The Epistle To The Philippians Look Out! Look Up! Look Again!

Warnings And Examinations Philippians 3:1-7 Vs. 1 – “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble tome, and it is a safeguard for you.” Final segment of Paul’s letter is quite lengthy. Begins, though, with a call to rejoice in the Lord! Then proceeds with a flurry of warnings and calls for personal examination. Trying to help Christians realize what is truly important in this life.

Two-part Lesson We will consider this to be part one of a two-part lesson on learning to think and act spiritually rather than profanely – worldly – fleshly. What is truly important in the life of a Christian? What is meaningless fluff and folderol? As we consider these questions, we realize that the commandment in this first verse of Philippians 3 is to rejoice in the Lord!

Look Out! Things of which to beware Verse 2 – “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision….” Beware of the dog Beware of the evil workers Beware of the false circumcision.

Beware of the dogs What are the dogs? Matthew 7:6 -- “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Think hyena rather than Fido.

Jewish View Concerning Dogs Isaiah 56:10-11 – “His watchmen are blind, all of them known nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, dreamers lying down, who love to slumber; and the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied. And they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each one to his unjust gain, to the last one.” Psalm 22:16 – “For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet.”

Beware Of Evil Workers 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 – “For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.”

Beware Of The False Circumcision Galatians 5:3-4 -- “And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” So that they were to beware of: Sensual Christians who lived for the flesh Unbelieving Jews hostile to the gospel Believing Jews wanting to pervert the gospel

Look Up! Things to Be Verse 3 – “…for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh….” From BEWARE to BE – what the church needs to be as we rejoice in the Lord.

Be The True Circumcision Galatians 6:14-15 -- “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” False circumcision looks only to the flesh. Spiritual circumcision looks to new creation, new birth, spiritual walk.

Be A True Worshiper John 4:23 -- “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” Not this mountain, or that race of people, or this venue. Rather, this new heart, this new mind, this new spirit.

Be Spiritual Thinkers 1 Corinthians 10:12 – “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” To avoid idolatry and every other form of avarice Comparison to Israel in the wilderness. Don’t be idolaters Don’t be immoral Don’t try the Lord Don’t grumble Don’t think fleshly, but rather spiritually.

Look Again! Things to Reconsider Verses 4-7 – “…although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” Illustration: Overly enthusiastic youth minister

Where Is My Confidence? In the flesh? v. 4 In my race/ethnicity? In my church tradition? vs. 5 Do I consider myself outstanding by comparing myself to others? Do I consider myself to be LAWFUL? A keeper of rules and champion of “we’ve always done it this way”, or equally, “we’ve never done it that way”?

What Is Truly Important? Vs. 7: “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” We end here with where we will begin next week: Whatever we, as fleshly people, consider to be gain – we must chalk it up to loss! It deals with things, stuff, perceptions, traditions and so on, which have to do with what I think, rather than what Christ desires.

Conclusion Can we see with new spiritual eyes? Are we indeed spiritual and not just neo- fleshly? Have we put a spiritual veneer over a fleshly agenda?