Thy Strong Word – Philippians 3:12-4:1: Lowly body to be like his glorious body.

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Rev. Ingo Dutzmann of Harpswell, Maine, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Philippians 3:12-4:1.

“Praise the LORD and pass the potatoes!”  Paul teaches us to rejoice in the “now and not yet.”  The Christian life is like a race–straining forward, forgetting what lies behind, and pressing on to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Yet, we hold onto the hope of heaven as we wait until the time of Christ who will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body.  Until then, we “praise the LORD and pass the potatoes.”  “Lord God, as You have us here, give us peace, patience, and trust in Your promises in Christ that we love You and love others.  In everything fill us with Your Holy Spirit to grow in faith and praise to You.  In Christ, Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

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Philippians 3:12-4:1

Straining Toward the Goal

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

¹⁷ Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. ¹⁸ For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

4 Therefore, my brothers,^[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org