PHILIPPIANS

THAT I MAY KNOW HIM–PHILIPPIANS 3:1-12

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THAT I MAY KNOW HIM

PHILIPPIANS 3:1-12

Key Verse: Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

Introduction:

Knowing Jesus Christ as Savior is just the beginning of your knowledge of Him. There is so much more to know about our Savior.

To trust Jesus is to know Him and to know Him is to trust Him. Most Christians know very little about their Savior and that is a shame. God the Father wants us to know Him and His Son much better.

I. HOW DOES ONE KNOW JESUS?

A. We know Him by faith, Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

1. We receive Him BY FAITH, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

2. We acquire ETERNAL LIFE by faith in Jesus, John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

B. We know Him by the TESTIMONY of the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

1. The Spirit of God has SEALED our salvation, 2 Corinthians 1:22, “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

2. We have His pledge or GUARANTEE of eternal life, Ephesians 1:13-14, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

II. IF YOU KNOW JESUS YOU KNOW GOD THE FATHER

John 14:7, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”

A. Unbelievers in Christ DO NOT KNOW God the Father, John 8:19, “Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.”

1. They are WITHOUT GOD in this world, Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

2. They have NO HOPE outside of knowing Jesus Christ as Savior, 1 Peter 1:3, 21, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

B. Because of their unbelief, the Pharisees hated the Father because they hated Christ, John 15:24, “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.”

1. By the works that Jesus did they should have believed in Him, John 5:36, “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”

2. Because of the works that God did in their midst they are INEXCUSABLE, Romans 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

III. PROOF THAT WE KNOW HIM

A. We know Him if we keep His commandments, 1 John 2:3-5, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

1. A TRUE BELIEVER will keep His commandments, 1 John 3:22, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

2. His love for us MOVES US TO OBEY, 1 John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

3. By keeping His commandments His LOVE IS PERFECTED in us, 1 John 2:5, “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

B. He has given us an understanding, 1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

1. To understand the Scriptures, Luke 24:45, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”

2. To know the ONLY TRUE God, John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

3. To speak of His Word WITHOUT being ASHAMED, Psalm 119:46-47, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. 47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.”

CONCLUSION

To know Jesus Christ as your Savior is the greatest blessing known to man. He has given us that opportunity and much more. He has given us understanding in His Word to go beyond just knowing the Savior, to live for Him and to glorify Him in our lives each day.

OUR TRUE GOAL IS TO KNOW CHRIST–PHILIPPIANS 3:8-10

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OUR TRUE GOAL IS TO KNOW CHRIST
PHILIPPIANS 3:8-10

Introduction:

“The true goal of the Christian life is heaven; nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.” This statement appeared in a Christian journal and was challenged by a Baptist pastor.

Our true goal is not heaven, but to know Christ. That is what the Apostle Paul is teaching in this passage.

I. PAUL WAS DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANYTHING EXCEPT JESUS CHRIST

A. Paul was determined to preach no other thing except Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

“Any one that heard Paul preach found him to harp so continually on this string that he would say he knew nothing but Christ and him crucified.” —Matthew Henry

B. Paul considered the knowledge of Christ worth the loss of everything, v. 8, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

1. Outside of Christ there was no profit, Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

2. Outside of the knowledge of Christ there was only loss, v. 7, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”

II. THE LOVE OF CHRIST PASSES KNOWLEDGE

A. To know the love of Christ is to be filled with the knowledge of God, Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

1. The workers of iniquity have no knowledge of God, Psalm 53:4, “Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.”

2. They do not have the beginning of knowledge, Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

3. They hated knowledge, Proverbs 1:29-30, “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.”

B. This knowledge is eternal life, John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

1. To know Jesus is to know the Father, John 14:8-10, “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”

2. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, 1 Timothy 6:14-15, “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;”

a. Blessed are those who are admitted to dwell with this great and blessed Potentate, 1 Kings 10:8, “Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.”

b. For He only is holy, Revelation 15:4, “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

3. To know Christ is to rejoice in Him, 1 Peter 4:13, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

a. To rest satisfied in the trust you have in him, Psalm 34:22, “The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”

b. To rest satisfied in the benefits you have in him, Psalm 103:2-5, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

CONCLUSION

2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Thank the Lord for His goodness to us. He has allowed us to know Him as our Savior. There is so much more to know about our Lord that our life time will be spent before we fully know all there is to know.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE–PHILIPPIANS 3

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

PHILIPPIANS 3

Introduction:

The Apostle Paul opens this third chapter of Philippians with a positive note: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” However, right after his opening words he gives a warning: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”

Whether you realize it or not, we are in a battle for the truth of the Word of God. We are not fighting men; rather, we are fighting Satan, the enemy of God. Sometimes I wonder if we know who the enemy really is because it seems that we are fighting everyone other than Satan.

We need to look back at Calvary and remember what happened there and what has happened in our lives because of what happened there. Then we need to look to the future forgetting our failures and reach “forth unto those things which are before.”

