A Study of Philippians. Lesson 7: Philippians 3:1 11

Transcription

1 A Study of Philippians Lesson 7: Philippians 3:1 11 Gerald R. Chester, Ph.D.

2 Date Lesson Teacher January 11 th Living by Every Word of God Matthew 4:4 John, Gordon, Gerald January 18 th Background Acts 16 Gerald January 25 th No Class February 1 st Introduction Philippians 1: Gerald February 8 th Paul s Personal Update Philippians 1:12-30 Gerald February 15 th Exhortation to Humility Philippians 2:1-11 Gerald February 22 nd Exhortation to Responsibility Philippians 2:12-30 Gordon March 1 st Trading Up Philippians 3:1-11 Gerald March 8 th Release from the Past Philippians i 3: Gerald March 15 th Appeal to Unity, Prayer and Imitation Philippians 4:1-9 John March 22 nd The Secret to Life Philippians 4:10-23 Gordon 65

3 Who wrote Philippians? Paul Where was Paul when he wrote Philippians? In prison in Rome Who is Paul s audience in the City of Philippi? Largely retired Roman soldiers who have become Christians How did Paul pray for his spiritual children (the saints at Philippi)? For their sanctification (maturity in Christ) What are the elements of the process of sanctification? 1. Abounding love (living sacrifice, spiritual disciplines) 2. Knowledge and depth of insight (transformation, biblical worldview) 3. Discern what is best (the will of God), filled with the fruit of righteousness, bringing glory to God 66

4 Finally, my brothers, 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 men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, s and who put no confidence in the flesh though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has 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 legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, 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 and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. PHI 3:1 11 [NIV] 67

5 Finally, my brothers (spiritual), 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 (to perceive with the senses, discern) those dogs (metaphor), those men who do evil (probably Judaizers, see vs. 3), those mutilators of the flesh (literal). PHI 3:1 2 [NIV] Perhaps a reminder of the example that Paul and Silas set about ten years prior Warning against religious leaders Hypocrites (actors): form without substance When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. MAT 6:16 [NIV] When religious people show up, we need to rejoice in the Lord even more and be alert. 68

6 For it is we who are the circumcision (metaphor), we who worship (latreuo to serve) by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh (metaphor) though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has 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 (youngest of the sons of Jacob, son of Rachel), a Hebrew of Hebrews (=> the best); in regard to the law, a Pharisee (believe in resurrection, angels, spirits); as for zeal, persecuting the church; h as for legalistic li righteousness iht (compliance to the Mosaic law), faultless. PHI 3:3 6 [NIV] Worship by the Spirit (Romans 12:1 2; Phil 1:6) Identity Performance The best of the flesh is incomparable to the righteousness of Christ. Chesley Shullenberger 69

7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, 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 and is by faith. PHI 3:7 9 [NIV] Knowing Christ => relationship => time, attention, and commitment Found in him (Christ) Meaning: standing with God is defined based on our faith in Christ Evidence: worship, circumstances, pray Trading up => giving up trusting in self performance to gain acceptance with God 70

8 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. PHI :10 11 [NIV] Know Christ Know the power of his resurrection => victory over sin Know the fellowship of his sufferings => standing against sin Becoming like him (summorphos : having the same form as another) in his death => the process of death to the sin in oneself Salvation => deliverance from the penalty, power, and presence of sin 71

9 Watch out for the religious people Blocks to maturity in Christ Trading up Giving up natural identity for spiritual identity The key to maturity Intimately knowing Christ 72

10 What did the Holy Spirit say to you today based on the presentation that you heard? How will the truth that you learned today change your life? 73