define and justify the penalty for sin. "The
sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is
the law." (1Co 15:56). "Moreover the law
entered, that the offence might abound."
(Rom 5:20).
iv. and make man appreciate the futility of
seeking to be justified by way of keeping the
law. "for by the works of the law shall no
flesh be justified." (Gal. 2:16).
b. In the light of this, man's only way to God is through
the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Gal. 3:22)
c. This is the reason that the Bible refers to the law as
the schoolmaster leading us to Christ (Gal. 3:24).
8. Paul's rejection of legal righteousness
a. With the revelation of this fact to Paul, his own legal
righteousness became abhorrent to him and he did
not desire to "have" it, and be found in it any more.
b. He now knew such righteousness was imperfect,
filthy and unprofitable, and that by it, he could not be
justified and saved, therefore he desired to have
another righteousness which would be acceptable to

God..
Evaluation
1. What are the two possible meanings of "be found in Him"?
2. What is the unacceptable righteousness?
3. What is the acceptable righteousness?
4. list the four objectives of the law.
Personal Assessment Question
1. Is your goal in life the same as that of Paul, i.e. to be found
in Christ wearing the righteousness of God?
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LESSON 43 EARNEST DESIRE FOR GROWTH IN

GRACE
Text:
Philippians 3: 10-11
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable
unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the
dead.
Memory verse:
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2Pe 3:18)
Lesson objectives
1. list five things concerning Christ that Paul desired to know more
about and four facts to show that the process is progressive,
2. mention ten things that the appreciation of the resurrection of

Christ will do for the Christian,
3. give ten things that the fellowship of Christ's suffering means to
a Christian and four points to show that the position of the
church today is deplorable.
4. discuss what being made conformable unto His death implies,
comparing it with the way man would want to die and what the
plan of God could be for His saint,
5. explain what 'attaining to the resurrection of the dead' means and
what Paul meant by the expression "if by any means."
Relevant hymns
Redemption Hymnal 394, 399, 400, 410
Introduction
In the last passage, Paul put across to the Philippians that by
discarding his own legal righteousness, he found the righteousness
of God by faith in Christ Jesus. He forsook all that he had placed
much hope upon so as to win Christ, wearing and glorying in His
righteousness rather than his worthless credentials. Here, in this

passage, he goes further to desire more of the experience with his
Saviour. One translation of this verse 10 puts it as "That I may
know Him in the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of
his sufferings. This means to feel the transforming efficacy and
virtue of Christ.
SUBJECT MATTER
Part A
1. A burning desire to know Christ: That I may know
him,....
a. The apostle here explains what he meant by winning
Christ as in Php. 3:8.
b. He desired to know more of Christ,
i. of the mystery and glories of His person,
(Eph. 1:17-18),
ii. of the unsearchable riches of His grace (2Pet.
3:18),
iii. of His great salvation, and the benefits of it
(Heb. 2:3-4),
iv. of His indescribable power (Lk. 8:25),
v. of His love, which passes perfect knowledge
(John 15:13),
vi. of the wonders of His way (Ps. 86:11; 107:7;
Rom. 11:33),
vii. of the power of His word (Lk. 4:32),
viii. and more.
c. Knowing Christ is progressive in nature.
i. At any time and at any level of experience
one may be, there is always something more
about Him to be known.
ii. A finite mind is only capable of appreciating
and retaining so little of the knowledge of the
Infinite. Hence, man cannot, at any time,
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exhaust the knowledge about Christ, in whom

dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
iii. This epistle was written while Paul was in
prison in Rome, i.e. towards the end of his
life, by which time he had had a great
knowledge of Christ. Yet, his request here is
as if he had known nothing of Him yet.
iv. Paul's knowledge of Christ hitherto, though
very great, was imperfect; he knew but in
part, as he himself had taught the Corinthians
(1Cor. 13:9).
d. What knowing Christ means:
i. To know more of Christ is one of the highest
objects of desire that should be in the mind of
the Christian.
ii. To know Him is more than merely to know a
doctrine about Him; it is an experiential
knowledge of Him.
iii. Believers are brought not only to redemption,
but to the Redeemer Himself.
iv. Knowing Him is believing in Him.
i. confirms the truth of the Christian religion

(1Cor. 15:14, 17);
ii. makes it certain that there is a future state,
and that the dead will also rise (1Cor. 15:20);
iii. dispels the darkness that was around the
grave, and shows us that our great interests
are in the future world, i.e. life eternal (1Cor.
15:54-55);
iv. assures believers of their justification (Rom.
4:25; 1Cor. 15:17),
v. produces a sure hope that we also shall be
raised (1Cor. 15:22)
vi. animates us to bear trials for His sake.
vii. helps us to see as trifles all the things which
people seek here, when we compare them
with the glory that shall be ours when we
shall be raised from the dead! (Rom. 8:18).
viii. leads us to live victorious lives as Christians
(1Cor. 15:19).
ix. makes fellowship of the believer with God
possible (Heb. 10:19-22).
x. emboldens us to preach the gospel (1Cor.
15:14).
d. The power of the Divine Spirit, which raised Him
from literal death, is the same which raises believers
from spiritual death now (Eph. 1:19-20), and shall
raise their bodies from literal death hereafter (Rom.
8:11).
(See Lesson 41, Part B)

Part B
2. Living in the power of the resurrection of Christ: and
the power of his resurrection, ....
a. This means that "I may know, understand and
experience the proper influence which the fact of His
resurrection should have on the mind."
b. There is no one truth that will have greater power
over us, when properly believed, than the truth that
Christ has risen from the dead.
c. The resurrection of Christ
Part C
3. A desire to suffer and live like Christ:
...., and the
fellowship of his sufferings;
a. The meaning of the fellowship of His suffering
is:
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i.
to be reproached and reviled as Christ

was (1Pet. 2:23),
ii. to have our names cast out as His was
(Luke 6:22),
iii. to be made the object of sport and
derision as He was (Luke 23:36),
iv. to be held up to the contempt of the world
as He was (Matt. 27:39-44).
v.
to have our judgment taken away from us
as His was (Acts 8:33).
vi. to take the cross and follow Him (Luke
9:23),
vii. to be crucified with Him (Rom. 6:6; Gal.
2:20).
viii. to be baptized into His death (Rom. 6:3).
ix. to be planted in the likeness of His death
(Col. 3:1; Rom. 6:5);
x.
not only to take the form of His
sufferings, but to sympathize with Him.
b. Christ's life is the plan of the life of the saint too,
but observe the deplorable position of the church
today:
i. Many are willing to reign with Christ, but
they would not be willing to suffer with
Him;
ii. Many would be willing to wear a crown
of glory like him, but not the crown of
thorns;
iii. Many would be willing to put on the
robes of splendour which will be worn in
heaven, but not the scarlet robe of
contempt and mockery here on earth.
iv. Many would desire to share the glories
and triumphs of redemption, but not its
poverty, contempt, and persecution.
c. Paul wished in all things to be just like Christ,

