JOY EXPLAINED: KNOW CHRIST (PART 1)

Philippians 3:1–11 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Main Idea: God desires for you to know Christ personally through rejection.

Key Question: Do you know Him?

1. You must reject false prophets. (v. 1-2)

Philippians 3:1–2 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!

v. 1 - we can’t ever get over hearing or teaching the gospel!

Romans 1:16 NKJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 NKJV

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Galatians 2:3–4 NKJV

Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage),

2. You must reject yourself. (v. 3-6)

Philippians 3:3–6 NKJV

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

circumcision more than just physical is an OT idea =

Deuteronomy 10:16 NKJV

Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

Jeremiah 4:4 NKJV

Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, And take away the foreskins of your hearts, You men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Lest My fury come forth like fire, And burn so that no one can quench it, Because of the evil of your doings.”

Romans 2:28–29 NKJV

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

1. Circumcised the 8th Day. 3:5. Literally "eight days old in circumcision." Converts to Judaism were circumcised in maturity, Ishmaelites in their 13th year. Only full-blooded Jews were circumcised on the 8th day. Paul was a PURE JEW, and nothing less.

2. Family of Israel 3:5b. "stock” is ge’nouj, which speaks of origins. Paul is saying that he is not from Esau, but from Jacob. Many cold claim Abraham, but Paul could claim Israel. This was the "proper" side of the family tree. RIGHT FAMILY

3. Tribe of Benjamin. 3:5c. This tribe was highly thought of. They had remained loyal to David and was one of the tribes that formed the foundation for the restored nation after the captivities. RIGHT TRIBE

4. A Hebrew of the Hebrews. 3:5d. Paul was the son of Hebrew parents who had retained the Hebrew language and customs. Many Jews of that day didn't even know Hebrew and had lost many of the traditions. Paul's family consisted of very orthodox, conservative Jews. AUTHENTIC JEW

5. A Pharisee. 3:5e. This pretty much speaks for itself: Paul was devoted to the law.

6. Zealous. 3:6a. Paul's zeal had been second to none. His persecution of the church demonstrated that.

7. Obedient to the Law. 3:6b. Paul said he was "blameless." He kept the law to the letter.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Romans 4:9–12 NKJV

Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.