Philippians 3:1-3:11
Beware Of Dogs!
An Outline of Philippians
1:1-11 Paul & his concern
1:12-18 Imprisonment & preaching
1:19-30 Live well (or die well)
2:1-11 Have Christ's mind
2:12-18 Work it out: use Christ's mind
2:19-30 Welcome Paul's Friends
3:1-11 Worthless works: what Paul was
3:12-21 Press on to the goal: what Paul is
4:1-9 Reconcile & rejoice
4:10-23 Thanks & blessing

 
The Passage: Phil 3:1-11
1. Rejoice! Paul gets ready to wrap up. (3:1)
He seems to be wrapping up the letter...he has communicated the goal (unity) and means (selflessness), and now he seems to be reminding them to be joyful.
He will in fact return to rejoicing as he closes the letter in 4:4.

2. But wait! Paul remembers to warn them of error. (3:2-11)
Paul interrupts what seems to be his wrap up with one of the more startling transitions in the entire Bible. "Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil workers!"
Paul warns the Philippians to be on guard against any who will teach them to place confidence in circumcision or the righteousness. Based on how he argues, he seems to be worried about heresy such as overtook the Galations; 'Judiazers', people who taught that salvation required circumcision and the following of the Law along with faith in Christ.
 
A. Before of false teachers (v2,3)
These 'evil workers' were teaching to place confidence in the flesh; almost certainly judiazers.
Probably the dominant New Tesatement Heresy - those who taught that salvation was from Christ and the law.
Paul's reaction makes it clear that he's talking about a Jewish heresy as he lays out his Jewish credentials.
 
Paul had fought them in Galatia, Jerusalemn, and more.
He's concerned that they will effect Philippi, and he wants them to beware.
Do we have the same types of false teachers today?
not sure honestly.
the 'galation heresy' doesn't seem to be around currently, but perhaps it has an equivalent?


 
B. If anyone might be called 'righteous' by the Judiazer's standard, Paul could. (v4-6)
Paul's grounds for human rightousness:
circumcized 8th day (doing the right things from birth)
born israelite, specifically of Benjamin.
a Pharisee, a persecuter of the church, without fault regarding the law.

We have different grounds for self rightousness today.
What? (ask audience)

 
C. Paul considers such 'rubbish'; righteousness can only come from Christ. (v7-11)
none of his righteousness had value (isaiah 64:6 - as filthy rags)
 
strong language from paul!
skubala - rubbish, dung. some go so far as to say it should be translated as 'shit'.

Paul has left behind everything to gain salvation.
1. salvation is worth everything you have.
i count all things loss in view of the value of knowing christ jesus (v8)

2. salvation gives us (v9,10):
- righteousness (v9)
- knowledge of christ, his power, and fellowship with his sufferings (v10)
- the resurrection from the dead (v10)


 
Application
1. Negativity isn't wrong.
Paul calls these people 'Dogs' and 'Evil Workers'. He doesn't need to apologize.

2. Self-righteousness is.

3. Bear in mind Salvation's value
What you had was worthless
remember this - life without christ is without value.
sin is the problem; no human has righteousness and that's the key problem.
 
this is obscured by boats, good looks, and shopping, but it's still true.

What you traded for is substance
paul speaks of what he had - he did not bring those things into christianity.
christianity is the pearl of great price.
you turn in everything to receive christ's rightousness.
and it's the best deal you'll ever see.

don't lost track of what was granted you!
salvation may get old and familiar, but we need to remember it's value!!
- gratitude
- praise,
-perspective