and hence he counted it an honour to be permitted
to suffer as he did. He rejoiced in his sufferings
for Christ, and was desirous of filling up the
afflictions of Christ in his flesh, for His body's
sake, the church (Col. 1:24). He knew that those
that are partakers of His sufferings in this world,
shall reign with Him, and be glorified together
with Him in heaven.
d. Peter also says, Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christs sufferings; that, when his
glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy.. (1Pet. 4:13).
Part D
4. A desire to live or die as Christ did:
being
made
conformable unto his death;
a. The meaning is "in all things, to be just like Christ" to live as He did, and to die as He did, if necessary.
b. There can be no doubt that Paul esteemed it so
desirable to be just like Christ, that he would regard
it as an honour to die in the same manner.
c. He would rejoice to go with Him to the cross, and to
pass through the circumstances of scorn and pain
which attended such a death.
d. Yet how few there are who would be willing to die
as Christ died, and how little would the mass of
people regard it as a privilege and honour!
e. In respect of what we wish for ourselves, Albert
Barnes has this to say. "When we think of dying, we
wish to have our departure made as comfortable as
possible. We would have our sun go down without a
cloud. We would wish to lie on a bed of down (or
feathers); we would have our head sustained by the
kind arm of a friend, and not left to fall, in the
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42
intensity of suffering, on the breast; we would wish

to have the place where we die surrounded by
sympathizing kindred, and not by those who would
mock our dying agonies."
f. But in respect of God's plan for us he (Albert Barnes)
put it sharply thus: "And, if such is the will of God,
it is not improper to desire that our end may be
peaceful and happy; but we should also feel, if God
should order it otherwise, that it would be an honour,
in the cause of the Redeemer, to die amidst
reproaches - to be led to the stake, as the martyrs have
been - or to die, as our Master did, on a cross. They
who are most like him in the scenes of humiliation
here, will be most like him in the realms of glory."
g. May we who profess to be the Master's disciples be
willing to go all the way to live our lives according
to His plan.
persecutions a believer must pass, before he

enters into heaven (Acts 14:22).
iv. It also denotes his earnest desire of it, and
strenuous endeavour for it. He had suffered
loss for the knowledge of Christ, he would go
any length to get to heaven.
v. He did not care what trouble or sorrow, what
fiery trials, severe sufferings, or cruel death
he went through, as long as he obtained, as he
believed he should, the glorious and better
resurrection.
vi. He counted not his life dear to himself, he
loved it not unto death, having in view the
blissful and happy state after death.
b. The meaning of expression "resurrection of the
dead"
i. This is not in a figurative sense, to mean the
resurrection from the death of sin to a life of
grace, it is in a literal sense.
ii. And it does not refer to the general
resurrection of the just and unjust (Acts
24:15), which he believed, for he knew that
everyone must, and will attain to this, even
the worst of men.
iii. It refers to the special and particular
resurrection of the righteous, the better
resurrection, which will be first, and upon the
personal coming of Christ (1Thess. 4:16-17),
and by virtue of union to Him, and in a
glorious manner, and to everlasting life and
happiness.
iv. It was this resurrection which Paul sought
and which was so bright an object in his eye
that it was to be secured at any sacrifice.
Part E
Desire To Enter Heaven
5. Attaining unto the resurrection of the dead:
If by
any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
a. "If by any means"
i. This is not an expression of doubt, but of
humility, a modest hope.
See the same
expression in Rom. 1:10 and Rom. 11:14.
ii. Hence, when Paul, the apostle, says, "if by

any means" he might attain to the resurrection
of the dead, it is not to be understood as if he
doubted it, which would be inconsistent with
his firm persuasion, that nothing should
separate him from the love of God, and with
his full assurance of faith, as to his interest in
Jesus Christ.
iii. Rather, it denotes the difficulty of attaining it,
since through various afflictions and great
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Evaluation
1. List five things concerning Christ that Paul desired to know more
about and four facts to show that the process is progressive.
2. mention ten things that the appreciation of the resurrection of

Christ will do for the Christian,
3. Give ten things that the fellowship of Christ's suffering means to
a Christian and four points to show that the position of the
church today is deplorable.
4. Discuss what being made conformable unto His death implies
comparing it with the way man would want to die and what the
plan of God could be for His saints.
5. Explain what "attaining to the resurrection of the dead" means
and what Paul meant by the expression "if by any means."

1. Are you satisfied with your knowledge of Christ, His word
and His way?
2. How real is the power of the resurrection of Christ in your
life?
3. Are you ready to die for the gospel?
LESSON 44 PRESSING FORWARD IN PERFECTION

Text:
Philippians 3: 12
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may
apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of
Christ Jesus.
Memory verse:
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father

which is in heaven is perfect. (Mat 5:48)
Lesson objectives
1. list nine experiences in the life of Paul after conversion to
confirm his conversion,
2. explain the three stages of salvation,
3. list four things that Paul followed after,
4. explain what Paul meant by apprehend that for which he
was apprehended by Christ,
5. list two implications for the Christian from this desire of
Paul here.
Relevant hymns
Redemption Hymnal 393.399
Introduction
In this passage, we have a fundamental doctrine of the Bible in
focus. That is the issue of Christian perfection. In ordinary life, a
thing is either perfect or not perfect. But Christian perfection is
not so; it is a continuum and not a point or a mark. Consequently,
the Bible, in one breath, says that the believer is perfect and, in
another, it says that the believer is not perfect and must strive
towards perfection. The topic is well dealt with in this lesson
while explaining Paul's statement in the text of our study here.
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ix. The grace of God in his life was seen and

