Rejoice in the Lord
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I. Introduction
I. Introduction
A. We are picking up in our study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians in chapter 3. There have been so many things in this epistle that challenge how we think and live as Christians; things that, if not applied to our lives, can rob us of peace and joy in Christ. Peace with God and the joy that being in a relationship with Christ brings… these things are so important for us to have if we are going to face this world.
A. We are picking up in our study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians in chapter 3. There have been so many things in this epistle that challenge how we think and live as Christians; things that, if not applied to our lives, can rob us of peace and joy in Christ. Peace with God and the joy that being in a relationship with Christ brings… these things are so important for us to have if we are going to face this world.
B. And remember, Paul has been writing these things so that he can make sure the Philippians are equipped to have peace and joy as they face trials and persecution in this life
B. And remember, Paul has been writing these things so that he can make sure the Philippians are equipped to have peace and joy as they face trials and persecution in this life
1. “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
1. “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
II. Body
II. Body
A. I titled our lesson for today, ‘Rejoice in the Lord’. Paul begins the chapter by giving this as a command in v1. It is interesting to me that Paul here and also in 4:4 gives this as a command. We need to be commanded to ‘rejoice in the Lord,’ because there are so many other things in this life that we can tend to put our emphasis on. There are many things in life that we can begin to rejoice in and look to for hope and peace.
A. I titled our lesson for today, ‘Rejoice in the Lord’. Paul begins the chapter by giving this as a command in v1. It is interesting to me that Paul here and also in 4:4 gives this as a command. We need to be commanded to ‘rejoice in the Lord,’ because there are so many other things in this life that we can tend to put our emphasis on. There are many things in life that we can begin to rejoice in and look to for hope and peace.
1. Paul will warn the Philippians about these things in chapter 3 as he compares two groups of people: the ‘mutilation’/false-circumcision and the ‘circumcision’, which are terms that he will use to describe Jewish false teachers and Christians
1. Paul will warn the Philippians about these things in chapter 3 as he compares two groups of people: the ‘mutilation’/false-circumcision and the ‘circumcision’, which are terms that he will use to describe Jewish false teachers and Christians
2. Paul feels that it is necessary to warn the brethren about these men beginning in verses 1-2 because if the Philippians follow in their example, they will be robbed of the joy that they have in Christ. Paul makes it clear here that the things that he is writing here are not the first warning he gave them (3:1). In verse 18, he makes the same point, “For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ…” Paul was concerned for his brethren, and he didn’t mind being repetitive in warning them about danger.
2. Paul feels that it is necessary to warn the brethren about these men beginning in verses 1-2 because if the Philippians follow in their example, they will be robbed of the joy that they have in Christ. Paul makes it clear here that the things that he is writing here are not the first warning he gave them (3:1). In verse 18, he makes the same point, “For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ…” Paul was concerned for his brethren, and he didn’t mind being repetitive in warning them about danger.
B. Comparing the False and True Circumcision (False Israelites vs True Israelites)
B. Comparing the False and True Circumcision (False Israelites vs True Israelites)
1. False Israelites
1. False Israelites
a) He refers to them as dogs, evil workers, and the mutilation. None of these are compliments!
a) He refers to them as dogs, evil workers, and the mutilation. None of these are compliments!
(1) Dogs
(1) Dogs
(a) All of these phrases would be ways that the Jews would have looked at Gentiles, but Paul here is applying it to the physical descendants of Abraham who were not Christians. When Paul mentions ‘dogs’, he is not talking about household pets as we know them. Dogs at that time were known as disgusting, unclean animals that scoured the earth, eating anything to survive… garbage, dead animals, etc… So it came to be a word used to refer to Gentiles, who the Jews considered unclean.
(2) Mutilation (false circumcision)
(2) Mutilation (false circumcision)
(a) He also calls them the false circumcision, in contrast to the true circumcision in which he calls Christians in verse 3. I believe the translations that translate the word as mutilation does give us the better rendering of the word. Paul is saying here that the circumcision of these Jews is a mutilation of their body. It is worthless. It is not much better than what pagans do in worship of their gods, cutting their bodies to get their gods to listen to them. (b) Paul is using graphic terminology to make it clear that these Jews are not the people of God, but instead are the enemies of the cross of Christ.
b) They were putting their confidence in the wrong place
b) They were putting their confidence in the wrong place
(1) They were trusting in the flesh. In verses 3-4, when he is making the contrast between the Jews who are the false circumcision and the Christians who are the true circumcision, he says that we as the true circumcision “put no confidence in the flesh,” which I believe infers that the Jews were placing a lot of stock in the flesh. Also, in verse 19, Paul refers to them as “setting their minds on earthly things.” They are clearly putting their confidence in the wrong place.
