Our Participation in the Gospel (6/8)

The Goal Of Life
(Philippians 3:1-21)

Rev. David G Bostick
06-20-10

Introduction

I love the Peanuts comic strip, in fact I read it every day. But Peanuts is more than just an amusing cartoon to enjoy. The creator of the Peanuts comic strip, Charles Schulz, said, "The approach of most artists is to create a climate in which people will ... ask even little questions." Schulz intended his cartoons to convey a message, something more than a few moments of amusement.

I saw this comic strip last week. Snoopy is sitting in front of Linus and looking at him as he raises his arm, stick in hand, ready to throw so Snoopy can fetch it. As he throws the stick Linus says, "here Snoopy, chase the stick."

Snoopy looks over his shoulder as the stick flies through the air, but makes no attempt to fetch the stick. Linus says, "I'll bet if you tried it once, you'd think it was fun." Walking away in the opposite direction Snoopy says, "that's why I don't want to start...I'm afraid I might enjoy it."

This cartoon is like a window thar peers into the heart of a lot of humanity, and I think it also looks into the soul of much of the church today. Some in the church are afraid to try anything new or different. For the most part we are satisfied with the status quo of our daily routine. Even if it might be enjoyable and exciting, change is not an option. Often we are afraid of change and what it might require of us.

In the passage we will read today, Paul talks about some important truths about navigating through the routine of daily life as well as the changes that come our way. Paul knew that when someone made a decision to follow Christ, their life would never be the same, change would be inevitable. That brings us to our text for today.

Sermon Body

Insight

Paul gives us three important insights in this passage. Life should be fun, we should be cautious as we live life, and there is always an intentional pursuit revealed in the way we live our lives..

Fun

Life should be fun!

Philippians 3:1 (NASB)
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Life should be fun! Two questions that I think are important for the mental well being of every individual:
- What takes joy out of your life?
- What gives you real joy, lasting joy?
Paul thought that rejoicing and fun were important in our spiritual lives as well.

Paul used this word rejoice 7 times in 6 verses in his letter to the church at Philipi.

1. In Philippians 1:18 he uses it to express joy in the proclamation of Christ.
   - Now Christ was not just a name that they sometimes used to refer to Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. Christ is the Greek word for messiah. When the name Christ was used it meant much more than just the name of a man.
   - Messiah was God in human form, God coming to mankind to deliver from the stain and power of sin. Now that's something to proclaim and rejoice about.
2. Then Paul uses it in chapter 2:7 to declare the joy that his service and sacrifice in the Kingdom of God brings him.
   - Now remember that when Paul wrote this letter he was in prison. Have you ever wondered what can give a person joy in the midst of the most adverse circumstances in life?
   - From the world's point of view, no one in their right mind could find joy while sitting in a prison cell. Paul was trying to tell those who would read his letter that this kind of joy and rejoicing only comes in the Kingdom of God.
3. Later in chapter 2:18, Paul encourages the church to pursue this same kind of joy in their lives.
   - He was not necessarily telling them they had to have adverse circumstances in their life to experience this joy, but he wanted them to know that there was a joy they could have that reached beyond the adverse circumstances of life.
4. In chapter 2:28 he talks about joy in fellowship. The joy of being in relationship with other people that we feel safe around.
5. In chapter 3:1, in our text for today, Paul talks about joy in the context of the goal of life.
   - Paul wanted his readers to understand the joy that can be found in pursuit of living daily life. Having fun, rejoicing, should be part of the goal of our pursuit in life.
   - The problem we face is a misunderstanding of what fun really is. Paul wasn't talking about going out on the dunes with an ATV for a few hours of expensive pleasure.
   - Paul was talking about something that satisfied the soul no matter what the external circumstances of life were like at any given moment. That kind of satisfaction can only come in a intimate relationship with God.
6. In chapter 4:4 Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always.
7. In chapter 4:10 he talks about rejoicing in the context of recognizing God' provision for mankind which we will be talking about in the future.

Caution

We should live life with a certain amount of caution.

Philippians 3:2 (NASB)
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;

Be cautious in life! I think one of the main reasons Paul gives us these cautions is because he does not want the church to be robbed of it's joy and source of rejoicing. Paul mentions three things in this verse that give insight to living our lives with caution.

