U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Fort Stewart, Georgia
References: Acts 21:40 (ex. Of Paul’s ability to address folk in the Hebrew Tongue/Language); Ezekiel 33:2; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Chr. 12:32 (ex. Of the prophets understanding what Israel ought to do); Romans 8:26-27 (… the spirit enabling the Christians to serve God); John 4:23 (… the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father …); Philippians 3:1-16; Isaiah 56: 10-11 (Watchmen are blind…)
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Philippians 3:1-3 (KJV)
II. THE LARGER CONTEXT:
Now, before we begin, allow me to share with you some HISTORICAL TRUES regarding THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS. For example, in the Book of Philippians, we find one of the Apostle Paul most cordial and affectionate letters addressed to the Christians at Philippi in Macedonia. For the Philippians formed the first congregation established through Paul on European soil (Acts 16:11-15). As a result, all years afterwards, Paul’s relations with the Philippianites seem to have been extraordinarily close and happy.
III. THE SMALLER CONTEXT:
Therefore, in our particular text, THIS Afternoon, we learn that Paul who was writing from prison was sending Epaphroditus (who had been originally been sent to VISIT HIM by the Philippian Church) back to Philippi with this letter in hand. In fact, this entire letter breathes Paul’s radiant joy and sere happiness in Christ, even while in prison, and in danger of death (Philippians 2:2; 3:8-14; 4:11-13). .
More specifically, …Paul took this opportunity to describe his own situation and state of mind to his Philippian brethren, and to thank them for their gift, WHILE simultaneously giving them certain needed instructions and WARNINGS.
IV. READ THE PERICOPE: PHILIPPIANS 3:1-3
V. READ THE TEXT: Philippians 3:2 (Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision).
VI. PURPOSE: To move the hearers to LOOK-OUT for religious leaders (which are spiritually blind,
greedy, and lazy) that will attempt to turn them against the principles and teachings of Jesus Christ through their WORDS AND ACTIONS.
VII. SERMONIC THEME: “Watch Them Dogs”
VIII. PROPOSITION:
Throughout History, Religious and Spiritual Leaders have had a vital role in the caring for its NATION’S PEOPLE. In fact, in the Book of Isaiah – specifically - Chapter 56, we learn that UNDER THE PERSIAN REGIME, THE LEADER OF THE PEOPLE (subordinate to the Persian Officials) were PRIEST AND PROPHETS.
****************TAKE 5 BEATS***************
Move I: Now, IF YOU’RE HEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME … that RELIGIOUS LEADERS
were DIRECTLY subordinate to the Persian Officials … IT MIGHT seem like a
FAVORABLE SITUATION...
a. (Ex. There aren’t many believers that would be oppose to President G.W. Bush appointing Billy Graham, and T.D. Jakes respectively …TO KEY CABINET POSITONS)….
b. Again, it might seem like a favorable situation …
c. UNTIL Isaiah 56 is read …. And we learn that their spiritual leaders were SPIRITUALLY BLIND AND FULL OF IDOLATRY.
