CHRIST, OUR GOAL

Philippians 3

The overall theme of this book is JOY! There is where this chapter begins: Rejoice in the Lord!

REJOICING IN THE LORD and BEWARE OF PITFALLS – V. 1-13

1. Rejoicing in the Lord – written while Paul was imprisoned (under house arrest);

• Circumstances need not steal our JOY

• Repeating the principles of discipleship is a safety-net for Believers.

o It helps us remember and put them into practice.

o Repetition is not a sign of laziness or going backwards, but is necessary to truly learn.

• BEWARE, be on your guard against:

o ‘Beware of dogs’ is a metaphor defining a person of impure or impudent mind.

 These are persons who are casually disrespectful; speaking flippantly

 They may think they have authority to ‘talk back’ or to ‘lecture’ those they should be listening to and learning from.

o ‘Beware of evil workers’ refers to worthless or bad natured persons who serve in some capacity (perhaps as a teacher) who perpetrates their service for selfish reasons –

 for the money they receive if hired (hirelings) or

 for the selfish purposes – to take advantage of their position to influence wrongly…

o ‘Beware of the mutilation’ – those Jewish Believers who insist on adherence to the OT covenant practices, especially the practice of physical circumcision.

 Ro. 2:27-28 – For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter, whose praise is not from men but from God.

 Ac. 15:1-2 (TURN TO)– And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

 V. 6-35 tells the discussion and decision of this counsel – v. 23-29

 V. 24 – Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “you must be circumcised and keep the law” – to whom we gave no such commandment.

 V. 25 - Paul and Barnabas sent to the churches to correct this teaching.

• We are the circumcision – v. 3

o Worship God in the Spirit (and in truth – John 4:24)

o Always rejoice in Christ Jesus –, in every situation. Rejoicing is a way of expressing:

o Confidence in Christ Jesus, not in our flesh, our natural human natures.

 Confidence in self involves prideful boasting – v. 4-7 – one’s pedigree.

 Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Is. 64:6) – worthless and ineffective.

 Our righteousness comes from Christ Jesus (v. 9-10) bringing His

 Power of resurrection life; fellowship of His suffering; conformation to His death.

 V. 8 - count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ!

2. FORGETTING WHAT’S BEHIND TO PRESS FORWARD – V. 12-21

• Remember to Forget – to lose out of the mind; to no longer care about/for; to lose the power of the memory upon your soul.

• Lk. 9:62 – Jesus said, No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

o Fit means to be useful, well placed, or appropriate.

o In the natural, when we shift our focus to the side of the road while driving, we drift towards that direction and need to redirect the vehicle.

• Some things to put behind us:

o I Jn. 2:15-17 – the lust/desire of the flesh, eyes; and pride of life.

o Past successes or achievements that tend to make us long for the past, for what was.

o V. 18-19 – (READ) – bitterness or woundings that cause one to become an enemy of the cross.

 Destructive lifestyles – making excuses for sin; clinging to past hurts….

 Self-serving – making a god of themselves and their desires while blaming others for preventing their maturity and growth (‘whose god is their belly’ – soul)

 Glory in their shame – always reliving ‘why’ they act and think the way they do without taking personal responsibility for their error and moving on.

 Mind set on earthly things – this never brings glory to God nor wholeness to the soul!

• Jesus is our Goal and Prize; Our citizenship is in heaven – v. 14, 20

o Jesus has laid hold of us, so we should hold fast to Him – v. 12

 We reach for maturity in Him by faith, doing what He puts in our hands to do. V. 13-14

 We develop the mind of Christ and walk in that mindset He has – v. 15-16

 We take note of those the Lord has placed as an authority and example over us to learn from – v. 17

 I Cor. 11:1 – Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

 Eph. 5:1 – Therefore be imitators of God as dear children

 You should be able to say who you imitate, who helps you to mature in Christ.

o Our citizenship is eternal – v. 20-21

 We eagerly await Jesus’ return.

 Our bodies will have a final transformation into the same glorious body as Jesus has.

 He is able to subdue all things to Himself.

o We are subdued, obedient to Him while still on earth.

o This word is a military term meaning to ‘arrange by troop divisions under a commander.’

 We therefore know our place, position, and authority under Jesus who holds all power both in heaven and on earth, to follow Him, imitate Him, and mature into His likeness.

 We have a mature voluntary attitude of cooperating and assuming responsibility to go where He directs, do what He assigns, and speak what He imparts to our hearts to encourage and build up others in faith towards Him; giving all glory and praise to God our Father. AMEN!!