7.7.48 10.29.2023 A Reminder of Who we Are Philippians 3.1-11

Start:

Entice: Reminders are good, particularly when the stakes are high. It is not uncommon for a mentor, leader, or teacher to repeat themselves. So…

Philippians 3:1–2 ESV

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Engage: We live in a complicated world of conflicting interests, intermingled signals of influence, and privilege, and a continual cultural fixation on what is visible and concrete about a person. Paul reminds the Philippians—and us, that there is more. He reminds the Church that people of faith do not measure themselves, or others against the cultural standards of a fallen world. Even those things which most people would consider advantages are to be abandoned to Christ, and for Christ.

Philippians 3:3–6 ESV

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for 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; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

None of our privileges matter. Human advantages are not so advantageous as we think. Focusing on self is a central plank in the campaign platform for hell. Instead, Paul reminds us that we must resign our place according to human reckoning to focus on Jesus.

Expand: It is easy to get tangled in the underbrush of a text and miss the author’s central emphasis. I have, and maybe you have, heard sermons from this text that do the exact opposite of Paul’s intent in this text, focusing on the last section I read. For Paul, lo it is merely an illustration of the central truth he is telling.

Paul illustrates a point—and then moves on to make the point! In following his reasoning, we grasp his central point, when we accept that we must give everything up for Christ.

Excite: It is not easy, nor is it quick to take our focus off self and put it fully on Christ. To help texture this choice Paul—using his own experience—reminds us that Christ is the essence of our faith.

Explore:

Paul’s reminder “focus on Christ!”

Expand: He Structures his reminder around several statements about our relationship to Jesus.

Body of Sermon: First, we live

1 For the sake of Christ.

Philippians 3:7 (ESV)

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

1.1 Because of what He has done (Acts of His passion, facts of salvation.)

1.2 Because of its transformative power.

Next He Reminds us that we live

2 To Gain Christ.

Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

2.1 Gains becomes losses.

2.2 Values are transformed.

Now Paul reminds us that we live

3 Through Faith in Christ.

Philippians 3:9 (ESV)

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

3.1 Not self-saving or self-serving.

How Liberating this concept is! We can’t save ourselves and trying to do so only makes us more aware of the futility of trying!

3.2 Saving faith which results in the righteousness of God.

Finally, Paul reminds us that we live

4 To Know Christ.

Philippians 3:10–11 (ESV)

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Let me expand a bit here. There seems to be some confusion about what it means to know Christ. Knowing Christ means...

4.1 Power of His Resurrection.

4.2 Fellowship of His Sufferings.

4.3 Conformed to image of His death & resurrection.

Shut Down

This passage is always a needed reminder because since the very beginning there have been powerful, influential forces seeking to transform knowledge of Jesus, faith in Jesus, living for the sake of Jesus, and gaining Jesus into the means of doing things for our sake and to gain the world.

Material,

ethnic,

social,

cultural,

national

advantages do not make a difference when those things no longer count. The process of discarding those things begins from that first flickering moment of faith in Jesus.

From that time forward we seek to know Him better and see the value in that choice. Soon, we sing.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus—There’s just something about that name.

Jesus, Loves me, this I know!

I’d rather have Jesus than anything, this world affords today.

To know Him. To have faith in Him. To gain Him. To do everything, ev-er-y-thing, everything, for His sake; this is the beauty this is the depth of life in Christ.

This is God’s Word for us! His liberating Word! Focusing His people, directing us to find life in His Son.