New Blog Site: PastorShawn.com

Check out my new blog site: PastorShawn.com

100 X 100 = $10,000 to Needy People

On Sunday, June 7, I shared with Calvary Community Church that $10,000 of our benevolence funds would be redistributed back to 100 different groups within the church body with the goal of identifying and meeting financial needs within the local community.

We recognize that 100 different groups will be able to identify and meet the financial needs of more people within our community more efficiently and effectively than through one centralized program.

So Calvary groups, here are your guidelines:

1. This is God's $100...

2. Pray and Be Intentional...

3. Meet a Local Financial Need...

4. Email: stories@calvarycc.org by August 1

As we continue to learn what it means to live and love like Jesus in the context of community, we hope and pray that this will open doors for transformation in the lives of those in need in our community and within the Calvary body.

While money is able to meet financial needs, lets keep our hearts open to what God would want to do in order to meet the spiritual needs of those we encounter as well.

Single Mom & Son: Celebrating a Break Thru!

Below is an email sent to me and those who coordinated our Serve Weekend efforts from a single mom who was so grateful for how God used Serve Day in her own life and in the life of her 10-year-old son. She gave me permission to share it with you. Please take the time to read it and celebrate with her!

Dear Pastor:

I am a single mom who has been through a period of extreme challenge in the past year and a half. The season of pain that has engulfed our lives has left my son changed and has found our faith waning in comparison to our past years. It has been a struggle as we continued to look up and try to turn to Christ for hope and strength. As life has begun to calm, we have tried to find joy in our daily, earthly steps. When Serve Day was presented, I knew it was a way to step outside of ourselves and turn to others in His name.

Sunday my son woke up and asked if there was another day that we could help others for God or if we could only do it once a year. Wow. Not only did my 10-year-old feel good about helping others and feel closer to God, he also felt a sense of pride and purpose that had been missing for him this past year. What a huge step for us, as a family, to heal and move forward.

As a mom, as a believer, as a follower, as someone who has been broken and made whole by God's grace, I can't thank you all enough for your gift that you provided last weekend. Your servant's hearts touched many in ways that you will never know.

Many blessings to you each,

A Grateful Mom

Benevolence Fund Stories

Below are some stories of how God is using the benevolence funds given by the Calvary family to help people in need. Our staff follows caring, but careful guidelines to evaluate the validity of needs and how best we can help as a church. Most of the time, words of counsel and many times a testimony of the Gospel are also shared. Enjoy the stories of what God is doing in and through the Calvary family! 

DESPERATE MOM: One of our staff spoke on the phone with a young mom whose husband had recently abandoned the family. She is pregnant. She called the church because she really didn't want an abortion, but could not think of any alternatives. The rent was due, eviction eminent. A family member was willing to pay for an abortion and pay her rent.

As the staff member talked with her, they strongly sensed her desperation, yet also sensed she knew that choice was wrong for her. Arrangements were made for Calvary to pay her rent. She called three times that day to share her relief and gratefulness and to let us know she had canceled the appointment at the abortion clinic. She is going to carry the pregnancy through and give her baby up for adoption to a family that will tell the child how much she loves it.

AN ADDICT’S BABY: Mother with drug issues goes to jail - 3 week old baby handed over to the mother's young sister - no funds period!  We offered counseling - funds for adult and baby food, diapers, wipes, stroller for starters..... Our team will continue to follow up.

A LONG-TIME CALVARY FAMILY: We cared for over $1,000 in medical bills for a couple overwhelmed by costs of their health needs as they age.  Long time members of Calvary; both of whom were highly involved in serving when they were able. They were drowning in financial problems and deep worry because of this immediate crisis.

UNEMPLOYED MEMBER OF CALVARY: The church paid the rent of an unemployed member of Calvary who has worked through our Career Transitions ministry for help in locating a job.

UNEMPLOYED MOM: We paid  $975 car repairs for unemployed mother of two.

TEARS OF JOY FROM A MOM: We made a couple of car payments for a single mom with 4 kids who works locally, but struggles to make ends meet.  This made her current and she was able to avoid having it repossessed by 2 days.  She cried many tears of joy.

FAMILY OF 5: Calvary paid rent for a family of 5 and kept them in their home.  They thought they'd be on the street due to job loss.  They were amazed that the church stepped in to help.

