Good morning, Verse by Verse family…so glad to see you this morning!

Thank you, worship team -- what you do is so very important for the body of Christ -- and thank you, church, for engaging in worship

Congratulations and welcome to all those who were baptized this morning

We’ll pick up the text at Philippians 3.1-6

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. 

We’ve learned that we are to live for Christ and think like Christ…now we reach the halfway point of the book

We also reach the source of one of the best-known jokes in Christianity -- the use of the word “Finally” at the beginning of the third chapter of a four-chapter book

As the story goes, the sermon was beginning to lengthen a bit too much, and hearing the pastor use the word “finally”, the young boy leans over to his dad and quietly asks, “what does it mean when the pastor says ‘finally’?” The dad quietly replies, “nothing at all, son -- nothing at all”

It’s true that Paul sounds like he’s wrapping up his letter, but in truth, he’s not -- the word could just as well be translated as another transitional word, like “moreover” or “also” -- he’s only moving to the next main thought: forsaking all that is in the world, and realizing that our greatest gain is in Him, the “…prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”

This passage breaks down into four parts: verses 1, 2, 3, and verses 4 through 6

TRANSITION: 3.1

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Paul begins the first chapter just as he did chapter one: 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, and chapter two: 1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 

Paul sounds again the dominant theme of the book: Joy

By my count, this is the ninth mention of the idea of joy, but the first to use this particular and familiar construct -- “rejoice in the Lord”

Now Paul explicitly says what he has implied all along: that a believer’s joy is to be found “in the Lord”…he tells us what to find, and in whom to find it…

Paul isn’t weary from repeating himself…he encourages the Philippians to rejoice sixteen times in this short letter, but that’s not a trouble…in fact, it’s necessary…a pastor mentor of mine once wisely said to me, “repetition is the price of learning” -- both in Bible study and in Scripture memorization, the key is repeating the Word of God…Psalm 119.11 in the KJV says it well

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

If you wish to remember the Word, hide it in your heart by repeating it in your thoughts

And from the point of view of the Philippians, they would only benefit by reading again and again the admonitions and encouragement of the apostle Paul…they didn’t know it at the time, but as this book was read, they held in their possession one of the most precious books of the New Testament…I trust they read it often in public worship, as we do 

It’s like a safety net beneath you…recalling and repeating the Word of God is one of the most helpful things you can do…as you immerse your mind and heart in the Word of God, you not only are filled by the Spirit with the very truth of God, but you also keep out the messages and lies of the world…no wonder Paul says that for him to repeat himself to the Philippians is “safe” for them

WARNINGS: 3.2

Now Paul turns to the most pointed truth, the one that should completely capture the Philippians’ attention, and our ours as well

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 

It’s as if Paul gets on the police radio channel and puts out a “BOLO” -- “be on the lookout” -- keep your eyes open, head on a swivel, constantly scanning your world for these dangers

What are these short and almost explosive warnings?

Paul is confronting a first century heresy that arose almost immediately in the life of the early church: Judaizers

Not Judaism as a religion, the religion of the ancient Hebrews, but instead a lethal but enticing combination of the Law and Grace, of living under the Old Testament and the New Testament, a doctrine that said that the truths of Jesus were not in themselves enough, but that anyone who would follow Jesus must first enter in through Judaism and become a Jew, and then that one could experience the grace of God in salvation 

Paul was deeply involved in refuting this dangerous heresy…the story begins in Acts 15.1-2

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.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.  

The elders and apostles in Jerusalem rightly reached the conclusion by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit that the Gentiles could enter into salvation without first becoming Jews, but instead simply by receiving the gospel by grace through faith…

Instead of mandating the Gentiles keep the Law that the Jews themselves could not keep, the leaders of the church in Jerusalem said this in Acts 15.29:

29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

The missionaries among them -- Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and Judas Barsabbas -- joyfully took that message out to the churches of the Gentiles…

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

But sadly, that didn’t stop those who would try to diminish the grace of Jesus by turning back to the Law…this group of heretical teachers known as the Judaizers were a persistent source of trouble in the early church…Paul confronted them in multiple cities and at multiple times, most notably in the churches of Galatia, where they seem to have gained a foothold…the better part of the book of Galatians is devoted to refuting their false teaching…causing the apostle to cry out in frustration… (Galatians 1.6-9)

