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Philippians Chapter Three

 
Chapter Three General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To see the error of placing confidence in fleshly accomplishments
 
2) To understand the need to strive toward perfection in our desire to
 know and serve Christ
 
3) To be reminded of our true citizenship in heaven
 
SUMMARY
 
In this chapter we find a warning against those who place great 
confidence in the flesh (1-3). If anyone had reason to boast about 
fleshly accomplishments, it was Paul with his Jewish heritage (4-6). 
But all such things were considered rubbish in relation to the 
excellence of knowing Christ Jesus (7-8). Therefore Paul had as his 
goal to be found in Christ, having that righteousness which is by faith
in Jesus, knowing Him and the power of His resurrection, and even
sharing in His sufferings, that he might by any means attain to the
resurrection from the dead (9-11).
 
Paul then describes his attitude of pressing on, and encourages all to
follow his example and that of others who walk likewise (12-17). Such 
an exhortation is necessary in view of the reality that there are many 
people who are enemies of the cross of Christ, who have made their 
fleshly appetites the focus of their minds, and indeed their god 
(18-19). Christians, however, should remember that their true 
citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for Jesus Christ 
who will transform our lowly bodies to be conformed to His glorious 
body (20-21).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. WARNINGS AGAINST JUDAISM (1-11)
 
 A. BEWARE OF THE JUDAIZERS (1-3)
 1. Rejoice in the Lord! (1)
 2. Beware of "dogs", evil workers, the false circumcision (2)
 3. For the true circumcision are those who...
 a. Worship God in the Spirit
 b. Rejoice in Christ
 c. Have no confidence in the flesh (3)
 
 B. PAUL'S EARLIER CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH (4-6)
 1. Paul had many grounds for boasting in the flesh (4)
 2. A list of things pertaining to the flesh in which he could 
 have boasted (5-6)
 
 C. PAUL'S DESIRE TO KNOW CHRIST (7-11)
 1. He counted all as loss for the surpassing value of knowing
 Christ (7-8)
 2. He supreme goal:
 a. To have that righteousness which comes through faith in
 Christ (9)
 b. To know Christ and the power of His resurrection (10a)
 c. To share in His sufferings, even in His death, that by any
  means he might attain to the resurrection from the dead
 (10b-11)
 
II. WARNINGS AGAINST ANTINOMIANISM (12-21)
 
 A. PAUL'S ATTITUDE OF PRESSING ON (12-14)
 1. He does not consider himself perfect, so he presses on (12)
 2. He forgets those things which are behind, and reaches forward
 to what lies ahead (13)
 3. His goal is the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
 Jesus (14)
 
 B. AN EXHORTATION FOR THEM TO HAVE THE SAME MIND (15-17)
 1. Let those who are mature have the same mind (15)
 2. To the degree you have already attained, so live (16)
 3. Follow the example set by Paul and others, who live this way
 (17)
 
 C. A WARNING AGAINST THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS (18-19)
 1. With tears, Paul warns them of those who do not walk properly
 (18)
 2. Such people set their minds on earthly things, making their
 belly their god (19)
 
 D. A REMINDER OF OUR TRUE CITIZENSHIP (20-21)
 1. Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for
 Jesus (20)
 2. Who when He comes will transform our lowly body to conform to
 His glorious body (21)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Warnings against Judaism (1-11)
 - Warnings against antinomianism (12-21)
 
2) Who does Paul warn against? (2)
 - Dogs, evil workers, the "mutilation" (false circumcision); i.e.,
 Judaizers, those who would impose circumcision and the keeping of
 the Law of Moses on Gentile Christians (cf. Ac 15:1-6)
 
3) What characterizes those who are the true circumcision? (3)
 - They worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have
 no confidence in the flesh
 
4) What sort of things could Paul have boasted pertaining to the flesh?
 (4-6)
 - 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
 
5) How did Paul view these fleshly things? (7-8)
 - As loss, as rubbish, in contrast to the excellence of the 
 knowledge of Christ Jesus
 
6) What was Paul's earnest desire? (9-11)
 - To be found in Christ
 - To have the righteousness that comes through faith in Him
 - To know Him and the power of His resurrection
 - To know the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His
 death
 - To attain to the resurrection from the dead
 
7) Did Paul view himself as having already attained, or having been
 perfected? (12)
 - No
 
8) According to Paul, what was the "one thing" he did? (13-14)
 - Forgetting those things which are behind, reaching forward to
 those things ahead, he pressed toward the goal for the prize of 
 the upward call of God in Christ Jesus
 
9) What is the attitude, or mind, of those who are "mature"? (15)
 - The attitude Paul had, of pressing on
 