attested to by fellow ministers who had
gathered to hear the report of his ministry
among the gentiles (Gal. 2:9; 2Pet. 3:15-16).
c. Despite all these, he was humble enough to
recognise that he was not yet perfect; albeit he had
become totally different from what he was before
his conversion.
d. But the message here is that our appreciation of our
imperfection is the motivation for spiritual progress.
He who feels empty in himself is the one who can
truly cry to the Lord for filling with more grace.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness, for they shall be filled (Matt. 5:6).
SUBJECT MATTER
Part A
Acknowledging our imperfection:
1. Paul's humble confession: Not as though I had already
attained,....
a. The meaning of the expression here is, I do not
pretend to have attained to what I wish or hope to
be.
b. Paul had indeed been converted.
i. He had accepted the Lordship of Jesus
Christ in his encounter with Him on the road
to Damascus (Acts 9:6).
ii. He had been baptised in water as a mark of
his conversion (Acts 9:18).
iii. He had been called to the office of an
apostle and had laboured tremendously to
bring the gospel to the gentiles (1Cor.
15:10).
iv. He had received much revelation from the
Lord concerning the mystery of the church
(Eph. 3:2-5).
v. He had been taken to the third heavens
(2Cor. 12:2).
vi. He had suffered much for the gospel, even
from Jews and gentiles and he had hazarded
his life for the gospel (2Cor. 11:23-29).
vii. He had written many epistles to churches he
founded and to many of his co-workers,
which letters cover more than half of the
New Testament epistles.
viii. The power of the Holy Spirit in his life is
revealed by not only the miracles he
performed but also by the successful
ministry he had all throughout his life after
conversion (2Tim. 4:7-8).
Part B
Perfection is a continuum
2. The three tenses of salvation
a. For a believer, salvation is in three tenses: past,
present and future.
b. Past tense:
i. The believer has been saved from the guilt
and penalty of sin (Luke 7:50; 1Cor. 1:18;
2Cor. 2:15; Eph. 2:5; Eph. 2:8; 2Tim. 1:9)
and is safe.
ii. This is the act of justification when
righteousness is imputed (Rom. 4:11).
iii. The believer has been redeemed and has
become a member of the household of God
(Eph. 2:19).
c. Present tense:
i. The believer is being saved from the habit
and dominion of sin (Rom. 6:14; Php. 1:19;
Php. 2:12-13; 2Thess. 2:13; Rom. 8:2; Gal.
2:19-20; 2Cor. 3:18).
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ii. This is the process of sanctification through

the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
iii. It is a life-long process.
iv. The believer has put on the Lord Jesus, thus
making no provision for flesh to fulfil the
lusts thereof (Rom. 13:14)
v. It is a process of mortifying the deeds of the
flesh (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5)
d. Future tense:
i. The believer is to be saved in the sense of
entire conformity to Christ. (Rom. 13:11;
Heb. 10:36; 1Pet. 1:5; 1John 3:2).
ii. This is the glorification of the believer at the
second coming of Christ.
3. Perfect yet not perfect:
either were already perfect;
a. Perfection is a continuum: we are perfect (1Cor.
2:6) the moment we are converted and have entered
into salvation, but we are not yet perfect (Php.3:12)
because we have not acquired perfection like our
Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:48).
b. Paul was perfect with respect to justification, being
perfectly justified from all things, by the
righteousness of Christ. So is every believer (Acts
13:39).
c. His sanctification was perfect in Christ, but not
inherent in himself; hence he said he was not yet
perfect.
d. This is just like a baby born perfect with all parts
functioning well, but the baby is not yet grown up
to maturity, or to its full growth, to the measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13).
e. Now, Paul said this so that he should not be thought
to arrogate to himself what he did not have.
f. The same is true of us all Christians. We are

imperfect in our moral and religious character, in
our joys, in our condition. Our state here is far
different from that which will exist in heaven; and
no Christian can say, anymore than Paul could, that
he has obtained that which is requisite to the
completion or perfection of his character and
condition.
Part C
Pursuing Perfection
4. Pursuing with vigour:
but I follow after;
a. What Paul desired to follow:
i. Following after Christ, the forerunner,
ii. Seeking after perfect knowledge of Him,
iii. Perfect holiness from Him,
iv. Perfect happiness with Him.
b. The goal was seen by faith in the distance, and Paul
diligently sought to reach it.
c. The metaphor is taken from runners in a race, who
pursue it with eagerness, press forward with all
might, to get up to the mark, in order to receive the
prize.
d. Some version of the Bible render the expression "I
follow" as "I run." The apostle's sense is, that
though he had not yet reached the mark, he pressed
towards it, he had it in view, he stretched and
exerted himself, and followed up very closely to it,
in the hope of enjoying the prize.
5. Pursuing purposefully:
if that I may apprehend that
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus;
a. The key word here, apprehend, which is equivalent
to "grasp" generally means "arrest" or "grip"; but it
also means "understand" or "appreciate". Based on
this, the expression has been rendered as "that I may
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b.
c.
d.
e.
understand that (the purpose) for which also I was

arrested by Christ Jesus."
Paul was apprehended (or arrested) of Christ, when
He met Paul on his way to Damascus, stopped him
in his journey, laid him prostrate on the ground, and
laid hold on him as His own, challenged and
claimed His interest in him (Acts 9:3-6).
Christ wanted Paul to know Him himself, and make
Him known to others; that he might be made like
unto Him, have communion with Him, and
everlastingly enjoy Him.
These things the apostle must understand and
pursue after with great vehemence, that he might
grasp them, and be in full possession of them.
We may learn, from this:
i. that Christians are seized, (or laid hold on,
when they are converted), by the power of
Christ, to be employed in the service of
Christ,
ii. that there is an objective or purpose which
Christ has in view and has designs that they
shall understand this objective so that they
can serve well and obtain a glorious prize.

1. How does the fact that perfection is a continuum affect
you?
2. Do you, as a Christian, have much desire for knowing the
doctrine of the church?
Evaluation
1. List nine evidences to show the life of Paul after conversion
to confirm his conversion.
2. Explain the three stages of salvation.
3. List four things that Paul followed after.
4. Explain what Paul meant by apprehending that for which
he was apprehended by Christ.
5. List two implications for the Christian from this desire of
Paul.
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LESSON 45 PROGRESS IN PERFECTION

Text:
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended,
but this one thing I do; forgetting those things which are
behind, reaching forth unto those things which are before;
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus:
Memory verse:
Jesus Christ said, "But I have a baptism to
be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be
accomplished!" (Luke 12:50)
Lesson objectives
1. list three reasons why Paul said that he had not yet
apprehended.
2. explain the one thing that Paul said he was doing and his
reason for this..
3. discuss the possible danger in looking back on the Christian
race and the necessity of looking forward.
4. list three main things that were before Paul which he
followed after.
5. describe the prize that Paul was aiming at, which also is the
goal of all Christians.
6. State four things about the nature of what Paul referred to
as "the high calling of God in Christ."
Relevant hymns
with making progress in perfection towards perfection, describing

how Paul pursued his ambition to reach perfection and win the
prize.
SUBJECT MATTER
Part A
1. Paul's acknowledgement of imperfection: Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended,....
a. Paul was affirming that he had not grasped the
totality of the objective of his call by God and the
reason for which Christ arrested him. It is a
reaffirmation of his earlier confession of his
imperfection.
b. It is also likely he intended that his audience should
be warned not to ever contemplate giving room to
the thought that anyone, while living, has reached
perfection. Hence, his allusion to "brethren".
c. He also tacitly struck at the arrogance and vain
confidence of false teachers, that pretended to be
perfect.
2. Paul's preoccupation:
but this one thing I do;
a. The one thing was what he set his mind upon,
constantly attended to, and earnestly pursued. It
was the main and principal thing he was busy about,
and which he employed himself in doing.
b. To this singleness of purpose he owed his
extraordinary attainments in piety, and his
uncommon success as a minister.
c. A man will accomplish little who allows his mind to
be distracted by a multiplicity of objects.
d. A Christian will accomplish nothing who has not a
single great aim and purpose of soul. That purpose
should be to secure the prize, and to renounce
Redemption Hymnal 70, 393.399
Introduction
In the last passage, we dealt with the fundamental doctrine of the
Bible, i.e. Christian perfection, showing that it is a continuum and
not a point or a mark. Consequently the believer is perfect but not
yet perfect and must strive towards perfection. This passage deals
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everything that would be in the way to its