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Now here in Philippi, Paul was again confronting the lies of the Judaizers, and he strongly warns the believers with three sharp, staccato statements…

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 

Let’s examine these warnings one by one…alliterated in the Greek, all starting with “k”

Paul begins these warnings in the same way: look out, be vigilant, keep a watchful eye

First warning: 2 Look out for the dogs… 

“Dogs” renders the Greek ‘kyon’ pronounced ‘cue - on’ -- literally means dogs, wild/feral

But the meaning here is a symbolic one…came to mean unclean people, those who cared nothing for spiritual things, but were violent, earthly creatures of this world

Jesus makes the point with a single verse in the Sermon on the Mount -- Matthew 7.6

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

The Scripture makes the point again in Revelation 22.14-15 as John describes the beauty of the New Jerusalem

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Paul warns the Philippians: look out for those who care nothing for the things of God, who live only for themselves and the flesh, who desire sin and the things of the world, the flesh and the devil

Second warning:  look out for the evildoers

“Evildoers” renders two Greek words, primarily ‘kakous’ -- evil, morally bad or wrong; captured also by the KJV translation “workers of iniquity”…watch out for those people…described perfectly by the KJV translators in Proverbs 4.14-17

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

Those are the evildoers

Third warning: look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 

A clear reference to the physical act of circumcision

“mutilate the flesh” renders Gr ‘katatome’ which literally means incision, to cut into flesh and organs…a twisted, perverted version of real circumcision…simply mutilation of the flesh without any spiritual meaning or a wrongful spiritual meaning…only NT use of the word

Since circumcision was a key element of the Law given in Genesis 17.10-14, what could Paul mean as he warns the believers of those who would “mutilate the flesh”?

As we recall that the Law was not given to the Gentiles, but to the Jews, it seems clear that Paul is warning the Philippian believers to beware of anyone who would restore the Law, specifically in this case the rite of circumcision, to a heightened importance, that which justified the believer before God, trying to place something external in the role of that which is internal

Paul says it best in Romans 2.29…

28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. 

What matters is not that which is external, but what is of the heart…physically mutilating the flesh will never in itself create righteousness…the circumcision that matters is what God does on the inside…it is a work in the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter of the Law

AFFIRMATIONS: 3.3

In stark contrast to the warnings, Paul now affirms the truth of the gospel

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—

Paul describes the church -- whether the believers came from a Jewish background or a Gentile background -- as “the circumcision”, the implication being the “true circumcision” that which is of the heart, not the false circumcision that was only external and in the flesh…the people who have been made new by the Spirit of God…the Gr word is ‘peritome’

He goes on to describe three characteristics of Christ-followers -- the answer to the question “what do believers do?”

The first characteristic of a Christ-follower is this

(we) worship by the Spirit of God

When Paul defines what believers do, the first thing he says is that we worship…this is the reason I frequently emphasize the value and importance of what our worship does as they lead us to exalt the Lord

“Worship” renders the Gr word ‘latreuo’ (la - trev - o); used 21 times in the NT, almost evenly split in translation between “worship” and “serve”

As we praise and honor Him, through instruments and singing and even prayer, we are doing exactly what the Lord considers important…in fact, God Himself is seeking out people who will exalt and magnify Him…in the conversation in John chapter 4 between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, when she tries to turn the discussion to the less important issue of the location of worship, Jesus calls her back to the more important issue of the spiritual direction of the human heart…

John 4.23-24      23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

We see this truth again from the lips of Jesus as He refutes Satan in the wilderness temptations…Satan called for Jesus to worship him, a call immediately refused by Jesus, as He quotes Deuteronomy 6.13

(Matthew 4.8-10; OT quote is Deut 6.13)     8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”  

Worship and serve our Lord -- that’s what Christians do

The second characteristic of a Christ-follower is this

(we) glory in Christ Jesus

What are you proud of? When you think of the most praiseworthy thing in your life, what comes to mind? What makes you proudest as you reflect back on your life? Some personal achievement? Your possessions? Your status or prestige or power or position? Your wealth? Maybe your family and friends, your relationships? The question is this: in what or who do you glory? 