HOMELESS FAMILY LIVING IN OLD RV: The church put tires on a truck for a homeless family living in a trailer locally.  We also helped the dad get a job interview clothes and paid for gas to employment interviews.

A YOUNG MAN ABOUT TO BE EVICTED: We helped a man avoid eviction by making a deal with his landlord and paying some back rent.  He had always seen the church as judgmental and uncaring... until now – PTL!

SINGLE MAN: We helped a single man catch up on a couple of car payments.  He would have lost his car that week and we had to deal directly with the lender.

OTHER PEOPLE:  Along with practical counsel, we have given away gas cards, target cards, and grocery cards to many other families on the edge.

A Tribute to a Man I Never Met - Webb Davis

While I never met Webb Davis, I have heard many things about this young man who stepped into the presence of His Lord and Savior two weeks ago. His father and mother, Joe and Carolyn, are friends of mine and members of Calvary Community Church. Joe serves with me on the Elder Board. We have been praying for the entire Davis family since Webb collapsed, slipped into a coma, and then moved on to glory.

My connection to the Davis family goes back to my years of ministry and my educational training in West Virginia. Joe's dad and Webb's grandfather, Maynard, was one of the first Elders of Bible Center Church in Charleston and was one of the early voices of influence alongside a man named Lester Pipkin as he founded Appalachian Bible College. The Davis family had an impact and voice into my life long before I met any of them. And, actually, Maynard (who was instrumental early on at both the college I attended and the church I pastored) was with Jesus before I was born. This has given me a special connection to Joe, Carolyn and their family since coming to California and having the privilege of serving as their pastor.

I continue to pray for the Davis family - especially for Webb's wife Monica and his little 20 month old daughter, Hope. One of the warmest tributes I have ever heard was given by Joni Eareckson Tada via video at Webb's memorial service. She convinces me that the life of this young man, whom I never met, will have a lasting and powerful impact on others!

Resources to Help "The Least of These"

Here are two versions of the same document. The Word (.doc) document has hyper links included so you can go directly to the website from it simply by selecting the link. Click here for the Word Doc.

Click here for the PDF version.

Updated Outline for Sunday, May 31st

The Lord has been stirring so much in my heart and mind as I prepare each week for the "On Mission" series that I have not been able to produce an outline by the time the bulletin is printed that settles all the truths and ideas. 

So, this week there is another updated outline for the message. Click here to download the PDF.

Music About Seeing People as Jesus Sees People

Below you will find two songs that go well with today's message about seeing people through HIS eyes:

Here is the iTunes audio track of Nichole Nordeman's song Please Come.

Here is the YouTube video of Brandon Heath's song Give Me Your Eyes. 

New & Improved Outline

The outline with blanks in the bulletin today at Calvary Community Church is not be the right one. God, me, and the text were not completely in sync when it had to be submitted. While similar to the one I will be using, that original bulletin version is not the best way to communicate the message for today. I am excited about what God has been shaping in my heart and mind and I am looking forward to what He is about to do through it tomorrow!

New outline in JPG form is right here on this posting and new PDF versions are available below: 

Click here to download the new version with blanks to fill in.

Click here to download the new version without blanks.

Video: Friend of the Poor

Throughout the week I have been Tweeting a number of statistics about the people of the world and the people of the greater Westlake area. You have been able to see these stats here on my blog as my last 5 Tweets appear here.

But today, no stats. Look at some of the people, their faces with this video.

Being on Mission 24/7 - All the Time; Everywhere

Below is the list of ideas on the back of my outline in the bulletin for Sunday, May 17th. Pastor Kirk Dewitt of Calvary's Community/World Ministry put these together for me. Checkout some of the other ways his team can help you serve people who need to see Jesus:http://www.mission-central.com 

Serve weekend is coming up June 6th and 7th. Checkout http://www.actionvc.org & http://www.lovepiru.com 

Here is a link to Pastor Drew Sams' Blog about Serve Saturdays: http://drewsams.com/?p=398 

Here is a good blog posting that gives some other practical ways to be "On Mission" all the time, everywhere: http://theresurgence.com/Dodson_Simplified_Missional_Living 

God wants to use us to transform the city of Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Augora, Moorpark, Simi Valley, etc. He plans to use us to transform the Greater Conejo Valley as we live and love like Jesus! I am so excited about what God will do with us if we are "On Mission." This song captures it (it is the song that we conclude my message with May 17th): God of the City

Check these resources out and add some ideas of your own in the comment section of this posting. Let's help each other live and love like Jesus!

