The church of Christ   At Granby, MO

Bobby Stafford Be Anxious For Nothing Sermon Series on the Book of Philippians Philippians 4:6-8, Lesson 11       Philippians For You It Is Safe Text:  Philippians 3:1-9 Introduction:  “Furthermore, brethren, experience joy because you are in the Lord.”  Even though Paul was repeating himself [writing again what he had already discussed, probably a general warning he gave in Philippians 1:27-30]. “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.  For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflicted which you saw in me and now hear is in me.” NKJV  It wasn’t irksome or troublesome to Paul.  He knew by the repetition of God’s Word, he would help ensure their spiritual safety.  Those who are “in the Lord” should never tire of hearing the Word, but should rather find joy in it.  As James Boice so well expressed it:  “Joy is founded to a very great degree on sound doctrine. . . Joy is a supernatural delight in God and God’s goodness; and it is a very different thing from happiness . . . supernatural joy is to steep ourselves in the teachings of the Bible.”  That is how Paul introduces this section.  Does this describe you? Body: I.  Beware of False Teachers  Philippians 3:1-2 “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!” NKJV  Paul had previously warned them in Philippians 1:28 about their adversaries.  He now specifies who they are.  A.  Dogs  A term used for scavenger dogs [curs]; a strong term of reproach and contempt; a word used by some Jews to describe Gentiles to show they were outcasts.  But Paul turns the tables and uses it to describe those who taught that certain elements of the Jewish religion had to be followed along with gospel teachings.  (Acts 15:1) “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ ” NKJV  They were real outcasts.  Just as scavengers are dangerous, so were those men. B.  Evil Workers  They probably believed they were righteous workers, but in reality they were missionaries of evil.  Why?  They perverted the gospel.  Paul addresses a similar problem in Galatians 1:6-7.  “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.”  These false teachers [evil workers] were following their own desires.  (Romans 10:1-3) “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” NKJV C.  The Mutilation  These “Judaizers” gloried in the physical act of circumcision as a religious requirement.  Paul says doing it for that reason is just mutilating the body.  Why?  Because in Christ circumcision doesn’t avail anything.  (Galatians 5:6) “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” NKJV  So Paul issued a grave warning to beware of these false teachers!  He  uses very strong and graphic language to do so. II.  Be Certain You Are the True Circumcision  Philippians 3:3-6 “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.” NKJV  Who are the true circumcision?  (Romans 2:28-29) “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.” NKJV  The verse refers to spiritual Israel, those in the Christian age who are God’s chosen people.  How are they characterized? A.  Worship God in the Spirit  Our worship and service is by or through the Spirit.  The Spirit instructs us as to how we are to worship and serve God faithfully.  He leads us today through the inspired Word.  (II Timothy 3:16-17) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” NKJV B.  Rejoice in Christ Jesus  “Glory” in Christ.  The Judaizers gloried in the Law of Moses, but the true circumcision glories in their Savior.  For He is the only means of salvation. C.  Have No Confidence in the Flesh  The true circumcision [spiritual Israel – the church], does not place their confidence in their own ability, external rituals, or works of the Old Law.  But they rather place their trust and hope in Christ Jesus.  He is the faithful One, who will keep His promises to save the faithful.  “And this is the promise that He has promised us – eternal life.”  (I John 2:25) III.  Be Ready to Suffer for Christ  Philippians 3:7-9 “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;” NKJV A.  Sacrifice  Mention Arkansas Angels, a book about the work and sacrifice of early Christian preachers in northwest Arkansas.  Paul gave up much to follow Christ:  His attainments in the Jewish religion, power he wielded in that faith, prestige and honor he held among Jews, friendship with fellow Jews, social standing, as well as personal security.  He considered it as nothing – things to be thrown away!  We must as well. B.  Result of Sacrifice 1.  The “surpassing worth” or “greatness” of being personally acquainted with Christ Jesus. 2.  Gain Christ and be found in Him.  Make Christ his own [the greatest possession possible].  He was willing to lose everything for that greatest of all possessions. 3.  Have the righteousness which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes by submitting to the will of God and obeying Him.  (Romans 1:16-17) “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.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’ ” NKJV Conclusion/Invitation: Paul’s ultimate goal was the resurrection from the dead to eternal life in heaven.  He was willing to do whatever it cost to attain it.  Are you?   Bobby Stafford  March 31, 2019  Series on Philippians:  Lesson 7