Philippians 3:1-11 | From Pride to Praise
Philippians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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INTRO
This month is pride month… don’t hear about that as much this year.
Pride is a sin! … Humility is what we are to pursue…
Pride says
I’m fine how I am I don’t need any fixing
I can do this on my own I don’t need your help
I don’t need your God to save me
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. 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. 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.
MESSAGE
The Warning Issued (Phil 3:1-3)
Look Out!
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. 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—
For false teachers / False converts !!
Revelation 22:15 “15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
2 Corinthians 11:13 “13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling !
John 4:23 “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.”
Galatians 5:25 “25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
The Want of the Old Man (Phil 3:4-6)
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.
The Pride of Procedure
Circumcised on the eighth day… 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church
Genesis 17:12 “12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,”
Leviticus 12:3 “3 And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.”
Confidence in outward religious ritual or work
Were you baptized
Were you catechized
Are you a church member
Do you attend the meetings
Quote:
"Legalism is relying on what we do rather than what Christ has done." — Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Illustration:
A person who believes that attending church weekly, reading the Bible, and following religious rules makes them acceptable to God, forgetting that these are responses to salvation, not the basis of it.
Application:
Dependence on outward religious acts can blind us from the true grace found in Christ. Let us remember that our righteousness is through faith, not works.
The Pride of Prestige
as to the law, a Pharisee; … ; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Ephesians through Philemon A. The Judaizing Danger (3:1–16)
it had been his own choice to belong to the most orthodox of the Jewish parties, the Pharisees. This party contained the most zealous supporters and interpreters of OT law, and Paul had studied under Gamaliel, its most celebrated teacher
Relying on Social status or reputation
do you give to the poor / tithe regularly
do you help others in need
do you have accomplishments attached to your name
degrees, awards
are you a boss at work / a deacon at church / a Sunday school leader or children's teacher
are you a good moral person
do people look up to you ?
Galatians 2:16 “16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
Galatians 3:11 “11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.””
Quote:
"Pride is essentially the refusal to admit our dependence on God." — J.I. Packer
Illustration:
Think of someone boasting about their social status or religious reputation, thinking it elevates their standing before God. It’s like a person wearing a crown made of paper—impressive but worthless in the end.
Application:
Avoid placing your confidence in social or religious status. Recognize your identity as rooted in Christ alone.
The Pride of Pedigree
Of the people of Israel of the tribe of Benjamin a Hebrew of Hebrews
He was no convert He was a blood born Jew
Boasting in ancestral or cultural heritage
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Ephesians through Philemon (A. The Judaizing Danger (3:1–16))
This tribe alone had been faithful to the Davidic throne at the time of the division of the kingdom. It had given the nation its first king, after whom Paul had been named by his parents. By calling himself a “Hebrew of Hebrews,” he may have meant he had no mixed parentage but was of pure Jewish ancestry from both parents. The phrase may also refer to his linguistic and cultural upbringing, which involved the Hebrew and Aramaic languages (in distinction from that of the Hellenist Jews), even though he had been born in the Diaspora (Acts 6:1; 22:2, 3).
It is often averred that Paul mentions his connection with Benjamin because that tribe was especially honored among the tribes of Israel. In addition to the distinctions of Benjamin mentioned in the exposition, this patriarch was the only one born in the Promised Land, he was the offspring of Jacob’s favorite wife, and the feast of Purim commemorated the national deliverance by Mordecai, a Benjamite. Furthermore, some suggest that this tribe held the post of honor in the armies of Israel (“following you, Benjamin,” Judg 5:14).
Is your mamma and daddy saved?
Did your grandma attend this church
Maybe your daddy is a preacher
Maybe your aunt taught a bible study
Maybe you come from the wealthiest family in town
Romans 2:29 “29 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.”
Quote:
"Our spiritual lineage counts for nothing unless it is rooted in Christ." — Charles Spurgeon
Illustration:
A person proud of their family’s religious heritage, assuming it guarantees their salvation, similar to inheriting a treasure chest but never opening it.
Application:
Don’t trust in your religious background; instead, pursue a personal relationship with Christ.
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Mark 8:36–37 “36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?”
Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (II. The Wealth of the New Man)
When I was a little boy, when we’d find something that didn’t belong to us, we used to say, “Finders keepers; losers weepers.” Did you ever say that? “Finders keepers; losers weepers.” But you know what the Apostle Paul changed that to? Listen, friend: Keepers weepers; losers finders.
Quote:
"Beware of trusting in anything outside Christ for your salvation; it is a trap." — John Stott
The Wealth of the New Man (Phil 3:8-9)
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—
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Ephesians through Philemon (A. The Judaizing Danger (3:1–16))
Christ is far superior to them in every respect—so much so that Paul had cast them away as nothing but rubbish
Knowledge of Christ
I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord
Do you know OF him?
Lion / Lamb
God / Man
Do you know Him!?
Christ / My / Lord
Intimate understanding and relationship
Quote:
"To know Christ is the highest good; to know Him is eternal life." — John Owen
Application:
Prioritize deepening your knowledge of Christ through spending time with Him.
Fellowship with Christ
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him,
Not just gaining a something !
life / forgiveness / home / people
Gaining a Someone!!
Jesus
Sharing in Christ’s sufferings and life
Quote:
"The Christian life is not merely about believing in Christ but walking with Him daily." — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Illustration:
Like a child walking hand-in-hand with their parent, walking with Christ involves daily dependence, trust, and communion.
Righteous through Christ
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
Are you tired of trying? Start resting ! Rest in Christs finished work on the cross
Justification by faith, not works
Romans 4:5–8 “5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.””
2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Quote:
"Our righteousness is a gift, not a wage." — Martin Luther
Application:
Rest confidently in your standing before God based on Christ’s righteousness, not your own efforts.
The Worship Inspired (Phil 3:10-11)
Justification / Sanctification / Glorification
Exalting Jesus in Philippians (The Glory of Knowing Christ (Philippians 3:1–11))
A. Justification: Trust Christ alone as your righteousness (3:9).
B. Sanctification: Know Christ more and become more like Him (3:10).
C. Glorification: Anticipate your resurrection (3:11).
Look Up!
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.
focus on longing for Christs return or your own resurrection
Quote:
"The aim of the Christian life is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection." — A.W. Tozer
Illustration:
A climber gazing upward toward the peak, motivated to reach higher. Likewise, our focus should be on Christ and His resurrection power.
Application:
Live with an eternal perspective, longing to know Christ more fully, and depend on His power to transform and sustain you.
CLOSE
Exalting Jesus in Philippians Second, Justification Is Received by Faith
Isaac Watts wrote “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” a beautiful hymn that calls this passage to mind:
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
I think the apostle Paul would have enjoyed this song! I pray your heart sings it as well!
GROUP QUESTIONS
Is there one thing that stood out to you most from this message, if so what and why?
According to 3:3, what are the three distinguishing marks of a genuine Christian? How would you communicate these in your own words?
In verses 4-6, Paul talks about trusting in the "old man"—our flesh and external righteousness. Which of the "prides" (procedure, prestige, pedigree) do you find most tempting to rely on? Why?
Paul lists prideful traits like confidence in the flesh and outward religious achievements. How might these temptations look in our modern lives? Can you share an example?
Verses 10-11 talk about knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection. How can we pursue a deeper knowledge of Christ in our daily lives? What does "fellowship with Christ" look like practically?
The message encouraged us to "Look Out" and "Look Up." How can focusing on these two directions — guarding against false teachings and aiming toward Christ — help us stay spiritually healthy?
Reflecting on the entire passage, what is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your relationship with Christ and guard against relying on external rituals or pride?
