Sermon Tone Analysis

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Scripture Intro:

“Gospel Reset”

What is the Gospel?

The Good News?

What happens when we forget the Gospel?

We begin to live like certain characters.

Today, the Gospel for the Pharisee

The Gospel for...

Jan 8 - The Pharisee

Jan 15 – The Orphan

Jan 22 – The Slave

Jan 29 – The P.O.W.

Feb 5 – The Hermit

Feb 12 – The Control Freak

Feb 19 – For Eeyore

Feb 26 – For Mr. Scrooge

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Today, The Gospel for the Pharisee

Scripture Reading (“Please stand…”)

Philippians 3:2–4 (ESV)

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also.

Philippians 3:4–6 (ESV)

If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

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Pray...

Intro:

ILL.

Enniskillen, Ireland.

Hosted the G8 conference in 2013.

The world's most influential leaders gather together.

The town had gone through terrible economic times

about a year prior to the conference.

So they spent 3 million dollars

placed photos in the closed storefronts to make it appear

that the stores were flourishing and operational.

1) Butcher Shop

2) Office Supplies store

3) Cafe

Bookstore

4) Deli

5) High-End Shoe Store

The outward appearance was magnificent to the person that drove by in a car.

But the inside, was run down, empty,

and only a lifeless store wrapped in a beautiful photograph.

“The Pharisee”

C.S. Lewis -

“Of all the bad men, religious bad men are the worst.”

(C.S. Lewis)

"Good People" Put Confidence in Themselves

(v. 2)

Paul is warning God's people against these dogs...

evildoers,

mutilators of the flesh.

Wow.

What is he talking about?

"Good People" Put on Appearances

Dogs - the lowest of low.

In Jewish culture, dogs were unclean.

So for Paul to term these people as dogs,

would be staggering for anyone to hear.

B/c as we will see if a little bit,

these men are probably the most pious and rule-abiding of all the people.

That's why "evildoers" is so ironic in these verses.

B/c outwardly, they look the part,

and are doing everything they should... even more.

Mutilators of the flesh

It's a reference to circumcision.

So that's why Paul in v.3 says, "We are the circumcision."

Meaning, "we (as those who have Christ) are the ones

who are truly defined by what circumcision marks."

But these guys, though they are outwardly circumcised and require others to do the same,

Paul is calling them "mutilators of the flesh".

They do the things required by God,

but they miss the heart behind them.

So "circumcision without faith"...

is simply an elaborate form of cutting yourself.

And has no value before God.

"Good People" Seek to Justify Themselves

These people mislead God's people by making Following God's Law to the essence of faith.

What I can do

Follow the rules

Adhere to the Law, but not by faith.

Your attempt to get it right and follow the rules...

is all about you (not Jesus).

You are trying to get control of your life...

Through God's law.

But YOU are still at the center of your life.

And YOU are still god.

B/c you are using God's law to get to where you want.

(v.

4-6) If you think you have reason for confidence,

Paul says, I kind of have the corner on the "confidence market".

Philippians 3:4–6 (ESV)

If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Paul’s reasons for confidence in the flesh:

circumcised on the eighth day - check

of the people of Israel - check

of the tribe of Benjamin - check

a Hebrew of Hebrews;