Time to Surrender

Call to Worship

[Psalm 51]

Stand to sing first hymn/song.

Prayer list.

Join in singing second song.

Introduction

ATTN: [First-Person Story].

Online games. Leveling-up, unlocking achievements; all for nothing.

Upset my dad when forgot trash. My reality v. his.

We all NEED to change our thinking from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness; from boasting in our own achievements to enjoying his.

Self-centeredness can go one of two ways:

We see ourselves as righteous and not needing anything from God.

We see ourselves as too broken for God to fix.

In Philippians 3:1-11, we will see how knowing Jesus freed Paul from the fear of spiritual failure.

But how does your relationship with Jesus free you from spiritual failure?

Sermon Idea: Knowing Christ as Savior Frees Us from the Fear of Spiritual Failure.

How does knowing Christ as Savior free you from the fear of spiritual failure?

Here are three ways:

By Guarding our Hearts with Joy (3:1)

Context:

Previously, Paul was arrested for preaching the gospel.

He is writing to the church in Philippi to thank them for their material gift, brought to him by Epaphroditus.

Despite his confinement, Paul is joyful that the gospel is spreading and is writing also to encourage these believers.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Explain:

Difference between joy and happiness.

Happiness depends on what is happening.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and is a state of being with Christ.

“To write the same things” refers to Paul’s repetitive command to rejoice.

Thus far, he has implored their rejoicing 5 times.

“Repetition is the mother of retention.”

This gospel joy is “no trouble” for Paul to repeat and “safe” to hear continually.

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

Joy in Jesus serves as a shield against false teaching.

Re-watching favorite TV show, fictional character dies, and knowing the ending.

Your friend watching with you has no idea, so they are caught up in the moment of emotion.

But when you know how the story ends (victory in Christ), you don’t have to be weighed down by the passing moment.

By Trusting in Jesus, not Man (3:2-7)

English Standard Version Chapter 3

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

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.

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

Explain:

“dogs…evildoers…those who mutilate” are the Judaizers.

Irony: This language is what Jews would often associate with Gentiles.

These were the Jewish people opposing Christianity.

They taught that Gentile converts must be circumcised.

Galatians 6:13 “For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.”

Play on words:

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

The word for “circumcision” is peritomē; these false teachers are actually katatomē—mutilators.

They held to OT ways of worship which effectively denied the gospel (cf. Lk. 5:36-38).

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

Paul shows that the opponents’ attempt to create confidence in the flesh is an evil work because it compromises the gospel.

While they argued for their legitimacy in worship, Paul explains NT worship:

“by the Spirit” (cf. John 4:23: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”)

“glory in Christ” rather then self-accomplishment (such as obedience to the Law).

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

Believing is boasting or glorying in Jesus.

In other words, true circumcision is demonstrated by a changed heart.

Romans 2:28–29: “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”

If anyone had reason to be confident in their “righteousness,” it was Paul.

To demonstrate completeness, he listed 7 reasons why:

He was circumcised according to the Levitical laws.

He was a natural-born child of Abraham, not a proselyte.

He came from the same tribe as King Saul, and even shared his name.

His family history was thoroughly Hebrew.

He followed the strictest Jewish sect (Pharisees).

His zeal led him to persecute the church of Christ before his conversion.

And he followed the Mosaic Law and Rabbinic traditions to the letter.

These would have seemingly made Paul in good standing with God.

We love how-to’s and practical steps. Paul could have written a book: Seven Steps to Righteous Living.

These religious “gain” that Paul had acquired throughout his life was now considered “loss.”

Self-effort to please God is always loss.

Only a relationship with Jesus Christ makes one righteous before God.

Like many of us, Paul thought his religious credit score was 888! But without Jesus, he was bankrupt!

Investing into cryptocurrency. Once a good idea, not so much now!

By Relinquishing Self in Pursuit of Christlikeness (3:8-11)

English Standard Version Chapter 3

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

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—

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.

Explain:

If you had to choose between a relationship with Jesus or a pile of dog poop...

How to obtain righteousness: obeying the law versus having faith in God’s Son.

Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

The problem is every one of us have broken the law and stand condemned before God.

Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

And he rose again according to the Scriptures.

Paul understood suffering to be temporary on earth and worth an eternity with Christ.

You are no stranger to suffering. Christ can empathize.

Dying and Resurrecting with Christ:

Paul was so confident in Jesus’ Messiah-ship that he scrapped his old ideas of law-keeping.

Adhering to a list of rules won’t save anyone.

The law was given to reveal God’s character and our sinfulness by comparison.

A personal relationship with Jesus will change your life from the inside out.

Some of us have walked with the Lord for a long time and think we’re “good” with Jesus.

We can become complacent and take the grace God gives us for granted.

We have forgotten the price that God paid for our lives and it has effected our worship.

For this, we must repent.

Others among us may feel like we’re just too far gone; like we’re too dirty to be made clean or that we have made too many mistakes to be forgiven.

Conclusion

Knowing Christ as Savior Frees Us from the Fear of Spiritual Failure.

By Enjoying the Truth of the Gospel (v. 3:1).

By Trusting in Jesus’ Works, not Man’s (vv. 3:2-7).

By Letting Go of Self and Holding onto Jesus (vv. 3:8-11).

Jesus lived a perfect life, He died on a cross, and He rose from the dead

so that all who would turn away from their sins and follow Him would inherit eternal life!

What will you do?

Will you rely on your own efforts to please God or will you trust in what Christ has already done for you?

God doesn’t care how many times you go to church if your heart is far from him Monday through Saturday.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:20: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Are you more “righteous” than Paul?

Will you live in fear of your eternal destiny or will you surrender to Christ’s Lordship?

All roads lead to God. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and atheists will meet God one day. But what will he say to you when you get there?

Will you follow Jesus today, tomorrow, and forever?

Because of Christ, we can surrender our self-righteous efforts and trust in Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection for our salvation.

Gospel Presentation

Closing Prayer.

Stand for Worship.

God Bless You