Beware of the dogs. I think Paul was trying to caution his readers about the normal everyday circumstances of life when he says beware of the dogs.

The Greek word for dog gives us some insight here. "In the East dogs were not usually pets and were without masters, wondering at large in the streets and fields and feeding upon whatever they could find. They were looked upon as unclean..." CWS-NT G2965

In my life, the foul circumstances I encounter on a regular basis seem like a big invisible dog, wondering around in my life trying to take advantage of anything that might discourage or trip me up.

Sounds a bit like Satan doesn't it. Without a master, wondering around feeding on the weaknesses and fears of life that rob us of the joy that can be ours if we will just run toward God. What is the goal of your life?

Paul's second caution - Beware of evil workers.

The Greek word used here for evil means: "Bad, worthless externally. Of a soldier, cowardly. In the NT evil, wicked, from the verb 'charzo', to give back, recede, retire, retreat in battle." CWS-NT G2556

A cowardly soldier, one who retreats in battle. In the context of a letter to the church, it would appear Paul is talking about falling from faith in Christ, giving up on ones relationship with God.

This caution is important for two reasons. First, attempts at reconciliation are our responsibility to each other as members of the Body of Christ. In fact Paul even talks about that in chapter 4:2. Second, it is important to watch for problems this might bring to the church.

However, this caution is not just to look out for those who have retreated from the faith. This is also a caution to look out for the safety of your own relationship with Christ. Something to be guarded and worked on all the time.

Third, Paul says - Beware of false circumcision. In this phrase Paul is talking about false religion. We could spend a lot of time talking about what false religion looks like. From legalism to liberalism and everything in-between, Satan makes sure he keeps much of the church in confusion most of the time.

Personally I have found that recognizing the characteristics of pure religion is more productive than trying to find the things that are wrong in the Kingdom of God. Again we could spend a lot time talking about what pure religion is but time would not allow us to be thorough.

Pure religion, and all we need to know to be a vital part of the Kingdom of God, is contained within the Scriptures which are inerrant, or without error, from cover to cover. Pure religion is also revealed to every sincere believer by the Holy Spirit as He guides us moment by moment every day.

Intentional Pursuit

So far Paul has talked about joy and rejoicing in life, he has talked about being cautious in the way we live our lives, in verse three Paul begins to give us some details about what pure religion looks like.

Philippians 3:3 (NASB)
for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh

As we look at the rest of this chapter we will see that true religion, being a vital part of the Kingdom of God, comes out of intentional living.

Paul uses the terms false circumcision and true circumcision, when he talks about what pure religion is, because there was a great controversy in the church at that time over whether new followers of Christ, who were not Jews, had to be circumcised to become Jews.

Paul knew that this was just a distraction used by Satan to divide and destroy the church. So Paul makes it clear to his readers that true circumcision, true and pure religion, comes out of true worship and true confidence.

To worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus, are the true expressions of religion. To put no confidence in the flesh brings true satisfaction in the life of the followers of Jesus Christ.

Now, from verse 4 through verse 21, Paul gives some important details about what it takes to live a life that can be defined by the phrase true circumcision, true or pure religion.

Confidence in the Flesh

Philippians 3:4 (NASB)
[4] although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:

There is great confidence in the flesh, a feeling of safety, as long as the flesh is performing well. However, when a weakness is revealed in the flesh by the ebb and flow of the good and bad circumstances of life, confidence fades away quickly.

This became very real to me three weeks ago when I fell. As an adult I had only been in the hospital one time 38 years ago, and that was for a minor surgery that didn't even keep me in the hospital over night.

I'm still not back to 100% and that's scary. It has showed me how fragile confidence in the flesh can be. Paul goes on to talk about where his confidence in the flesh came from.

Philippians 3:5-6 (NASB)
[5] circumcised the eighth day, of the nation 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 the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

Paul's confidence in the flesh came from intentional pursuit.

• He was born in the right tribe of God's chosen people.
• He was educated to know more than most of the people of Israel about the law as a Pharisee.
• He was zealous about his position, pursuing all who did not see things the way he thought they should be. When the followers of Christ began to preach and teach doctrine that seemed to be contrary to the beliefs Paul had, he went after them.
• He kept the law blamelessly.

Now there is nothing wrong with the intentional pursuit of the things of this world, that is how God supplies our needs and blesses us beyond our needs.

