Going After the Prize
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Paul begins chapter three by returning to one of the book of Philippians major themes: Joy and/or rejoicing! If you have your Bibles lets look together at Philippians chapter 3.
Rejoicing is a Safeguard
Rejoicing is a Safeguard
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.
Paul starts by saying “Rejoice in the Lord!” This is one of 7 times in Philippians that Paul tells us to rejoice (1:18; 2:17, 18, 28; 3:1; 4:4, 10). That tells me that it must be important.
In fact, Paul tells his readers that it is no trouble for him to say the same thing over and over, because rejoicing is a “safeguard” for us!
Watch Out
Watch Out
Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.
Watch Out--(Gk. beware, look out are all ways of saying the same thing) We are to be on our guard against. . .(v. 2a)
Paul says we are to watch out for those dogs. . .Dogs are a metaphor for evil men (cf. Ps. 22:16, 20; Rev. 22:15) (v. 2b).
In this case they are called “evildoers” because the continue to mutilate the flesh--so they are still involved in requiring circumcision to be a “true” follower of Jesus. Paul considered this requirement to be an addition to the gospel of grace (v. 2c).
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—
Paul explains that “true” circumcision are those people who serve God through the power of His Spirit (v. 3a).
In fact, true circumcision is made of of people who boast in Jesus the Messiah, and who put NO confidence in anything from the flesh! (v. 3b)
No Confidence in Ourselves!
No Confidence in Ourselves!
though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
In the first part of verse 4, Paul says he has every reason to put his confidence in his flesh.
Paul wants to illustrated that we can NEVER put our confidence in what we do in the flesh. To do this, he is going to give us his resume. After all, if anyone had a good reason to be confident in the flesh it would be Paul.
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;
Circumcised on the 8th day (according to the law) (v. 5a).
An Israelite (v. 5b).
From the tribe of Benjamin (v. 5c).
He was a great Hebrew! (v. 5d)
A Pharisee (v. 5e)
as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
So zealous that he persecuted the early church (v. 6 a).
And he was faultless with regards to the law (v. 6b).
Indeed, his resume looks great, but Paul tells us that all of his past did nothing for him!
Everything Loss
Everything Loss
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
After listing all of his previous, great accomplishments Paul now emphasizes the futility of them.
Whatever gains (profit) he received from his accomplishments, he now consider loss for the sake of Jesus! (v. 7)
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
Paul takes it a step farther. He considered EVERYTHING loss because of the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus (v. 8a).
In fact, Paul considered all of his past accomplishments to be “garbage” (Gk. dung, manure, excrement. cf. Isa. 64:6) so he could gain Christ (v. 8b).
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’s ultimate desire it to be “in Christ”(one with Christ) (v. 9a).
He wants to live out a righteousness that doesn’t come from obeying the law of God (v. 9b).
Instead he wants to live out the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ (v. 9c).
Paul tells us that this righteousness is a product of our faith in God (v. 9d).
Knowing Christ
Knowing Christ
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
The key for Paul is that he genuinely wants to know Christ. Sometimes I wonder if I am so busy doing for Christ that I forget to stop and work on building my relationship with Christ.
Paul wants to know Jesus Christ in three ways:
He wants to know the power (Gk. dynamas from which we get our English word dynamite) of Jesus’ that comes through His resurrection! (v. 10a)
He wants to participate in the sufferings of Jesus (v. 10b).
And Paul wants to become like Jesus in His death (v. 10c).
Honestly, I love talking about knowing and experiencing the power of Jesus! But I really don’t like the thought of connecting with jesus through suffering, and most of us did not “sign up” for participating in death!
and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Verse 11 gives modern day interpreters some struggles to understand. One problem is the phrase that is being translated here is only used this one time in all of Scripture.
Some have used this verse to suggest that Paul believed a person could lose one’s salvation. However, this view is not consistent with Paul’s other writings.
Some have suggested that Paul was not sure of his salvation. Again, taking this view would be go against his other writings.
Since the Greek phrase actually refers to the dead being called out of the dead, it seem most likely that Paul is referring to the resurrection (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
This third view seems to follow the logical progression found in verse 10. Paul was longing for Christ to call His church home via the “rapture” (v. 11).
Not There Yet!
Not There Yet!
Paul wants us to know that he doesn’t believe he:
Had obtained all that was in the previous verses,
Nor has he already arrived at his goal (v. 12a).
Instead, Paul says he pressed on to take hold of that which God took hold of him (v. 12b).
When we come to verse 13, he repeats himself--so this must be important!
He says again, that he does not consider himself to have achieved the things God called him to do (v. 13a).
Paul says, he had one thing on his mind: to forget what is behind, and strain toward what is ahead (v. 13b).
Paul will press on toward the goal (v. 14a).
Paul wants to win the prize for which God called him towards heaven (v. 14b).
And all of this was accomplished through Jesus Christ (v. 14c)
Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual Maturity
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Everyone that is mature, should be pressing on to accomplish God’s purposes (v. 15a)
Paul says if we disagree with him, God will it clear what we should think (v. 15b).
Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
The key is that each of us should live up to what we have already attained--we need to keep living by the standard of godliness (v. 16).
Follow Paul’s Example
Follow Paul’s Example
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
Paul says that the church at Philippi should follow his example (v. 17a)
And they should look for people who live like he does to follow (v. 17b)
For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Paul constantly said there are many who live as enemies of the cross of Christ (v. 18).
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
They are destined for destruction (v. 19a).
Their god is their apatite (v. 19b)
Their glory is really their shame (v. 19c).
They set their minds on earthly things (v. 19d).
Our Citizenship
Our Citizenship
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Our citizenship is in heaven. That means we need to stop being consumed by life in this world! (v. 20a)
We should be eagerly awaiting the return of our Savior--Jesus Christ our Lord (v. 20b).
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Who had everything put under His control (v. 21a).
Who will transform our lowly bodies (v. 21b).
So that they will be like His (v. 21c)
So What?
So What?
Today, do you want to know Christ?
Do you just want to know the power of His resurrection?
If so, are you willing participate in His sufferings?
An are you willing to become like Him in death?
You see Paul not only believed that nothing was greater than knowing Jesus, he lived his life like knowing Jesus was the most valuable thing ever!
And in the context of living his life that way, he could say, “Follow my example!”