I. FORGETTING THOSE THINGS, WHICH ARE BEHIND.

A. Past victories cannot be all there is.

1. Some were glorious victories that lifted our spirits.

2. Others were learning opportunities that enabled us to do better for the Lord.

B. Past failures are but history from which we must learn, v. 13, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”

II. REACHING FORTH UNTO THOSE THINGS, WHICH ARE BEFORE.

A. But I follow after, v. 12, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

B. Pressing toward the mark, Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

III. LET US THEREFORE, AS MANY AS BE PERFECT, BE THUS MINDED.

A. Let us walk by the same rule, Philippians 3:16, “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”

B. For many walk… vs. 18-19,

1. As “the enemies of the cross of Christ… Philippians 3:1-2, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”

2. Whose end is destruction… those who had been deceived and had not received Christ as Savior.

3. Whose God is their belly… “They minded nothing but their sensual appetites.” Matthew Henry. Romans 16:18, “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

4. Whose glory is in their shame… “They glory in their shame. They not only sinned, but boasted of it and gloried in that of which they ought to have been ashamed.” Matthew Henry.

5. Who mind earthly things.” 1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

C. Let us mind the same thing, Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

IV. OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN.

A. We are looking for the Lord, v. 20, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

B. We should be seeking “those things which are above,” Colossians 3:1-3, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2-Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3-For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

C. We should be setting our “affection on things above.”

1. The Coming of the Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

2. The redemption of our “vile bodies.” Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

CONCLUSION

The need of our day is some strong men of faith. Men of courage to stand for the truth and trust God for results. Our example is the Lord Jesus Christ.

LIVING FOR CHRIST–PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26

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LIVING FOR CHRIST

PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26

Key verse is v. 21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Introduction:

The life of the Believer in Jesus Christ is a life of peace and joy. It is not without difficulty, but even in those difficulties he finds peace and joy in the Lord.

Paul served the Lord with everything he had. His zeal for the Lord was second to none. He suffered “great things” for the Gospel’s sake, yet he continues to rejoice as he lived for Christ. We can find some encouragement for ourselves in this.

I. FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST

A. Jesus Christ is the principle person of my life.

1. He is the life of the believer, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

2. He lives in the believer, Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

a. That is the promise of the Lord, John 14:19-20, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”

b. Thus, Christ is the principal influence in my life, Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

B. Christ is the end of my life, Romans 14:8, “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”

C. Christ is the joy of the Believer’s life, Psalm 43:4, “Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.”

1. The Believer sings unto the Lord, Psalm 71:23, “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.”

2. He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

3. Even in difficulty the Believer rejoices in the Lord, Habakkuk 3:17-18, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
II. AND TO DIE IS GAIN

A. To the Believer death is great gain.

1. He gains freedom for the burden of a sin nature that always dogs him down, Psalm 31:10, “For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.”

2. Believers at death gain the glorious sight of God.

a. They shall behold Jesus, as He is, 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

b. There they will realize the “fullness of joy,” Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

2. Not only will the Believer enjoy the sight of God, but they will enjoy His love also.

a. There will be no veil over the eyes, 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

b. We will speak to Him as a man speaks to his friend.

1) As He spoke with Moses, Exodus 33:11a, “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.”

2) The Believer is the Lord’s friend when he does what God has commanded, John 15:13-14, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

3. The Believer gains his Celestial home.

a. This home is not made with hands, 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

b. It is their Father’s house, not the landlord’s, John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

4. It will be a good neighborhood. Only saints live there with the Lord, John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

CONCLUSION

This is not the end of the story. There are many things that were not mentioned here. There is great joy in living for the Lord and on the other side of this life is greater joy.

ENEMIES OF THE CROSS–PHILIPPIANS 3:17—4:1

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ENEMIES OF THE CROSS
PHILIPPIANS 3:17—4:1

Introduction:
The Apostle Paul encourages believers to follow his example and walk in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. However, he warns us of those who walk as “enemies of the cross of Christ.”
We are seeing more and more a moving away from the truth even by those who have for many years stood by the Word of God. False teachers abound in the Lord’s churches and are reaping the fruits of a false gospel.
Let us consider the enemies of the cross and be aware of their false teachings, but at the same time we must walk before men as a testimony of the saving grace of God.
I. ENEMIES OF THE CROSS DESCRIBED
A. Those that are CONTRARY, vs. 18-19.
1. Seducers, 1 Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”
a. They have departed from the faith, 2 Timothy 4:4, “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
b. They have fallen away from the truth, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”
2. Many corrupt teachers, 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
a. They will grow weary of the old plain gospel of Christ, 2 Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
b. They will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
B. Their destiny is DISTRUCTION, Romans 6:21, “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.”
1. Their pride will destroy them, Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
2. They love strife, Proverbs 17:19, “He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.”
3. They that forsake the Lord shall be destroyed, Isaiah 1:28, “And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.”
C. Their God is their belly.
1. They are controlled by their fleshly nature, Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”
2. Their mind is controlled by earthly things, Romans 8:7,“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
3. They surrender to themselves:
a. To immorality and licentiousness, Romans 1:26-27, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
b. To gluttony and drink, Proverbs 23:21, “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
D. They glory in their shame, Jude 13, “Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”
II. THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS
A. The Lord Himself is the only hope.
1. Outside of Christ there is no hope, Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
2. The Lord justifies by His grace, Titus 3:7, “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
B. The Lord is the only Savior, Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
1. He becomes our Savior by faith, Psalm 118:14-15, “The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.”
2. He is the only way to heaven, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
CONCLUSION
The picture that we have painted of the enemies of the cross is very real and not exaggerated at all. The Scriptures are clear about those who would pervert the truth and live in immorality. There end will be in the lake of fire.
However, the Lord has left the door open for any one who will repent of their sins and trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. That person God will forgive and save his soul and give eternal life.