CHOICES Philippians 3: Everything that blesses or burdens our lives is tied up in the choices we make.

Transcription

1 CHOICES Philippians 3:8-11 INTRODUCTION: 1. Romans 6: Galatians 6: Everything that blesses or burdens our lives is tied up in the choices we make. 4. Matthew 16: Philippians 3: Philippians 3:1-3 a) Vs 1 b) Vs 2 1) Look out for the dogs 2) look out for the evildoers 3) look out for those who mutilate (sarcasm) the flesh c) Vs 3 a) True believers were those who were of the circumcision of the heart. b) and put no confidence in the flesh 1) flesh refers to human merit, works 7. Ephesians 2: Philippians 3:4 Here in Philippians 3 Paul Compares: Faulty Religion (loss) with Real Salvation (gain) I. FAULTY RELIGIOUS CREDITS A. Faulty Credit #1 CONFIDENCE IN CEREMONY 1. Vs 5a a) circumcised on the eighth day

2 2. Vs 3 a) put no confidence in the flesh 3. Amazing how today there are those who think they have spiritual advantages. B. Faulty Credit #2 CONFIDENCE IN NATIONALITY 1. Vs 5b a) of the people of Israel 2. Some people believe that they are bound for heaven because they were born in America. C. Faulty Credit #3 CONFIDENCE IN RELIGIOUS RESUME 1. Vs 5c a) of the tribe of Benjamin D. Faulty Credit #4 CONFIDENCE IN TRADITION 1. Vs 5d a) a Hebrew of Hebrews b) Paul had a pure pedigree!!! c) Paul spoke Hebrew..he was not Hellenized. (Greek culture) 2. People today believe they are saved because they keep certain traditions. E. Faulty Credit #5 CONFIDENCE IN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY 1. Vs 5e a) as to the Law, a Pharisee Paul was well versed and trained. b) Paul was educated. He was a devout Jew. 2. Religious Activity cannot save you. a) Come to Church occasionally b) Read your Bible

3 c) Pray d) Sunday School e) Bible Study F. Faulty Credit #6 CONFIDENCE IN SINCERITY 1. Vs 6a a) as to zeal, a persecutor of the church 2. You can be sincere but sincerely lost! G. Faulty Credit #7 CONFIDENCE IN KEEPING RULES 1. Vs 6b a) as to righteousness under the law, blameless 2. Paul kept the Law blamelessly!!!! 3. Paul kept the rules II. TRUE BENEFITS OF SALVATION A. Benefit #1 INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE 1. Vs 8 a) indeed 1) Indicates a strong contrast between the Faulty Credits that do not impress God and True Benefits of Salvation. b) I count everything as loss 1) Religious Ceremony; nationality; resume ; traditions; works; sincerity; legalism c) because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus 1) surpassing means there is no comparison. Not even close. 2) knowing to know by experience, personal involvement, love bond. 2. Vs 8b a) For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things

4 3. Vs 8c a) and count them as rubbish a strong word that means dung b) in order that I might gain Christ 4. Jesus + Nothing = Everything B. Benefit #2 TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS 1. Vs 9a a) and be found in him not having a righteousness of my own 2. Romans 3:23 3. Romans 10:3 4. Vs 9b a) but that which comes through faith in Christ b) the righteousness from God that depends on faith 1) righteousness means God s righteousness, imputed to our account 2) faith not intellectual assent, but absolute confidence in! C. Benefit #3 SUPERNATURAL POWER 1. Vs 10a a) that I may know him intimacy with 2. Paul yearned continually for a deeper knowledge of God. WOW!!!!!!!!!!! 3. Psalm 42: Question: Are you desperate for God? 5. Vs 10 b a) and the power of his resurrection b) In the resurrection dead flesh came back to life!!!

5 6. That same resurrection power is available to us NOW!! a) To live a victorious life. b) To live a life of boldness. c) To grow in grace and knowledge. d) To preach the gospel. D. Benefit #4 SWEET FELLOWSHIP 1. Vs 10b a) and may share in his sufferings 2. The deepest moments of spiritual fellowship with the living Christ are at times of intense suffering Corinthians 12:10 E. Benefit #5 ETERNAL GLORY 1. Vs One day at the resurrection we will share in Christ s glory.