What is the Mark?

This question invokes all kinds of answers. Just the mention of it gets professing Christians and non-believers to quip about their speculation as to just what is the mark of the beast. In our technology saturated world, most begin to opine about some type of chip implant or or physical mark that will be forced upon everyone to be able to move about, buy food and just survive in the world of chaos.

This like, the name of the Antichrist, has given way to so much speculation, interpretation and prognostication.

We are in the 3rd chapter now of the letter of Paul to the Philippian church, as we continue in our series “Together: A Study Through Philippians.” Specifically the first 11 verses of Chapter 3.

Philippians 3:1-11

I am not going to answer the question, “What is the mark of the beast?”, today, because that is really not what Paul does here. In these verses Paul is more concerned about a different mark.

PLEASE HONOR OUR HOLY GOD BY STANDING IF YOU CAN WITH ME TO READ HIS HOLY WORD

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.

PRAYER

Did you catch what kind of mark Paul is writing about here? What is he trying to tell the Philippians, all other Christians and us? What these verses confront and convicts with is this. Instead of you and me worrying so much about not having the mark of the beast, you and I best make sure there is evidence in us of being a genuine, true Christian.

What is a Christian?

Adrian Rogers, preaching the same subject said, “We use the word Christian so carelessly that it has almost lost its meaning. I heard of a man who was asked his friend, ‘Are you a Christian?’ He said, ‘Yes, I am.’ He was then asked, ‘Why are you a Christian?’ He replied, ‘I was born in America, and America is a Christian country. Therefore, I'm a Christian.’ The friend, with a smile on his face, said, ‘I knew of some kittens who were born in a bread basket, but that didn't make them biscuits.’”

Paul gives us 3 marks of a genuine Christian contrasted with that of his opponents who were false Christians.

But first, look with me in v. 1 - “This,” is pointing them back to the time of his presence with them.

But first, look with me in v. 1 - “This,” is pointing them back to the time of his presence with them.

“This” is the True Gospel which he taught them in the beginning.

Lydia, the young slave girl, the Philippian jailer and family, along with all the original church members were true church members because they were true Christians. They were true Christians because they heard and responded to the True Gospel. Jesus is the cornerstone of the church, and thus the Gospel is the foundational doctrine of the church.

Paul reminds them and us what the True Gospel does for them and every church. The True Gospel is a safeguard for us, protecting the church against false teachers and fake Christians peddling a false doctrine or purveying a false religion disguised as the real thing.

We find in v. 2 the Marks of False Teachers and Fake Christians, and in he calls them enemies of the cross because of the false gospel they live. Paul in the entire chapter reveals to us two sides of the same fake coin.

Did you ever find one of those big gold coins as a kid. You know the one I am talking about. As a real young kid you don’t know any better, finding one you’re thinking, “oh man I am rich,” but then you feel it and its real soft. You start peeling back the layers of gold and find chocolate. Hey it tasted sweet and good, but as far as coins go its worthless.

In Paul calls these false teachers and fake Christians, enemies of the cross, because of their message and lifestyle of peddling shiny fake gospel coins. When the layers were peeled back boy it tasted sweet, but as far as salvation, forgiveness of sin and eternal life goes, their coin was and still is worthless. Paul shows us both sides of the fake coin in two sections of chapter 3.

We find in v. 2 the Marks of False Teachers and Fake Christians,

v.2 - One side of the fake coin is the legalist side (someone doing rules, even extrabiblical ones, thinking that makes someone a Christian). Described as:

1) dogs - (not your furry friendly man’s best friend and mama’s baby kind of dog). Jewish term of derision meaning “unqualified.” Now used to describe them because they were unqualified to be members and were damaging the church.

2) Evil workers - Their distorted gospel was a deadly gospel.

3) Flesh Mutilators - They were claiming Gentiles needed to first be circumcised to become a genuine Christian.

- Other side of the fake coin as the Libertine side (someone claiming Christian yet with no moral principles or sense of responsibility). Described as:

Philippians 3:19 NASB95

whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

Gluttonous -

Sexually Immoral

Only Entertained by and always Pursuing Worldly Possessions and Activities

We find in v. 3 the Marks of Believers in the True Gospel. The Real Christians have:

We find in v. 3 the Marks of Believers in the True Gospel. The Real Christians have:

Paul starts v. 3 by saying “we are” - so, he is about to describe what it means to be a real, genuine Christian. Listen closely for some important words regarding the doctrine of salvation key to genuine Christianity, all ending with the ion suffix.

The phrase used here by Paul for circumcision refers to the True people of God understood as those having been born again, or a conversion experience with Jesus, undergoing a removal of the sinful flesh of the heart through Regeneration by the Holy Spirit. God has changed your heart from one of having faith in self to one having faith in Jesus the Savior.

Paul says we - so, he is about to describe what it means to be a real, genuine Christian.

Sola Fide in Solus Christus

Conversion and Regeneration is described as “Knowing Christ” seen later in v. 8 and v. 10, and “Knowing Christ” is the essence of Salvation as declared by Jesus in His High Priestly prayer of

John 17:3 NASB95

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

The rest of v. 3 gives us the marks of a True Christian, or what it means to know Jesus.

I met Mic Foley, the professional wrestler, but I don’t know him

I met, Melissa Cookston, the winningest woman in BBQ, but I don’t know her

I met Thom Rainer and Johnny Hunt, well recgnized men in SBC, but I don’t know them, why…I don’t know any of these people because I do not have a personal relationship with them where I learn more and more about them and grow to love them.

I met my wife and I know my wife, because I have spent 20 years with her. If you claim to have met Jesus 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 years ago, you should know Him and love him and talk to him and about Him regularly.

