The Surpassing Worth of Jesus

Six Questions (Let the six questions guide your inductive exploration of the Bible text. The sermon outline and follow-up questions are there to help you to explore if you wish)

What do you like/notice in this passage?

What do you learn about God in this passage?

What do you learn about people in this passage?

What do you dislike or is difficult in this passage?

What one thing will you take away from this passage and apply to your life?

Who needs to know what you just learned? When will you share it with them?

Look Out:

Look out for religious door-keepers (vv. 1-7)

(Develop semi-inductive)

Explanation

Rejoice in the Lord

Look Out!

Paul alliterates the objects of βλέπετε (look out) — κύνας … κακούς … κατατομήν

βλέπετε κύνας … κακούς … κατατομήν

κύνας … κακούς … κατατομήν

Dogs - unclean, Gentiles

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistle to the Philippians 1. Watch out for the Evil Workers (3:1–3)

But in an amazing reversal Paul asserts that it is the Judaizers who are to be regarded as Gentiles; they are ‘the dogs’ who stand outside the covenant blessings.

The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistle to the Philippians 1. Watch out for the Evil Workers (3:1–3)

But in an amazing reversal Paul asserts that it is the Judaizers who are to be regarded as Gentiles; they are ‘the dogs’ who stand outside the covenant blessings.

Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 347.

Mutilate - κατατομήν (Wordplay with περιτομή - circumcision)

κατατομήν

καρδία

We are the Circumcision

Who worship tine Spirit of God

Boasts

Glory In Christ Jesus

Put no confidence in the flesh

Introduce Main Point #1 Here

Illustration

Dogs could mean guard dogs - who keep out those who do not belong

Argumentation

Paul encourages the church to rejoice in the Lord.

Then he exhorts them to look out for the door-keepers. Those who want to add to the gospel.

In Philippi there was a temptation to add to the gospel. What are we tempted to add to our gospel in our culture?

They wanted to add circumcision. Our Christian culture wants to add...

Application

Do not allow anyone to add to the gospel of Jesus and place no confidence in the flesh

[Transition] - Paul gives his account of of “confidence in his flesh”

Let Go:

Let Go of everything that is not Christ (v.8)

Count All My Greatness as Trash

Illustration: Abraham and Issac

Count Knowing Jesus More as Everything

Heidlebrug Confession: Others May, You May Not

Dissertation - joy is in Christ not in success or fame

Dissertation - joy is in Christ not in success or fame

Do you have certain people/things that are particularly difficult to let go of? Why? How would the Lord have you proceed?

Hold on:

Hold to the surpassing worth of Jesus (v. 8)

Is Jesus worth loosing everything to you?

Rest In:

Rest in the righteousness that comes through faith (v.9-11)

Explanation

Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law

Righteousness that comes through faith in Christ

Know the Power of His Resurrection - With every death, in Christ, there is a resurrection. (What are some practical ways that we “die.”

Share in His Sufferings

Like him in his Death

Resurrection of the Dead - by whatever means

Illustration

Argumentation

Application

One Small Step: Ask the Lord to help you move any “gains” to the “losses” pile and to imagine only Christ in the “gain.”

What people/things did you hesitate to let go? Could it be an idol for you? If so, read the story of The Sacrifice of Issac in . When you see the word “son” or “Isaac” replace it with your idol. Listen to the Holy Spirit to teach you and to begin to help you let go of any idols.