Philippians 4
Scooby Doo
April 25- Roger Miller
Introduction: Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the
same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we
who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and
who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of
Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for
legalistic righteousness, faultless.
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I
consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Philippians 3:1-8
Paul gives us a real shocker in Verse eight with the word Rubbish as translated by most modern translations. The word rubbish in the Greek is Skuvbalon, this is the only place it is used in the
New Testament! There is two schools of thought, of what this rare Greek Word means. .. .
1. non-excrement used by the rubbish’ (ESV, NRSV, NKJV, NIV, NAB, REB) or ‘garbage’
(TEV, NJB, TNIV) for the term.
a. rubbish, refuse
b. table scraps, leavings
2. excrement (KJV, ) Filth (Darby Trans)
a. dung (without strong shock value)
b. crap, the s- word (with strong shock value)
“Skuvbalon took on the nuance of a vulgar expression with emotive connotations (thus, roughly
equivalent to the English “crap, s**t”) is probable. . .” http://bible.org/article/brief-word-study-
skuvbalon. If you study the use of this word outside the Bible especially in the first Century it is
most often used as a general term for excrement! Second Paul in several places uses shock to
make a point. Lastly, Paul uses terms as word plays. In verse two Paul starts current contexts by
calling false teachers Dogs- then in verse eight uses general term for excrement. But what is the
worst type of excrement? What type of animal is being talked about in context? Dog! I believe
to shock the philipi church into how serious this threat of false teaching about human effort-Paul
is saying it is dog-do-it is Skuvbalon.
It is my theory that Skuvbalon, is where the creator of Skooby-Doo, got the cartoons name! How
many remember the cartoon Skooby Doo? How well do you know your Skooby doo?
Scooby Doo was always solving some mystery. The mystery to me is after the reality of human
weakness, and how little life makes us-How we still act like human goodness can save us! To that Paul
would say Skuvbalon! So let’s look at What Paul would have us trust in.
Look out for Scooby-doo Philippians 3:1-11
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to
you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is
we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ
Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself have reasons for such
confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew
of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for
legalistic righteousness, faultless.
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I
consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus
my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain
Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the
law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and
is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of
sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the
resurrection from the dead.
Exposition
These “dogs” and “wicked men” were very likely Judaizers—Jewish Christians who wrongly believed
that it was essential for Gentiles to follow all the Old Testament Jewish laws, especially submission to
the rite of circumcision, in order to receive salvation. Many Judaizers were motivated by spiritual
pride. Because they had invested so much time and effort in keeping their laws, they couldn’t accept
the fact that all their efforts couldn’t bring them a step closer to salvation.
Paul criticized the Judaizers because they looked at Christianity backward—thinking that what they
did (circumcision—cutting or mutilating the flesh) made them believers rather than the free gift of
grace given by Christ. What believers do is a result of faith, not a prerequisite to faith. This had been
confirmed by the early church leaders at the Jerusalem council 11 years earlier (Acts 15). Who are the
Judaizers of our day? They are those who say that people must add something else to simple faith in
Jesus!
NFL Draft
NFL Players are Some of the strongest most disciplined athletes in the world-and exactly who you would
want to walk with you down a dark alley! But look at Michael Vick and Big Ben and you know for a fact
they are weaklings against sin! They are a worthless savior! It is a reminder that all human striving to
save self is Scooby doo in God’s Eyes!
If you were like me you were glued to the T.V. Set on Thursday to watch the NFL Draft. The first
pick was ___- to __. But even the best in College do not make it in the NFL here is three recent draft
busts. . .Jamarcus Russell, Joey Harrington, and Mike Williams. Leading up to the Draft, one of the
Specials ESPN had was Jon Gruden critiquing the top draft picks-And he found plenty wrong with each
of them! But this is John Gruden and not God! It is a reminder even the most loving-sweet grandmother
standing before God will be declared a sinner in need of a Savior.
What’s the Best you can do? I have a little human pride that I played semi-pro ball at 32 against college
age kids-but in God’s economy it’s Scooby Doo! It was one of my finest moments-It was one of my best
efforts-but it’s not good enough to over come all my sin and all my weakness- so Paul say it’s dog
dung-compared to the riches that come from Christ’s sacrifice! Now back to Scooby doo-if you
remember the cartoon-the bad guys were always smarter than the mystery crew-yet they always
stumble! So what I challenge you to do is look at you one moment in the sun? A moment you thought
you were good? Now project yourself standing before the Throne of God on judgment-honestly is your
best in any sense measure up to God’s greatness?