(1) They were trusting in the flesh. In verses 3-4, when he is making the contrast between the Jews who are the false circumcision and the Christians who are the true circumcision, he says that we as the true circumcision “put no confidence in the flesh,” which I believe infers that the Jews were placing a lot of stock in the flesh. Also, in verse 19, Paul refers to them as “setting their minds on earthly things.” They are clearly putting their confidence in the wrong place.
(2) I believe there are a couple things that Paul means when he refers to “the flesh” in this passage. First, they were placing their confidence in the fact that they were circumcised-and because of it-they were descendants of Abraham and were going to inherit the promises given to Abraham. But they were wrong in assuming such. Paul already has stated that their circumcision is mutilation. Since it has not affected their hearts, it is worthless. It is as though they are not circumcised at all.
(2) I believe there are a couple things that Paul means when he refers to “the flesh” in this passage. First, they were placing their confidence in the fact that they were circumcised-and because of it-they were descendants of Abraham and were going to inherit the promises given to Abraham. But they were wrong in assuming such. Paul already has stated that their circumcision is mutilation. Since it has not affected their hearts, it is worthless. It is as though they are not circumcised at all.
(3) Second, when Paul refers to them as “trusting in the flesh”, he is saying that they were trusting in their own earthly accomplishments to be the reason why they are saved. They believed they were righteous because they were keeping the law of Moses. But Paul realized, as they also would have if they listened to the law, that the only way to be righteous according to the law is if you keep it perfectly. If you do not, the law itself says you are cursed. Rejoicing in our law-keeping as our salvation will rob us of joy!
(3) Second, when Paul refers to them as “trusting in the flesh”, he is saying that they were trusting in their own earthly accomplishments to be the reason why they are saved. They believed they were righteous because they were keeping the law of Moses. But Paul realized, as they also would have if they listened to the law, that the only way to be righteous according to the law is if you keep it perfectly. If you do not, the law itself says you are cursed. Rejoicing in our law-keeping as our salvation will rob us of joy!
(4) APPLICATION: What I think we need to see in these things is that if we are putting the emphasis on earthly things ̶ on the flesh ̶ to be the reason we are saved, we can rob ourselves of the hope we have in Christ! There is a reason why we doubt our salvation at times. If we are putting the emphasis on what we are (or are not) doing, we have reason for concern! We cannot be righteous or be saved solely on the basis of our works. Our good works cannot make up for our evil works, even as Christians. Righteousness and forgiveness can only come by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. This is what Paul shows in v9. Our confidence must not be in the flesh or on earthly things, but in Christ and His grace to forgive us by our faith. We can never
(4) APPLICATION: What I think we need to see in these things is that if we are putting the emphasis on earthly things ̶ on the flesh ̶ to be the reason we are saved, we can rob ourselves of the hope we have in Christ! There is a reason why we doubt our salvation at times. If we are putting the emphasis on what we are (or are not) doing, we have reason for concern! We cannot be righteous or be saved solely on the basis of our works. Our good works cannot make up for our evil works, even as Christians. Righteousness and forgiveness can only come by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. This is what Paul shows in v9. Our confidence must not be in the flesh or on earthly things, but in Christ and His grace to forgive us by our faith. We can never
(5) And just think about this mindset for a moment. When we trust in our works and our earthly accomplishments, is there a mindset that is more of an antithesis to the humility that we are commanded to have in chapter 2? It is nothing but pride that thinks that we can save ourselves by our works or that our earthly accomplishments is what gives us hope before God. Only Christ can give us such hope. It is not humble to give ourselves the credit! There is no reason to rejoice in giving ourselves the hope of eternal life! If we do, we are just as much false Israelites as they were!
(5) And just think about this mindset for a moment. When we trust in our works and our earthly accomplishments, is there a mindset that is more of an antithesis to the humility that we are commanded to have in chapter 2? It is nothing but pride that thinks that we can save ourselves by our works or that our earthly accomplishments is what gives us hope before God. Only Christ can give us such hope. It is not humble to give ourselves the credit! There is no reason to rejoice in giving ourselves the hope of eternal life! If we do, we are just as much false Israelites as they were!
