All In

introduction

if we want to reset for the new year, we must change our Posture

sunday school 1/17/2021

New Attitude Philippians 3:3-11 RESET Series RESET: It is not I that Lives, But Christ that lives in me

Philippians 3:3–11 ESV

For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for 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; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order 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 comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Coming to America is one of the greatest movies of all time. It is American as apple pie. This movie for me has memories of Joy and sadness; I had to memorize portions of it as a test tom see if i was worthy of dating Erika. She loves this movie and has about 99% of it memorized.

Many of you know the story: Prince Hakeim comes to America in search of his wife. He did not want to be a part of the traditions of old to get married. He wanted his future wife to love him for who he WAS and not what he HAD. So Hakeim and Simmie come to America posed as poor, humbled individuals looking for love.

They land a job at McDowells, at MCdowells Hakeim comes in contact with Lisa, the daughter of the McDowell’s dynatsty. Cleo McDowell wanted his daughter to marry someone rich and not struggle like he and her mom. Lisa Mcdowell falling in love with the Poor Hakeim was not an options. as the movies goes on, they fall in love and things are looking well. . . until. . King Jaffe Joffer and the royal palace leave Zamunda to find Hakeim. DOing so his cover of being a poor man is blown and Lisa feels betrayed.

In Hakeim’s last attempt to apologize and explain what he did; he follows Lisa through the subway. . she doesn’t want to talk . . he tries and tries and she wants nothing to do with him. . .

AND then it happens. .. my favorite part of the movie and the only line i have memorized. . “I NOW RENOUNCE MY THROWN”

He realizes his love for Lisa, out weighed all the stuff he had. . all of the riches. . the status. . . and to Prove he loved her. . he was willing to give it all up for her. I NOW RENOUNCE MY THRONE

If we are going to have the Proper RESET. . we not only need to change the way see others, change our purpose, we must change our Posture. Confidence 3-6- in personal achievement

Paul says put not confidence in the flesh. . in your own personal ability. This is an interesting statement. Paul who had every reason to Boast reminds us, that if we are going to win in our purpose and walk in our calling. . . we must not think of ourselves too greatly.

why does Paul say this? is he telling us not to be confident. . not to stand tall and walk in the way God has created us? Is he saying we should second guess ourselves ?

No. . .

Paul understands how having privileges can mess people up. He knows if we begin to boast in ourselves and our abilities we would lose focus on the ultimate goal; to make Christ known.

Paul says this in the face of Judaizers. . who made a living off boasting in themselves. They looked the part, sound the part, knew all the rituals. . and made everything be about them.

Have you ever been there? You got so good that you began to lose your way?

This happens a lot with smart students. If you know smart kids you understand where I’m going. Being smart in school at an early age can be the gift and the curse. Academic concepts come to you easily, you can memorize things, learn how to figure things out and get all the awards and recognition.

some students, because of this, don’t develop the study habits necessary to help them as the work gets more challenging. unfortunately, many students have this rude awakening when they step on the college campus.

they relied too much on the their ability and did not strengthen themselves for the long haul.

Paul says don’t do this, and doesn’t do this pointing finger at others he uses himself as an example

If anyone had the Right to put confidence in the flesh it was Paul. He gives his resume, if you will, of how and why he could put confidence in his ability.

His words, I have good reasons for putting confidence in the flesh. He has an Orthodox Jewish pedigree and upbringing. He was the Best of the Best.

He gives us 7 reasons why he could boast in run on sentence format. . . in 2 verses he gives seven things.

3:5–6 The apostle now lists seven advantages in which he could boast; the first four were inherited privileges, the last three personal achievements. Together they justify his confidence

Circumcised-

I was circumcised when I was a week old’ (GNB; lit. ‘with respect to circumcision an eighth day-er’). Circumcision stands at the head of the list: it was a sign that Paul belonged to the covenant people of God with all the privileges that this included.

Israelite-

I am an Israelite by birth’. Against the possibility that he was the child of proselytes Paul mentions his direct Israelite descent

Tribe of Benjamin-

Of the tribe of Benjamin’. Paul seems to have attached some importance to his membership in the tribe of Benjamin since he mentions it also at Rom. 11:1. Benjamin, the son of Jacob’s favourite wife Rachel, was the only son born in the land of promise (Gn. 35:16–18).

Hebrew-

A Hebrew son of Hebrew parents

personal

Pharisee-

As he turns to his own personal achievements Paul mentions first: ‘with regard to the law I was a Pharisee’. That is, his approach to the law of Moses was that of a Pharisee, or with regard to keeping this law he was a Pharisee

ZEAL-

As a measure of his great zeal for the law and the ancestral traditions, which he naturally understood as a true zeal for God, he persecuted the church. Finally, the culmination of his personal achievements lay in his scrupulous observance of the OT law, as interpreted along Pharisaic lines: with regard to that righteousness rooted in the law Paul claims that he was without reproach.

Righteousness-

and can be rendered in English in a variety of ways. Depending on the contexts, it can mean ‘that which is right’, ‘religious duties’, ‘the requirements of God’, ‘righteousness’, ‘uprightness’, ‘justice’, or ‘a right relationship with God

Paul had reason to boast. . but he says no. He gave up much. .

how about you? are ready to give up somethings? remove attention from yourself.

many of us can’t move to the next level because we think to highly of ourselves.

Knowledge 7-8

Philippians 3:7–8 ESV

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Knowing Christ. . . I want to know HIM

he counts all worthless in comparison of knowing Christ

Righteousness 9-11

Philippians 3:9–11 ESV

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

his righteousness and not my own

paul wanted to rely on God’s strength and not his own

Tony evans illustration on the boy and his father

a little boy was trying to pick up rock