https://www.bible.com/events/49088725
Church of the Nazarene – East Rock
Living The Jesus Life: Part 6
Philippians 3:1-11
Living The Jesus Life
This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.
Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That’s why we’ve entitled the series, ‘Living the Jesus Life’.
Today’s focus is Philippians 3:1-11
Philippians 3:1-4
Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
As we begin Chapter 3, we are moving on to Paul’s next major concern for his friends in Philippi, he says “beware of empty religion”.
As he begins, we get the sense this isn’t the first time they have had this conversation, but Paul doesn’t mind- It’s for their safety and the urgency of the truth bears repeating.
Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.
Dog lovers everywhere, exhale. Paul is not talking about problems with our pets.
He is talking about one a group of arch enemies to the Gospel. People called Judaizers. They believed that to be in right relationship with God, to really experience salvation- you need to believe in Jesus AND take part in certain practices of the Jewish faith.
You couldn’t be a Christian without also being a jew.
Paul’s language here clearly shows his disgust and disagreement with anyone who would suggest such things. The problem is the deadly belief in Jesus PLUS anything.
Philippians 3:4-6
though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put 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; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
If two Jews were having a bragging contest- The Apostle Paul would have beat them all with his resume. His trophy case was even more impressive than the Stanley Cup.
Paul was killing it in the eyes of the Jewish law and culture. But look what he says nextPhilippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain ChristPaul’s previous life was one of status and achievement. He used to count all these things as a profit- something to boast about.
But now- That he has met Jesus- he considers all of those old things he used to brag about as a loss- a waste of time. Because he knows that true righteousness and right relationship with God is only found in Christ- in NOTHING else.
Philippians 3:8-9
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, 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 is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Paul has made the conscious decision over his past, and his present, that anything that takes away from living the Jesus life, is a loss.
Paul’s greatest treasure in life, his number one gain is relationship with Christ Jesus. Paul has learned that true right standing with God-True relationship with Him, can only come through Jesus Christ.
Paul is warning his friends in Philippi by way of his own testimony: Religion has no power to save anyone- only Christ can do that.
We have talked repeatedly in this series about living out our faith- shaping our lives after Jesus- the inseparable bond between what we believe and how we live, and these teachings are not in conflict today-Today’s teaching is a warning about thinking that those things, in and of themselves, are what save us.
It is only by faith, trusting in Jesus Christ that we can be saved.
Philippians 3:10-11
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Take it from the Apostle Paul; Religion doesn’t have the power to save you, only Jesus can do that.
Will you say with Paul “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection”?
That’s what it is to live the Jesus Life
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