Sermon Tone Analysis

Phil 3.1-11

PRAY “Make the book live to me, O Lord.

Show me yourself within your Word.

Show me myself and show me my Savior, and make the book live to me, for Jesus’ sake.

Amen” -Hudson Pope

1. Rejoice and Be on Guard

Observations:

Paul writes, “Finally” but like many a preacher since him, he’s not really closing.

But Paul means what he’s saying, the greek phrase is just different than how we would communicate today.

The Greek phrase translated “finally” functions as a formal signal that Paul has transitioned to a new section, not the final or last section of the letter.

It is a transitional phrase, not a terminal phrase signaling the end of the discussion.

NIV = “Further”

CSB = “In addition”

v1 Rejoice in Repetition

It’s good to hear things more than once isn’t it?

How many of us responded to the Gospel of Jesus Christ the first time we heard it.

We like being reminded of some things…we need to be reminded of many things.

I’m sure many of you right now could recall a number of things we’ve needed to be reminded about this week for which we’re grateful.

It can grate on our nerves, though, to be the reminder.

This is not just with parents - although it may most easily apply there.

The more we “remind” folks about things, the more irritated we can become.

But this is about the Gospel.

Even strong believers have a tendency to forget the Gospel and its implications.

Notice Paul’s distinction here - “It’s no trouble to me…it’s for your good.”

He’s not irritated…this is SPF 1000 for the UV Rays of doubt, dismay, discouragement, depression...

This is a work of the Spirit of God in this man’s life.

The fruit of the Spirit is

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

In these first couple verses, we observe Paul giving a:

Warning - about the Judaizers.

Judaizers were Jewish Christians (or ostensibly Christians) who insisted that Gentile Christians must submit to the Mosaic law, including circumcision

DOGS - first-century Israelites didn’t have pets, and they had no use for dog food.

Dogs were coyote-like scavengers who fed on roadkill, carrion, filth, and garbage—they were vivid images of the unclean

EVILDOERS - claiming to be doing the right things...

MUTILATORS - Peter T. O’Brien concludes, “ Circumcision, their greatest source of pride, is interpreted by the apostle as mutilation—a sure sign that they have no part in God’s people at all.”

Reminder

Circumcision was a PREVIEW of what Christ was going to do for us

Christ enabled the TRUE and more complete circumcision

The Judaizers were trying to add legalistic requirements to the Gospel of Grace…friend we cannot do that.

We will not do that.

We won’t do it with our Membership Covenant, or any other guiding documents...

LESSON: Satan is always promoting a “Better Way”

in the Garden...

tempting Jesus...

(Philippians) You can’t JUST have faith…you need a sign!

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I'm using a breakdown of this next passage I found extremely helpful and difficult to improve upon.

The outline is borrowed, the content is not.

Tony Merida (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary on Philippians), points out that this passage in the Bible here is speaking of what it means to know Christ in 2 parts:

3 Marks of those who know Christ

and How to know Christ

Embracing what the Bible says about being a disciple is where true joy is discovered.

There are 3 marks here that the maturing Christian has as they live this Christ.

2. Marks of Those Who Know Christ (3:2-6)

Mark 1: We serve/worship by the Spirit of God (3:3b).

NIV = Serve

ESV = Worship

Romans 12:1-2 (Phillips)

With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him.

Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

Mark 2: We boast in Christ Jesus (3:3c).

I WILL GLORY IN THE CROSS

I boast not of works or tell of good deeds

For naught have i done to merit his grace

All glory and praise shall rest upon him

So willing to die in my place

My trophies and crowns, my robe stained with sin

Twas all that i had to lay at his feet

Unworthy to eat from the table of life

Till love made provision for me

IN CHRIST ALONE (Shawn Craig / Don Koch, ca 1990)

(v1) In Christ alone will I glory

Though I could pride myself in battles won

For I've been blessed beyond measure

And by His strength alone I overcome

Oh, I could stop and count successes

Like diamonds in my hand

But those trophies could not equal

To the grace by which I stand

(ch) In Christ alone I place my trust

And find my glory in the power of the cross

In every victory let it be said of me

My source of strength, my source of hope

Is Christ alone

(v2) In Christ alone will I glory

For only by His grace I am redeemed

Only His tender mercy

Could reach beyond my weakness to my need

Now I seek no greater honor

Than just to know Him more

And to count my things but losses

To the glory of the Lord

So if we will boast in CHRIST…we cannot boast in ourselves.

Mark 3: We put no confidence in the flesh (3:3d-6).

1. Don’t put your confidence in a RITUAL.

Circumcised to the Letter of the Law - PERFECT START

Being baptized as a baby…or dedicated to the Lord as a baby doesn’t make you a Christian.

2. Don’t put your confidence in your ETHNICITY.

Born into right people of privilege when it came to access to Jehovah.

Your red-blooded American status in the land of the free and home of the brave has NO BEARING ON YOUR SPIRITUAL STATE.