attainment.
e. Let us then so live that we may be able to say, that
there is one great object which we always have in
view, and that we mean to avoid everything which
would interfere with that.
ii. He who is accustomed much to dwelling on

the past, even though he is a true Christian,
will likely be unhappy and dispirited, a
person who lives to himself alone rather
than a warm-hearted and active friend of the
Saviour.
c. The necessity for looking forward in the Christian
race:
i. Looking forward, we see everything to cheer
and animate us - the crown of victory, the
joys of heaven, the society of the blessed the Saviour beckoning to us and
encouraging us.
ii. No doubt, there is some profit for a
Christian in looking over the past mercies of
God to his soul, in order to awaken emotions
of gratitude in the heart, and to think of his
shortcomings and errors, to produce
penitence and humility. But none of these
things should be allowed for one moment to
divert the mind from the purpose of winning
the incorruptible crown.
iii. Therefore, in general, a Christian will make
more rapid advances in piety by looking
forward than by looking backward.
Part B
3. Paul's attitude towards dwelling on the past: forgetting
those things which are behind,
a. Apostle Paul's resolve concerning his race
i. He ran looking onward to the prize. He fixed
the eye intently on that.
ii. It was the single object in his view, and he
did not allow his mind to be diverted from
that by anything - not even by the
contemplation of the past.
iii. He did not stop to think of the difficulties
which he had overcome, or the troubles
which he had met, but he thought of what
was yet to be accomplished.
b. The dangers of looking backward in the race of life:
i. Whoever runs a race, and looks backward to
see what he has done i.e.
- the distance that he has covered
- the difficulties which he has surmounted
- and his own speed in the race,
he may either be discouraged by the
problems of the past or become selfcomplacent and self-satisfied, if he trusts his
past efforts, and feels that the prize is now
secure, and will relax his future efforts.
4. Paul's practice of forward-looking: reaching forth unto

those things which are before;
a. The metaphor is taken from runners in a race, who
do not stop to look behind them, to see what way
they have run, and how far they are before others,
but look and move forward, stretching themselves
out to the uttermost, and running with all their
might to the mark before them.
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b. The main things that were before Paul which he

clearly said he had not yet attained unto, were these:
i. perfection of the knowledge of Christ,
ii. perfection of his character, and
iii. perfection of the ministry that Christ had
given him.
c. He was desirous of them, and he pursued them with
great vehemence and eagerness.
d. Let us then look onward. Let us not spend our time
either in pondering the gloomy past, and our own
unfaithfulness, or in thinking of what we have done,
and thus becoming puffed up with selfcomplacency; but let us keep the eye steadily on the
prize, and run the race as though we had just
commenced it.
Part C
5. Paul's determination:
I press toward the mark,....
a. I press toward:
i. For Paul, this implied pursuing after, with
much difficulty, through great toil and
labour, diligent searching of the Scriptures,
frequent wrestling with God in prayer, and
constant attendance on the means of grace,
and ordinances of the Gospel.
ii. Even so believers, while they are running
their Christian race, must imitate Paul,
looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of
their faith (Heb. 12:2).
iii. They must keep Him in their view, and
follow after Him, because He is their
forerunner, (Heb. 6:20), and the Captain of
their salvation, (Heb. 2:10);
iv. They must set Him before them as their
guide to direct them, according to whom
they steer their course, so that they may not

lose their way, nor move out of it, to the
right hand or the left.
v. They take great encouragement to go on
from Him, and press through the difficulties
they meet, knowing that the power that
sustained Him will also sustain them.
vi. Besides, they know that there is no coming
at the prize, but through the mark, for there
is salvation in no other, (Acts 4:12; and that
whoever comes up to the mark, or believes
in Christ, shall enjoy the prize of eternal life.
b. The mark:
i. By this, the apostle Paul intends the Lord
Jesus Christ; remembering that he had
earlier said that his goal was to win Christ.
ii. For in Christ dwelleth the fullness of the
Godhead bodily (Col. 2:9).
iii. Concerning all the duties believers are
involved in, they all point at Him, they are
done in His name and strength, through faith
in Him, and from a principle of love to Him,
and with a view to His glory; and to this
mark they press, or "run".
Part D
6. Paul's goal: for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus:
a. The prize: The prize is the crown of
righteousness (1Cor. 9:24; 2Tim. 4:8); crown of
life ((Jam. 1:12; Rev. 2:10), the crown of glory
that fadeth not away" (1Pet. 5:4).
i. This is because it is what God in the
effectual calling calls his people to; of which
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they have a sight, though but a glimmering

view of it, and are blessed with hope in it.
ii. They that are called rejoice in it, because
they see the righteousness of Christ as their
right unto it.
iii. God has prepared this prize from all eternity,
and Christ has it in His hands, and will give
to all His own.
iv. It is of immense richness and eternal
duration, and shall be bestowed on all
Christian runners, or true believers.
b. The high calling of God:
i. This is named "the high calling of God",
because God is on high, who calls them to it,
in allusion to the judge in the Olympic
games, who was placed in an exalted
position, near the mark, with the crown in
his hand, which he gave to him that came
first.
ii. It is a high calling because the grace by
which the saints are called is from above, as
every good and perfect gift is, (Jam. 1:17).
iii. It is a high calling because the prize they are
called unto consists of things above, where
Jesus is, and is the hope laid up in heaven
(Col. 1:5), and the inheritance reserved there
(1Pet. 1:4); it is not of him that willeth and
runneth, but of God's grace and mercy
(Rom. 9:16).
iv. It is a high calling because it expresses the
great honour and dignity of the called ones,
who are called to a crown and kingdom, are
raised from the dunghill, to sit among
princes, and to inherit the throne of glory,
and are made kings and priests unto God

