Rejoicing In Christ, Not In The Flesh

Philippians 3:1-3

Introduction:

Today is our 12th message in the series, Joy In The Journey. We start chapter 3 today and will be in the first 3 verses. The title for this message today is: Rejoicing In Christ, Not In The Flesh

Recap where we’ve been in Philippians 2 up to this point.

Today’s passage will challenge us to live for Christ, not for ourselves.

Prayer:

Read The Text:

Philippians 3:1-3

Walk Through The Text:

POINT ONE: Remember To Rejoice In The Lord

Read Verse 1

Read NLT Version aloud "Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. "

Review about Timothy and Epaphroditus and their impact to wrap up chapter 2.

"Finally" or "further" is a transition word for Paul to take the Philippians from celebrating Timothy and Epaphroditus to another topic he wants to discuss and hit home for the Philippians. He first says my brothers (Brothers and sisters in Christ @ Philippi), REJOICE IN THE LORD!

Refer back to Philippians chapter 1:18 and chapter 2:17-18 (rejoice shows up multiple times). This is the first time he says rejoice in the LORD. He is telling the Philippians he never gets tired of reminding them of the truths of the Gospel, their partnership in the Gospel, how they need to be united, of one mind, be more concerned with others in the church, not yourselves, Christ came to serve, not to be served, be lights in this dark world, you’re still engaged in the same conflict and persecution that I went through and still am in prison, do all things without grumbling or disputing, be like Timothy and Epaphroditus, celebrate them for their faithful walk in Christ and service for Him!

He never gets tired of writing them and encouraging them of everything I just listed! The truths of the Gospel and the Word of God will never change.

It's also to help them, to keep them safe/safeguard them for what he is about to address in verses 2-3 and also the rest of chapter 3 that we will explore in the coming weeks.

POINT TWO: Remember To Guard Yourself

Read Verse 2

Warning towards False Teachers. He explains in 3 ways just how awful and evil this men are: he says look out for or beware of "the dogs", "the evildoers", and finally "those who mutilate the flesh".

Re-read chapter 2:2-4. Not only do the Philippians need to stay united, of one mind, lifting each other up during times of persecution against them but now Paul is warning about those who will try to trick, manipulate, confuse them with false doctrine.

During this time period, there were groups of people who were called Judaizers, which were Jews who professed to be Christians but truly were not.

Refer back to Acts 15:1. These Judaizers emphasized you must be circumcised according to the custom of Moses (old testament Law), or else you can not be saved. Paul is reminding the Philippians this is not true at all. Not only do they need to be prepared for persecution but also persuasion.

Highlight the historical context of the time period in Rome for the reason:

Dogs: In the time period this was written, dogs were considered despised and they just roamed the streets, feeding on anything they could find. Considered unclean and unworthy. It was an insult to be called a dog.

Evildoers/Evilworkers: Those who were intentionally working against God. Going around professing a false doctrine.

Those who mutilate the flesh/The Concision: Those who were more concerned about works (circumcising themselves to be saved/part of the Salvation process) when in reality, nothing they could do apart from confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior and believing what Jesus Christ did for them on the cross (paying the sin debt).

POINT Three: Remember What Christ Did For You

Read Verse 3

Paul transitions from the three examples of false teachers to three examples of Paul and the Philippians, as true believers in Jesus Christ and those who are truly saved.

“We are the circumcision”: One commentator said this about what this truly meant in this time period: “These Jewish legalists considered themselves the ones truly circumcised and right with God. But Paul declared that he and his followers were the true circumcision.”

Paul then describes three ways they are the true circumcision (true believers in Jesus Christ)

Worship by the Spirit of God: Through the Holy Spirit inside of them, He is the one who prompts or stirs in their hearts to worship God. It’s not done on their own abilities.

Glory in Christ Jesus: Rejoice in what Jesus has done for them, not what they have done for themselves.

Put no confidence in the flesh: They have zero confidence that salvation comes by their own abilities/works. They can do nothing to save themselves.

Paul makes it abundantly clear to the Philippians through these illustrations that there is a distinct difference between the Judaizers and himself and the Philippians. The same can be said for us as believers today. There should be evidence in our own lives that demonstrate and show that we truly live for Christ.

Let’s all commit to living an honest and authentic life for Jesus like Paul and the Philippians strived to do daily. It all starts with a heart that truly loves Him and wants to honor Him in everything we say and do!

Applications:

Rejoice in the Lord

Guard yourself against the world and your flesh

Where Do We Go From Here:

Spend the next few minutes in prayer. God may be calling you to repent. God may be calling you to draw closer to Jesus this morning if you have strayed. God may be calling you to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and start your relationship with Him today. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, if he truly is not your Lord and Savior, I would love to talk to you right now about how you can leave here with a relationship with Jesus Christ today!

However God has spoken to you this morning to respond, do it!