10) How should the Christian walk? (16)
 - To the degree or rule that they have attained
 
11) Whose example were the Philippians to follow? (17)
 - Paul's, and those whose "walk" was similar to his
 
12) What description is given of those who are "enemies of the cross of
 Christ"? (18-19)
 - Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, their glory is
 in their shame, and they set their minds on earthly things
 
13) Where is our citizenship? (20)
 - In heaven
 
14) What will Christ do when He comes again? (21)
 - Transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious
 body

The True Circumcision Of God (3:1-16)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Throughout his ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul had to
 contend with certain Jewish Christians
 a. Known today as "Judaizers", they were false teachers who often
 followed Paul wherever he went
 b. They would try to bind the act of circumcision and the Law of
 Moses itself upon Gentile Christians - e.g., Ac 15:1-2
 
2. Even as he writes this "epistle of joy", encouraging the brethren to
 rejoice in the Lord (3:1), he finds it necessary to warn them of
 these false teachers (3:2-3)
 a. In these verses, we find Paul making a play on words...
 1) He calls the Judaizers "katatome" (mutilation) - 3:2
 2) And refers to true Christians as "peritome" (circumcision) 
 - 3:3
 b. In doing so, he also declares that "the true circumcision" are
 those who:
 1) Worship God in the Spirit
 2) Rejoice in Christ Jesus
 3) Have no confidence in the flesh
 
3. Using himself as an example, Paul further defines the attitudes and
 characteristics of those who are "The True Circumcision Of God" 
 (3:4-16)
 
[In doing so, Paul actually does it in an order reverse to what we find 
in verse 3; thus first illustrating "The True Circumcision Of God" as 
those who...]
 
I. HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH (4-8)
 
 A. IF ANY COULD, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PAUL...
 1. He could have boasted in things of a "RACIAL" nature
 a. "circumcised the eighth day"
  1) A genuine Jew from birth
 2) Not a proselyte
 b. "of the stock of Israel"
 1) Directly descended from Jacob
 a) The Arabs could boast of their descent from Abraham
 b) The Edomites could boast of Isaac
 2) But only the Jews could boast of Jacob, who had prevailed
 with God and was given the name "Israel" (literally, "one
 who strives with God")
 c. "of the tribe of Benjamin"
 1) The son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel
 2) The only son actually born in the promised land
 3) Israel's first king, Saul, was from this tribe
 4) The only tribe that remained true to Judah when the
 kingdom was divided
 d. "a Hebrew of the Hebrews"
 1) Both his parents were Jews
 2) He was true to the customs of the Jews, not a Grecian or
 Hellenistic Jew
 2. He could have boasted in things of a "RELIGIOUS" nature
  a. "concerning the law, a Pharisee"
 1) A very religious person
 2) Belonging to a sect known for their loyalty, patriotism,
 and conservatism to the Law of Moses
 b. "concerning zeal, persecuting the church"
 1) Illustrates his sincerity and enthusiasm for his religion
 2) Always true to his conscience - cf. Ac 23:1; 26:9-11
 c. "concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless"
 1) Not that he was perfect
 2) But was diligent in fulfilling the requirements of the
 Law (e.g., animal sacrifices)
 
 B. YET PAUL CONSIDERED THESE THINGS AS "LOSS FOR CHRIST" (7-8)
 1. All these things which could have provided Paul with prestige
  and social standing, he counted as loss
 2. In fact, he lost many things when he chose to follow Christ 
 - cf. 1 Co 4:11-13
 3. Yet, compared to the excellence of the knowledge of Christ,
 they were to Paul nothing more than "rubbish" (literally,
 "dung")!
 
 C. WHAT ABOUT US?
 1. Do we place confidence in our fleshly accomplishments?
 2. Do we take pride in our racial background, religious heritage,
 etc.?
 3. Or do we consider such things as "rubbish" compared to the
 knowledge of Jesus Christ?
 
[How we answer helps to determine whether we are "The True Circumcision 
Of God"! But there is more; those who are the "true circumcision"...]
 
