Watchfulness

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Intro

We are going to dive back into our series on Philippians and today we are on Chapter 3.

Dont forget

We see here in the beginning of the third chapter Paul starts out by reminding us again of things he has already told them.

Philippians 3:1–3 (NIV)

No Confidence in the Flesh

3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

So we can see here Paul reminds us to watch out for things that can pull us away from Christ.

In verse 2 we see Paul refer to 3 different names of people. However He was referring to the same group with 3 different names, and this group of people that Paul was warning them about was trying to tell the people in the Phillipi church that they had to be circumsized in order to be saved.

So we may not be having people tell us that we have to be circumsized in order to be saved, but

What are some things people in our world today tend to tell us we have to have in addition to belief in Jesus in order to be saved?

I also however think that this verse could apply a lot more than just to what people add to salvation. In today’s world we can see a lot of people sharing things like all faiths lead to heaven, or all you have to do is to be a good person.

One big thing that is currently growing is Wicca and beliefs in crystals here in Wapak.

And people may think that its no big deal but the Bible tells us other wise.

Ephesians 6:10–13 (NIV)

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

This passage is reminding us that we dont fight against each other, but if you are a believer in Jesus that there is a much larger war going on, a war that we cannot even see. This is a spiritual war that is fighting for the soul of every single living person, and if you have given you life to Christ I believe that you cannot lose that gift of salvation, but that you can lose your effectiveness.

So if you have given your life to Christ we have to make sure to put on that Armor of God, so that we can maintain our effective witness because there is a war going on to stop your witness. If you havent given your life to Christ then there is a war going on to try to prevent you from ever doing so.

John 14:6 (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So we have so many different people telling us different ways to get into Heaven however the Bible is clear when it says that Jesus paying our price for our sin is the only way that we can get into heaven.

So we need to make sure we dont forget to protect ourselves and prepare ourselves for the battle.

We have confidence in Christ

Next we have to remember that we have our confidence in Christ, and not through our own abilities.

Philippians 3:3–6 (NIV)

3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

In this passage Paul is reminding us that it is not our own abilities that allow us to succeed, but it is Jesus and the Holy Spirit that allows us to live a life worthy of emulating.

Paul then goes on to tell them but if there was anybody that could claim that then it was me.

Picture of Deion Sanders

That is a picture of Deion Sanders one of the best athletes of all time, and he knew it, and he was not afraid to tell you about it.

However as believers Paul reminds us that its not about us, even though Paul had a resume that anybody would want to have, and yet Paul didnt consider his resume worth anything.

Philippians 3:8–9 (NIV)

8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Paul realizes that no matter what we have in the world it is useless compared to what we gain in Christ. As a follower of Christ you may have to give things up. You may have to give up popularity, friendships, parties, identities, or possibly even your life. However Paul reminds us here in Philippians that it is worth giving it all away for the cause of Christ.

What are you willing to give up for Christ?