TEXT:  Phil. 3:1-21;  4:1

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE EXHORTATION MADE HERE IS NOT NEW.

B.      NOT THAT THEY HAVE DISOBEYED – JUST IN CASE.

I.      BEWARE OF THE DOGS, EVIL WORKERS, THE CONCISION

        ( vs. 2 )JUDAIZERS.

A.      “DOGS” – SNAPPING, SNARLING LIKE DOGS, TROUBLEMAKERS(Acts 15:1 ).

B.      “EVIL WORKERS,” FALSE TEACHERS, LEADING THE INNOCENT AWAY

          ( Gal. 3:1;  4:11;  Col. 2:8 ).

C.      “CONCISION” – MUTILATORS, PREACHED MEANINGLESS CIRCUMCISION

          ( Gal. 5:6 ).

II.     WHO IS THE CIRCUMCISION?( vs. 3 ).

A.      SYMBOLIZES COVENANT RELATION WITH GOD ( Gen. 17 ).

B.      THEY WORSHIP BY THE SPIRIT  ( John 4:24;  16:13 ).

C.      JESUS IS THEIR GLORY – CONTRAST THE JEWS ( Matt. 3:9 ).

D.      NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH – OUR RELATION TO GOD IS NOT

          DEPENDENT ON PHYSICAL CIRCUMSTANCE ( Rom. 2:28-29 ).

          1.       Paul qualified in the flesh better than anyone ( Phil. 3:4-6 ).

          2.       To make this point he gave up all fleshly advantage ( vs. 7 ).

          3.       All is worthless compared to a knowledge of Jesus ( vs. 8;  Matt. 13:44-46 ).

          4.       All things are sacrificed that he might gain Christ and be found in him.

                             Why is this desirable? ( vs. 8-9 ).

                   a.       The Law of Moses demanded perfect compliance ( Gal. 3:10 ).

                   b.       Nobody is perfect – all sin ( Gal. 3:11-12 ).  Even Paul.

                   c.       Justification is only through Jesus and his sacrifice

                             ( Gal. 3:13-14;  1 Pet. 2:21-24 ).

                   d.       This righteousness is our through faith ( Gal. 3:14 ).

          5.       All things are sacrificed that I may know: ( Phil. 3:10 ).

                   a.       him.  Can’t know God or Jesus with a worldly outlook

                             ( John 8:23;  1 Cor. 2;14-16 ).

                   b.       the power of his resurrection( Col. 2:13;  3:1;  Rom. 6:4-5 ).

                   c.       the fellowship of his sufferings ( Rom. 6:3, 6 ).

                   d.       becoming conformed to his death ( Rom. 6:1-5 ).

                   e.       vs. 11.  That he might attain unto the resurrection – Physical and Spiritual.

III.    THO PAUL CLAIMS TO BE OF THE CIRCUMCISION, HE DOES

        NOT CLAIM FOR HIMSELF TO BE PERFECT ( Phil. 3:12-14 ).

A.      WE CANNOT REST ON OUR LAURELS ( vs. 13 ).

B.      HE PRESSES ON,   S T R E T C H I N G   FORWARD, TO THE PRIZE.

          1.       Maturity and completeness as a Christian.

          2.       The heavenly home.

C.      MATURE CHRISTIANS ARE TO HAVE THIS MIND ( vs. 15 ).

D.      WE ARE TO DO OUR BEST WITH WHAT WE HAVE ( vs. 16 ).

IV.   IMITATORS OF PAUL ( vs. 17 ).

A.      CONTRAST OF JUDAIZERS – ENEMIES OF THE CROSS ( vs. 18-19 ).

            -- 1 John 2:15-17.  They mind earthly things.

B.      OUR HOME IS HEAVEN ( vs. 20-21 ).  WE WAIT!

C.      WHEREFORE, STAND FAST( 4:1 ).

CONCLUSION:  WHERE IS YOUR CONFIDENCE?