Paul was speaking to group who were professional athletes of Judaism who were the best of the
best! Paul then points to himself and says; you think your good look at my record-If anyone else
thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the
eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in
regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic
righteousness, faultless. Phil 3:4-6 Paul is telling them he is the Heisman winner of the
religious world, yet on his own his righteous act is dung-it is only his faith in Christ that makes
him worthy of God’s forgiveness and Eternal life.
All of this is true-but we do not believe it! Pause Even regular church goers act as if all that is
Required for us to enter into heaven is to be a good person! We are often heard saying: so and so
is in heaven I know because they are a good person-if you have said those words you are a
judizer! You are comparing human effort-human goodness to other human goodness saying one
is worthy another is not worthy! Paul is saying our standard is not other humans, but Jesus
Christ! Unless you are sinless as Christ-unless you are as perfect as God the father-unless you
are as pure as the Holy Spirit-with out Christ you will be condemned eternally to hell! Paul says
the only thing that will save us is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, based on faith!
Look out for the Clues to the Wealth of Christ Philippians 3:12-16
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on
to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider
myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and
straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God
has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you
think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have
already attained.
Have you every wondered what Paul was like, before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus?
Philippians says he was someone who had always put all his confidence in his flesh. He had
always put all his confidence in his own human ability, his religion, his sincerity, his
race, his tribe, his rank, his self-righteousness. And he was confident that is was enough to please
God! And that's where all his confidence was for salvation. He believed that he was saved
because of his religious privilege and his religious achievement. The Judiazers in this chapter
had the same viewpoint!
In Paul’s day there was also gentiles, who trusted in False God’s and their efforts would
grant them favor. Just like today, many believed this life was all there was, so live it up now!
Today, there are very few trusting in good works-we just have a mantra-don’t judge me!
Meaning no right or wrong, just what works for me. Today’s false God’s are not found in a
pantheon but on ESPN and the Big Screen! In Scooby Doo it was not Scooby or Shag’s strength
that solved, it was their bumbling self-stumbling onto the truth! The truth we all need to stumble
onto is only Jesus Saves!
But, when Paul all of a sudden came face to face with Christ, the Spirit of God gives him
understanding and he sees Christ for the first time as the only thing that matters. That Jesus is
the only true value, the real pearl, the treasure. And then he sees the loss that is in this column he
once identified as assets and good works he's willing to throw the whole thing into one bag and
and flush it down the toilet!
Paul said that his goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him. This
goal took all of Paul’s energies. This is a helpful example for us. We should not let anything take our eyes
off our goal—knowing Christ. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside
everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. What is
holding you back? What False gods are you clinging to-pleasure-sports figures- or human goodness?
Have you believed the lie that the whole point of Jesus-is to make us good boys and girls-then you are a
person who trusts in his goodness to save them. Do you know what Paul would say to you? It’s just
Scooby-Doo! The only thing that matters is Jesus! Are you willing to flush away all you trust in-to cling
to Jesus alone!
Look for True Wealth Philippians 3:17-21
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the
pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many
live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their
glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we
eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring
everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Len Sweet a Methodist preacher tells how he complimented a woman in Rustin, Louisiana, on
her jewelry. She smiled and said, "Thank you. I collect gems." I agreed and said, "It shows."
"No," she insisted. "I don't collect those gems. I collect real 'gems' I have a gem of a husband, a
gem of a daughter, a gem of a friend, a gem of a pastor. Those are the real 'gems' I invest in."
How is your gem collection doing? Who are the gems in your "crown of joy?"
Gem of Relationships
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. Philippians 3:13
Paul delighted in the relationships he established and maintained throughout his far-flung ministry.
In his letter to the Philippian church reveals that even while he was under house arrest, far away from
those he cared about, he was comforted by the mere thought of these brothers and sisters. They were
his "joy and crown" in chapter four verse 1. Despite the fact that Paul was always on the road, that he
had no place to call "home," that he sometimes went years between seeing or hearing about those
whom he called "friend," the apostle still rejoiced in all his personal relationships and was strengthened
and nurtured by them. Despite the fact he spent years in prison isolated from the Gem of personal
relationship he wrote letters and prayed for those he loved! Maybe-because he had faced death so
many times and spent so much time in isolation, it gave him the correct perception that friendship was
worth sacrificing everything for!
