The Gospel Changes What We Value

Over the last 3 weeks we have take a look at one of the main themes of the Book of Philippians and that is that the Gospel changes everything about us.

It changes how we serve. It changes how we are to live together. Then today we are going once more to narrow are focus to look at how the Gospel is to change the way we live and serve by changing what we value.

The Gospel when applied changes what we value.

Philippians 3:1–11 CSB

1 In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh— 4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; 6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. 7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

I’s interesting that Paul recognizes that in order for us to successfully change what we value we must learn to identify who and what we are listening to. So Paul knowing that he is going to write about the one goal of knowing Christ Jesus realizes that in order for us to truly value Christ like we should we must change our values. and....

I. Our Values are easily swayed by the voices we allow in our lives.

Did you know that there are teachers that existed then and now that will deliberately prey upon human pride to increase there audience, reputation, notoriety, and influence?

look again at Phil. 3:1-2

Philippians 3:1–2 CSB

1 In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Paul is not mincing words here. 3x he uses this phrase watch out. to say something 3x is to emphasize it to the highest degree. So Paul says to watch out for the dogs.

In the ancient near east to call someone a dog was to bring a great offense. A dog was seen as a dirty feral scavenger that could turn savage in order to get what it desired. Most likely this is what Paul had in mind when he was painting the image of the false teachers that would trouble the church. Paul is using a word that Jews would call anyone that was not jew. Here Paul is using the word against them. Paul is now using this word to describe anyone that was outside of the true faith that would trouble God’s people and distract them from thier true mission, Knowing Christ.

But Paul warns us three times in this passage from dogs, to evil workers and flesh mutilators to watch out for these types of teachers.

There have been and always will be those who will use our own desires against us by tellins things that we want to hear instead of the following after Christ.

For the legalist as in Paul’s day these teachers would use the snare of pride. the law often described as those of the circumcision would use the alure of being better more holy than those who didn’t follow the law. For those looking to elevate themselves the law was one way to do it.

In today’s society, instead of a hyper fixation on the law we have teachers that hyper fixate on a man-centered Grace. “God would change anything about you, you are perfect just way you are. Instead of learning to lean on the grace of God for our shortcomings we instead are led to believe that God merely overlooks them.

In this mindset there is very little learned dependency on Christ for righteousness and holy living.

Philippians 3:3 CSB

3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh—

Notice that the confidence of the true worshippers is not found in our ability to keep the law, that only leads to Pride, but in Christ. In Christ our righteousness is found.

Paul had every reason so boast in the flesh before his conversion yet his own pride led him to become a self-righteous murder, a puppet on a string for the enemy.

Philippians 3:4–6 CSB

4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; 6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.

Not everyone that claims to work on behalf of God has your best interest in mind.

So if following Christ is the goal and truly evil false teachers are out there that will use your own sinful desires to manipulate you, how do you guard against this.

There are two things that must exist in order to avoid the deception of false teachers

More than a surface level relationship with Jesus.

More than a surface level relationship with The Word.

More than a surface level relationship with the church.

These two things are the lens in which all teachings and ideas must be seen through.

If you love Jesus but don’t know his word, you love the idea of Jesus. The idea of who he is will be shaped by your own desires and pop culture. Inevitably you will create a Jesus after your own desires.

If you know the word but don’t have a deep relationship with Jesus your pride will make you an easy target for deception.

1 Corinthians 8:1 CSB

1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

a vibrant relationship with Jesus and his word is necessary to give you discernment to keep you from falling prey to Satan’s attacks and false teachers ideas.

But then also a deep relationship with each other is yet another safe guard that God has put in place to keep us from falling.

Galatians 6:1 CSB

1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.

Notice that all three of these safeguards are not found in our own ability but in the power of our relationship with Jesus, our relationship with His word and our relationship with each other.

Let me say this, as your pastor that loves you all deeply. Forming deep relationships with people in the church is part of your sanctification process. You can only progress so far in your faith alone.

Take advantage of the entry points that we have created for meaningful relationships in the church.

Men come to the men’s breakfast. This is not another church service. It’s just men getting together enjoying each others fellowship.

Women come to women at the table. It’s not just a prayer time is a time where love and encouragement are expressed. If you go, I promise you will feel loved and wanted.

Sunday School. - Parents your kids need relationships too. Not only that, I am convinced we have one of the best Children’s sunday school teachers anywhere in Laron. She is so faithful in preparing weather she has 1 or 20 and I will tell you this.I have seen growth in my own son because of the work she is doing. Parents bring your kids. It’s a sacrifice I get it. But I promise there will only be regret on one side of this and that is wishing you had taken advantage of every opportunity to connect your kids to thier church.

Sunday school and adult Small group- another place to fellowship, learn, and bare one another's burdens. You get to be taught and shepherded by 2-3 men that have spent 5 years devoting themselves to the study of God’s word so that they can deliver it to you because they love God and love you.

Wednesday morning Bible Study- what a great group of senior adults. I enjoy this class so much. We have come a long ways in our study and fellowship. It is a joy

Not only that you are not just doing this for yourself but for others. You cannot invite people into those things that you are not involved in. Your attendance. is an outreach tool. did you know the number one reason people come and stay is because they are invited and then connected to others.

So this is for both your own edification but also for others.

But why do all of this.

Because

2. The gospel changes the way we we think and how we see ourselves in this life.

Look how the gospel changed Pauls view of himself.

Philippians 3:7–10 CSB

7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death,

Paul made it is one goal to know Christ and be conformed to his death.