My Righteousness In Christ

Introduction

Today we are continuing our study of the book of Philippians.

As you know, Paul is under house arrest and he’s writing to the church at Philippi. Today we come to chapter 3 and we see that like many preachers today, Paul begins this section with the word, “Finally.” You might think he’s about finished, but he’s not.

This “finally” ties us back to the previous section, while introducing a new subject.

If you have your Bibles, turn with me to , and we’l begin with verse 1.

Philippians 3:1 NIV84

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Philippians 3:

Rejoice in the Lord!

The question arises, why does Paul say “rejoice?” In fact, this is fifth time in the book of Philippians that Paul says to “rejoice.” Eight times in Philippians (1:18 twice, 2:17-18 twice, 3:1, 4:4 twice, and 4:10).

Paul was concerned that the Philippian church might be looking at the circumstances around them.

It is easy to lose sight of all that God does for us. When we do this we end up focusing on all the problems around us.

Let me ask you a question this morning. What are you focused on. Are you focused on all the pressures and problems of life? Or are you focused on the great and mighty power of God?

When our focus is on God and all that He does for us we can end up rejoicing. And like Paul I would say to you, “Rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same thing to you again. . .”

Watch Out

Philippians 3:

Philippians 3:2–4 NIV84

Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Paul tells us to “watch out” has the idea of gaining sight while paying attention to something. In this case Paul says that the church at Philippi needs to watch out for the “dogs.”

It was not uncommon for the Jews to refer to Gentiles as dogs. Yet throughout the Scriptures it is also used of the ungodly. Such is the case here because Paul goes on to describe the men as “men who do evil. . .”

Their big issue is a very Jewish issue. The Jews believed that the circumcision of the flesh gave them good standing with God. Paul is in the process of explaining that God is more interested in the circumcision of the heart than he is of the outside flesh.

Paul uses three terms to describe the ungodly: dogs, men who do evil, and mutilators of the flesh.

When we come to verse 3 Paul uses three terms to describe the godly—those who’s hearts are circumcised for the Lord.

A heart that is circumcised is a heart: worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and finally who put no confidence in the flesh.

Some might say their resume of good deeds or actions should get them an audience with God, Paul gives his resume and says it is as good or better than anyone’s.

Philippians 3:4–6 NIV84

though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

Philippians 3:4-

Paul’s Resume

Circumcised on the 8th day!

Born a Jew

Born into the tribe of Benjamin

A Hebrew of Hebrews

With regard to the law—a Pharisee

As for zeal, a persecutor of the church

Faultless in his legalistic righteousness

Philippians 3:7–9 NIV84

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 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 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Philippians 3:7-

Nothing Greater than Knowing Jesus

Everything loss compared to the greatness of knowing Christ

Knowing Jesus

His resume is “rubbish”

Embracing a righteousness by faith in Christ

No righteousness of my own

All righteousness come from faith in God.

Yet Paul wants us to understand that a righteous faith in Jesus means to identify with Christ.

Paul says he has one desire:

Philippians 3:10-11

Philippians 3:10–11 NIV84

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

To Know Christ

Have you ever thought about what it means to “know Christ?”

When we really know Christ we will experience the power of His resurrection in our lives.

When we really know Christ we will join together with Christ in sharing in His sufferings—even becoming like Him in His death.

Yet Paul says he has not yet reached this point. In fact, no one will reach this point until we see Jesus face-to-face.

Notice verse 12

Philippians 3:12 NIV84

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

None of us have obtained our full relationship with Jesus. tells us: “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as i am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”