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Weekly Message | December 14th, 2008
Passage: Philippians 3:1-21
Key Verse(s): 13,14
In the month of December we celebrate the beginning (i.e., the birth of Jesus Christ). At the same time this is the end of the year. We consider the end of all—essence, meaning and purpose of life. In this particular chapter Paul is dealing with three quality issues of Christians. The first issue is about the joy in the midst of burdens of this life. The second issue is their confidence in the Lord. The third issue is their Christian identity. Their problems are all related to their lack of these vital Christian qualities. However, Paul deal with their problems with positive presentations of the truths.
First, “I want to know Christ"(1-11). In the first two chapters Apostle Paul addressed the general issues of Christians in Philippi. The first chapter is about the reality of Christ—in life and death. ““For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21). In the second chapter, he points the Christians to adopt the attitude of Christ-- Christ's humility and his glory. In the next two chapters, Paul addressed more specific and personal.
Look at verse 1: "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". The word "Finally" refers to the end of the beginning. In a sense, 3:1 is a dividing line between the first and second part. Paul repeats the common theme, "Rejoice in the Lord" throughout the book. St. Paul does not mind repeating the same point again and again. Rejoicing is quite a deeper spiritual disposition in us. Rejoicing is more than feelings and emotions. Emotionally, we may feel sorrows, disappointments, fear and hopelessness. Yet, in the deep stream of our souls, we are happy and sound.
Rejoicing is our safeguard for spiritual life. The situations in this world make us afraid, anxious, burdened and worried. Our joy is easily taken away. We are vulnerable in this world. Rejoicing is our resolution. Rejoicing is our safeguard (i.e., defensive and offensive boundary). We may do some terrible things in life. In these moments of struggle, we resolve to rejoice in the Lord always. Why? The world changes but Jesus does not! No matter what happens, we never become someone else other than what Jesus defines us always. God loves us in Jesus.
Since we are secure in Jesus we are willing to discuss our problems. Look at verse 2: "Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh." America has a dog-friendly culture. Dogs are loved here. For Paul, "dogs" are not cute puppy dogs. They are vicious street dogs (i.e., pit bulls) that attack people. Here, Paul refers to the proud worldly people who damage the faith of these young Christians. They came into the church after Paul’s departure from Philippi. They were false teachers. Certainly, they intimidated these young Christians with their knowledge and human credentials. They were in sheep’s clothing but they were like ferocious wolves. They were doing evil. They were these Christians away from Jesus Christ. So he uses a very strong language against them.
Now Paul speaks about his background to counter these false teachers. Look at verses 4-6: "though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised 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; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless." Paul was a man of superb accomplishments--morally, religiously and academically. He went the best university, studied under the best teacher--Gamaliel in Jerusalem. But without knowing Christ, with his best training and education, he persecuted the churches of God. He became useless to God.
Look at verses 7 and 8: "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What 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." In the past his human accomplishments were to his profits--his honor, joy and pride. But after knowing Christ, he gave up everything--all his human connections and privileges--to be a servant of Christ. Paul found the treasures in Christ--the righteousness of God.
Look at verses 8b-9: "I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and 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." Then what is the real difference between the old and the new life? In the past Paul lived to establish his own righteousness. All his effort and work was to be perfect in keeping the requirements of the law. It was a way for his salvation. Now he found the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
One Zen Buddhist monk reached the high level of self-mastery. Just before his death, his disciples asked him, "Teacher, what have you attained?" He said, "I am a sinner. I carry the burdens of my sin alone." This is what sincere people, after life-long disciplines and self-denial reach. We will never be perfect enough to be on right terms with God. We cannot save ourselves. We do not even meet our own moral requirements--much less those of God's holy laws. We fall short of the glory of God (Ro 3:23). Instead, we stand on what Christ has accomplished for us or what God has provided—the righteousness through Christ Jesus. Because Christ is right with God, we are right with God through Christ.
In this sense, Paul's effort to keep the law was rubbish. Rubbish comes from what was once useful. After having a delicious dinner, we get all the bones, paper towels, cups, etc. They are rubbish. In the same way, Paul's prior life accomplishments were just like that. It served its purpose for a time being, but is no longer useful. So he put them away. He has now grown up. Here, we see the values of human disciplines and accomplishments--training, academic and work-related credentials and worldly honor? They all serve some important purpose for a while. Therefore, don’t despise them. Especially, in the days of youth, the most important discipline is to become faithful. Be faithful. Be responsible. Be reliable. Then, we are able to achieve in this life for God’s glory. Then, God replaces us with something bigger and more superior goals for us. This is what happened to Apostle Paul. Once his life was revolving around himself. Now he focused his life on Christ Jesus—his Master and Savior.