The rest of v. 3 gives us the marks, or what it means to know Jesus.

Mark #1: You Serve by the Spirit of God - v.3b

The Grk word for Worship is also translated as Serve. You and I cannot worship God without serving God. You can show up at the building and gather in a service, but unless you are growing, going and serving you are not worshipping God. Those are your spiritual acts of service.

Is the assurance of your salvation based on Solus Christus or Solus Churchus. If it is based on Christ then...

Mark #2: Jesus is Enough for You - v.3c

To boast is to rejoice as Paul encourages in v.1. To boast is to display and proclaim publically a satisfied contentment with the works of Jesus. To boast is to tell your testimony, of the wondrous works of Jesus in your life.

Someone who claims to be a Christian, but doesn’t make much of Jesus and his saving grace, both inside and outside the church, should not be taken seriously. If Jesus is enough then...

Mark #3: You Place No Assurance or Trust in the Natural Self - v.3d-v.6

Paul was a Jew of Jews keeping all the religious rights and rituals. Paul had the position, pedigree and position. Paul raked up the accomplishments and gone through all the Bible education, but before he Damascus road conversion encounter with Jesus he was not a part of the kingdom of heaven because he had not been born again. Before Jesus he was so zealous he was killing the church for God.

Paul was a Jew of Jews keeping all the religious rights and rituals. Paul had the position, pedigree and position. Paul raked up the accomplishments and gone through all the Bible education, but before he Damascus road conversion encounter with Jesus he was not a part of the kingdom of heaven because he had not been born again. Before Jesus he was so zealous he was killing the church for God.

Ethnicity - Paul was an Israelite, yet not going to heaven until encountered Jesus as savior. God has no grandchildren. If mom and dad were Catholic, Lutheran, Presb. Methodist or Baptist does not mean you are saved and heaven bound.

Rank/Status - Paul came from the distinguished tribe of Benjamin. Your money and socioeconomic status doesn’t guarantee heaven. Your American citizenship doesn’t make you a Christian.

People have their infant baptisms and membership baptisms. People come to church one time a week. God doesn’t have grandchildren. Your American citizenship and social status doesn’t make you a Christian. Things done, People remembered and Stuff held onto don’t save you. Tradition of name on a membership roll doesn’t save you.

Tradition - Paul was a Pharisee keeping all the Jewish traditions to a tee. Traditions that honor God/Christ are okay as long as they don’t become an idol. Things done don’t save you. People remembered don’t save you. Stuff held onto don’t save you. Tradition of name on a membership roll doesn’t save you.

Rule Keeping - Pharisees were morally superior who looked in judgment upon other Jews and Gentiles. Hell is full of moral people. God doesn’t let moral people into heaven. He lets forgiven people in.

Hell is full of moral people. God doesn’t let moral people into heaven. He lets forgiven people in. Hell is full of sincere people. Some members of churches are zealous but are they saved because they are killing their churches.

Zeal - Paul was the most sincere man ever. Hell is full of sincere people. Paul was so zealous for God that he went around killing the church before Jesus convicted him. Some members of churches are zealous but are they saved because they are killing their churches.

How to Know if You Are Marked

Paul goes on to help us know if we are marked.

Paul only passion and pursuit was now Jesus. Paul was very intentional with his words in v. 8 - saying he “suffered loss” meaning he forfeited all that stuff because it was rubbish, it was manure. He was intentionally saying that anything or anyone you hold to that is not Jesus is nothing but dog poo. He wants to pierce every thick skin and hard heart that reads this text to cause them conviction over their self-righteousness.

Paul goes on to help us know if we are marked.

Have you experienced the Justification of Jesus Christ through his death?

Think of it like 2 columns. To experience Justification means Jesus took your full debt column and empty credit column and swapped it for his empty debt column and full credit column so you could stand before God the Father when your time is done here. Paul says this only comes to us through faith. Have you placed your faith in Jesus to forgive your sin debt and take his credit of righteousness? If so you are marked, if not…you need to.

Are you going through process of Sanctification? The power of the resurrection Paul speaks of in v. 10 is not what will bring you back from the dead. It’s what is making you alive and living for him now through transformation. You have to grow, go and serve him.

Jesus lived the life you should have lived, sinless. Jesus died the death you could not die, sacrificial for sin. Paul says that the righteousness of Jesus comes to us through faith. Have you placed your faith in Jesus to forgive your sin?

Do you eagerly anticipate your Glorification? When Paul uses the word “somehow” it was not because he was in doubt of the “if” but of the “when” and “how.” v. 20-21 lets us know it will happen. That hope/assurance gave him all he needed to live for Jesus. Paul was a mark person for Christ. What about you?

Conclusion: This passage tells us what it means to know Jesus and also what it means to have eternal salvation and earthly satisfaction in life.

The true gospel is not about making good people little better.

comfortable people a little cozier

broken people a little less broken

hopeless people a little happier

The gospel of Jesus Christ is about wicked, wretched and unrighteous sinners repenting of their sin to be made right with God by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews says without shedding blood no forgiveness of sin.) It is about those forgiven sinners made to be saints together in passionate pursuit of nothing but Jesus and surrendering to him as Lord.

Paul’s only passion and pursuit was now Jesus. He forfeited all that stuff because it was rubbish, it was manure, it was dog poo compared to Jesus. Paul was intentional with his words to pierce every thick skin and hard heart that reads this text so as to convict over their sin and self-righteousness.

Paul is reminding us of what we left behind to to follow Jesus and receive the immeasurable and invaluable riches of knowing Christ Jesus. Do you know Him today. Survey that wondrous with me.