Philippians 3:1-11

Marks of a Christian

Scripture readingOverviewSmall group discussions – in each tableReview the answers together and wrap up

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1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:1-11)

The exhortation to rejoice seems to be punctuated throughout the letter

At the beginning or end of sections

When the surrounding context mentions adverse circumstances, trials, or difficulties that might rob them of their joy (2:17; 3:1; 4:2, 3)

- Peter O’Brien, Philippians Commentary (NIGTC)

The Theme of Rejoicing

JudaizersThose who visited Gentile churches and insisted that

circumcision and keeping the Mosaic law were indispensable conditions of their being justified in God’s sight

Paul’s encounters with Judaizers Jerusalem Council was called to deal with them

Acts 15:1 - But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 15:5 - But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

The book of Galatians was written to refute them

Paul’s Warning

Characterizes them using ironic terms, inversions of what they were boasting aboutdogs, evil workers, mutilation

Contrasts “false circumcision”, which the Judaizers were advocating – to “true circumcision”, which Christians already have!

Gives 3 marks that characterize true believersWorship by the Spirit of GodGlory in Christ (boast in Christ)Put no confidence in the flesh

Uses his personal testimony to contrast righteousness based on human effort with righteousness based on faith

Paul’s Response to the Judaizing Heresy

Paul’s Ultimate Goal

Discussion

Roman CatholicismJohn MacArthur discussing ECT

https://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/GTY49/a-biblical-response-to-the-catholicevangelical-accord

[Play audio clip]

Various cultsEvangelical Christianity mixed with legalistic

rules

Contemporary parallels to the Judaizing heresy

Circumcision was a symbol, picturing man’s need to be cleansed from sin at the deepest root of his being.

Circumcision (or any external ritual or ceremony) is meaningless if it does not reflect a transformed heart.

Unlike the Judaizers (the “false circumcision”), believers are the “true circumcision”. They have an inward spiritual cleansing, not a meaningless outward mark.

- John MacArthur, Philippians Commentary

True Circumcision

The Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian (Rom 8:9)

True worship is not limited by geography or based on ceremonial laws (John 4:21)

True worshipers worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24)

The whole of life is viewed as service or worship (Rom 12:1)“present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy

and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship”

Marks of a Christian#1 Worship God in the Spirit

Means ‘to boast in Christ’in the finished work of Christ whose arm alone has brought salvation and on

whom we rest in utter confidence- Ralph P. Martin, Philippians Commentary (TNTC)

We boast about what means the most to us1 Cor. 1:31 – “Let the one who boasts, boast in

the Lord”Gal 6: 14 – “But far be it from me to boast except

in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”

#2 Glory in Christ

Putting confidence in the flesh stands in opposition to reliance on Christ / boasting in Christ

Isaiah 64:6 – “all our righteousness are as filthy rags”

Paul says his status and accomplishments are like dungPaul is not saying that they are of no social,

cultural, educational, or historical value. Instead, he is saying that they are of no value salvifically; they could not save him or anyone else.

- John MacArthur, Philippians Commentary

#3 Put No Confidence in the Flesh

To know Christ / gain Christ (v.8) God-given righteous status, based on Christ’s

faithfulness, received by faith (v.9)Be united completely with Him / found in Him

(v.9) with him on the final dayDeeper personal relationship with Christ by

being conformed to Christ’s death (v.10)Participation in His sufferings, and knowing

the power of His resurrection (v.10)Resurrection from the dead, and be with Christ

(v.11)

The Goal: to Know Christ and be Found in Him