David’s glory -- the light of his life -- his boast -- was only in the Lord…even as David was being pursued by his own son, Absalom, David said this about his God… 

Psalm 3.3     But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 

The fact is, in and of ourselves, we have nothing to boast about -- we weren’t powerful or of noble birth, or wealthy, or strong, or wise…certainly not by God’s standards, and for most of us, not by the world’s standards, either… our only bragging rights, our only boast, is that we belong to the Almighty God…the ground of my boasting is that I am His…                  I Corinthians 1.26-31      26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 

When we consider what it is that sets us apart…why we are different…we have to cry out with the Psalmist as a redeemed people who say… (Psalm 79.13)

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation, we will recount your praise.

We will give You thanks and praise, O Lord, for we boast in You!

The third characteristic of a Christ-follower is this

(we) put no confidence in the flesh

Just so we know what we are talking about here, the Bible uses the word “flesh” in two ways: the first is simply our flesh, our physical bodies, such as in Romans 4.1

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 

The second way is more symbolic than literal…”flesh” is often used in a spiritual sense to represent the sin nature present in all people…an example would be John 6.63   

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 

That is the sense Paul means here in Philippians when he says we have no confidence in the flesh, which is to say that believers have no confidence in our own sinful natures to produce anything that is pleasing to God…we see this key truth clearly in Romans 8.3b-8 …listen to the dichotomy here     

By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Our sinful nature, described as the “flesh” is completely opposed to the new nature given us by God, called here the “spirit” -- the flesh won’t and can’t submit to God’s Law -- we cannot please God in the flesh, the very seat of sin and rebellion against God

This fundamental truth is so important to understand…to return to Philippians, it’s why we “put no confidence in the flesh”

CREDENTIALS 3.4-6

Paul now turns to himself as an example of how even the best, most perfect religious resume isn’t good enough for God…Paul gives the Philippians a short biography…let’s take a look at why even Saul the Pharisee couldn’t place his trust 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.

Paul confronts the Judaizers head-on as he describes his previous life before Christ…if anyone could have possibly pleased God with his religious performance, it was Saul of Tarsus…check out this resume

The first four statements of the seven that he makes about himself are really not of his own doing…they are mostly due to the blessing of God evidenced by his fortunate birth, and also the actions of Saul’s faithful and observant parents…

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;

What a blessed beginning to Paul’s life…his parents did everything right…Saul, like Jesus and John the Baptist, was circumcised on the eighth day of his life, as the Law required...he had been born into the covenant people of God, the nation of Israel…he was of the tribe of Benjamin, the last born of the sons of Israel, and the only son born in the promised land; Saul’s ancestral homeland included the major cities of Jerusalem, Jericho, and Bethel, and his original birth name, Saul, links him to the most famous descendant in his tribe of Benjamin, Saul, the first king of Israel; he claims to be a “Hebrew among Hebrews” and for good reason…it’s difficult to imagine a Hebrew son born into more fortunate circumstances

And Paul capitalized on that fortunate beginning

as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Through his unfailing commitment to obeying the Law of God, Saul became a Pharisee, a member of the most strictly observant religious sect in the nation; as for his conduct, there was no more zealous or energetic defender of the Jewish faith than Saul was before his conversion -- he violently persecuted the church of Jesus Christ, a fact which he never forgot, beginning with his passive participation in the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 7 to his conversion on the road to Damascus in Acts 9…and as for his righteousness under the law, he was blameless…this word, ‘amemptos’ doesn’t mean sinless, but it does mean without fault or blame…which is to say he kept the Law as well as it could be kept

Taken all together, Saul’s claim to Pharasaic righteousness is as solid as anyone could achieve…a flawless pedigree, legally blameless, and ruthlessly protective of the faith of his fathers

If the Judaizers could have pointed to anyone as an example of success, of being good enough for God by trusting in the flesh, of having confidence in your own achievements, it was Saul of Tarsus…but thank the Lord, He intervened, struck Saul temporarily blind on the Damascus Road, renamed him as Paul, and did a mighty work of grace in a profoundly self-righteous man…so much so that Paul can write…Ephesians 2.8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

CONCLUSION

Paul’s warnings are clear -- don’t let anyone place you back under the Law…we are not saved by the Law and we are not sanctified through the ongoing efforts of the flesh

Galatians 3.1-6          O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 

Our salvation begins and ends with the Spirit -- so live in Jesus by grace through faith -- and never trust in your own resume.