(Rev. 1:6):
v. "The high, or heavenly calling, is not
restricted to Pauls calling as an apostle, but
the common calling of all Christians to
salvation in Christ (2Tim 4:8).
c. In Christ Jesus:
i. The grace by which they are called, and
which is implanted in them when called, is
all in and from Christ.
ii. The blessings of grace, which they then in
person enjoy, are spiritual blessings in Him.
iii. Even the glory they are called unto is in His
hands;
iv. They are called by Him, and are said to be
the called of Christ Jesus.
Evaluation
1. List three reasons why Paul said that he had not yet
apprehended.
2. Explain the one thing that Paul said he was doing and his
reason for this..
3. discuss the possible danger in looking back on the Christian
race and the necessity of Looking forward.
4. List three main things that were before Paul and he
followed after.
5. Describe the prize that Paul was aiming at, which also is
the goal of all Christians.
6. State four things about the nature of what Paul referred to
as "the high calling of God in Christ."
1. What is your aim in life? Is it the same or close to that of
Paul?
2. What are the challenges of achieving your goal?
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LESSON 46 A PLEA FOR TOLERANCE AMONG

MEMBERS IN THE CHURCH
Text:
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus
minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God
shall reveal even this unto you.
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let
us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Memory verse:
"We then that are strong ought to bear the

infirmities of the weak, and not to please
ourselves." (Rom 15:1)
Lesson objectives
1. explain what it means to say a person is perfect, listing four
scriptures to support this meaning.
2. name four kinds of people that Paul could be referring to by
the expression "if in anything, ye be otherwise minded."
3. list the six steps that Paul had taken which he recommends
for the perfect to have a mind for.
4. list the four groups of people who could be classified as
being "otherwise minded" as recorded in this passage.
5. explain the reason why Paul advised that believers should
walk according to the light they have received of the call of
God on their lives and list three step he outlined.
Relevant hymns
Redemption Hymnal 393.399
Introduction
The last passage presented to us the lofty height of seeking
earnestly to reach perfection. The present study passage brings us
the reality that all members of the fellowship will not be at the
same point on this journey to perfection. There will also be points

of differences in our understanding of why we have been
apprehended by Christ. Therefore, Paul here reminds us of the
need for us to tolerate one another and encourage the growth of the
corporate body of saints.
SUBJECT MATTER
Part A
1. A call to the perfect: Let us therefore, as many as be
perfect, ...
a. Paul included himself in this exhortation, "let us."
It is good if all preachers, all ministers will
recognise that the messages they give concern them
too. A "holier-than-thou" attitude or superiority
complex is not justifiable for anyone.
b. Here, by perfect, he means one fully fit for
running; knowing and complying with the laws of
the course (2Tim. 2:5). Though perfect in this
sense, he was not yet made perfect in the sense
intended in Php. 3:12, namely, crowned with
complete victory, and having attained absolute
perfection.
c. We have noted earlier that perfection is a continuum
(Lesson 44 Part B). This verse therefore says, let
those that are perfect mind the principle of
progression in perfection.
d. This verse resumes Php. 3:3. As many of us then,
as are perfect, that is, full grown (no longer
babes) in the Christian life who are worshipping
God in the Spirit, and having no confidence in the
flesh.
e. As many as are perfect refers to those thoroughly
instructed in Divine things, who have cast off all
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dependence on the law and on every other system

for salvation, and who discern God calling them
from above by Christ Jesus.
f. They are those who are intensely in earnest for
eternal life, and will never halt till the race is
finished.
g. The word, perfect, is taken here in the same sense as
in the following verses:
i. 1Cor. 14:20 : - Be not Children in
understanding - but in understanding be ye
Men, be ye perfect - thoroughly instructed,
deeply experienced.
ii. 1Cor. 2:6 : - We speak wisdom among the
perfect, among those who are fully
instructed, adults in Christian knowledge.
iii. Eph. 4:13 : - Till we all come - unto a
perfect man, to the state of adults in
Christianity.
iv. Heb. 5:14 : - But strong meat belongeth to
them that are of full age, the perfect - those
who are thoroughly instructed and
experienced in Divine things.
2. The perfect should imitate Paul: be thus minded
a. Those who fall into the class of being perfect as
defined above should have the mind which Paul had
and which he described in Php. 3:4-14.
b. The steps that Paul took which the perfect are to
imitate:
i. to count what were gain to them loss for
Christ
ii. to reckon all things not just loss but dung,
for the excellency of the knowledge of
Christ,
iii. to be willing to suffer the loss of all things

so as to win Christ, (Php. 3:8),
iv. to desire to be found in Him, and in His
righteousness, and not a man's righteousness
(Php. 3:9),
v. to know more of Him in His person,
righteousness, sufferings, death, and
resurrection from the dead (Php. 3:10),
vi. to attain to such a state, and yet to disclaim
all perfection, and acknowledge their
imperfection (Php. 3:11),
c. Let us therefore, says the apostle, as many as be
perfect - as have entered fully into the spirit and
design of the Gospel, be thus minded, namely,
Forget the things which are behind, and stretch
forward along the mark for the prize (Php. 3:13-14).
Part B
3. A call to the less matured in the church: and if in
anything ye be otherwise minded, ...
a. This means, "If ye have not yet entered into the full
spirit and design of this Gospel, if any of you have
yet remaining any doubts relative to Jewish
ordinances, or their ineffectiveness in Christianity;"
b. This also includes, "You who are having too high
an opinion of yourselves as to your attainment of
Christian perfection." A Bible scholar said, He
who thinks that he has attained everything, hath
nothing.
c. Probably, too, Paul referred to those who were
tempted to think to attain to perfection by the law
(Gal. 3:3), who needed the warning Php. 3:3,
Beware of the concision.
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d. All who seek for justification by the works of the

law, or partly by Christ and partly by the law, and to
imagine and expect perfection in this life.
4. The immature require divine revelation: God shall
reveal even this unto you;
a. That is, such errors will be made manifest sooner or
later;
b. Revelation is only to those who sincerely strive to
do Gods will (John 7:17; Eph. 1:17).
c. For those who wait until the day of judgment, the
day will declare them, as wood, hay, and stubble.
They will be burnt up by the fire, which will reveal
every man's work, (1Cor. 3:12-15).
of the Christian life. They might not see the

truth or propriety of many things which
those in advance of them would see clearly.
c. The solution is by tolerating one another:
i. But it was not worthwhile to quarrel about
these things. There should be no angry
feeling, and no fault-finding on either side.
ii. There were many things in which they could
see alike, and where there were no jarring
sentiments. In those things they could walk
harmoniously; and they who were in
advance of others should not complain of
their less informed brethren as lacking all
evidence of piety; nor should those who had
not made such advances complain of those
before them as fanatical, or as disposed to
push things to extremes.
iii. They who had the higher views should, as
Paul did, believe that God will yet
communicate them to the church at large,
and in the meantime should not denounce
others.
d. The result:
i. There are many things in which we can
agree. In them let us work together, and
strive, as far as we can, to promote the
common objective. Thus we shall save our
temper, give no occasion to the world to
reproach us, and be much more likely to
come together in all our views. The best way
to make true Christians harmonious is, to
labour together in the common cause of
saving souls. As far as we can agree, let us
go and labour together; and where we
Part C
5. Tolerance in the church: Nevertheless, whereto we
have already attained, let us walk by the same (rule):
a. The meaning: The meaning is this, that though there
might be different degrees of attainment among
Christians, and different views on many subjects,
yet there were points in which all could agree; there
were attainments which they all had made, and in
reference to them they should walk in harmony and
love.
b. The reason: There are two groups of believers in
the church.
i. It might be that some had made much
greater advances than others. They had more
elevated views of religion; they had higher
knowledge; they were nearer perfection.
ii. Others had had less advantages of education
and instruction, had had fewer opportunities
of making progress in the divine life, and
would less understand the higher mysteries
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cannot yet, let us agree to differ. We shall