II. REJOICE IN CHRIST JESUS (9-11)
 
 A. THEIR JOY IS NOT IN THINGS MATERIAL OR FLESHLY, BUT IN CHRIST!
 1. As in Paul's case, he considered fleshly accomplishments as
 "rubbish"
 2. His compelling desire was to "gain Christ" (8)
 
 B. WHAT IT MEANS TO "GAIN CHRIST" (9-11)
 1. To "be found in Him", which includes...
 a. "not having my own righteousness, which is from the law"
 (not trusting in his keeping the Law of Moses to save him)
 b. "but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness
  which is from God by faith" (experiencing salvation as a gift
 from God through faith in Jesus)
 2. To "know Him"
 a. The word "know" as used here, means...
 1) "to recognize" or "to become acquainted with"
  2) I.e., a personal knowledge, not a theoretical or vicarious
 one
 b. In particular, to know "the power of His resurrection"
 1) The same power Paul wanted the Ephesians to know - Ep 
 1:18-20
  2) A power that is first experienced in baptism into Christ
 - Co 2:12-13
 3) And throughout our lives - Ep 3:20-21
 4) And ultimately in our own bodily resurrection - Ph 3:
 20-21
 c. To know "the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to
 His death"
 1) In his effort to know Christ, Paul wanted to experience
 and share even in His sufferings!
 2) "Such fellowship in the sufferings of Christ includes a
 turning from sin, and the death of self. It may involve
 much hardship for the sake of Christ. For Paul it finally
 meant martyrdom." (CHARLES ERDMAN)
 3) We all should be willing to do the same! - cf. 1 Pe 4:1-2
 3. To "attain to the resurrection from the dead"
 a. This would be the ultimate experience in "gaining Christ"!
 b. I.e., a personal and experiential knowledge of the "power" of
 the resurrection!
 
 C. WHAT ABOUT US?
 1. Such was the goal of Paul's life, the source of his true joy!
 2. Can this said about us?
 3. Is our goal in life to truly "know Christ"?
 
[If it is, then what Paul continues to say will be our attitude also; 
for "The True Circumcision Of God" are also those who...]
 
III. WORSHIP GOD IN THE SPIRIT (12-16)
 
 A. JESUS WAS THE FIRST TO DEFINE "TRUE WORSHIP" AS SPIRITUAL
 WORSHIP...
 1. In His discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well - Jn 4:
 23-24
 2. Since God is Spirit, our worship must be of the spirit as well,
 and not limited to particular locations
 
 B. PAUL DESCRIBES THE ATTITUDES OF THOSE WHO WORSHIP GOD IN THE 
 SPIRIT...
 1. They are never satisfied with their present spiritual condition
 (12)
 2. With perseverance, they press on (13-15)
 a. Not looking back
 1) Resting on past laurels
 2) Or bemoaning past failures
 b. But ever reaching forward, which is a mark of spiritual
 maturity
 3. All the while living up to the standard of knowledge they have
 attained (16)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Do these attitudes characterize our devotion to God and His Son?
 a. Do we worship God by allowing His Spirit and the Spirit-given Word
 to rule over our complete lives?
 b. Do we consider the relationship we are developing with Christ to be
 our primary joy and focus in life?
 c. Do we place no confidence in the flesh?
 --- If so, then we are "The True Circumcision of God"!
 
2. As Paul invites us to do in verse 17, let's be sure to follow his
 example!
 
How does one begin in becoming "The True Circumcision Of God"? It
begins when we in faith submit to the working of God in baptism, in
which we experience the "circumcision of Christ" (cf. Co 2:11-13).
 
Have you had the "circumcision made without hands" (i.e., been baptized
into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins - Ac 2:38)?

"THE EXCELLENCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST"
 
  Philippians 3:8
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Prior to his conversion to Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul was on the
 "fast track", a "rising star" in the religion of Judaism - cf. Ga 1:
 13-14; Ph 3:4-6
 
2. But once he came to know who Jesus Christ really was, all the power,
 all the prestige, all the position of influence that he once had,
 meant nothing - cf. Ph 3:7-8
 
3. What mattered now was for him to "know Jesus Christ":
 
 "...I also count all things loss for the excellence of the 
 knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord..." (Ph 3:8)
 
4. What is there about the knowledge of Jesus Christ that makes it so
 desirable for people like Paul and countless others? And should we
 desire this "knowledge," how do we gain it?
 
[To answer these questions, let's first make some observations 
about...]
 
