by Mark Rater
Philippians 3:1-21 (NASB)
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: 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. 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, 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. 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.
Summary of Philippians 3
"Php 3:1-3 Paul exhorts believers to rejoice in the Lord, to beware of the false teachers, and to put no confidence in the flesh. Php 3:4-6 showing that as a Jew he had better grounds of confidence than they. Php 3:7-11 But that he disclaimed them all, trusting only to the justification which is of God by faith. Php 3:12-16 He acknowledgeth his present imperfection, and that he was still anxiously striving for the prize, Php 3:17 and to follow his example. Php 3:18-19 For many were enemies to the gospel, being earthly minded, Php 3:20-21 but his conversation and views were heavenly." -adapted from Matthew Poole, Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible, (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1985).
Opening Discussion Questions
What do you feel are your most valuable skills and gifts?
How do you feel when someone is better than you at something you do well?
Exploring the Text
What did Paul call on believers to do? (3:1)
Why did Paul repeat essential truths to the Philippians? (3:1)
What did Paul say about certain false teachers? (3:2)
Whom did Paul identify as "true"? (3:3)
Why did Paul view his former accomplishments as "rubbish"? (3:8)
What was Paul’s status in Christ? (3:9)
What was Paul’s view of the past? (3:13)
What was Paul’s goal? (3:14)
What was Paul’s plea to the Philippians? (3:16)
How did Paul describe God’s enemies? (3:18-19)
Where did the Philippian Christians have their citizenship? (3:20)
Whom did the Philippian believers eagerly await? (3:20)
Applying The Text
What sorts of things tend to draw you away from Christ?
What do you usually boast about?
Why do we tend to base our worth as Christians on our performance?
Why should our identity and confidence be in the Lord?
How is the Apostle Paul’s commitment to Christ an example to you?
What kind of opposition do you face in your struggle to live as a Christian?
How can you imitate Paul’s life and example?
How can Christ help you stay on track and reach the goal?
Being Doers of the Word This Week
What do you need to start counting as rubbish for the sake of Christ?
When you face struggles this week, how can you remember to rejoice rather than complain?
In what way can you renew your commitment to press on toward the goal of being like Christ?
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