EXPIRED COUPONS AND CONFEDERATE CASH Philippians 3: 1-11

Old Ways Vs New and Better Ways

Philippians 3:1-11 (New Living Translation) Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy. I never get tired of telling you this. I am doing this for your own good. [2] Watch out for those dogs, those wicked men and their evil deeds, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.

Philippians 3:1-11 (continued) [3] For we who worship God in the Spirit are the only ones who are truly circumcised. We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us. [4] Yet I could have confidence in myself if anyone could. If others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

Philippians 3:1-11 (continued) [5] For I was circumcised when I was eight days old, having been born into a pure- blooded Jewish family that is a branch of the tribe of Benjamin. So I am a real Jew if there ever was one! What's more, I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. [6] And zealous? Yes, in fact, I harshly persecuted the church. And I obeyed the Jewish law so carefully that I was never accused of any fault.

Philippians 3:1-11 (continued) [7] I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. [8] Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ

Philippians 3:1-11 (continued) [10] As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, [11] so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead!

TAKE HOME I'll be tempted to think that my performance is what will matter on the Day of Judgment. I must remember: Salvation is a gift of God, not just a great bargain. My godly living will advance the kingdom and demonstrate my trust in Jesus, but it isn't the ticket to my future home. Jesus, thank you for dying and paying for my sins and including me in your life. I'll work hard as your disciple but always give you praise for being my redeemer.

Take a Moment to Reflect and Pray

BACKGROUND Philippians 3: 1-2 The New Covenant made the Old Covenant obsolete, but: Jewish Christians found it difficult to let go of old requirements such as Sabbath-Keeping and Circumcision The New Covenant made the Old Covenant obsolete, but: Jewish Christians found it difficult to let go of old requirements such as Sabbath-Keeping and Circumcision

BACKGROUND Philippians 3: 1-2 The New Covenant made the Old Covenant obsolete, but: Paul takes a firm stand on these issues and preaches that being right with God is now all about putting faith in Jesus Christ, not living up to the Old Covenant. Now "Circumcision" is not a physical mark but an unmistakable change of heart. The New Covenant made the Old Covenant obsolete, but: Paul takes a firm stand on these issues and preaches that being right with God is now all about putting faith in Jesus Christ, not living up to the Old Covenant. Now "Circumcision" is not a physical mark but an unmistakable change of heart.

GOD HAS GIVEN NEW DEFINITIONS TO ALL THE OLD LABELS --Romans 2:28-29 (NLT) For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the Jewish ceremony of circumcision. [29] No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people

OD HAS GIVEN NEW DEFINITIONS TO ALL THE OLD LABELS --Romans 2:28-29 (NLT) Jew. A person is a Jew if he is one inwardly Circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit Praise comes from God, not men Jew. A person is a Jew if he is one inwardly Circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit Praise comes from God, not men GOD HAS GIVEN NEW DEFINITIONS TO ALL THE OLD LABELS --Romans 2:28-29 (NLT)

TALK ABOUT AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME! LOOK AT MINE! Vs 4-6 I was circumcised on the prescribed day. I am an Israelite, the chosen race. My tribe was Benjamin I was born of Hebrew parents I speak and write Hebrew. I was a Pharisee, the most respected group among our people. Zeal? I had it. Nobody persecuted those Christians like I did! And the Old Law? I was absolutely compliant, blameless! I was circumcised on the prescribed day. I am an Israelite, the chosen race. My tribe was Benjamin I was born of Hebrew parents I speak and write Hebrew. I was a Pharisee, the most respected group among our people. Zeal? I had it. Nobody persecuted those Christians like I did! And the Old Law? I was absolutely compliant, blameless! But it is all of no value. It is a new day and we are under a new system.

The Old Law was "nailed to the cross" when Jesus was crucified. --Colossians 2: 13, 14 God calls us to put our trust in Jesus, the fulfillment of the old system. --Hebrews 1: 1, 2 The Old Law was "nailed to the cross" when Jesus was crucified. --Colossians 2: 13, 14 God calls us to put our trust in Jesus, the fulfillment of the old system. --Hebrews 1: 1, 2 I CAN'T SPEND MY OLD, OBSOLETE COUPONS AND CONFEDERATE CASH Vs 7-8

Now the Kingdom is offered to "Whoever" believes in Jesus. --John 3: 16 That makes compliance to the old code irrelevant. Now the Kingdom is offered to "Whoever" believes in Jesus. --John 3: 16 That makes compliance to the old code irrelevant. I CAN'T SPEND MY OLD, OBSOLETE COUPONS AND CONFEDERATE CASH Vs 7-8

HERE IS WHAT MATTERS: --TO BE FOUND IN CHRIST-- To have a "Right-With-God" condition (Righteousness) that comes from Jesus, not my compliance with the Old Code Now it is all about Faith in Him To have a "Right-With-God" condition (Righteousness) that comes from Jesus, not my compliance with the Old Code Now it is all about Faith in Him

HE PRIVILEGED LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN vs Know Jesus Experience the power of his resurrection Share in his sufferings Become like Jesus in my dying One day attain to the resurrection Know Jesus Experience the power of his resurrection Share in his sufferings Become like Jesus in my dying One day attain to the resurrection

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US? WE DON'T FIGHT THE SAME DETRACTORS WHO SQUABBLED ABOUT KEEPING THE OLD LAW. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US? WE DON'T FIGHT THE SAME DETRACTORS WHO SQUABBLED ABOUT KEEPING THE OLD LAW.

THE APPLICATION IS UNMISTAKABLE There are still plenty of people who expect that salvation is about performance and keeping a check list, like those of Paul's day. It's not that godly living isn't important, it's just not the acid test. At the cross Jesus absorbed the pain and shame that was due all sinners. There are still plenty of people who expect that salvation is about performance and keeping a check list, like those of Paul's day. It's not that godly living isn't important, it's just not the acid test. At the cross Jesus absorbed the pain and shame that was due all sinners.

THE APPLICATION IS UNMISTAKABLE Salvation is a gift that he gives to all who put their trust in him and come under his lordship. Eph 2. 8, 9 The mark of being a child of God is now a changed heart which manifests itself in love and faithfulness. It's all about Jesus! Salvation is a gift that he gives to all who put their trust in him and come under his lordship. Eph 2. 8, 9 The mark of being a child of God is now a changed heart which manifests itself in love and faithfulness. It's all about Jesus!

THE APPLICATION IS UNMISTAKABLE Perhaps God will allow us to not only know him but share in his kind of suffering, death and certainly his resurrection. Jesus, thank you for dying for me, paying for my sins and including me in your life. I'll work hard as your disciple but always give you praise for being my redeemer. Perhaps God will allow us to not only know him but share in his kind of suffering, death and certainly his resurrection. Jesus, thank you for dying for me, paying for my sins and including me in your life. I'll work hard as your disciple but always give you praise for being my redeemer.

Make Today a New Beginning

TAKE HOME I'll be tempted to think that my performance is what will matter on the Day of Judgment. I must remember: Salvation is a gift of God, not just a great bargain. My godly living will advance the kingdom and demonstrate my trust in Jesus, but it isn't the ticket to my future home.

Jesus, thank you for dying and paying for my sins and including me in your life. I'll work hard as your disciple but always give you praise for being my redeemer.