The Lord Jesus not only comes down into the place of servant in love among men, but goes down into the last fortress of the enemy's power. Paul claims that not only was he a Jew who had retained his ancestral religion, but he had also devoted his whole life to its most rigorous observance. We may see the moral harmony of that lot with his testimony, and how suitable it seems that he, who was above all men identified with the gospel of the glory of Christ, should be a prisoner, and nothing but a prisoner in Rome. He has a plan for your life now, and we should be as Jesus, who said, "I must be about my Father's business." There are two Greek verbs which are very like each other. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, but it doesn't yet appear what we are going to be, but we know when He appears, we are going to be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" ( 1 John 3:2 ). There is no looking at Him as Saviour on the cross merely; but when He comes for us, there will be in the filial sense (as ever in our epistle) "salvation." "Probably the best illustration I have heard of this particular passage is the story of the young girl who came from very poor circumstances, but was diligent and worked hard to work her way through college. We now heard what the apostle renounced; let us now see what he laid hold on, and resolved to cleave to, namely, Christ and heaven. We haven't yet scratched the surface of the work that needs to be done in the hearts and lives of the people of Orange County, in Southern California, across the United States. Through the wonderful sight of the love of Christ, this answered the question to his faith, leaving all circumstances entirely aside. Far from him was the vanity of being the man first to preach Christ in the great metropolis. God was pleased, even whilst the apostle was alive, to set him aside and to prove the power of faith where he was not. While the exact nature of that reward is unclear here, it can generally be understood as a sort of abundance of life. So he could settle now about his life and death. That is a wonderful thought. When you are pressing towards the mark. And having determined then what is right and what is wrong, I may then seek to always do that which is right. They regarded circumcision in itself as being enough to set them apart specially for God. How can they say . Such is the sense of it here. ". WebPhilippians 3:14 ESV I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Impossible that anything done by other saints should turn to one's acceptance any more than what is done by himself The apostle uses salvation throughout his letter to the Philippians (nor is it confined to this scripture only) in the sense of the complete and final triumph over all the power of Satan. But the phrase, the resurrection of the dead, also might be used, in a more limited sense, to denote the resurrection of the righteous as a most desirable object; and this might be secured by effort. There is real power, there is strength from God that works in the saint; but the feelings of Christ, the mind of Christ morally, is better than all energy. He is just about to send Timothy from himself that he might know about them. Instead of occupying oneself with all one hears that would cast down, now that we have committed all. For his was a heart deeply sensible of love, and consequently he was not one that had sought either to make the saints dependent upon him, and still less did the apostle depend on the saints for anything that was the fruit of grace in them. I can't get over that. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus," feeling, judgment, everything, guarded and governed by this precious peace of God. As it was a true though distressing part for Christ to judge religious evil, something akin could not be absent here; but at the same time it was by no means a prominent characteristic of Christ's task here below far from it. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind." It speaks of believers who were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. All believers will be resurrected, but there is a better one for those who endure. You know, there are many people in the world tonight who have never had the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. It would be mere independence of Christ if he could have stood without a single flaw, as blameless, in fact, as in a certain sense outwardly he was under the law, until the Spirit of God gave him to see what he was in God's mind. Peritemnein ( G4059) means to circumcise; katatemnein means to mutilate, as in Leviticus 21:5, which describes forbidden self-mutilation, such as castration. WebSunday, February 26, 2023 Living Hope Christian Church, Inc. will broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube beginning at 11:00 am. For the prize of the high calling. It was not a decision made in a moment of impulse, but one by which I still stand fast.". The apostle had his heart upon Christ as his righteousness. Self-judgment, where grace is known, is a most wholesome exercise of soul; and we shall have it in perfection even in heaven itself before the judgment-seat of Christ. He says that the Lord will circumcise their hearts to make them love him ( Deuteronomy 30:6). I can't believe what they did to me. And they were kind to her, they said, "Oh, that is nice," but they did notice the imperfections in it. Word Format PDF Format. So the apostle lets them know that he owned their hearty love; "not," he says, "because I desire a gift." Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord ( Philippians 3:1 ). "Being confident," he therefore says, "of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ, even as it is meet for me to think this of you all." No one denies this, which is, or ought to be, no new thing for a Christian. And God then imputes to me, or accounts to me, righteousness. Hence it is that, although doctrine is sparse, if not almost excluded, nevertheless what little appears comes in as ancillary to the main purpose. Introduction: Born in 1909, Glenn Cunningham, when he was just 8 years old, was severely There is no necessity and where is the epistle that more thoroughly disproves the thought of any necessity? I am rejoicing here, in the Lord." It is the same in Greek thought; the dog stands for everything that is shamelessly unclean. Why should such as they face the unmannerly officials that took advantage of the imperial government to treat with injury those identified with the gospel? And I just dedicated my life completely to the Lord. 287.]. But they recognized that it was the best that she could do.About that time, Lady Bountiful walked in the door. And she saw this young girl, modeling her dress and she said, "Would you mind going with me?" He is encouraged to keep moving towards this goal by his knowledge that final victory over sin, suffering and death is certain (10-11).Paul knows that he will not reach perfection in this life. He must have felt that he had been setting a high challenge before the Philippian Church. 1. Energy is not the best or highest aspect of Christianity. And He said, "I am Jesus. But Paul said. This was very dear to him, let God use whom he would. Their gift to him was "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God." He says that he proposes to write things to them that he has written before. (i) We worship in the Spirit of God; or, we worship God in the Spirit. This is a claim that Paul makes more than once ( Acts 22:3; Acts 23:6; Acts 26:5). "For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him." People lived and died without ever having heard of Jesus Christ our Lord. These Philippians will not be less saints in heaven, where there can be no such charges as "bishops or deacons." "Let your moderation be known unto all men," strengthened by this consolatory truth, "the Lord is at hand. (i) He was a Hebrew born of Hebrew parents. Every teacher must be more anxious to listen to God than to propagate his own opinions or he, too, will run the risk of being a worker of evil, even when he thinks that he is a worker of righteousness. And yet, that is what God has imparted to me through faith, my faith that He has given to me, in Jesus Christ.Paul goes on. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. the dead. ] To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Text and Manuscripts of the New Testament. There was evidently energy among these Philippians. "I want to hang on to the flesh. i. Jesus was not merely resuscitated from the dead in the same body. Why did the Lord apprehend you? He can lose all things, and he can lose all people, but he can never lose Christ. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. He was totally, completely ostracized by those who were once his compatriots, those whom he once shared with. But it gives us also the effect of Christ in the saints eventually of Paul himself, of Timothy, of Epaphroditus, and indeed of the Philippian saints. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It means full-grown in contradistinction to undeveloped; for example, it is used of a full-grown man as opposed to an undeveloped youth. That was a common name by which the Jews referred to the Gentiles: the gentile dogs. 2. The things that he had believed to be his glories were in fact quite useless. It had always been so, as the apostle gives us to learn. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & 10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. Let this be your mind, let's walk by these rules. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already In Php_3:15 he again uses teleios ( G5046) and says that this must be the attitude of those who are teleios ( G5046) . When God does not interpose, men are apt to allow reflections and reasonings. If Jehovah so served, it was but natural that He should be made Lord of all, and so He is. At any rate they endured the conflicts of the gospel in its earlier days at Philippi. Far from losing sight of our past ways, it is a very wholesome thing indeed to remember them: we are never safe in forgetting what we are and have been. "Therefore," says he, though I am in a strait betwixt two," as he had said before, "having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. (i) "Beware of the dogs," he says. Paul said. And did feel rather sorry for her. He is at Rome, where he desired to be, no doubt, but which he had never expected to visit as one in bonds. It wasnt long after the time of Paul that Christians were martyred for refusing to