The list from the back of my outline:

Easy ways to reach out and serve others in Jesus’ Name       

§  visit someone who can’t get out due to age or illness

§  bring someone dinner or groceries

§  mow someone’s lawn

§  give someone a ride to the doctor

§  clean windows to brighten someone’s outlook

§  get to know a new neighbor

§  walk someone’s dog

§  wash a car or wash a lot of cars

§  take care of doggie yard clean-up for a neighbor

§  stay late at work to help a co-worker

§  plant a garden or flowers for an elderly neighbor

§  give away a good parking spot

§  get to know people when you’re stuck somewhere

§  send a care package

§  pay for somebody’s lunch

§  bring Starbucks to your neighbors on Saturday

§  babysit for a neighbor

§  throw a block party

§  take your kids to visit a senior center

§  tutor someone

§  help someone move

§  get a dumpster for your whole street to use

§  pray for the specific needs of your co-workers

§  listen to someone share their life and heart

§  volunteer at a local social service agency

§  have a free garage sale

§  find a project for your group or family at www.actionvc.org

Why I Tweet (or Twitter)!

In today's world we connect with people through instant, brief bursts of interpersonal communications through technology that creates a social platform never before expereienced in human history. We use phones we carry with us, text messages to those phones, post status updates to our friends on Facebook or MySpace, and let our followers know what we are doing right now on Twitter.

While these means of communication should and could never replace authentic interpersonal relationship interaction, they do allow more of it with greater frequency. There are strengths and weaknesses to that reality. 

Even how people are shepherded into new movements by influencers of business, culture, religion, technology, education, the arts, etc. has dramatically been altered with the explosion of social media. Now anyone, anywhere can more easily than ever before form their own tribe of followers. That can be a good thing or a bad thing - it all depends on the purpose of the movement and the character of the leader.

I have discovered how valuable Social Media can be in saying to others "follow me as I follow Jesus." Movement is released and a tribe is formed.

The clip below from author Seth Godin is a great 17 minute glimpse at some of the concepts of being a leader today of a movement that forms a tribe. Enjoy!

Pastor Dongo from Uganda

Each of our services on Sunday, May 3rd concluded with prayer from Pastor Bethuel Dongo from the "God Cares School" in Uganda. This week I spent an hour getting to know Pastor Dongo and hearing his heart for our Lord and his vision for helping the hurting kids of his nation. Click here for his Ministry Website

Calvary participates in Child Sponsorship through the U.S. Ministry (Buyamba) coordinating the efforts in Uganda to aid the children Pastor Dongo and his team are reaching. Check out their sponsorship program: Click Here for Sponsorship Information 

We thank God for this great partnership with Pastor Dongo and the ministry God has given him. Please pray for all the children and the workers who seek to help them. May these children see and hear Jesus from God's servants who share with them that He cares!

Below is a inspirational clip from their website that gives the vision for the ministry among the children in Uganda:

God Cares School from Tyler Rumph on Vimeo.

Cured of a Problem

While studying for Sunday messages, I often come across quotes and illustrations that don't make it into my message for one reason or another, but are worth sharing. Here is one:

Cured of a Problem

A man entered a bar, bought a glass of beer and then immediately threw it into the bartender’s face. Quickly grabbing a napkin, he helped the bartender dry his face while he apologized with great remorse. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “I have this compulsion to do this. I fight it, but I don’t know what to do about it.” “You had better do something about your problem,” the bartender replied. “You can be sure I’ll remember you and will never serve you another drink until you get help.”

It was months before the man faced the bartender again. When he asked for a beer, the bartender refused. Then the man explained that he had been seeing a psychiatrist and that his problem was solved. Convinced it was now okay to serve him, the bartender poured him a drink. The man took the glass and splashed the beer into the barkeeper’s astonished face. “I thought you were cured,” the shocked bartender screamed. “I am,” said the man. “I still do it, but I don’t feel guilty about it anymore.”

