Confidence - Part 2

Full Confidence Begins with No Confidence

Anchor Verse:

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

The pivotal thing about confidence is where you decide to place it.

Philippians Background:

Philippi was the site of a decisive battle that propelled Augustus into Power

It was given a special class

It was the Florida of Rome: Veterans retired there

2 Classes of People: Roman Citizens and Non- Citizens - A status that was gained in the flesh - either through birthright, effort or money

Very loyal to Caesar - who was considered a God

Paul Preached Jesus there and started the congregation. Was beaten and forced to leave the city.

The Philippian church continued to face persecution because they believed that Jesus, not Caesar was King

Judaizers (see Galatians) were preaching circumcision and obedience to the Law in order to be saved.

This was creating a reliance on works of the flesh, rather than the saving grace of God through Jesus and His Power.

So Paul responds.

Philippians 3:1–8 NKJV

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:8 KJV 1900

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Philippians 3:8 NKJV

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

3 Things About Confidence in the Flesh

1) Confidence in the Flesh is Foundational to Sin

1 John 2:15–17 NKJV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

2) Confidence in the Flesh Makes You Full of Pride or Despair

Why? Comparison

3) Confidence in the Flesh Leads to Failure

2 Chronicles 32:8 (NIV): "With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from Hezekiah's words.

Jeremiah 17:5 (NIV): "This is what the LORD says: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD'".

Psalm 73:26 (NIV): "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever".

Romans 7:15–20 NKJV

15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

3 Things about Confidence in God

1) Faith is the Response to Confidence in God

Faith in the Bible is defined as a confident, obedient trust in God—rooted in His character, His promises, and His unseen realities. Scripture’s clearest definition is Hebrews 11:1, which describes faith as assurance and conviction—not wishful thinking, but a settled confidence grounded in who God is.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith Is Rooted in God’s Character

Biblical faith is not “believing hard enough.”

It is responding to who God is:

• God is faithful (Psalm 9:10)

Psalm 9:10 NKJV

10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

• God keeps His promises (Romans 4:20–21)

Romans 4:20–21 NKJV

20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

• God rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith is only as strong as the One it rests upon.

2) Confidence in God brings Contentment in Spite of Circumstance

Philippians 4:10–13 NKJV

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

3) Confidence in God Brings Empowerment to Press On

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 3:10–14 NKJV

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.