I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST THAT IS "EXCELLENT"
 
 A. IT MUST BE A "PERSONAL" KNOWLEDGE...
 1. We cannot come to know Jesus solely through another person's
 acquaintance with Him
  2. While we may initially learn about Jesus from others,
 especially the authors of the New Testament, we must come to
 know Him for ourselves
 a. Like Paul, we must speak in the first person: "that I may
 know Him" (Ph 3:10)
 b. The "faith of our fathers" must become OUR faith, for God
 does not have any "grandchildren"
 
 B. IT MUST BE AN "INTELLIGENT" KNOWLEDGE...
 1. Jesus does not expect us to commit "intellectual suicide" to 
 know Him, He desires us to use our minds as well - Mt 22:37
 2. Thus we should desire to know all the Word reveals about 
 Him...
 a. His natures, both divine and human
 b. His offices, both as king and priest, savior and shepherd
  c. His works, both then and now
 d. His past shame and suffering, his present and future glory
 and exaltation
 
 C. IT MUST BE AN "AFFECTIONATE" KNOWLEDGE...
 1. If I know Him at all, I must love Him
 2. Indeed, I am accursed if I do not! - cf. 1 Co 16:22
 3. As with our minds, so we must love the Lord with all our 
 hearts - Mt 22:37
 
 D. IT WILL BE A "SATISFYING" KNOWLEDGE...
 1. It will satisfy where other things do not - cf. Paul's 
 willingness to forego the advantages he had in Judaism
 2. It will be the "bread" that fills our hunger, and the "water"
 that quenches our thirst - cf. Jn 6:35
 
 E. IT WILL BE AN "EXCITING" KNOWLEDGE...
 1. The more we know of the "Beloved", the more we will want to 
 know
 2. We will come to realize that in Him "are hidden all the 
 treasures of wisdom and knowledge" - Co 2:3
 3. We will realize that "in Him dwells all the fullness of the 
 Godhead bodily" - Co 2:9
 4. And that WE are "complete in Him, who is the head of all 
 principality and power" - Co 2:10
 
 F. IT WILL BE A "HAPPY" KNOWLEDGE...
 1. For in Him is the key to joy despite all our circumstances 
 - cf. Ph 4:4
 2. We may have tribulation, but in Christ we can have joy! - cf. 
 Jn 16:33
 
[Such is the "excellence" of this knowledge of Jesus Christ! Is it not
worth having? More than anything in the world! - cf. Ph 3:8
 
But how do we get it?]
 
II. GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST
 
 A. THE WORD OF GOD IS ESSENTIAL...
 1. The only accurate source for learning about Jesus is the Word
 of God...
 a. Movies, books, magazines, etc., written by men can be 
 entertaining and sometimes instructive; but such are often
 filled with erroneous concepts
 b. The only reliable source is the inspired Word that we call
 the "Bible"
 2. And we should not limit our search for knowledge about Jesus 
 to the four gospels...
 a. The Old Testament contain Messianic prophecies that reveal
 much about the nature of Christ - e.g., Is 9:6-7; Micah 5:2
 b. The book of Acts describes the only history we have of the
  beginning and early years of His church
 c. The epistles reveal much about His present work as our King
 and High Priest - e.g., He 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 1 Pe 3:22; 
 Re 1:5-6
 3. So if you wish to truly learn of Jesus, you must commit 
 yourself to a study of the Word of God!
 
 B. BUT SO IS OBEDIENCE...
 1. It is not enough to just have "head knowledge" concerning 
 Jesus Christ
 2. For the "true knowledge" of Jesus comes only as we obey Him
  - cf. 1 Jn 2:1-6
 3. And especially as we develop the qualities of character He 
 displayed, which is the goal of all His commandments - cf. 
 2 Pe 1:5-8
 a. Note that it is only when these Christ-like qualities are
  "yours and abound" can it be said that we are "neither
 barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
 Christ."
 b. This is what it really means to "grow in the grace and 
 knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - 2 Pe 3:18
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Have you come to "know" Jesus Christ our Lord? Have you begun to 
 experience what Paul called "the excellence of the knowledge of 
 Christ Jesus my Lord"?
 
2. If not, why not start today? The Savior's tender invitation is 
 still open to all who heed it:
 
 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, 
 and I will give you rest."
 
 "Take my yoke upon you and LEARN FROM ME, 
 for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
 and you will find rest for your souls."
 
 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light"
 - Mt 11:28-30
 
You can come to Jesus by heeding the gospel message He wanted the whole
world to hear (Mk 16:15-16), and then continue to learn from Him as
you heed all the things He commanded His apostles (Mt 28:19-20)!

Two Ways To Walk (3:17-21)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. As we continue our examination of Paul's "epistle of joy", we now find
 him discussing two different ways to walk in this life...
 a. The walk of one who is "a citizen of heaven"
 b. The walk of one who is "an enemy of the cross of Christ"
 
2. Hopefully, there should be no question as to which way we are to walk;
 but to better understand why, we will look closely at some reasons
 Paul gives in this passage
 
[First, we notice...]
 