Unfinished Business, Charles Sell, Multnomah, 1989, p. 223

Resources for Doubt

Faith and Doubt (Hardcover)

by John Ortberg

We all have doubts, even if we don't want people to know about them. It can be difficult to reconcile the evil we see in the world with a truly loving God. In "Faith & Doubt" author and pastor John Ortberg explores his own doubts and the observations of philosophers and theologians to discover when doubt becomes an obstacle to faith, and when it helps you grow. See how questions and uncertainty can lead you to deeper trust in Jesus.

(description from christianbook.com)

The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity (Paperback)

by Lee Strobel

In his #1 bestseller The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel examined the claims of Christ, reaching the hard-won verdict that Jesus is God's unique son. In The Case for Faith, Strobel turns his skills to the most persistent emotional objections to belief - the eight "heart barriers" to faith. This Gold Medallion-winning book is for those who may be feeling attracted to Jesus but who are faced with difficult questions standing squarely in their path. For Christians, it will deepen their convictions and give them fresh confidence in discussing Christianity with even their most skeptical friends.

(description from christianbook.com)

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (Hardcover)

by Timothy Keller

How could a loving God send people to hell? Why does he allow suffering? Can one religion be "right" and the others "wrong"? Responding to the questions of open skeptics and ardent believers, Keller draws from literature, philosophy, reason, and real-life conversations to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief. 

(description from christianbook.com)

A Place for Skeptics: A Spiritual Journey for Those Who May Have Given Up on Church But Not on God (Hardcover)

by Scott Larson & Chris Mitchell

If you, or someone you know, are reconsidering some of the larger questions of life, then this is the book for you. This 30-day spiritual journey examines questions about God, the Bible, faith and Jesus. A Place for Skeptics is written as a conversation, engaging Christian truth in a relevant, non-confrontational style. 

Modern questions and doubts intersect with ancient confessions of the Christian faith in this provocative book of reflections. What results is the opportunity to consider the validity of Christianity and what it may mean to nurture and grow a real faith. This is not a book of answers, how-tos or formulas but rather a book about asking good questions. And good questions honestly asked can lift us out of our everyday struggles to give us a glimpse of the bigger issues of life. Want a new perspective, a place to wrestle with your questions? You can use A Place for Skeptics as a tool on your journey with God. It might even be a tool God uses on His journey with you. 

For interested skeptics who are not yet ready to come to church but are considering it, as well as new believers looking for something to put them on the path of regular reflection and prayer experience community by finding that you're not the only one with questions about faith. 

(description from the publisher's website: regalbooks.com)

Life after Birth - A Parable

In Our Greatest Gift, Henri Nouwen tells a parable of faith and hope. He imagines twins–a brother and a sister–talking to each other in their mother's womb:

The sister said to the brother, "I believe there is life after birth." 

Her brother protested vehemently, "No, no, this is all there is. This is a dark and cozy place, and we have nothing else to do but to cling to the cord that feeds us." 

The little girl insisted, "There must be something more than this dark place. There must be something else, a place with light where there is freedom to move." Still, she could not convince her twin brother.

After some silence, the sister said hesitantly, "I have something else to say, and I'm afraid you won't believe that, either, but I think there is a mother." 

Her brother became furious. "A mother!" he shouted. "What are you talking about? I have never seen a mother, and neither have you. Who put that idea in your head? As I told you, this place is all we have. Why do you always want more? This is not such a bad place, after all. We have all we need, so let's be content."

The sister was quite overwhelmed by her brother's response and for a while didn't dare say anything more. But she couldn't let go of her thoughts, and since she had only her twin brother to speak to, she finally said, "Don't you feel these squeezes every once in a while? They're quite unpleasant and sometimes even painful." 

"Yes," he answered. "What's special about that?" 

"Well," the sister said, "I think that these squeezes are there to get us ready for another place, much more beautiful than this, where we will see our mother face-to-face. Don't you think that's exciting?"

The brother didn't answer. He was fed up with the foolish talk of his sister and felt that the best thing would be simply to ignore her and hope that she would leave him alone.

Henri Nouwen, Our Greatest Gift: A Meditation on Dying and Caring (Harper: SanFrancisco, 1994), pp. 19-20.

