“THE JOY OF BEING SAVED”
Text: Philippians 3:1-3 W. Max Alderman
1 ¶ 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.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Introduction:
This third chapter of Philippians is a flowing artesian of truth. For that reason may we drink slowly from His precious Word.
As we do, may we consider:
[1] the might of the saved,
[2] the message to the saved, and
[3] the mark of the saved.
I. THE MIGHT OF THE SAVED v. 1
Note:
Romans 5:3-5;
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
James 1:2-4
2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
To rejoice in the Lord –
-one must be saved – IF YOUR SALVATION DIDN’T CHANGE YOUR LIFE YOU NEED TO CHECK UP…
-one must be sure – 1 JOHN 5:13 - 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
-one must be satisfied
A. The Command to Rejoice. (an easy command - "rejoice")
B. The Character of Our Rejoicing. (in the Lord)
II. THE MESSAGE TO THE SAVED v. 2
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
A. A Message to Beware of Dogs (FALSE PREACHERS)
1. Jesus said, "Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (Matt. 7:6)
2. Isaiah said of the religious leaders of his day:
"They are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber." (Isaiah 56:10)
3. They are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain." (Isaiah 56:11)
(The Talmud refers to the Gentiles as dogs - "Gentile Dog.")
B. A Message to Beware of Evil Workers. (FOUL PLANNERS)
C. A Message to Beware of the Concision. (those mutilated) (FALSE PROFESSORS) (Rom. 4:6-12)
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 ¶ Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircu mcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
III. THE MARK OF THE SAVED v. 3
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
A. You Know Them by Their Manner of Worship. "which worship God in the spirit"
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
B. You Know Them by Their Motivation for Worship. ‘‘rejoice in Christ Jesus
1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
21 agalliaw agalliao ag-al-lee-ah’-o
from agan (much) and 242; TDNT-1:19,*; v
AV-rejoice 7, be exceeding glad 1, be glad 1, greatly rejoice 1, with exceeding joy 1; 11
1) to glorify, exult in, rejoice exceedingly, be exceedi ngly glad {#Mt 5:12 Lu 10:21 Joh 5:35 Ac 2:26 16:34 1Pe 1:6,8 4:13}
Mt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Lu 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast r evealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
242 allomai hallomai hal’-lom-ahee
middle voice of apparently a primary verb; ; v
AV-leap 2, spring up 1; 3
1) to leap 2) to spring up, gush up: of water
Joh 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
Ac 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Ac 16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with=2 0joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 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.
C. You Know Them by Their Methods of Worship. "Have no confidence in the flesh"
