Philippians 3:1-11

Paul’s advice from last chapter was for us to explore the salvation God has for us. To not complain, and remain blameless. To shine as lights before men, drawing them to him. And to esteem highly, those men who serve you.

Philippians 3:1 Finally, REJOICE IN THE LORD! Paul’s reminds the church at Philippi, that he never tires of warning them of the dangers that await them. He does it for their (and our) benefit.
v2-3 Beware of those who say you must be circumcised (he calls them dos and evil doers), for we who worship god in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus are the circumcision. We who have no confidence in the flesh.
v4-6 Paul’s testimony of what he could have bragged about. The pride of Israel!
v7 Paul left it all behind to pursue Christ! Knowing the consequences of his decision.
v8 To know Christ as my personal savior makes everything else seem as garbage. Paul had lost everything of his former life style.
v9 To have true righteousness that can only come from God, through faith in Jesus Christ.
v10-11 To know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. That I might attain resurrection from the dead!

Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit,[a] rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

• Rejoice in the Lord (don’t always make being a Christian so difficult).
• Worship God in the Spirit and have no confidence in the flesh.
• We must choose Christ over all things.
• Our righteousness can only come from God, through faith in Christ.