Message of Hope

Dear Friend:

Watching my kids swim the other day stirred some old memories of when they were really little and we would go swimming. At two or three years of age, they were fearless in a pool. I remember our oldest, Jon, standing on the edge of a hotel pool and simply shouting to me, “catch me daddy!” Wherever I was in the water he thought I could be there immediately to catch him as he said those words and took the plunge into the deep end.

Jon had no inhibitions about whether or not I would be there when he jumped or whether or not I would be physically coordinated enough to catch him. He assumed it. He had no doubt or reservation.

Over the years, as the various dangers and realities of such a jump began to settle into Jon’s perspective on the world, things would change. He would not always be so willing to jump with the expectation that I would be there. Fears would emerge about water dangers and doubts would develop about my physical strength and agility.

Some of us came to faith in Jesus through a skeptical search. Others may have initially had the simple, clear faith like the faith of a child from the start - uninhibited and free of any doubt. Then, over time, we may have found ourselves second-guessing such things as the existence of God, the authenticity of the Bible, the resurrection of Christ, the forgiveness of sins by grace through faith alone, or the presence of the Holy Spirit inside the believer.

Have you ever wondered if what you believe is actually true? Have you ever questioned whether or not you were really God’s child? Have you ever questioned why God allows some of the things he allows to happen? Have you gone through seasons of doubt in your spiritual journey? Have you stood back from the edge and reevaluated God and your relationship with Him? Maybe you are grappling with these uncertainties today.

My message this Sunday will address the “Benefit of the Doubt” that most of us deal with at some point or another. Uncertainty is always a part of faith and doubt can be a positive part of our growth in trusting God. I will talk about the difference between “good doubt” and “bad doubt” as we look at the visits of Jesus after the resurrection to the Upper Room where His followers were gathered. We will see how Jesus addressed the fears of the Bible’s most famous doubter – Thomas.

So if you have doubts or you have ever experienced lingering uncertainties regarding your faith in God, this message is for you!



Shawn Thornton
Senior Pastor

Sign up to recieve the Message of Hope

That's My King! (Remix)

Here is the S.M. Lockridge's audio presentation of "That's My King!" with a video remix. Below it is the original video that is most familiar with the audio clip.

Original video presentation:

Hope - The Tomb is Empty!

That's My King!

One of my very favorite video clips (& audio clips) ever!

Jesus Wants the Rose

As Christ-followers, we often communicate our stand for morality and righteousness in a way that judges others with no attempt to point them to the grace of Jesus. In the 4+ minute clip below, Pastor Mark Chandler contrasts two different perspectives about what Jesus thinks about lives broken and left barren by sin. Great clip with challenging thoughts!

The Final Week of Jesus Earthly Ministry

To help you review and reflect on what the week between Jesus' triumphal entry and his resurrection involved, use this one page PDF resource: The Final Week.

Radical Generosity!

The Plate (video)

What happens after the offering plate (or basket) is passed? Watch this clip and be blessed by what God does when His people give to His Church!

Click Here

The Treasure Principle (book)

Here is the book I mentioned about giving: The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. It is easy to read (maybe an hour), but packed with life changing principles about money, giving, etc. Caution: Do not read unless you are willing for God to radically alter how you give to the work of His Kingdom!

Click Here

The Prodigal God (book)

The other book I have mentioned for a couple of weeks now is The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. I am urging all of us to read this before Easter. It will change your perspective on the grace of God toward you and others.

Click Here

Both of these books are being made available at the Journey Resource Center in Calvary's main lobby. Check with the staff there to see if either are currently in stock. Otherwise, some other local bookstores have had both in stock or you can make your order through an online source such as Amazon.

Step up to the edge!

These clips will help you step up to the edge and get a fresh glimpse of God! (working on correcting the size of each clip - they seem to be cut off on the right side - sorry about that).

How Great is Our God! - Louie Giglio

That's My King!

Amazing Grace by Whintley Phipps

How to Pray in the Midst of Financial Catastrophe

Philip Yancy wrote a great article about prayer being a surefire investment during a financial crisis. We get a fresh opportunity to realign who we are and what we value during an economic downturn so drastic it has implications for all of us.

Yancy links our prayer during crisis to what Jesus Himself taught us to pray: "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." He sees what we are experiencing as a potential return by the followers of Christ to the foundation of a missional financial focus.

Read the article from the January 2009 issue of Christianity Today by clicking on the link below:

Click Here!

