1. Philippians 3:1-6.
2. Things in which Paul eventually saw no reason to
rejoice:
a) Physical ancestry "confidence in the flesh,
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews" Philippians 3:5a. Consider
application for us.
b) Religious affiliation "as touching the law, a
Pharisee" Philippians 3:5b. It is possible to be converted to a
church or religious group without being converted to Christ. Consider II
Corinthians 11:26 (false brethren), and Philippians 3:17-19 (enemies of the
cross).
c) His own zeal Philippians 3:6a. Paul was zealous before
his conversion as well as after his conversion Galatians 1:13-14. Zeal
can be good but, in and of itself, is no reason to rejoice Romans
10:1-2.
d) Our own (way of) righteousness Philippians 3:9.
Consider Romans 10:3.
3. Many people would think Paul had many reasons to
rejoice. But Paul counted all these things but loss for Christ Philippians
3:7.
4. In what then did Paul rejoice?
5. Consider Philippians 3:7-11.
6. Paul understood those things that gave him genuine
reason to rejoice were of a personal nature.
I. We
rejoice in "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ" Philippians
3:8.
A.
Our
knowledge of Christ is more valuable than any other knowledge we can obtain
Colossians 2:3.
B.
It
is our knowledge of Christ that enables us to be released from the guilt and
consequences of sin John 8:32, I Peter 1:22-23.
II. We
rejoice in remaining in Christ (being found in him) Philippians 3:9.
A.
We
are placed in Christ as a result of our obedience Romans 6:3, Galatians
3:27, Acts 2:41, 47, I Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 4:4,
Ephesians 5:23.
B. We
remain in Christ through our obedience John 15:1-10 (abide), II Peter
3:16-18.
III. We
rejoice in the righteousness of God Philippians 3:9.
A.
Righteous
justified. When God considers a person to be righteous, that person is
justified or acquitted of all guilt.
B.
Christs
blood brings righteousness to all those who believe Romans 4:3-5. Obviously
belief results in obedience. But Paul is here affirming that, just as faith
alone does not make one righteous (James 2:17-24), works alone are also unable
to make us righteous.
IV. We rejoice in
knowing Christ Philippians 3:10a.
A. There is a vast
difference between knowing about someone and knowing someone. Consider
those historical figures, such as George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, whom we
know something about.
B.
To know Christ is
to enter into a personal relationship with Christ and his body (the church).
Many people know about Christ but fail to know him as their Lord and
Savior John 17:1-3.
V. We
rejoice in the power of his resurrection Philippians 3:10a.
A.
It
was Gods power that enabled Christs (body) to be raised from the dead.
B.
Just
as Christ was raised from the dead, we will also one day be raised from the dead
I Corinthians 15:50-58.
VI. We
rejoice in our fellowship of Christs sufferings Philippians 3:10.
A.
Paul
endured his sufferings because of his expectations of what his suffering would
bring II Timothy 3:11-12.
B.
We
are able to endure our sufferings because of our expectations of what our
sufferings will one day bring II Timothy 3:12, I Peter 3:8-14.
VII. We
rejoice in being conformed to Christs death Philippians 3:10.
A.
As
Christ died for us, we are to die to sin Romans 6:3-8.
B.
When
we die with Christ, our fleshly lust and desires are put to death Colossians
3:1-14.
VIII. We
rejoice in attaining to the resurrection of the dead Philippians 3:11.
A.
Heaven
is referred to in this passage as the resurrection of the dead. It is elsewhere
referred to as the resurrection of life (John 5:29), the resurrection of the
just (Acts 24:15). Also consider II Corinthians 5:1.
B.
There
will also be a resurrection of the unrighteous, who will be raised to experience
an everlasting punishment John 5:28-29.
