PHILLIPIANS 3:1-3 THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRUE AND FALSE CHRISTIANS

  1) To see the error of placing confidence in fleshly accomplishments    

   2) To understand the need to strive toward perfection in our desire to know and serve Christ                                            

   3) To be reminded of our true citizenship in heaven                     

   SUMMARY In this chapter we find a warning against those who place great confidence in the flesh (1-3).  If anyone had reason to boast about fleshly accomplishments, it was Paul with his Jewish heritage (4-6). But all such things were considered rubbish in relation to the         

1. BEWARE OF THE JUDAIZERS (1-3)
2. Rejoice in the Lord! (1) The Need to Rejoice                                  
3. The distinctive characteristic of the False Christian - vs 2 Their Conduct Beware of "dogs", Isa 56:10; Ga 5:2, Ga 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Their Character evil workers 2Co 11:13

Their creed or beliefs - the false circumcision 1Ki 18:28 So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.  

Gen 17 the sign of it given De 10:16; 30:6;

3. The distinctive characteristic of the True Christian - For the true circumcision are those who... Ro 2:25-29

 Col 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--)                   

1. Our Character - Worship God in the Spirit - John 4:24

 Mt 15:8 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.    

1Pe 3:4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Ac 2:25 "For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.

De 5:29 'Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!                       

1. Our Conduct - Rejoice in Christ
2. Our Creed - Have no confidence in the flesh (3)

Application

1. Don’t despair or be discontented - Rejoice in the Lord!
2. Beware of those that would lead you astray
3. Don’t trust in Works but Christ
4. Do you worship Christ with all your heart?

De 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
      B. PAUL'S EARLIER CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH (4-6)                      

1. Paul had many grounds for boasting in the flesh (4)
2. A list of things pertaining to the flesh in which he could have boasted (5-6)
3. PAUL'S DESIRE TO KNOW CHRIST (7-11)  
4. He counted all as loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ v7