July 31, 2011
Morning Service

Philippians 3:1-9

 

Review:

1. We are studying in letter to the Philippians.  Philippi is in the region of Macedonia.  Other churches that Paul established are Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, and Athens Greece.  Writing letters to Thessalonica, and Corinth.
2. In chapter two Paul teaches concerning humility.  Listen to him;  Phi 2:1-4 KJVR  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  (2)  Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  (3)  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  (4)  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
3. Hopefully we can see the encouragement to unity, and caring for others.
4. Then he speaks of the humility of Christ, then of himself, then of Timothy, then lastly Epaphroditus.
5. On Wednesday evenings we have been studying in the O.T.  We have seen the children of Israel delivered out of bondage from Egypt under the leadership of Moses.  We have seen Moses die, and Joshua took over the leadership of the people.  We have recently seen Joshua die, and his last words were to warn the people not to forsake the laws of God, that had been given to them.  We have seen that once the Godly generation of Joshua died off, the people began to intermingle, and worship false gods.  The saying was, “every man did what was right in his own eyes.”  This caused God to raise up Judges to lead Israel out of captivity from the people that He allowed to conquer, and punish them.

 

As we begin chapter 3 of Philippians listen to what Moses told the children of Israel concerning the Passover;  Exo 13:14 KJVR  And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

Now listen to Paul;

Phi 3:1-9 KJVR  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.

• Paul says finally, he is bringing his letter to a close.
• Rejoice in the Lord.  Christians be happy, and joyful.  Just think of what God has done for mankind, and you have accepted His wonderful gift of eternal life, through grace. 
• Paul even repeats this in chapter 4:4,  Phi 4:4 KJVR  Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
• Then to write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 
• Peter said; 2Pe 1:12  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 2Pe 1:13  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

2Pe 1:14  Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. 2Pe 1:15  Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

• Repeating the things we accept as truths;  YOUR OWN PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF HOW YOU BECAME A CHRISTIAN, AND WHY.  REMEMBER WHAT MOSES SAID, “when thy son asketh thee in time to come.”  Be ready to share with your children, or with whoever wants to know.  I’m not talking about being obnoxious, and flaunting your salvation, but with humility, and love.
• God is a deliverer.  You will see what I mean as we finish this study this morning.  God is a deliverer.
• Paul is reminding them of things he taught them while with them, and he says “I don’t mind doing this at all,”.  And it will help you in your walk with God.

(2)  Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 

• Paul is warning the church concerning teachers that would come in among them, and tell them that they had to be circumcised in order to please God.
• Beware of dogs, this is about as ugly a description of these teachers as Paul can get.  The term dog also is used to denote a person that is shameless, impudent, malignant, snarling, dissatisfied, and contentious, and is evidently so employed here. 

 

 (3)  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 

• Paul explains “we are the circumcision” more clearly in:  Col 2:11-14 KJVR  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  (12)  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.  (13)  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;  (14)  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
• Baptism is much more than just an outward appearance for and inward work of grace.  It is a spiritual application of death, burial, and resurrection of a new creature in Christ.  It is where the circumcision of God is applied to one’s heart.  It is the operation of God.
• All things we do have spiritual meanings.  We don’t just eat, and drink, bread, and juice, but it is the Body, and Blood of Christ.  It’s spiritual, and we must accept it in this manner.
• For Paul says, we worship God in the spirit. 
• John said, “God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit, and truth.” St.Jn.4:24.
• NOTICE HOW PAUL DESCRIBES THE THINGS OF THE FLESH.

(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:  (5)  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews;

• This was commanded of all Jews under the old covenant that God had made with Abraham.  All Jews did it.  ( Gen. 17:12 )

as touching the law, a Pharisee; 

• This was one of the more zealous groups of Judaism.

(6)  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church;

• Zeal in the wrong way. 

touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 

• Paul kept the law. 

(7)  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  (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, 

• This is exactly the attitude that we should have concerning Christ.   
• Jesus told the rich young ruler, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
• Give up your treasures here on earth, and send up treasures for heaven, good works.
• I always think of Bro. Kern when I read these Scriptures.
• The things of God must come first in our lives.  In order to live rejoicing every day, God has got to be sitting on the throne of your heart. 
• Look at Paul’s attitude, “I have lost all things that once were important to me, but I count them as nothing, as long as I have Christ.”

(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:

• In Him, this is a phrase that Paul uses quite often in his writings.  So, how do we get into Christ?       Gal 3:27 KJVR  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  You are baptized into Christ.
• CONCERNING RIGHTEOUSNESS;  Paul didn’t count all the works of the flesh for his righteousness but; 
• Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
• 1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

 

This study raises many questions,  Have you been baptized into Christ?  Have you accepted the free gift of salvation, and the righteousness which is by faith in Jesus Christ?  Is God first in your life?

ALMIGHTY GOD, PLEASE HELP US TO ACCEPT THIS WONDERFUL GIFT OF GRACE.