FAMILY TALKS IN PHILIPPIANS #5: A WELL-ADJUSTED LOSER (Philippians 3:1-10)

Expository, Letters of Paul, New Testament, Philippians, Philippians - FAMILY TALKS IN PHILIPPIANS

A WELL-ADJUSTED LOSER – PHILIPPIANS 3:1-10

FAMILY TALKS IN PHILIPPIANS #5 of 7

  • Name some minor losses that all of us have suffered.
  • Name some major losses that you have suffered.
  • Name some good losses that you have suffered.

The Apostle Paul lost excess baggage in his religion when he placed his faith in Christ. Paul wrote these words out of concern for the Philippians. He was concerned that the Philippians not add any unnecessary and dangerous excess baggage to their faith. He wanted them to become what he was, a well-adjusted loser.

Philippians 3:1– Paul seems to be drawing his letter to a close by reminding the Philippians to be joyful. However, the Lord has given him more to say, so he continues to speak.

HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH  Philippians 3:2-3

  • Vs. 2 – Paul is giving a three-fold warning. The “dogs” he warns of were a reference to people acting like wild dogs. These would have been false teachers. Isaiah 56:10-11
  • “Beware of evil workers.” He is talking about the same group of people. Why is anyone who perverts the gospel “evil”?
  • “Beware of the mutilation.” These false teachers are mentioned in Acts 15:1. They added circumcision to the Gospel. What groups try to add things to the Gospel today?
  • Vs. 3 – Physical circumcision was a sign of Israel’s covenant relationship with God, showing that they were God’s people.
  • Circumcision was a sign of something that should also have taken place in the heart. Deuteronomy 30:6
  • Paul is saying here that physical circumcision is not necessary, because we are God’s circumcision that has a circumcised heart. God’s circumcision has given us a new life. Colossians 2:10-11.
  1. We worship God in the Spirit. John 4:23-24
  2. We glory in Christ Jesus alone. Revelation 5:12
  3. We have no confidence in the flesh. Galatians 6:14

THERE IS NO CONDUCT GOOD ENOUGH  Philippians 3:4-7

  • Vss. 4-6 – Humanly speaking, we’d say Paul had a pedigree a “mile long”. Why was God not impressed?
  • Vs. 7 – When Paul was confronted by Jesus on the Road to Damascus, he gave up his own self efforts. Why was he willing to give it up?

THERE IS NO CHOICE BETTER THAN CHRIST  Philippians 3:8-10

  • Vs. 8 – Paul knew that he had a choice. He chose to leave behind all self effort in favor of Christ for salvation. All his previous efforts he counted but dung or refuse.
  • Vs. 9 – Paul knew that he wanted to be found in Christ and Christ alone! “The just shall live by faith.” Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38
  • Vs. 10 – Now Paul gives a goal for his life that should be the goal of every Christian.
  1. Paul was saved by faith in Christ.
  2. Paul was changed by Christ.
  3. Paul was in love with Christ.
  4. So now, Paul simply wanted to know Christ better!
  • Warren Wiersbe points out 4 things about the experience of knowing Christ, all beginning with the letter “P”. Main points taken from Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 2 (NT), (Wheaton, IL, Victor Books, 1989), p. 87
  1. Knowing Christ is a personal experience.
  2. Knowing Christ is a powerful experience. Ephesians 1:19-21, Philippians 4:13
  3. Knowing Christ is a painful experience.
  4. Knowing Christ is a practical experience.