In the remaining verses of Philippians chapter three Paul addresses two concepts relating to people. People who have their minds on earthly things and people who know their citizenship is in heaven.

     I believe that as Pul wraps up this section of his letter he hits the foundational issue of what has been problematic in the church at Philippi and what we experience as problematic in the church today. People whose minds are more centered on earthly things and have no concept of their citizenship being in heaven.

     The other key to the close of chapter three is Paul helped us to recognize that there are so many things in front of us that obstruct our pursuit of Jesus. There are so many things from our past that anchor us against our pursuit of Jesus. Now we add the nature of the congregants being those who are minding earthly things and those who have their citizenship in heaven. What we come away with is how on earth can anyone successfully pursue after knowing Jesusand "capture" the prize. It is the grand question of Philippians that is answered with tremendous encouragement, inspiration, and hope found in chapter four. I can't wait to open up chapter four to the church.

     May you be blessed as you listen to