Philippians 07 - Only This I Want

Reading: Philippians 3:1-11

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ  Philippians 3:8 (NIV)

I.   Rejoice in the Lord

     A.  A Joyful imperative

           1.  Who says Christians are supposed to be long-faced and stern?

                 a.  There’s an old definition of a Calvinist as someone who’s worried that someone somewhere might be enjoying themselves.

                 b.  That’s a caricature, but there are times when we have earned that reputation.

           2.  Rejoice! This is a command!

                 a.  This is an imperative, not an option.

                 b.  Rejoice means be deeply happy. Put a smile on your face because of God.

                 c.  No one has more to be happy about than we Christians do!

     B.  A precious Safeguard

           1.  Rejoicing is a safeguard? Yes!

                 a.  The first human sin was delighting in something else more than God.

                 b.  This is a safeguard against looking at God as a source of struggle, rather than joy.

           2.  Keeping our center of happiness focused on the Lord is a precious safeguard.

                 a.  When we look for happiness elsewhere we get into big trouble!

                 b.  When we delight in him, we aren’t distracted by other things either.

     C.  Watch out for the Legalists!

           1.  Is Paul changing the subject? NO!

                 a.  Instead of rejoicing in what the Lord has done, legalists try to do for the Lord.

                 b.  People committed to external signs of godliness, often fail to change their hearts

           2.  Legalists are people who rejoice in their ability to do the right thing.

                 a.  They don’t rejoice in the Lord, they celebrate their personal strength.

           3.  Watch out for them, because they’re like a pack of dogs who want to rip you apart.

                 a.  This is pretty strong language!

                 b.  Dogs are dirty

                 c.  Dogs are prey on sheep.

II.  Useless Pedigree

     A.  A believer by Birth?

           1.  Tribe of Benjamin

                 a.  I was born into a good Jewish family

                 b.  Is that enough --> No! God has children, but no grandchildren!

           2.  Circumcised on the 8th day.

                 a.  I was initiated into Judaism as early as possible.

                 b.  Is that enough --> No! Rituals and rules can’t get you in.

     B.  Qualified by Ideology?

           1.  As to the law a Pharisee.

                 a.  I was a Biblical conservative: I took the Bible very seriously?

                 b.  Is that enough? No! Even the devil takes the Bible seriously.

           2.  I practiced what I preached, as far as I could.

                 a.  I was devoted and genuine in following the laws and regulations.

                 b.  Is that enough? No! External change doesn’t always mean a changed heart.

     C.  Is it about Enthusiasm?

           1.  I was as zealous as I could be (about the wrong thing!)

                 a.  I persecuted those who challenged sound doctrine.

                 b.  Is enthusiasm enough? No! Paul was all excited about the wrong things!

           2.  As for putting God’s commands into practice, I did it all perfectly!

                 a.  Is it enough to follow the law flawlessly?No!

                 b.  Following flawlessly doesn’t erase mistakes you made before you tried to follow.

                 c.  Whoever claims to be without sin is fooling him/herself.

III. Profit and Loss statement

     A.  A credit becomes a Debit

           1.  Confidence in externals, hurts my relationship with God.

                 a.  It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,

                 b.  We are foolishly confident in our ability to make it under our own power.

           2.  Whatever I have which is gain, makes me less dependent on God.

                 a.  We fool ourselves into believing we are independent and don’t need God.

     B.  My ultimate Treasure in life

           1.  Knowing Jesus — experiential knowledge of Jesus.

                 a.  Not knowing about Jesus.

                 b.  Not believing that he existed.

                 c.  Knowing Him!

           2.  Knowing Jesus as the Christ (Messiah).

                 a.  As Messiah, Jesus is the one in whom and through whom God fulfills his promises.

                 b.  He is the one who is finally victorious over our enemies: sin and death.

           3.  Knowing Jesus as my Lord.

                 a.  Jesus is our rescuer, and our leader.

                 b.  We follow as loyal soldiers.

                 c.  We recognize that Jesus is our Lord.

     C.  My ultimate Goal in life

           1.  To gain (receive?) Christ

                 a.  Not earn Christ.

                 b.  Jesus is what I’m after.

                 c.  All I want is more of him.

           2.  To become like him

                 a.  I want to become like him.

                 b.  As he humbled himself, and poured himself out and remained faithful.

                 c.  I want to live the life of self-sacrificial love he lived.

           3.  In gaining and becoming, to share in everlasting life too.

                 a.  I don’t want the short-term gains of pleasure and things.

                 b.  I don’t want the pedigrees of temporary importance.

                 c.  I want to be with Jesus forever.

The Bottom Line:

(HoR: GHoF #58 Jesus the Very Thought of Thee vv. 1,5)