“The Simplest Recipe For The Christian Life”
Frank W.R. Benoit
Introduction – What are the necessary ingredients for living a correct Christian life? Is it such a complicated process? In Feb. 2021 a Roman Cath. priest in Phoenix, AZ had to resign because for many yrs. he had used the wrong baptismal formula on all the infants he baptized; & all those baptisms were now invalid. How many things does a person have to do to be a true Christian? Is it really so complex to live for and follow Jesus?
Today we’re going to see how the apostle Paul gave the simplest recipe for the Christian life to the Christians in the Philippian church. Now keep in mind that I’m not saying the “easiest” recipe, just the “simplest” recipe. There is a difference. Let’s look at Philippians 3:1-16.
1. Philppians 3:1-6.
Warning: Be careful of where you are placing your trust.
“Beware of…beware of…beware of…confidence in the flesh…confidence in the flesh…confidence in the flesh”.
Application: Don’t __________ in your personal achievements/advantages.
2. Philippians 3:7-11. Waste: Once we understand who Jesus is and what He has done to save us and how valuable a relationship with Him is, anything and everything else is worthless trash compared to knowing Him and His righteousness.
Application: Watch out for a self-righteous ______________, because only faith in Jesus’ righteousness counts with God for salvation.
3. Philippians 3:12-16. Work: The Christian life is not automatic or easy. It takes effort to follow after Jesus successfully, but it is not a complex effort, it is simple, just one thing!-
Don’t get hung up on your past, go forward!
Application: I need to do just one thing to have a ____________________ Christian life: Keep on/press on/follow on toward Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior!
Conclusion – Coming to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation, and then following Him for the rest of your life, is not a complicated/complex process. It starts by faith/trust in Him and nothing/no one else. Then it continues with just one thing: keeping on after Him and toward Him, without looking at anyone or anything else. The simplest recipe for the Christian life is just one thing! We only need to keep clear one thing! It is staying focused on Jesus Christ as my one and only Lord and Savior.