d. So much so … that the entire nation was corrupt … and …THEIR WORSHIP OF GOD was also CORRUPT …
e. In fact, A CLOSER GLANCE of the scriptures TODAY… shows….Isaiah 56 …
f. ….identifing 4 QUALITIES THAT MAKE RELIGIOUS LEADERS UNFIT FOR RELIGIOUS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES…(BIG-C: blindness, indolence – sleeping, lying down and loving to slumber- greediness, and cowardice ) …
****************TAKE 5 BEATS***************
MOVE 2: As a result,… The Jewish People of Israel - would ULTIMATELY …..identified …these characteristics AS HEDONISTIC (where PLEASURE AND HAPPINESS IS THE
PRINCIPAL GOOD AND AIM OF ALL ACTIONS) …
a. AND THOSE THAT participated in such low-life type of actions were called …HEATHENS …pagans, irreligious, and uncivilized …
b. IN OTHER WORDS … THEY WERE … DOGS … WITH A MIGHTY APPETITE…FOR THE SCRIPTURE SAYS: (in ISAIAH 56:10-11) …
c. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they can not bark; sleeping,
lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, 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, from
his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill our selves with strong drink: and
to-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
d. In other words …God is saying ….while the spiritual leaders sleep the hours away, gorging themselves with food, and intoxicating themselves with drink, …SAINTS DIE WITHOUT NOTICE …
e. Ultimately, … the use of DOG (in negative figurative language) became Language that warned
believers … to be watchful of those greedy religious leaders that are (seemily) incapable of
distinugishing between … that which is RIGHT … and that which is WRONG …
****************TAKE 5 BEATS****************
MOVE 3: There is an AESOP’s Fable entile: “The dog and his reflection”…
a. It speaks about a dog who was feeling very proud of himself …
b. He had found a large piece of meat and was carrying it away in his mouth …
c. His plans was simply to go somewhere and EAT IN PEACE …
d. But enroute to this PEACEFUL LOCALITY …
e. He travelled across a STREAM … AND WHEN HE DOWN … HE SAW …A DOG WITH A PIECE OF MEAT IN HIS MOUTH …
f. AT THIS POINT, he said within self, If I take his and keep mine …I’ll have two instead of ONE …and
when he opened his mouth to take THE OTHER DOG’S MEAT … HE LOST HIS MEAT in the STREAM BELOW …
g. The moral of the story is twofold:
1. As believers, we have to learn to be content with what we have …
2. We have to “WATCH THEM DOGS
****************TAKE 5 BEATS***************
MOVE 4: Likewise, in our TEXT, this afternoon, Paul writes from prison to REMIND THE PHILIPPIANS ….
a. A Church full of BELIEVERS … WHO BELIEVE IN THE LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST ….
b. BELIEVERS WHO had been taught THAT IN ORDER to get a prize at the end of this SPIRITUAL RACE ….
c. THEY HAD TO LIVE SOMETHING … WORTH SOMETHING …for it wasn’t enough to go through the acts and to enjoy the privileges AND NOT BE SAVED
d. For it wasn’t enough to say that I’m of this faith because MY FATHER WAS, AND GRANDMA IS …BUT THEY HAD TO REMEMBER THAT THE CONCISION never saved ANYBODY …
e. (EXAMPLE … of HOW MY IN-LAWS BELIEVED IN CIRCUMCISION …)
****************TAKE 5 BEATS****************
MOVE 5: NOW …MY BROTHERS AND MY SISTERS …Paul says that THE JEWS SACRED RITE (OF CIRCUMCISION) WAS nothing more than A MUTILATION OF THE BODY.
a. AFTERWARDS, HE TURNS the CONTEMPTUOUS NAME (DOG) towards AND AGAINST the JEWS …
b. SAYING … THEY ARE THE DOGS … FOR THEY ARE THE HEATHEN ….
c. THEY ARE THE ONES ALWAYS looking downward in their scenting ….WITHOUT ANY DISCRIMINATION OF WHAT IS CLEAN OR UNCLEAN
d. Paul calls them evil workers …SAYING THAT THEY DON’T ANY SPIRITUAL VALUES …
e. BECAUSE GOD …HAS A SPIRITUAL STANDARD …THAT IS REQUIRED OF ALL BELIEVERS …
****************TAKE 5 BEATS****************
CELEBRATION:
SO …I STOPPED BY HERE … TO REMIND ….YOU …TO “WATCH THEM DOGS”
…DANGEROUS DOGS … ARE ON THE STREETS,
… DANGEROUS DOGS ARE IN OUR HOMES …. AND DANGEROUS DONGS ARE IN OUR CHURCH … SNIFFING FOR RUMORS , …BITING THE SAINTS WITH CONFUSION … TELLING THAT THEY DON’T HAVE TO LIVE HOLY ….
WATCH THEM DOGS ….