I. AN ADMONITION TO WALK LIKE PAUL AND OTHERS (17)
 
 A. "JOIN IN FOLLOWING MY EXAMPLE"...
 1. Paul frequently encouraged others to follow his example - cf.
 Ph 4:9; 1 Co 4:16; 11:1
 2. Some brethren evidently took him up on it - e.g., 1 Th 1:6-9
 3. In what way were people to imitate Paul?
 a. To the degree he tried to imitate Christ - 1 Co 11:1
 b. Perhaps also in his devotion to Jesus Christ - cf. Ph 3:7-16
 
 B. "NOTE THOSE WHO SO WALK, AS YOU HAVE US FOR A PATTERN"...
 1. Just as there were some in Thessalonica who imitated Paul (1 Th
 1:6-9), so there were those at Philippi who did the same, and
 were thus worthy of emulation
 2. Noticing the examples of others can be very beneficial - cf. Ps
 37:37
 3. Especially when we consider the outcome of their conduct - cf.
 He 13:7
 
 C. WE SHOULD NOT ONLY BE GOOD IMITATORS, BUT GOOD EXAMPLES OURSELVES!
 1. This is especially true of those who teach and preach God's Word
 - 1 Ti 4:12; Ti 2:7-8
 2. Which includes those who serve as elders - He 13:7; 1 Pe 5:1-3
 
[The reasons for noting those who are worthy of emulation is given 
later in this passage. But first there is...]
 
II. A WARNING CONCERNING THOSE WHO WALK AS "ENEMIES OF THE CROSS" (18-19)
 
 A. "OF WHOM I HAVE TOLD YOU OFTEN"...
 1. Paul found "repetition" to be a valuable tool - cf. Ga 1:8,9;
 5:21; Ph 3:1
 2. Also, that it was necessary to be "negative" at times - cf. Ph
 3:2
 
 B. "AND NOW TELL YOU EVEN WEEPING"...
 1. Negative preaching, when necessary, should not be done without
 compassion - e.g., 2 Co 2:4
 2. Even here, Paul is setting the right example...
 a. To love our enemies
 b. Even those who are "enemies of the cross"!
 
 C. WHO ARE THESE "ENEMIES OF THE CROSS"?
 1. We know they are MANY people
 a. "For many walk" - cf. Mt 7:13-14
 b. So not just a few
 2. We know their END
 a. "whose end is destruction" - cf. 2 Th 1:7-9
 b. Have we seriously considered the outcome of their conduct?
 3. We know who is their GOD
 a. "whose god is their belly"
 b. I.e., those who are set on satisfying only their fleshly
 appetites
 4. We know wherein is their GLORY
 a. "whose glory is in their shame"
 b. They take pride in things that are actually shameful
 5. We know upon what they set their MINDS
 a. "who set their mind on earthly things"
 b. Contrast this with where Christians are to set their minds -
 Ph 4:8; Co 3:1-2
 
[Where is our "mindset"? How we answer may determine whether or not WE 
are "enemies of the cross of Christ"!
 
As a motivation not to be "enemies of the cross", we notice Paul now 
shares a few...]
 
III. REASONS TO WALK LIKE PAUL AND OTHERS (20-21)
 
 A. "FOR OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN"...
 1. Our true loyalty is to that above, not that on earth!
 2. It is there where our "inheritance" is reserved - 1 Pe 1:3-4
 3. Therefore, we have special responsibilities - cf. 1 Pe 2:9-12
 
 B. "WE EAGERLY WAIT FOR THE SAVIOR...WHO WILL TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY
 BODY"...
 1. Though now in heaven, our Savior is coming again one day! - Ac
 1:9-11
 2. When He does, what glory there will be for those who are
 "citizens of heaven"!
 a. He will "transform our lowly body"!
 b. It will be "conformed to His glorious body"!
 3. This He will do by the same POWER by which He subdues all things
 to Himself - cf. Mt 28:18; 1 Pe 3:22
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Are not these good reasons to walk like Paul?
 
2. Brethren, how are we walking in this life?
 a. As "citizens of heaven"?
 b. Or "enemies of the cross of Christ"?
 
3. The answer depends upon where we have set our MINDS:
 a. If on EARTHLY things...we are "enemies of the cross of Christ"!
 1) We make our bellies to be our god
  2) We glory in that which is shameful
 3) Our end will be destruction
 b. But if on HEAVENLY things...we are "citizens of heaven"!
 1) We eagerly await Christ's coming
 2) We eagerly await our transformation
 
4. Have you become...
 a. A "citizen of heaven"? If not, why not become one today? - Jn
 3:5
 b. An "enemy of the cross"? If so, why not "defect" today? - 1 Pe
 4:1-3

－－《Executable Outlines》