all think alike by-and-by.
ii. This is a most wise and valuable rule, and a
rule that would save much difficulty and
contention in the church, if it were honestly
applied.
e. The expression "rule, let us mind the same thing"
was omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Translate the
verse then as, Whereunto we have attained, let us
walk on in the same (the measure of knowledge
already attained).
Evaluation
1. Explain what it means to say a person is perfect, listing four
scriptures to support this meaning.
2. Name four kinds of people that Paul could be referring to
by the expression "if in anything, ye be otherwise minded."
3. List the six steps that Paul had taken which he recommends
for the perfect to have a mind for.
4. List the four groups of people who could be classified as
being "otherwise minded" as recorded in this passage.
5. Explain the reason why Paul advised that believers should
walk according to the light they have received of the call of
God on their lives and list threes steps he outlined.
1. Do you have an experience of progress in perfection in your
Christian life?
2. Do you find it easy worshipping with people who are less
matured than you?
LESSON 47 ENEMIES OF THE CROSS IN THE CHURCH

Text:
Php 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark
them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and
now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ:
Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly,
and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly
things.)
Memory verse:
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of
Christ." (1Co 11:1)
Lesson objectives
1. explain the necessity of a faithful Christian to be a good
example to other people.
2. list five reasons why we must mark those in the fellowship
whose example we may follow.
3. describe those who do not walk according to the true
principle of Christ.
4. give reason why true believers should weep for such
deviants.
5. give reasons why these deviants are enemies of the cross.
6. list the evils they perpetrate in the church.
7. give reasons why the end of these enemies of the cross is
destruction.
Relevant hymns
Redemption Hymnal 562, 567.
Introduction
In this lesson, Paul presents the sad fact that, while he would love
the saints to follow his example as they saw him live, but many
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there are in the church whose lives show they are enemies of the
cross. He is sure that their end is destruction, but he warns with
deep sorrow about the evil they perpetrate in the church.
Therefore, saints should mark those in the fellowship whose lives
could be followed as examples.
c. The exhortation here is, to mark - that is, to

observe with a view to imitate - those who lived as
the apostle did.
d. We should set before our minds the best examples,
and endeavour to imitate the most holy people
(Heb. 6:12).
e. A worldly and fashionable professor of religion is a
very bad example to follow; and especially young
Christians should set before their minds for
imitation, and associate with, the purest and most
spiritual members of the church.
f. Our religion takes its form and complexion much
from those with whom we associate; and he will
usually be the most holy man who associates with
the most holy companions.
SUBJECT MATTER
Part A
1. Living exemplary lives:

Brethren, be followers
together of me a. That is, live as I do. A minister of the gospel, a
parent, or a Christian of any age or condition, ought
so to live that he can refer to his own example, and
exhort others to imitate the course of life which he
had led.
b. Paul could do this without ostentation or
impropriety. They knew that he lived so as to be a
proper example for others; and he knew that they
would feel that his life had been such that there
would be no impropriety in his referring to it in this
manner.
c. But, alas, how few there are, who can safely imitate
Paul in this regard!
2. Choosing the right people to follow:
And mark
them which walk so, as ye have us for an ensample a. There were those in the church who endeavoured to
live as he had done, renouncing all confidence in
the flesh, and aiming to win the prize. There were
others, it would seem, who were actuated by
different views; see Php. 3:18.
b. There are usually two kinds of professing Christians
in every church - those who imitate the Saviour, and
those who are worldly and vain.
Part B
3. A large number of members who are bad examples:
For many walk a. The Christian life is often in the Scriptures
compared with a journey (Heb. 12:1-2).
b. In order to induce them to imitate those who were
the most holy, the apostle says that there were
many, even in the church, whom it would not be
safe for them to imitate.
c. He evidently here refers mainly to the church at
Philippi, though it may be that he meant to make the
declaration general, and to say that the same thing
existed in other churches.
d. Paul says that the people who should not be
imitated are many in the church.
e. There has not probably been any time yet in the
Christian church when the same thing might not be
said.
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4. The need to speak against evil practices: Of whom I

have told you often a. Paul was not afraid to speak of church members
when they did wrong, and to warn others not to
imitate their example. He did this when he preached
in Philippi.
b. He did not attempt to cover up or excuse guilt
because it was in the church, or to apologize for the
defects and errors of those who professed to be
Christians.
c. The true way is to admit that there are those in the
church who do not honour their religion, and to
warn others against following their example.
d. There is a need to constantly warn against those
who do contrary to the faith of Christ.
e. But this fact does not make Christianity any less
true or valuable, anymore than the fact that there is
counterfeit money makes all money bad, or makes
genuine coin of no value.
5. Deep sorrow for deviants from the faith: And now tell
you even weeping a. This is the true spirit with which to speak of the
errors and faults of Christians.
b. It is not to go and publicise with happiness their
inconsistencies.
c. It is not to find pleasure in the fact that they are
inconsistent.
d. It is not to reproach Christianity on that account,
and to say that all religion is false and hollow, and
that all professors are hypocrites.
e. We should rather speak of the fact with tears; for, if
there is anything that should make us weep, it is,
that there are those in the church who are
hypocrites, or who dishonour their profession.
f. We should weep for such people because:
i.
ii.
iii.
Part C
6. Deviants are enemies of the cross of Christ:
That
they are the enemies of the cross of Christ a. Enemies of the cross are the enemies of the religion
of Christ.
i. The cross was the instrument of death on
which the Redeemer died to atone for sin.
ii. As the atonement made by Christ for sin is
that which especially distinguishes His
religion from all others, the cross comes to
be used to denote His religion.
iii. The phrase here means, that they were the
enemies of His religion, or were strangers to
the gospel.
b. How they operate
i. It is not to be supposed that they were open
and avowed enemies of the cross, or that
they denied that the Lord Jesus died on the
cross to make an atonement.
ii. The characteristic of those persons
mentioned in the following verse is, rather,
that they were living in a manner which
showed that they were strangers to His pure
gospel.
c. They are the enemies of the cross, in the church:
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they are in danger of destroying their own

