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: 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. 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Theme: Even the very best of human inheritance & good works/intentions will not earn sinners a place in Heaven; it is only by trusting in the Person & Work of Jesus Christ alone.
Outline: The crucial contrast between trusting in your own self for salvation and trusting in Christ alone.
1. Many ways to work yourself to eternal death (verses 5-6)
a) By trusting in who you are by birth
b) By trusting in the good works you have done
2. The One Way to find eternal life (verse 7)
a) By repenting of your sins before God
b) By trusting in who Jesus is and the prefect work He has done for you
1 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.
2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 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, 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.
Theme: Only true Christians are able to obey God’s specific commands and display certain spiritual characteristics in their lives.
3 spiritual characters that true Christians display in their lives, as evidence of having salvation in Christ:
1. True Christians worship in the spirit of God (3:3a)
2. True Christians glory in Christ Jesus (3:3b)
3. True Christians do not depend on their works for salvation (3:3c-4)
1 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.
2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 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, 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.
Theme: Only true Christians are able to obey God’s specific commands and display certain spiritual characteristics in their lives.
Two specific commands for believers to obey in their lives: 1. True Christians rejoice in their relationship with the Lord Jesus (3:1) 2. True Christians recognize & reject false Gospel teachers (3:2)
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; 26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. 29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Theme: A Christian who is worthy of imitation is faithful in living and serving in the ways outlined by Paul in Philippians 1:27-2:18
Five traits of a selfless servant that Christians should find worthy of joy and honor
A selfless servant labors together with others in ministry – 2:25
A selfless servant battles side-by-side together in spiritual warfare – 2:25
A selfless servant does whatever is needed to serve the church body – 2:25; 27, 30
A selfless servant thinks of others above self – 2:26; 27, 30
A selfless servant risks everything to serve Christ – 2:27-30
19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.
Theme: A Christian who is worthy of imitation is faithful in living and serving in the ways outlined by Paul in Philippians 1:27-2:18
Four distinct qualities of a faithful servant for Christians to emulate in Gospel Ministry
A faithful servant has genuine concern for the spiritual condition of others – 2:20
A faithful servant seeks after Christ’s interest, not self-interests – 2:21
A faithful servant demonstrates character over time – 2:22
A faithful servant learns how to serve and minister with others – 2:22
16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
Theme: The Christians’ spiritual ministry to one another, though costly and self‑sacrificial, should be marked by present joy and future anticipation of joy before Christ.
Three principles to remember regarding the connection between our joy and our sacrificial service to others.
Sacrificial ministry toward one another should be motivated by the future joy of standing faithful before Christ – 2:16
Suffering and sacrifice in ministry toward others should be cause for great rejoicing – 2:17
Self-sacrificial spiritual ministry together should result in mutual rejoicing – 2:18
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Theme: Our Testimony as Christians must be marked not by grumbling or disputing against one another, but by holding tightly to the Gospel together in this sinful world
Three Guides to help us give up our grumbling and disputing for the glory of God
Grumbling and disputing, under any circumstances, is unacceptable- 2:14
Refusing to grumble and dispute allows our Christian testimony to shine in this world – 2:15
Holding tightly to the Gospel compels us to stop grumbling and disputing – 2:16a
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Theme: God commands believers to work out what He has worked in them
Two Reminders and an Encouragement to working out what God has worked in you
Reminders
Reminder 1 – It is possible for Christians to be displeasing to God
Reminder 2 – It is possible for Christians to be pleasing to God
Encouragement – The Holy Spirit, Understanding His work
– Holiness by Holy Spirit power
– He infuses us with His power to battle sin
– The Holy Spirit is Light
– He is a lamp to illumine God’s Word
– The Holy Spirit shines as a light into the darkness of our heart
– The Holy Spirit helps to see the glory of Christ more clearly
– Gospel centered effort
– It reminds us how grateful we should be
– It encourages us in sanctification by reminding us of the truth of who we are
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Theme: God commands believers to work out what He has worked in them.
3 Principles for believers to comprehend about sanctification to make us more like Christ:
People cannot work for salvation (v.12)
Believers must work out their salvation. (v.12)
Believers are enabled by God to be sanctified. (v13)
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Theme:Because Jesus humbled Himself to death on the cross, God has exalted Him above all,so that everyone will one day acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
4Uplifting Realities to behold about Jesus’s supreme position which help believers to humble themselves under His Lordship:
1. The crucified,resurrected, and ascended Jesus is now at the place of supremacy over all creation (v.9)
2. Every single person will bow down before the exalted Lord Jesus (v.10)
3. Every single tongue will acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ (v.11a)
4. The exaltation of Jesus is unto the glory of God the Father (v.11b)