call Caesar Lord, claiming that Jesus was the only Lord. "Let your moderation be known unto all men;" that is, the meekness and gentleness which bends to the blow, instead of resisting it in the spirit that ever asserts its rights and fights for them. WebPhilippians 3:8-11 meaning Paul considers religious practices and custom meaningless compared to the far better value of serving Jesus Christ through the obedience of faith. Obviously this out-resurrection is something which is capable of many degrees depending on the measure of ones faithfulness. But how can this be unless the heart is perfectly at ease as to itself? v. There is a significant contrast between the citizens of earth as described in Philippians 3:18-19 and the citizens of heaven as described in Philippians 3:20-21. b. So he reaches forth, epekteinomenos--stretched himself forward, bearing towards his point: it is expressive of a vehement concern. This is interesting, for it must mean that Paul had written other letters to the Philippians which have not survived. Thus, then, he prays for them, and to this end, not that they might become more intelligent merely not that they might grow more able to discourse of divine things, though I doubt not that there would be growth in these respects also; but all here has an eminently practical form, "that ye may approve things that are more excellent; that ye may be pure and without offence till the day of Christ." Thus then he writes, telling them, "I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." Philippians 3:1. (iii) He was of the tribe of Benjamin. It is not legal experience, for which you must turn to the chapter spoken of inRomans 7:1-25; Romans 7:1-25, the only bit of a saint's experience under law, as far as I know, that the New Testament affords (certainly in the epistles). "This robe of flesh I will drop and rise to reap the everlasting prize." This is what he calls "salvation." There is, however, a sure and only divine standard: as far as we have attained, our call is to walk in the same path. "Your joy," said Jesus, "no one will take from you" ( John 16:22). Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Paul sets down two very important things. I have no confidence in the flesh. 661.] She called the model over that they might look at it more closely and feel the texture of the material, and obviously she was very impressed with it. Not that there were not difficulties; there were many. How heartily the Germans sing of the dear old fatherland; but they cannot, with all their Germanic patriotism, they cannot beat the genial glow of the Britons heart, when he thinks of his fatherland too. The rite of water baptism is really not a physical rite, but a spiritual experience. [Paul] also speaks positively in verses 1214 of what he is doing in light of the incompleteness of his spiritual journey. The history of the Jews had dispersed them all over the world. "You remember Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, chapter 5 of Matthew, said, "Except your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven." They are enemies to the cross of Christ, not to Christ Himself, but to that aspect of suffering with Him,". For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ." It was not merely their calling in Christ, their being Christians, that was before him, but a walk as it became the gospel of Christ. There were not very many Pharisees, never more than six thousand, but they were the spiritual athletes of Judaism. Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Philippians 3 .Again, remember that the background of this epistle, Paul is chained to a Roman soldier in Rome, in prison, writing to the Philippians. They turned Christian liberty into unchristian licence and gloried in giving their passions full play. Experiences are good. 87-88; and S. Lewis Johnson Jr., "The Out-Resurrection from the Dead," Bibliotheca Sacra 110 (1953):139-46; and Lightner, "Philippians," p. He had experienced it at its highest point; and he knew that it was nothing compared with the joy which Christ had given. WebPhilippians - (NIV Application Commentary) by Frank S Thielman (Hardcover) $26.99When purchased online Out of Stock About this item Specifications Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up Number of Pages: 256 Genre: Religion + Beliefs Sub-Genre: Biblical Commentary Series Title: NIV Application Commentary Format: Hardcover Publisher: Zondervan Academic Nevertheless, God will surely teach His own, and knows how to clear up what is hidden from them. "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.". For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. When I have been upset (because that is against my rules, never be upset) and so I am upset, I have to lie to myself and say, "I really wasn't upset, I was just indignant." Who, when He comes, He is going to change our bodies, that they might be fashioned like His own glorious image. But the moment he has Christ before him thus, he judges according to the affections of Christ, and he looks at the need of saints here below. The Jew placed his confidence in the physical badge of circumcision and in the performance of the duties of the Law. Had he occupied himself with the persons that were so preaching the gospel, how