Christian Life Church
July 5, 2023 - 7pm
PHILIPPIANS 3 SAFEGUARD YOUR FAITH (VERSE 1) PHILIPPIANS 3 THE CEASING OF CIRCUMCISION (VERSE 2-7)
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
PHILIPPIANS 3 JULY 5, 2023
SAFEGUARD YOUR FAITH (VERSE 1)
SCRIPTURE
Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Philippians 3:1, NLT
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16
(An elder) must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:9
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
INTRO
Believers should embrace correct doctrine (orthodoxy) and right practice (orthopraxy). Because what a person believes influences how a person behaves.
The Three Tiers: always negotiable, sometimes negotiable, never negotiable.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAFEGUARDED
“Sound doctrine is teaching from God’s Word that’s faithful to God’s Word.” J. Owens
1/ The Trinity
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; Isaiah 9:6; John 14:16-17
We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
2/ The Deity of Christ
Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; Acts 2:22; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9
We believe that Jesus is God.
3/ The Virgin Birth
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:34, 2:1-7
We believe Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.
4/ The Sinless Life
Isaiah 53:9; Luke 1:35; John 19:4; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; Hebrews 4:15
We believe Jesus lived a sin free life, rejecting all temptations.
5/ The Substitutionary Death
Isaiah 53:6; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24
We believe Jesus died in the place of all sinners.
6/ The Resurrection
John 11:25-26; Romans 6:8-11, 10:9; Mark 16:5-7; 1 Corinthians 15:14-19
We believe Jesus was bodily resurrected from the dead.
7/ The Ascension
John 16:28, 20:17; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9
We believe Jesus rose to sit at the right hand of the Father.
8/ The Descension of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-42; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14
We believe the Holy Spirit has come to dwell in the hearts of all true believers.
9/ The Inspired Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21
10/ The Return
Matthew 24:27-44; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 1:7
We believe Jesus will return for His people to rule and reign.
11/ The Fall of Man
Genesis 1-3; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Romans 5:12-19; Revelation 19-21
We believe all humanity is subjected to sin through Adam and faces the judgment of God.
12/ The Grace of God
John 3:3, 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:22; Titus 3:5-7
We believe the only way believers gain forgiveness from God is through Jesus’ sacrifice.
HOW TO SAFEGUARD
1/ Stay grounded in Scripture.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
2/ Focus on sound Biblical teaching.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
3/ Dig deeper into individual doctrines.
Investigate topics such as soteriology, ecclesiology, sacraments, and Christology.
4/ Commit to core doctrines in your heart.
5/ Chose relationships who affirm sound theology.
PHILIPPIANS 3
THE CEASING OF CIRCUMCISION (VERSE 2-7)
SCRIPTURE
Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Philippians 3:2-7, NLT
THE OLD COVENANT
Circumcision is the physical removal of the foreskin of a male. This is based out of the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15.
It was the physical sign of the old covenant.
Unfortunately, it became more associated with the social status, not spiritual standing.
OUT WITH THE OLD
Beyond the Resurrection, Acts 15 may be the most pivotal moment in church history.
Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1
Peter got up and addressed them. “Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:10-11
[James said:] “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” Acts 15:19
“We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements… ” Acts 15:19
Notice the brilliance of the spiritual leadership in this moment. There is a speech, testimonies, a comparison to Scripture, and the influence of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, there is a weighing and a judgment made by leadership.
Later, Paul brought clarity for everyone by writing: a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29
IN WITH THE NEW
Some have suggested that water baptism replaces circumcision as a sign.
Baptism is done based on the spiritual standing of a person, not social status.
A person born under the Old Covenant received the sign of circumcision. A person born again under the New Covenant receives the sign of baptism.
Water baptism was important to John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles. While it doesn’t save a person, it is critical as a sign of allegiance.
SAFEGUARD YOUR FAITH (VERSE 1)
SCRIPTURE
Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Philippians 3:1, NLT
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16
(An elder) must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:9
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
INTRO
Believers should embrace correct doctrine (orthodoxy) and right practice (orthopraxy). Because what a person believes influences how a person behaves.
The Three Tiers: always negotiable, sometimes negotiable, never negotiable.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAFEGUARDED
“Sound doctrine is teaching from God’s Word that’s faithful to God’s Word.” J. Owens
1/ The Trinity
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; Isaiah 9:6; John 14:16-17
We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
2/ The Deity of Christ
Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; Acts 2:22; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 1:9
We believe that Jesus is God.
3/ The Virgin Birth
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:34, 2:1-7
We believe Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.
4/ The Sinless Life
Isaiah 53:9; Luke 1:35; John 19:4; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; Hebrews 4:15
We believe Jesus lived a sin free life, rejecting all temptations.
5/ The Substitutionary Death
Isaiah 53:6; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24
We believe Jesus died in the place of all sinners.
6/ The Resurrection
John 11:25-26; Romans 6:8-11, 10:9; Mark 16:5-7; 1 Corinthians 15:14-19
We believe Jesus was bodily resurrected from the dead.
7/ The Ascension
John 16:28, 20:17; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9
We believe Jesus rose to sit at the right hand of the Father.
8/ The Descension of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-42; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14
We believe the Holy Spirit has come to dwell in the hearts of all true believers.
9/ The Inspired Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21
10/ The Return
Matthew 24:27-44; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 1:7
We believe Jesus will return for His people to rule and reign.
11/ The Fall of Man
Genesis 1-3; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Romans 5:12-19; Revelation 19-21
We believe all humanity is subjected to sin through Adam and faces the judgment of God.
12/ The Grace of God
John 3:3, 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:22; Titus 3:5-7
We believe the only way believers gain forgiveness from God is through Jesus’ sacrifice.
HOW TO SAFEGUARD
1/ Stay grounded in Scripture.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
2/ Focus on sound Biblical teaching.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
3/ Dig deeper into individual doctrines.
Investigate topics such as soteriology, ecclesiology, sacraments, and Christology.
4/ Commit to core doctrines in your heart.
5/ Chose relationships who affirm sound theology.
PHILIPPIANS 3
THE CEASING OF CIRCUMCISION (VERSE 2-7)
SCRIPTURE
Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Philippians 3:2-7, NLT
THE OLD COVENANT
Circumcision is the physical removal of the foreskin of a male. This is based out of the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15.
It was the physical sign of the old covenant.
Unfortunately, it became more associated with the social status, not spiritual standing.
OUT WITH THE OLD
Beyond the Resurrection, Acts 15 may be the most pivotal moment in church history.
Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1
Peter got up and addressed them. “Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:10-11
[James said:] “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” Acts 15:19
“We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements… ” Acts 15:19
Notice the brilliance of the spiritual leadership in this moment. There is a speech, testimonies, a comparison to Scripture, and the influence of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, there is a weighing and a judgment made by leadership.
Later, Paul brought clarity for everyone by writing: a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29
IN WITH THE NEW
Some have suggested that water baptism replaces circumcision as a sign.
Baptism is done based on the spiritual standing of a person, not social status.
A person born under the Old Covenant received the sign of circumcision. A person born again under the New Covenant receives the sign of baptism.
Water baptism was important to John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles. While it doesn’t save a person, it is critical as a sign of allegiance.