Have you noticed it is getting harder and harder to make genuine human connections during the
regular course of our days. We cash checks and make deposits at ATMs, pump our own gas and
pay for it electronically outside. We use elaborate computerized menus on phone calls so that we
get the information we want and leave messages just by pushing the right phone buttons. All
these high-tech tactics for getting things done work efficiently most of the time. But they leave
us with a huge void in our lives where there used to be human interactions.
I don't know about you, but somehow I've never been convinced that the gas pump really means
it when it tells me, "Thank you, have a good day."
When the Bible defines God as "love," and defines us as created in God's image, the Bible is
tipping us off to something extremely important. "Love" means "relationships." God made us to
be in relationship.
But the show Scooby doo-taught us that bad-guys were always there trying to scare us off from the
treasure. The bad guy scaring us off from loving relationship is Hurry! It is The biggest and baddest. It
destroys our outward, social relationships by causing us to commit one of the greatest possible sins
against our neighbors ignoring them. We grab our packages from the grocery clerk and run. We pack so
many errands into our 45-minute lunch "hour" that we are already halfway out the door before any of
our transactions are even completed.
Here is a little "Joy and Crown" test to see how deep and rich your life is in personal
relationships:
When is the last time you looked a salesclerk directly in the eyes as you took your package and
said, "Thank you," like you really meant it?
What color eyes does your child's teacher have?
Does the receptionist at the doctor's office own a dog? If so, what's its name?
That kid handing you your hamburger out the drive-up window had a name tag what did it say?
You can have personal relationships with each person you encounter in your life. A
"relationship" is not defined solely on the length of its duration. A relationship is established
when a genuine connection is made. What is the one thing you can take with you to heaven?
Anyone? Those you related too-you have loved into the heart of Jesus! The Gem of
relationships is true wealth!
Gem of Heaven
Paul tells us in vs. 10, "I want to know Christ & the power of His resurrection & the fellowship of sharing
in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, & so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the
dead."
What is he reaching for? What is his goal? Paul’s goal is the resurrection from the dead. His goal is
eternal life with Jesus. That is what he is reaching for & striving for every day. His goal is heaven.
Now here is the point. If our goal is heaven; if our goal is eternal life with Jesus Christ; then all these
little setbacks in life are only stepping stones getting us closer to the time when we will be with Jesus.
There will be disappointments in life, but every day that passes is one day closer to the time when we
will be with Jesus. If that is our goal, then Romans 8:28 is true. "All things" do "work together for good to
those who love God & are called according to his purpose."
Gem of Jesus
hat will you have to show for your life when you stand before Jesus Christ?
A good job?
A college degree?
Money in the bank?
Lots of friends?
A large reputation?
A successful career?
The praise of others?
A winning record?
A bagful of awards?
Departmental chairman?
President and CEO?
If that’s all you’ve got to show for your life, then you really don’t have much going for you.
If that’s all you have to show for 60 or 70 years of life all you have is Scooby-doo! Sooner than
you think, you’ll be lying in a box six feet underground with grass growing over your head. And
all the things of this life won’t matter at all. Someone else will have your money and your job.
Your fame will fade, your glory will disappear, and everything you now own will belong to
others (and someone else will be sitting in your pew at church). You will eventually be
forgotten except by those people who stumble on your gravestone 100 years from now and say,
“I wonder who this guy was.” Unless you have a gem of Relationship with Jesus-Then you are
promised eternal rewards and reunion with your loved ones!
Conclusion: The problem so many people have is that they are still playing in the rubbish heap
of life and their hands are covered with the dung of earthly gain that counts for nothing
compared to knowing Jesus Christ. Two thousand years ago the Lord asked the question this
way: “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
We’re all on a journey from time to eternity. Sooner than we think, we’ll be in a casket and
people will be weeping over us. What will they say about you then? What will they put on your
tombstone? “He spent his life on things that didn’t matter” or “He met Jesus and his life was
never the same.” Do you know Jesus?
Five finger Exercise?
Christ- and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[c] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. Philip 3:9
Faith-Trust Philip 3:9
Repentance- Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Confession- For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:10
Baptism by Immersion- We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
Live by Faith The righteous will live by faith. Romans 1:17