disconsolate he must have been! Thus the two things are repeated the past judgment and the present power: "and do count them but dung, that I may, win Christ." Having died and risen with Christ, he wants to go on and experience in reality what this means - death to sin and selfish desires, and a new life of constant victory through the living power of the risen Christ within him. Paul himself did not hope to attain it through his own merit and righteousness, but through the merit and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Like any good teacher, Paul was never afraid of repetition. The past has been glorious, it has been exciting to see what God has done, but you know, I am more excited about what God is going to do.So. out-resurrection). We know well that as men have sarcastically said, gratitude is a kind of fishing for fresh favours. WebPhilippians 3:11-14 King James Version 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not in a figurative sense, the resurrection from the death of sin to a life of grace, of which Christ is the efficient cause, for this the apostle had attained to; unless the consummation of that spiritual life, in perfect holiness, should be intended, than which nothing was more desirable by him; nor in a representative sense, for this also he enjoyed in Christ his head, being risen with him, and in him, when he rose from the dead; but in a literal sense and designs not the general resurrection of the just and unjust, which he believed; for he knew that everyone must, and will attain to this, even Pharaoh, Judas, and the worst of men; but the special and particular resurrection of the righteous, the better resurrection, which will be first, and upon the personal coming of Christ, and by virtue of union to him, and in a glorious manner, and to everlasting life and happiness: and when the apostle says, "if by any means" he might attain to this, it is not to be understood as if he doubted of it, which would be inconsistent with his firm persuasion, that nothing should separate him from the love of God, and with his full assurance of faith, as to interest in Jesus Christ; but it denotes the difficulty of attaining it, since through various afflictions and great tribulations a believer must pass, before he comes to it; and also the apostle's earnest desire of it, and strenuous endeavour for it; not caring what scenes of trouble, or sea of sorrow what fiery trials, severe sufferings, or cruel death he went through, so be it he obtained as he believed he should, the glorious and better resurrection; he counted not his life dear to himself, he loved it not unto death, having in view the blissful and happy state after it. Indeed he esteemed others better than himself. She couldn't buy a dress, but she really didn't have much money to buy very good material. Is this the life that is practically exercised? This construction is probably insignificant, but perhaps Paul is distinguishing the resurrection of the body from the spiritual resurrection that occurs at baptism. That which men call by this name is really the trial of what flesh is under law much more than experience of Christ. Soul (14+ yrs) CY (11-14 yrs) Epic Explorers (kids) Universal Editions; Promotional materials; Translations; Booklets and tracts; Books; Shop by Type; Evangelistic Books; But, it might be argued, that was a snap decision, perhaps later to be regretted and reversed. And I may pull over to the side of the freeway and decide not to pass him so that I won't be a bad witness, and bow my head and say, "God, I am sorry. They nevertheless seem to have been disheartened, even distanced, from their faith by Pauls imprisonment. But when I take the righteousness which is by Christ, it is an honest life, I can say, "Hey, I am not perfect, but I believe in Jesus Christ with all my heart. The Lord apprehended me, but when He did, He had a purpose in mind. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.". Brethren, be followers together of me ( Philippians 3:17 ). He is my Savior. But with the Philippians there was increased jealousy for Christ. They were more obedient in his absence than in his presence. Hence he calls upon them, as one that could not be with them to help them in the conflict, to work out their own salvation. When first he tasted it, he found it so sweet that he cared for none other. The lad had found a joy which not even the scaffold could take away. Wednesday of Fifth Sunday in Lent Our Savior/Redeemer Pettibone/Woodworth, ND: Wed, Mar 31, 2004 cold and nakednessbesides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches" (2 Cor. They don't want to hear it; they are enemies of that message. They are stagnating now. The resurrection is the ultimate goal for all Christians. But Paul the apostle said, "Look, I don't consider that I have attained; I don't look at myself as being perfect, the work of the Lord is not yet complete in me.". The Old Testament uses to know of sexual intercourse. It was to Israel that they in the most special sense traced their heritage. The Scotchman, too, wherever he may be, remembers the land of brown heath and shaggy wood. And the Irishman, too, let him be where he will, still thinks the Emerald Isle the first gem of the sea. 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