souls.
they are destined to certain disappointment
when they come to appear before God; and,
they injure the cause of Christianity, and
give occasion to the enemies of the Lord to
speak reproachfully. He who loves
Christianity. will weep over the
inconsistencies of the friends of Christianity.
72
i. who have never been born again,

ii. who have no evidence that their hearts are
renewed,
iii. who are living in the indulgence of known
sin,
iv. who manifest none of the peculiarities of
those who truly love Christ,
v. Who have a deeper interest in worldly
affairs than they have in the cause of the
Redeemer,
vi. whom nothing can induce to give up their
worldly concerns when God demands it,
vii. who live immoral lives,
viii. who are opposed to all the unique doctrines
of Christianity and
ix. who are opposed to all the special duties of
religion, or who live in the habitual neglect
of these duties.
d. Their effect on the church
i. It is to be feared that at all times there are
such enemies of the cross in the church, and
the language of the apostle implies that it is
a proper subject of grief and tears.
ii. He wept over it, and so should we. It is from
this cause that so much injury is done to the
true religion in the world.
iii. One secret enemy in a camp may do more
harm than fifty men who are open foes; and
a single unholy or inconsistent member in a
church may do much more injury than many
men who are avowedly opposed to
Christianity. Remember Achan.
iv. It is not by infidels, and scoffers, and
blasphemers, so much, that injury is done to
the cause of Christianity; it is by the unholy
lives of its professed friends - the

worldliness, inconsistency, and want of the
proper spirit of Christianity, among those
who are in the church.
v. Nearly all the objections that are made to
Christianity are from this quarter; and, if this
objection were taken away, the religion of
Christ would soon spread its triumphs
around the globe.
Part D
7. Sure destruction for unrepentant deviants:
Whose
end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose
glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things
a. Why the enemies should be destroyed:
i. As they have no true religion, they must
perish in the same manner as all sinners. A
mere profession will not save them. Unless
they are converted, and become the true
friends of the cross, they cannot enter
heaven.
ii. They are those who worship their own
appetites; or who live not to adore and
honour God, but for self-indulgence and
sensual gratifications; see Rom. 16:18.
iii. They glory in things of which they ought to
be ashamed. They indulge in modes of
living which ought to cover them with
confusion.
iv. They are those whose hearts are set on
earthly things, or who live to obtain them.
v. Their attention is directed to honour, gain, or
pleasure and their chief anxiety is that they
may secure these objects (Rom. 8:5).
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vi. This love for earthly things is mentioned as

one of the characteristics of enmity to the
cross of Christ.
b. The prevalence of these enemies in the church
i. How many are there in the church now who
are the real enemies of the cross!
ii. How many professing Christians are there
who regard little else than worldly things!
iii. How many who live only to acquire wealth.
to gain honour, or to enjoy the pleasures of
the world!
iv. How many are there who have no interest in
a prayer meeting, in a Sunday school, in
religious conversation, and in the
advancement of true religion on the earth!
c. These are the real enemies of the cross. It is not
only those who deny the doctrines of the cross, but
also those who oppose its influence on their hearts;
not only those who live to scoff and deride religion,
but also those who mind earthly things, that injure
this holy cause of the Christian faith in the world.
7. Give reasons why the end of these enemies of the cross is

destruction.
1. Are you living a life which other members of the church
can imitate?
2. If you truly love the Lord and His gospel, how ready are
you to speak out against any evil practice in the church?
Evaluation
1. Explain the necessity of a faithful Christian to be a good
example to other people.
2. List five reasons why we must mark those in the fellowship
whose example we may follow.
3. Describe those who do not walk according to the true
principle of Christ.
4. Give reason why true believers should weep for such
deviants.
5. Give reasons why these deviants are enemies of the cross.
6. List the evils they perpetrate in the church.
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LESSON 48 HEAVENLY-MINDED CHRISTIANS
SUBJECT MATTER
Part A
Text:
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also
we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be
fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto
himself.
Memory verse:
8. Believers are citizens of heaven: For our conversation

is in heaven a. This is true of all who are sincere Christians.
b. It is a characteristic of Christians, in
contradistinction from those who are the enemies
of the cross, that their conversation is in heaven.
c. The word conversation we now apply almost
entirely to oral discourse. It formerly, however,
meant conduct in general, and it is usually
employed in this sense in the Scriptures; see Php.
1:27, where the verb occurs, from which the noun
here is derived.
d. Of course, here, it cannot mean that their
conversation, in the sense of discourse or talking,
was in heaven; nor that their conduct was in
heaven - for this would convey no idea, and the
original word does not demand it; but the idea is,
that they were heavenly citizens, or citizens of the
heavenly world, in contradistinction from a worldly
community.
e. They were governed by the laws of heaven; they
were a community associated as citizens of that
world, and expecting there to dwell.
f. The idea is, that there are two great communities in
the universe - that of the world, and that of heaven:
that governed by worldly laws and institutions, and
that by the laws of heaven; that associated for
worldly purposes, and that associated for heavenly
or religious purposes; hence, that the Christian
belonged to the latter, while the enemy of the cross,
though in the church, belonged to the former.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it

were not so, I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)
Lesson objectives
1. explain what it means to say our conversation is in heaven,
2. mention the role of the doctrine of the second coming of
Christ on the believer,
3. mention ten facts about the glorious body the Christians
shall have in heaven,
4. describe the power of Christ which makes the
transformation of the believer's body.
Relevant hymns
Introduction
This chapter ends with a reminder that the believer is a citizen of
heaven and that Jesus Christ is coming back, among other things to
take the believer home. The glory awaiting the believer when he
gets to heaven is described.
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g. Between true Christians, therefore, and others, there

is all the difference which arises from belonging to
different communities; being bound together for
different purposes; subject to different laws; and
altogether under a different administration.
h. There is more difference between them than there is
between the subjects of two earthly governments.
(Compare Eph. 2:6).
f. This was one of the elementary doctrines of their

