Press On

You can buy merchandise with Bible verses on them: T-shirts, pillows, mugs. Some verses show up more often than others. This verse isn’t used very often. It’s a special order:

Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. Philippians 3:2 (NIV)

What is Paul talking about? We don’t usually call people “dogs.”

Inspired by the HS, Paul warns against false teachers teaching that Gentiles need to become Jews to be disciples of Jesus. They insist men get circumcised before being baptized.

Paul writes against this false teaching in his letter to Christians in Galatia too. In that letter he writes:

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ... For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:2, 6 (NIV)

Paul feels strongly, because this is a great truth the HS revealed to him when he put his trust in Jesus instead of trusting his own goodness. It’s Paul’s great discovery of victory in Jesus!

Paul was trained as a rabbi. He had the credentials to go far as a Pharisees or teacher of the law:

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;

as for zeal, persecuting the church;

as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. Philippians 3:5–6 (NIV)

It’s insulting to outsiders, but among those who spend their lives striving to obey God’s OT laws, Paul’s accomplishments are a big deal. You can see why Paul was proud of it, at one time.

We’re also tempted to take pride in ourselves. We like to think of ourselves as good people. Maybe not “faultless,” but good.

□ Most of us try to love God as #1.

□ We don’t burn incense to idols or bow before statues.

□ We avoid swearing.

□ We aim for healthy work-life balance, maybe not during harvest, but we take days off and schedule vacation time.

□ We try to honour our parents and others in authority

□ We don’t go around killing people

□ or committing adultery.

□ We don’t steal

□ or lie.

□ We try not to covet the stuff we see at the home show, the car show, or the farm show.

We try to behave well. Generally, we succeed. Our family and friends love us. Since God is generous, we’re in good shape.

It’s a modern heresy called: Moral Therapeutic Deism. We try to be good. If God is kind and grandfatherly, we’ll be OK.

The trouble is: Moral Therapeutic Deism doesn’t deal seriously with who we are or who God is. Moral Therapeutic Deism doesn’t deal honestly with the problem of sin.

The reality is: I don’t live up to God’s standard of goodness. Judge your own success, but if any thoughts or actions during any day are tainted by any shortcomings in complete, wholehearted obedience to any of God’s commands, I am guilty of sin before God. And God, in his holiness and justice, holds people accountable for sinful disobedience. What’s the punishment for sin? Sin is punishable by death.

Paul’s point in this letter to the Christians in Philippi is that his own efforts are flawed. He produces only garbage, compared to “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Inspired by God the HS, here’s how Paul puts it:

I consider [my own flawed goodness] garbage, that I may gain Christ 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. Philippians 3:8b–9 (NIV)

That’s the comfort and assurance of salvation by faith in Jesus. You are no longer haunted by questions of whether you’re good enough. You’re comforted by Jesus’ goodness and righteousness – granted to you by faith in Jesus as your Saviour.

We take comfort from God’s Word and assurance from God the HS that Jesus’ death on the cross covers our sin and shortcomings. The power of Jesus’ resurrection 3 days later assures us that we are raised to life with Jesus. The gospel is the true account of Jesus’ victory over sin and death to reconcile us to God.

Paul invites his readers to “Rejoice in the Lord” because Jesus took the punishment for our sin. He died on the cross. He took your guilt and made you holy and altogether righteous.

On Judgement Day, you’ll face Jesus. Our judge is Jesus Christ himself, the Saviour who washed away your sin and guilt and clothed you in his goodness and righteousness.

Doesn’t that take a weight off your shoulders? Isn’t God’s rescue-plan amazing?

Now the challenge of living as God’s people is to live up to the righteousness that Jesus has earned for you. We’re striving to be generous, kind, and loving – because that’s our character and identity in Jesus. But here’s the challenge: until Christ returns, we will live in the tension between who were and who we are in Christ.

It’s why Paul admits that he isn’t perfectly righteous yet. It’s a bold confession for a teacher and leader to make, but here it is:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

That’s where we find ourselves too. By faith in Jesus, we have the assurance that we’re included in all God’s promises but we’re still pressing on to the goal.                            [pause]

Have you watched chuck wagon races from the Calgary Stampede? Watching teams of 4 horses pulling a wagon in a race against 3 other teams is an impressive sight – and then there are the outriders. Outriders are the cowboys who break camp and then race on their own horses along with the wagon.

Outriders don’t need to cross the finish line first. During the race, they ride behind their teammate driving the chuck wagon. But for a victory to count, their outriders need to cross the line eventually.

That’s what our salvation is like. Jesus has already won the victory. He’s crossed the finished line and is seated on the heavenly throne in glory. We’re his outriders. To participate in Jesus’ victory, we need to press on and finish the race.

What does that look like?

It’s 100% faith in Jesus’ success. It’s 100% confidence that Jesus’ righteousness has conquered sin and death.

In that confidence, we do what Paul and Timothy encouraged earlier in the letter – imitate Jesus. Shine like stars!

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.Philippians 2:3–5 (NIV)

In school, workplaces, even in families, this is tough to do. Our culture expects us to look out for our interests, don’t let anyone get ahead of you.

In Jeus’ family, in the community of believers, it’s the opposite. You’re challenged and encouraged to let other people’s interests come ahead of your own.

Paul held up Timothy and Epaphrodites as examples:

Timothy

I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. Philippians 2:20-22 (NIV)

Not everyone is a teaches like Paul and Timothy. But you can be passionate about “the work of the gospel.” That’s why many of you are invested in ministry here at Crosspoint: Sunday School, Bible Studies, GEMS, Cadets, Youth Group, 1:1 mentoring.

You share in the work of the gospel. Paul describes the urgency:

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. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. Philippians 3:18–19 (NIV)

Isn’t it worth a big investment to see enemies of the cross of Christ hear the gospel and see what the HS will do in their hearts, mind, and lives?

And then there’s Epaphroditus. Paul tells the church in Philippi how to respond when he sends their messenger back to them:

So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. Philippians 2:29–30 (NIV)

The support that Epaphroditus brought both the resources and the reminder of how the church in Philippi regularly asked God to bless and provide for Paul. It was a great encouragement, even though it almost cost Epaphroditus his life.

Is there a way you can offer encouragement and spend time in prayer for those working hard to proclaim the gospel?

Do you pray for Ly & Navy Chann and other missionaries?

Do you pray for Crosspoint’s elders and deacons?