The Singularity Of True Believers

Text: Philippians 3:1-16

Introduction

How many of you would honestly say that in this past year, you’ve had moments when you became distracted? You’ve maybe have placed too much emphasis on the “not so important” things? You’ve mistakenly put too much confidence in yourself and not enough in the Lord? We are all probably guilty, if not of all these things, at least some of them.

Paul had before his conversion a strength of single-mindedness. However, Paul now tells us of how he has redirected his singleness of mind toward the person of Jesus Christ; where it matters most and is of greater investment.

The things that Paul said he was writing to this body of believers was “safe” for their continued Christian life.

He reminds them of who they are; “the circumcision.”

Romans 2:29 “29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Paul describes to them their singularity towards God in three identifying statements: (v3)

We worship God in the spirit.

We rejoice in Christ Jesus.

We have no confidence in the flesh.

1) The Priority Of Worship

John 4:23-24 “23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Romans 7:6 “6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”

Romans 1:9 “9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”

What can we learn from these scriptures when it comes to worshiping God?

There is a distinction between true and false worshipers. The “spirit” and “truth” are the focus of one’s worship.

Worship is not summarized upon the externals.

IN THE SPIRIT???

Being born-again through faith in Jesus Christ, the believer is freed from worship that is hinged upon external performances.

Those whom Paul is speaking about rooted their REAL WORSHIP upon the external animal sacrifices and keeping of the law.

APPLICATION

We are witnessing much of this external focus of religion and church growth.

Quote: Worship is far more than the songs that we sing. (Voddie Baucham)

Illustration: (Real conversation with Pastors) “We have never grown more from the Word of God than through your preaching. BUT, we just need more from the worship.”

Worship is NOT for those who are NOT BORN-AGAIN.

My interest is not about growing our worship service, but rather helping you grow in YOUR WORSHIP TO GOD.

IN TRUTH???

The worship leader is the Pastor! WHY???

Real worship must derive from TRUE BIBLICAL THEOLOGY.

Knowing the one you are worshiping.

The beginning of Paul’s knowledge of Jesus Christ was at his conversion. IT DID NOT STOP THERE!!!

The more you abdicate from Biblical preaching, the more you abdicate from the worship God desires from you!

WORSHIP IS NOT ABOUT YOU OR FOR YOU!!!

2) The Priority Of Rejoicing

Paul makes a strong statement concerning trust external religion as a means of justification:

“I counted loss”

“Count them but dung”

Quote: “He counted them loss; not only insufficient to enrich him, but what would certainly impoverish and ruin him, if he trusted to them, in opposition to Christ.”

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2326). Hendrickson.

They are dispositioned to rejoice in Christ Jesus. WHY????

Paul provides many reasons why the believer rejoices in Jesus Christ:

To Paul’s audience: They were not to rejoice in those things that were only a shadow of the real to come. HE HAS COME!

To us TODAY:

Jesus has provided a perfect righteousness that is gifted to all who BELIEVE. (v9)

Romans 10:3-5 “3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”

To “know him” here is equal to “trusting him”

Isaiah 53:11 “11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; For he shall bear their iniquities.”

“made conformable unto his death”

This is also meant of the believer’s sanctification.

Being crucified with Christ, the world crucified to us and us to the world.

“resurrection of the dead”

Experiencing the happiness of heaven.

3) The Priority Of Confidence

They are dispositioned to have NO confidence in the flesh.

Matthew 13:44 “44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”

Paul’s warning is regarding the continual infiltration of the “seemingly righteous” efforts of those who practice a blended religion; a works + faith + heritage salvation.

Galatians 5:2 “2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.”

2 Corinthians 11:13 “13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”

Paul transitions to the believer’s calling and goal of this new life they have been given.

(v14) “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”

Our confidence “in Christ” begins in our justification and continues in God’s working to sanctify us.

At any time and any circumstance we put confidence in the flesh, we end up with a disaster.