PHILIPPIANS 3: SERMON NOTES

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A FRIENDLY EPISTLE

Introduction

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Typical structure of a “friendly

letter” The address and greeting [1:1-2] Prayer for the recipients [1:3-11] Reassurance about the sender (= "my

affairs") [1:12-26] Request for reassurance about the

recipients (= "your affairs") [1:27-2:18; 3:1^:3]

Information about movements of intermediaries [2:19-30]

Exchange of greetings with third parties [4:21-22]

Closing wish for health [4:23]

Source: Gordon Fee

SUMMARY OF PHILIPPIANS

INTRODUCTION

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Philippians: An Overview

PAUL,

in prison

PHILIPPIANS

Suffering/Opposition

Some Internal Unrest

CHRIST

THE GOSPEL

Source: Gordon Fee

PHILIPPIANS 3

Was it an “after-thought” – a sudden deviation?

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Chapter 3: A Sudden

Deviation3:1 Finally, my brothers,

in the !

It is no trouble for me to write

the same things to you again,

and it is a safeguard for you.

4:4 in the always.

4:9 Finally, brothers, ....

THE ERROR OF JUDAIZERS

Paul Warns Philippians about the “Mutilators” (v. 3)

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Judaism OR Christ?

You can’t have both Judaism and Christ!

Judaism Gentiles

Some Jews required Gentiles to become Jews

Before they believed in the “Jewish” Messiah.

RIGHTEOUSNESS:

“WORKS” OF LAW

VERSUS

FAITH IN CHRIST!

There’s only one way to get right with God!

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Misconception #1:

The Old Testament teaches

“salvation by works”

God saved Israel by His grace

• by His outstretched arm &

• by the blood of the Lamb

The Law was given later to

keep them “saved!”

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"It was added because of transgressions

until the Seed to whom the promise

referred had come." Gal 3:19

The LAW

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What, then, was the purpose of the law?

"The law was added so that

the trespass might increase." Romans

5:20

"... so that through the commandment

sin might become utterly sinful." 7:13

The LAW

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The LAW

Summary:

The Law thus showed Israel

• God’s standards of morality &

• Their inability to attain those

standards

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It’s because the Jews

the Law of Moses!

Why then do we hear of

“works-based salvation”?

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“Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.Since

◦ they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and

◦ sought to establish their own,

they did not submit to God's righteousness.”

Romans 10:1-3

Epic Jewish Failure!

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Disobedience to a single Law was disobedience to the whole law.

The Law provided no means for gaining forgiveness of sins.

The Law became an a "Sword of Damocles" over the Jews.

Disobedience resulted in God's wrath and exile.

Still, the Jews took pride in their attempt to obey the Law.

The Law brought a curse

PAUL’S TESTIMONY

From boasting in self to boasting in Christ

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Paul Came to Christ Empty-

handedIf 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.

Phil 3:4-7

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Paul steps out of Judaism

to gain ChristYou can’t have both Judaism and Christ!

Judaism GentilesChurch

PAUL’S EXAMPLE

One thing I do: Forgetting what’s behind, I press on!

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Paul’s example: A thirst for

Christ

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.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

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Paul’s Example:

Living in the Light of Eternity

Join with others in following , brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

3:17-19

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But our is in . And

we eagerly await a Savior from there,

the Lord Jesus Christ,

who, by the power that enables him

to bring everything under his

control,

will transform our lowly bodies so

that they will be like his glorious

body.

Paul’s Hope: Heavenly Glory

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Applications

When we approach God, do we boast in ourselves or do we trust in Christ alone?

Do we have a thirst to know Christ and to grow in Him?

Do we live in the light of eternity –winning souls and storing up treasures in heaven? Or, are we just earthly-minded?

Do we long for our home country (heaven) and desire to “depart” and “be with Christ?”