faith, and one of the means of producing deadness
to the world among them.
g. And among the early Christians there was, perhaps,
no doctrine that was more the object of firm belief,
and the ground of more delightful contemplation,
than that their ascended Master would return.
h. In regard to the certainty of their belief on this
point, and the effect which it had on their minds, see
the following texts of the New Testament; Matt.
24:42, Matt. 24:44; Luke 12:37; John 14:3; Acts
1:11; 1Cor. 4:5; Col. 3:4; 1Thess. 2:19; 2Thess. 2:1;
Heb. 10:37; Jas. 5:7-8; 1John 3:2; Rev. 22:7, Rev.
22:12, Rev. 22:20.
i. It may be asked, with great force, whether
Christians in general have now any such
expectation of the second appearing of the Lord
Jesus, or whether they have not fallen into the
dangerous error of prevailing unbelief, so that the
expectation of His coming is allowed to exert
almost no influence on the soul.
j. In the passage before us, Paul says that it was one of
the distinct characteristics of Christians that they
looked for the coming of the Saviour from heaven.
k. They believed that He would return. They
anticipated that important effects would flow to
them from His second coming. So we should look.
l. There may be, indeed, a difference of opinion about
the time when He will come, and about the question
whether He will come to reign literally", on the
earth - but the fact that Christ will return to our
world is common ground on which all Christians
may meet, and is a fact which should be allowed to
exert its full influence on the heart.
Part B
9. The second coming of Christ from heaven:
From
whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
a. That is, it is one of the characteristics of the
Christian that he believes that the Lord Jesus will
return from heaven, and that he looks and waits for
that return.
b. Other men do not believe this (2Pet. 3:4), but the
Christian confidently expects it.
c. His Saviour has been taken away from the earth,
and is now in heaven, but it is a great and standing
article of his faith that that same Saviour will again
come, and take the believer to Himself. (See John
14:2-3, 1Thess. 4:16).
d. This was the firm belief of the early Christians, and
this expectation with them was allowed to exert a
constant influence on their hearts and lives.
e. It led them:
i. to desire to be prepared for his coming,
ii. to feel that earthly affairs were of little
importance, since the scene here on earth
was soon to close,
iii. to live above the world, and in the desire of
the appearing of the Lord Jesus.
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m. It is a glorious truth - for what a sad world would

this be, and what a sad prospect would be before the
Christian, if the Saviour were never to come to raise
His people from their graves, and to gather His
redeemed to Himself!
n. The fact that He will come is identified with all our
hopes. It is fitted to cheer us in trial; to guard us in
temptation; to make us dead to the world; to lead us
to keep the eye turned toward heaven.
d.
e.
Part C
10. Christians are to wear celestial bodies:
Who shall
change our vile body a. The original words, which are rendered here as
vile body, properly mean the body of
humiliation; that is, our humble body.
b. It refers to the body as it is in its present state, as
subject to infirmities, disease, and death.
c. It is far different from what it was when man was
created, and from what it will be in the future world.
d. Paul says that it is one of the objects of the
Christian hope and expectation, that this body, so
subject to infirmities and sicknesses, will be
changed.
11. The celestial body is a glorious body.
That it may be
fashioned like unto his glorious body a. The body of His glory; that is, the body which He
has in His glorified state.
b. What change the body of the Redeemer underwent
when He ascended to heaven, we are not informed nor do we know what is the nature, size,
appearance, or form of the body which He now has.
c. It is certain that it is adapted to the glorious world
where He dwells; that it has none of the infirmities
f.
g.
Part D
12. The transformation will be done by Christ: According
to the working, whereby he is able even to subdue all things
unto himself.
a. That is, such a change demands the exertion of vast
power.
b. No creature can do it. But there is One who has
power entrusted to Him over all things, and He can
effect this great transformation in the bodies of
people. (Compare 1Cor. 15:26-27).
c. He can mould the mind and the heart to conform to
His own image, and thus also He can transform the
body so that it shall resemble His.
d. He can make everything subject to His will. (Matt.
28:18; John 17:2)
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to which it was liable when here; that it is not

subject; as here, to pain or death; that it is not
sustained in the same manner.
The body of Christ in heaven is of the same nature
as the bodies the saints will have in the resurrection,
and which the apostle calls spiritual bodies,
(1Cor. 15:44); and it is doubtless accompanied with
all the circumstances of splendour and glory which
are appropriate to the Son of God.
The idea here is, that it is the object of the desire
and anticipation of the Christian, to be made just
like Christ in all things.
Paul desires to resemble Him in moral character
here, and to be like Him in heaven.
Nothing else will satisfy him but such conformity to
the Son of God; and when he shall resemble Him in
all things, the wishes of his soul will all be met and
fulfilled.
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e. And He that has this power can change our humbled

and debased bodies, so that they shall put on the
glorious appearance and form of that of the Son of
God Himself.
f. What a contrast between our bodies here - frail,
feeble, subject to sickness, decay, and corruption and the body as it will be in heaven! And what a
glorious prospect awaits the weak and dying
believer, in the future world!
Evaluation
1. Explain what it means to say our conversation is in heaven.
2. Mention the role of the doctrine of the second coming of
Christ on the believer.
3. Mention ten facts about the glorious body the Christians
shall have in heaven.
4. Describe the power of Christ which makes the
transformation of the believer's body.
1. How ready are you for the coming back of Christ?
2. Are you working hard to see that many are ready for that
second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?
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THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH NIGERIA.

2016 SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL

PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER THREE

We commend you to the grace of God as you use this book.

PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR

GUIDENOTES ON SUNDAY SCHOOL MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY OF PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER THREE

LE SSON 38: BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS

Warning against false teachers

Redemption Hymnal 425. 429, App 71

ii. By calling them "concision", he was deriding

iv. They worship God in the strength and grace

PAUL'S IMPRESSIVE LIST OF HUMAN

Personal Assessment Questions

Redemption Hymnal 325, 377, 378

touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting

iii. Taught according to the perfect manner of the

past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I

THE FUTILITY OF HUMAN

The Futility Of Human Achievements To Earn

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no

Redemption Hymnal 333, 353, 369

salvation by it. He suffered the loss for the sake of

d. For any outward form or sect of religion, he knew

it was hurtful and was a yoke of bondage, which

most of the time, this is because they do not possess

2. Describe why each of the credentials he had trusted in was

FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST AS HIS

Redemption Hymnal 564, 569

iv. This is in line with Isaiah who reckoned

by means of the Gospel of the grace of God (2Cor.

3. The pain in discipleship:

His Beauty for Our Ashes

he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold

LESSON 42 RIGHTEOUSNESS IS ONLY THROUGH

Redemption Hymnal 377, 378

for Christ, that he might recover all in

a. Paul also calls this righteousness "the righteousness

d. Through "faith", implies that faith is the channel to

in the law, internally as well as externally, and therefore

f. Obviously, such a condition of perfect obedience can

another righteousness which would be acceptable to

LESSON 43 EARNEST DESIRE FOR GROWTH IN

2. mention ten things that the appreciation of the resurrection of

Redemption Hymnal 394, 399, 400, 410

righteousness rather than his worthless credentials. Here, in this

exhaust the knowledge about Christ, in whom

i. confirms the truth of the Christian religion

(See Lesson 41, Part B)

to be reproached and reviled as Christ

c. Paul wished in all things to be just like Christ,

intensity of suffering, on the breast; we would wish

persecutions a believer must pass, before he

ii. Hence, when Paul, the apostle, says, "if by

2. mention ten things that the appreciation of the resurrection of

Personal Assessment Questions

LESSON 44 PRESSING FORWARD IN PERFECTION

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father

Redemption Hymnal 393.399

ix. The grace of God in his life was seen and

ii. This is the process of sanctification through

f. The same is true of us all Christians. We are