Had a Great Live Blog About Small Group Community - 3/1/09

We discussed the topic of building community at Calvary. What does that look like? What avenues have others explored to experience community with brothers and sisters in Christ? What were some bad experiences? What were some good experiences?

I chatted live via video and was joined in the blog chat by Drew Sams (Calvary's Student Ministries Pastor) and Carolyn Taketa (Calvary's director of Small Groups). 

Below is a transcript of the blog. It does not have the live video and audio of me, but it does give you a sense of what the comments among the chatters and to my live voice were during the hour.

Article Connected to Friday's Take5

For the article by John Ortberg that coincides with the Take5 for today, please click the link below:

Click Here (updated and corrected - sorry for any inconvenience)

Resources for Daily Bible Reading!

Allowing God's Word to grow you daily is a vital part of living your life for Christ. Here are some resources for reading the Bible and thinking about it daily so it can change you!

Our Daily Bread (from Radio Bible Class)

Click Here

Read through the Bible in a Year (from Christianity Today)

Click Here

Resources mentioned in the Message Today.

Resources mentioned in the message about the Bible today.

Being the Church today! - Discuss it here! Replay!

Simply push the replay button in the middle of the window below and you will be able to review the discussion Pastor Drew and I had with 53 people in a live interactive blog Monday night about how the church can be the church today. Please note that I was on a live webcam, so you will not see many messages from me. Participants could see and hear me.

Being the Church today!

There are two opportunities to chat with Pastors Shawn and Drew (and others) in an interactive online discussion about what the church looks like when it is being the church. 

How will the Body of Christ live out Jesus in a world gripped by crisis and uncertainty? Are those who are not Christ-followers looking for Jesus in His church today? What influence can or should the church have on people in the current culture? Is the financial chaos of our times a window of opportunity for churches to re-calibrate to the core ideals of the early church as found in the Book of Acts, or has the evangelical church lost a voice of legitimacy altogether?

The online dialogue will follow Pastor Shawn's first message (Sunday, Feb 15th) in a series of seven messages addressing the church's need to be marked by authenticity, simplicity, and community. 

Join us Monday (Feb 16th) and Thursday (Feb 19th) between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. - right here at this blog site. A live blogging tool known as "Coveritlive" will be used to facilitate the chat-room-like interaction of the two host pastors with those who participate. 

It should be a great discussion! Sign up below to get a reminder for one or both events - or just show up here at either time.

It Is Well - Listen to My Playlist

In my message this weekend I referenced a playlist of music that will remind you of God's faithfulness and strength through Christ in you. Here it is. This should play through your web browser - just click the play button. You can purchase a song on iTunes for download right here. If you simply listen, may God minister to your heart today. If you download one or more tracks, I trust these songs will be an ongoing encouragement to you.

It Is Well

Scripture to Use in your Battle of the Mind

Today, I spoke on 1) Think Right, 2) Do Right, 3) Feel Right from Philippians 4:8-9. Here are two online resources that might help you find a topic you struggle with in terms of thinking right:

Verses Divided By Counseling Subjects - This list comes from a church called Bible Center (not the same church I was pastor of before coming to California). It might be the easiest resource to use for locating a Scripture that might help you in your struggle. Much of the material comes from a book titled Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling by John G. Kruis.

Verses in Broad Topical Format - This is a helpful online resource for any topical study of the Bible. It is the online version of Nave's Topical Bible and Torrey's New Topical Textbook. You can search either resource via the dropdown box at the top of the screen. If the first resource listed above does not touch on the area of your struggle, then you may find this helpful.

Philippians Chapter 3 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Philippians 3 (New King James Version)

All for Christ

 1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit,[a] rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

   

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule,[b] let us be of the same mind.

