Exercise, Loss, and Aspirations

Philippians 3:1–11 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 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by 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 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Prayer

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Introduction

I. True Christians (the circumcision) have three characteristics

1. They worship by the Spirit of God.

Not the works of the flesh.

2. They boast in Christ Jesus.

Take pride in Jesus and Jesus Only!

3. They do not put confidence in the flesh.

Never about works.

Abraham

Genesis 15:6 “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

Genesis 17:11 “and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.”

Romans 4:11 “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,”

Galatians 5:12 “I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!”

II. Everything that was gain is loss.

1. Previous assets are liabilities.

Paul’s credentials.

Philippians 3:5–6 “circumcised the eighth day, … stock of Israel, ...tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; … a Pharisee, … persecuting the church; … righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

2. All gain is a loss for the knowledge of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:8 “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. All gain is a loss for Christian joy.

Philippians 3:1 “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.”

Joy must be exercised.

III. Paul described his new aspirations in four ways.

1. Being found in Christ.

Refers to judgement day.

2. Knowing Christ.

Intimately.

Through the Holy Spirit.

Knowledge that pursues more knowledge.

3. Share in Christ’s suffering.

Paul’s circumstances.

Philippians 1:12–14 “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

4. Attaining resurrection.

Resurrection day.

Goats from sheep.

Resurrection body.

Conclusion

Are you worshiping by the Spirit of God and boasting in Jesus Christ?

Or are you still putting confidence in the flesh?

Do you still cling to the assets you have gained through the world?

Or do you count your fleshly assets as liabilities for the sake of Christ?

Do you find happiness in your circumstances?

Or do you exercise true JOY in Christ?

On that final judgement day:

Will you be found in Christ?

Or will you stand before a Holy God dressed in your own filthy rags?

Will you be resurrected to life?

Or damned to an eternity in hell?

Prayer and Invitation