2. The True Circumcision/Israel
2. The True Circumcision/Israel
a) In verses 3-11, Paul shows us the contrast to these false Israelites. He shows what God’s true people rejoice and trust in. The reason for us to have joy begins and ends with Jesus Christ.
a) In verses 3-11, Paul shows us the contrast to these false Israelites. He shows what God’s true people rejoice and trust in. The reason for us to have joy begins and ends with Jesus Christ.
b) Our rejoicing is in the Lord ̶ what He has done for us, has given us, and promises to give to us in the future. We put our glory in Jesus Christ. He is what we boast about. We put NO confidence in the flesh. I like how Paul makes his point in this passage. It seems in sarcastic fashion, he paints a picture of himself in comparison to the Jewish false teachers, showing that if ANYONE had a good reason to put confidence in the flesh, it was himself! As brother LA Mott puts it in his commentary on Philippians, “Paul could meet the Judaizers on their own ground and outdo them at their own game.” Paul says in verse 4, “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…” Then he shows us all of his earthly accomplishments; all of the things which he could have put his confidence in, and he probably did for most of His life until he was converted to Christ. He had so much that he could boast in from an earthly perspective, many of which his fellow Jews would say he should have treasured.
b) Our rejoicing is in the Lord ̶ what He has done for us, has given us, and promises to give to us in the future. We put our glory in Jesus Christ. He is what we boast about. We put NO confidence in the flesh. I like how Paul makes his point in this passage. It seems in sarcastic fashion, he paints a picture of himself in comparison to the Jewish false teachers, showing that if ANYONE had a good reason to put confidence in the flesh, it was himself! As brother LA Mott puts it in his commentary on Philippians, “Paul could meet the Judaizers on their own ground and outdo them at their own game.” Paul says in verse 4, “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…” Then he shows us all of his earthly accomplishments; all of the things which he could have put his confidence in, and he probably did for most of His life until he was converted to Christ. He had so much that he could boast in from an earthly perspective, many of which his fellow Jews would say he should have treasured.
c) But Paul learned something important upon becoming a Christian: There is something better to treasure!
c) But Paul learned something important upon becoming a Christian: There is something better to treasure!
(1) All of these earthly things that men trust in, Paul counts as losses. He viewed these things as worthless. He viewed them as dangers that could rob him of joy.
(1) All of these earthly things that men trust in, Paul counts as losses. He viewed these things as worthless. He viewed them as dangers that could rob him of joy.
(a) Anything that can keep us from Christ is worthless!
(2) All the earthly possessions, rank, prestige, and influence meant nothing to him. They were like stinking garbage; as refuse. He now had a priceless treasure. He has Jesus Christ now! He has a personal relationship with his Messiah and his God that his earthly accomplishments could not give him
(2) All the earthly possessions, rank, prestige, and influence meant nothing to him. They were like stinking garbage; as refuse. He now had a priceless treasure. He has Jesus Christ now! He has a personal relationship with his Messiah and his God that his earthly accomplishments could not give him
(3) APPLICATION: you and I need to learn to look at all of our own earthly gains in the same way. This is what we must do if we want to have the same joy as Paul. These things are not worth putting our focus and emphasis on (and making idols out of). You and I need to learn to see Christ and having a relationship with Him as a great treasure, and everything else as rubbish and refuse in comparison. It does not matter what we lose or even give away to help others because we will always have what is our greatest treasure: Jesus Christ!
(3) APPLICATION: you and I need to learn to look at all of our own earthly gains in the same way. This is what we must do if we want to have the same joy as Paul. These things are not worth putting our focus and emphasis on (and making idols out of). You and I need to learn to see Christ and having a relationship with Him as a great treasure, and everything else as rubbish and refuse in comparison. It does not matter what we lose or even give away to help others because we will always have what is our greatest treasure: Jesus Christ!
(4) If we put emphasis on the things that the false Israelites were in Paul’s day, Paul says in v18-19 that those who walk in a way that shows that their minds are set on worldly things are enemies of the cross and will have as their end destruction. But Paul says of God’s true people in v20, “20 But our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
(4) If we put emphasis on the things that the false Israelites were in Paul’s day, Paul says in v18-19 that those who walk in a way that shows that their minds are set on worldly things are enemies of the cross and will have as their end destruction. But Paul says of God’s true people in v20, “20 But our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
(a) What Paul shows us here is a good reminder from us. Why is it that we tend to put too much emphasis on earthly things and our works? Because we are looking at ourselves too much as citizens of this world. We may be in this world physically, but we are primarily citizens of God’s kingdom. Our hope is not here. Our hope is in Heaven. This fact needs to challenge us to think and live in a way that shows that we are citizens of God’s kingdom as we live in this evil world. Our minds are set on something out of this world. Our thoughts are on Jesus and the hope He gives us… Our minds are set on His return, on when He will come, when he will transform our earthly bodies to look like His, and will deliver us fully from this earthly existence!
III. Conclusion
III. Conclusion
A. - “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
A. - “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”