Christ Our End

We have learned so far in the book of Philippians that Christ is everything to the believer. In the first chapter we learned that Christ is the life of the believer. In the second chapter we learned that Christ is the example of the believer, we saw living examples of this in our last account. In this section beginning in chapter 3, we will see that Christ is the goal of the believer. ‘Christ is our End’, our sermon title for this afternoon.

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.

“Finally”

This signals a transition in the letter. Moving on to a new topic. It could be translated “in addition to”. Some will take the word as a concluding word and take this as Paul meaning to conclude, but then sort being compelled to write this short polemic on judaism. It is plausible, but the former fits better.

“Rejoice”

O’Brien:

Not a "superficial cheerfulness" that ignores life's realities but a joy that takes into account the Philippians' hardships and "recognizes God's mighty working in and through those circumstances to fulfill his own gracious purposes in Christ"

“in the Lord”

confidence in the Lord. Ps…“Trust in him at all times o people”

But further, the Lord is the only true ground of our joy. What else can be the cause and means of rejoicing? Nothing. Again, this is the foundation, so that when false teachers want you to boast in the flesh…..in any way shape or form. You, already having your joy in the Lord, will be on guard against it.

why does he admonish them to rejoice and then go right into a warning.

Because it is the foundation of the warning. In other words, if you are rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ. If that is your foundation, you will be less easily thrown off that foundation and further will recognize a drift from that rock to more sandy establishments put forward by false teachers.

Rejoice in the Lord first. If you are not, you wont detect the dogs,etc…

To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Warning against false teaching isn’t a light matter. False teaching, just like lawless living drives souls to hell. Persisting in false teaching is as disastrous to the soul as persisting in fornication, or drunkeness, or anger. In neither case will that soul enter the kingdom of heaven.

This probably strikes our modern ears funny, but the Athanasian Creed gets it right. “Whoever does not keep the catholic faith whole and unbroken will doubtless parish eternally.”

To fall off the foundation, is to fall into eternal ruin.

And it is subtle hence the admonition to vigalence. We are to always be watching. Falling away from Christ our solid rock doesn’t happen over night. It starts with entertaining this idea, then this one, until finally, you have got yourself upon sinking sand.

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;

Look. To look intently. Pay careful attention.

Why? Because it won’t be obvious.

Coral snake vs () its not obvious if you aren’t taught to look

“Dogs”

Acts 15:1 “1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.””

Dog’s is a derpogatory term for both Jew and Gentile.

Listen to this entry from Vincents Word Studies:

Dr. Thomson says of the dogs in oriental towns: “They lie about the streets in such numbers as to render it difficult and often dangerous to pick one’s way over and amongst them—a lean, hungry, and sinister brood. They have no owners, but upon some principle known only to themselves, they combine into gangs, each of which assumes jurisdiction over a particular street; and they attack with the utmost ferocity all canine intruders into their territory. In those contests, and especially during the night, they keep up an incessant barking and howling, such as is rarely heard in any European city. The imprecations of David upon his enemies derive their significance, therefore, from this reference to one of the most odious of oriental annoyances”

Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 3 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 443.

“Evil Workers”

Deceitful workers.

“beware of the mutilation”

This word is a play on circumcision. It’s only other use is found in Leviticus 21:5 “5 ‘They shall not make any baldness on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh.”

Paul refers to their practice as something forbidden in the Mosaic law. Your practice, rather than being holy and acceptable to the Lord, is a profanation to him, on par with pagan religion. This is how we would measure those who require tongue speaking as a mark of saving faith or membership. It’s a profanation. It is akin to pagan practice, nothing akin to the Christian faith. Not all charismatics &n Pentecostals, but those who require such.

Zanchi:

For the meaning is: Because false teachers, especially those who are of the circumcision, are difficult to pick out, everyone ought to be on guard against them and preserve himself in the received apostolic teaching. It is, therefore, also necessary to carefully identify and keep an eye on false teachers, so that they can be avoided.

3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

who’s we? Pauls a Jew and the folks they are trying to force circumcision upon are gentiles.

What was circumcisions purpose?

4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:

5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation 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 the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.