However, our intentional pursuit of the things of this world must never supersede our pursuit of the Kingdom of God. Paul's zeal distorted his view of the Kingdom of God.

Paul worked against the Kingdom he was trying to protect. His view was so warped that he thought he had to protect the Kingdom of God as if God could not do that on His own.

That is what the pursuit of the things of this world does - it distorts our views of the Kingdom of God and what really matters in life.

A Change of Focus

In verse seven Paul begins to tell them about a change that took place in his life. He changed his focus from the pursuit of the flesh to the pursuit of the Spirit of God.

Philippians 3:7-14 (NASB)
[7] But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
- In verse seven Paul says that the things he thought were to his gain, he now counts as a loss for the sake of the gospel. But what does that mean? He goes on to explain, verse eight...

[8] More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
- After his experience on the Road to Damascus, Paul becomes a follower of Christ. His encounter with Christ made a remarkable change in Paul. Suddenly, the value of Christ surpassed the value of self.
- Notice that this knowing Christ is not just a head knowledge. This experience of knowing Christ went beyond just head knowledge, it so changed Paul's life that he let go of everything else.
[8] More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

[9] and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
- Paul no longer served God by his human efforts, his spiritual life was now based on faith.

[10] that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
[11] in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
[12] Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
[13] Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
[14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- In these verses Paul says one of the most important things you will hear in regard to daily Christian living. Following Christ is a lifelong process.

We enter into, and live in relationship with God by process and crisis experiences.

• First, there is the process of prevenient grace. The Holy Spirit begins to reveal and convict us of sinful actions in our life.
• Second, God gives us the opportunity to believe in His only Son's provision for sin in the cross of Calvary. We may then choose to confess our sins, and repent.
  - Remember this, confession and repentance are not the same thing. Confession is that act by which we admit our sins and sinfulness, and determine we don't want to sin any more. We are sorry for our sins. This describes what we do in the crisis experience of entering into relationship with God, often described as, getting saved.
  - Repentance describes the lifestyle we begin to live, after confession. Repentance describes the lifestyle of every true follower of Jesus Christ.
• Next, the Spirit of God comes into our life to help us REPENT. To repent is to turn around and go in the opposite direction. Remember, repentance is the KEY to a consistent relationship with God.
• Then, we discover, no matter how hard we try, we cannot live out this repentance successfully in our daily lives. In our frustration, the Holy Spirit begins to talk to us about the nature of sinfulness that we were born with. We come under conviction for the sinful nature within us.
  - That sinful nature is a bent toward sin. When we are tempted to sin, self-satisfaction is our priority because we are on the throne of our life, and we give in to our lusts and fall.
• Fifth, we are given an opportunity, by the Holy Spirit, to surrender self to the Lordship of Christ. We may choose to take self off the throne of our life and allow Christ to be King and Lord of every area and aspect of our daily life.
• Sixth, we live out repentance in our daily life with Christ in charge of everything.

That's what it means to follow Christ, to have an intimate relationship with God. That's what Paul was saying to the early followers of Christ when he said; "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

In verses 15-21 Paul talks about the goal of life as a particular focus, not as things that we can earn or win. That focus is an attitude.

Philippians 3:15-21 (NASB)
[15] Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
[16] however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
[17] Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
[18] For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
[19] whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
[20] For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
[21] who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Paul let's us know that there are two attitudes that we can pursue in life. One is the attitude revealed in verse 14, the other is revealed in verses 18 and 19.

We may choose to follow Christ by living a life of repentance. Allowing Christ to be on the throne of our lives as we walk in the opposite direction of sin and self.

Philippians 3:14 (NASB)
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Or we may choose a self centered goal in life whereby we pursue the things of this world above all else.

Philippians 3:18-19 (NASB)
[18] For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
[19] whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

Closing

I don't know exactly where each of you are in your relationship with God, but I know one thing for certain, unless you have seared your conscience, God speaks to you about your relationship with Him.

So each of us have a choice to make about the attitude we will live with in this life. One attitude is the pursuit of God and eternal life. I am going to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus in my daily life, at all cost.

The other is the pursuit of self. I have set my mind, I am going to pursue and satisfy my appetites in this life.

What do you choose as the attitude of your lifestyle? What is you goal for life?

Works Cited Section