Knowing Christ

Rejoice in the Lord.

Joy in Christ = safeguard against false teaching/compromise

Satan’s first temptation caused doubt that God had Adam/Eve’s best interest at heart!

A reminder of joy in Christ, but also a set-up for the grace that fills the rest of the section.

“Same ol’ things” church!

Rejection of circumcision as necessary/reversal of the idea of “dogs” (unclean, unfit to enter the temple).

Dogs were dangerous, nasty and vile, and the false teachers pose a similar danger to the church.

Harsh/shocking imagery = mutilate the flesh.

Literally, because of what circumcision is.

Figuratively, relates to 1 Kings 18:28 “They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them.”) when the Baal prophets tried to gain their god’s favor by cutting themselves.

True circumcision is a matter of the heart.

Circumcision was never done away with or replaced.

It became a matter of the heart under the New Covenant (see Ezek.36:26-27 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances.”)

Here’s a quick check-list for the true people of God:

Worship (Latreuo) by the Spirit of God. Remember God is at work to will and to work…also see Rom.12:1 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.”

Boast (verbally show off) in Jesus. Paul purposes to never brag on anything but the cross of Christ!

No confidence in the flesh, only in Jesus perfection.

Reject works-based salvation.

Place no confidence in religious rituals.

Paul was an eighth-dayer.

Maybe you trust in an aisle or a prayer or a baptism.

Religious rituals CANNOT save you.

Place no confidence in religious pedigree.

Paul was of the Israelite nation, a Jew with a traceable genealogy.

People can be tempted to trust in their family’s involvement and salvation — “My great-grandma was a charter member” or “My dad was a deacon.”

Religious pedigree CANNOT save you.

Place no confidence in your rank.

Paul belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, one of the tribes that remained loyal to Judah and David’s throne.

Some folks have served on committees, taught Sunday school, led a ministry, or held a church office.

Your rank CANNOT save you.

Place no confidence in your traditions.

Paul was exemplary in his conduct as a Hebrew (think feasts, celebrations, etc.)

Traditions can aid the faith, but too often they become the point and not a part of the process.

Your traditions CANNOT save you.

Place no confidence in your rule-keeping.

Paul was a Pharisee, meaning he went out of his way to prove he was holy and others were not.

Some people today are great at placing their law around the true law and then obeying their personal law to the detriment of the law of the kingdom while berating others for their lack of holiness.

Your rule-keeping CANNOT save you.

Place no confidence in your zeal.

Paul was so zealous for his beliefs that he murdered or oversaw the murder of Christians.

Some today will argue it’s not so much what you believe but the earnestness with which you believe it.

Your zeal CANNOT save you.

Place no confidence in your obedience to the law.

Paul was blameless when it came to legal righteousness…he made a list and checked it off twice!

Maybe you can echo the words of the rich young ruler — I’ve obeyed all of the laws of God since my youth. Maybe you can echo the words of those in Matthew 7 — I’ve prophesied, driven out demons, and performed many miracles in Your name!

But oh the reminder that Jesus gives us (Matt.7:23 “Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’”) Your obedience CANNOT save you.

So then what? What hope do we have?

Phil.3:7-8 “But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ”

Consider the options: the Well of Life that never runs dry, the Good Shepherd who calls His sheep by name and is Himself the Gate, the Way, the Truth, and the Life

OR

Filth…rubbish…dung? Excuse the crass, vulgar and shocking nature of what I’m about to say, but you can feast on the Bread of Life or you can feast on a pile of crap. You make the choice!

Receive the righteousness of Christ.

In order to receive the righteousness of Christ, we must be willing to forsake everything else — “I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as dung...”

Justification is through the righteousness of Christ.

Sanctification is:

In order to know Christ;

Done in His power;

On the path of suffering;

And conforms us to His death.

Glorification happens when we see Christ.