Our Citizenship in Heaven

   

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 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: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians Chapter 3 - New Century Version (NCV)

Philippians 3 (New Century Version)

The Importance of Christ

 1 My brothers and sisters, be full of joy in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it will help you to be more ready.2 Watch out for those who do evil, who are like dogs, who demand to cut[a] the body.3 We are the ones who are truly circumcised. We worship God through his Spirit, and our pride is in Christ Jesus. We do not put trust in ourselves or anything we can do,4 although I might be able to put trust in myself. If anyone thinks he has a reason to trust in himself, he should know that I have greater reason for trusting in myself.5 I was circumcised eight days after my birth. I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a Hebrew, and my parents were Hebrews. I had a strict view of the law, which is why I became a Pharisee.6 I was so enthusiastic I tried to hurt the church. No one could find fault with the way I obeyed the law of Moses.7 Those things were important to me, but now I think they are worth nothing because of Christ.8 Not only those things, but I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him, I have lost all those things, and now I know they are worthless trash. This allows me to have Christ9 and to belong to him. Now I am right with God, not because I followed the law, but because I believed in Christ. God uses my faith to make me right with him.10 I want to know Christ and the power that raised him from the dead. I want to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death.11 Then I have hope that I myself will be raised from the dead.

Continuing Toward Our Goal

 12 I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his.13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead,14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.

 15 All of us who are spiritually mature should think this way, too. And if there are things you do not agree with, God will make them clear to you.16 But we should continue following the truth we already have.

 17 Brothers and sisters, all of you should try to follow my example and to copy those who live the way we showed you.18 Many people live like enemies of the cross of Christ. I have often told you about them, and it makes me cry to tell you about them now.19 In the end, they will be destroyed. They do whatever their bodies want, they are proud of their shameful acts, and they think only about earthly things.20 But our homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. 21 By his power to rule all things, he will change our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body. 

Philippians Chapter 3 - J.B. Phillips' New Testament in Plain English

Philippians 3 (Phillips' New Testament in Plain English)    

3:1 - In conclusion, my brothers, delight yourselves in the Lord! It doesn't bore me to repeat a piece of advice like this, and if you follow it you will find it a great safeguard to your souls.

    The "circumcision" party are the enemies of your faith and freedom

    3:2-3 - Be on your guard against these curs, these wicked workmen, these would-be mutilators of your bodies! We are, remember, truly circumcised when we worship God by the Spirit, when we find our joy in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in what we are in the flesh.

    I was even more of a Jew than these Jews, yet knowing Christ has changed my whole life  

    3:4-6 - If it were right to have such confidence, I could certainly have it, and if any of these men thinks he has grounds for such confidence I can assure him I have more. I was born a true Jew, I was circumcised on the eighth day, I was a member of the tribe of Benjamin, I was in fact a full-blooded Jew. As far as keeping the Law is concerned I was a Pharisee, and you can judge my enthusiasm for the Jewish faith by my active persecution of the Church. As far as the Law's righteousness is concerned, I don't think anyone could have found fault with me.

    3:7-11 - Yet every advantage that I had gained I considered lost for Christ's sake. Yes, and I look upon everything as loss compared with the overwhelming gain of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. For his sake I did in actual fact suffer the loss of everything, but I considered it useless rubbish compared with being able to win Christ. For now my place is in him, and I am not dependent upon any of the self-achieved righteousness of the Law. God has given me that genuine righteousness which comes from faith in Christ. How changed are my ambitions! Now I long to know Christ and the power shown by his resurrection: now I long to share his sufferings, even to die as he died, so that I may perhaps attain as he did, the resurrection from the dead.

    3:12-14 - Yet, my brothers, I do not consider myself to have "arrived", spiritually, nor do I consider myself already perfect. But I keep going on, grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasped me. My brothers, I do not consider myself to have fully grasped it even now. But I do concentrate on this: I leave the past behind and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal - my reward the honour of being called by God in Christ.

    My ambition is the true goal of the spiritually adult: make it yours

    3:15-16 - All of us who are spiritually adult should set ourselves this sort of ambition, and if at present you cannot see this, yet you will find that this is the attitude which God is leading you to adopt. It is important that we go forward in the light of such truth as we have ourselves attained to.

    3:17-21 - Let me be your example her, my brothers: let my example be the standard by which you can tell who are the genuine Christians among those about you. For there are many, of whom I have told you before and tell you again now, even with tears, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. These men are heading for utter destruction - their god is their own appetite, their pride is in what they should be ashamed of, and this world is the limit of their horizon. But we are citizens of Heaven; our outlook goes beyond this world to the hopeful expectation of the saviour who will come from Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will re-make these wretched bodies of ours to resemble his own glorious body, by that power of his which makes him the master of everything that is.

Philippians Chapter 3 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;

3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:

5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;

6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching 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 us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;

16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,

19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.