Look at verse 10: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." This is a profound confession of love. To know is to love. To know Christ is to love Christ. We experience power of Christ as we love Christ. It is to know the power of his resurrection through his death. Apostle Paul experienced the power of death at work. Many times he felt that he was carrying the death of Christ (2Co 1:9, 10). Yet, he experienced the resurrection life. This is the power of Christ Jesus. In this life we feel like dying. At that time, it is good to remember: death is not the end. Resurrection is after the death.
We know Christ through the fellowship of sufferings. Fellowship of sufferings is Jesus' scholarship. This is unique to the disciples of Christ. Universities give scholarship for learning opportunities. God gives us sufferings for learning opportunities and growth. So sufferings are Jesus’ scholarship for us. What kinds of scholarships have you received? We know Christ Jesus through our lonely struggles. Those who never knew what it means to lonely, what do they know about the loneliness of Christ? Those who never knew hunger, thirst and conflicts in this life, how do they know about satisfaction, comfort and resolution that Christ provides. Have you ever been misunderstood and mistreated because of Christ? Have you ever been falsely accused even though you did all the things right. What do you do then? So this is the real question. In our life’s struggles, what do we want? Do we want to know Christ Jesus? Is this our focus? If so, we will grow. We have reasons to rejoice always in the Lord.
Second, "But one thing I do" (12-17). This is continuation of Apostle Paul's life testimony. In this part he speaks about one thing he does. A great life is about doing many things but keeping one main thing. Look at verse 12: "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." This is humble attitude about life. He was a man of great accomplishments. But he is quite modest about himself. "Press on" is to passionately pursue. He presses on to take hold of something critical. This is an athletic word. In sports like football or soccer, the key is to take hold of balls and run toward the goals. For this, athletes press on. At the time of God's call, Christ Jesus took hold of Paul for a mission. It was to carry his name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel (Acts 9:15). Paul's ultimate goal is to know Christ. In the course of fulfilling his mission, he came to know the mind and heart of Christ. God raised up people and churches throughout Rome.
Look at verse 13: "Brothers, 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." Paul was modest about himself. After pioneering so many churches, writing so many books and impacting so many lives, he considered himself as yet to grow up.
"Forgetting what is behind" is leaving our past behind--either good or bad. The people of Israel left Egypt. They were heading toward the Promised Land. But each time they faced challenges, they looked back. They missed their old lives in Egypt--the sweet smells of garlic and all types of nice Egyptian delicacies (Ex. 16:3). This inability of forgetting what was behind kept them from marching forward. Eventually, they died in the wilderness. We also forget what is behind. How funny it is to get constrained with our small accomplishments in life (e.g., being a student of the week in the kindergarten). In this world people do some amazing things--a grand slam. People may cheer you for a while. But soon things calm down. It does not matter. This is what it means for forget what is behind. We forget what is behind to move on. We rejoice and celebrate our victory. But afterward we must move on for new goals in life.
Look at verse 14a: "to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." The prize is God's approval. In this world we strive for the prize. Prize is a good motivator for us. The quality of this achievement is what types of prize we try to win. Before graduation from high school Luke Kwiatkowski receives prizes for his academic success. Narrow Gate Fellowship again tries to organize SongFest. That’s because students and our music director Kevin Reilly did their best to please Christ Jesus. What prizes do you like to receive? I want to receive God’s prizes—the awards are for being good and faithful son, father, husband, pastor and servant. Good and faithful awards from God—this is what we should receive. These awards are for those who do well for their calling as mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and whatever their calling in this world.
Look at verse 15: "All 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." Apostle Paul was quite sure that all spiritually mature people would take his approach and view of living. However, not all Christians are so goal-oriented and resolute about their destiny. Paul did not insist that everyone should think and act in the same way. He trusts that God in his wisdom will make clear to people in his way.
Look at verse 16: "Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Here, God lays down some very important principle of spiritual growth. We build on where we are. We grow beyond where we are now. We live up to what we know. Our future is based on where we are now. From God's point of view, our present situation is the starting point.
Third, "Our citizenship is in heaven" (17-21). In this section, Paul contrasts two types of people. One group is the citizens of heaven. The others belong to this earth. Look at verse 17: "Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." He went ahead of others (Jn 10:4). Paul set an example in love, faith, and in the patterns of living--in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1Ti 4:12). Paul carried the image of a good shepherd through his life style. He was not afraid to say, "Follow my example." He was glad to be a role model for others.
Look at verse 18: "For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." Paul warned young Christians about enemies within. This warning is out of tears. He spoke with great sorrow in his heart. Why? Probably, many enemies were not strangers to him. He knew them by name. Once they all shared fellowship in Christ together. Sadly enough many lived as enemies of the cross of Christ. It is truly a cause for painful sorrow.
Look at verses 20 and 21: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, 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." Our identity is in heaven. We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. What is God’s ultimate goal for us? It is to be transformed in the image of Christ Jesus (Rom 8:29). It is to become like Christ Jesus. This is our hope.
We want to become more like Christ. Faithful like Jesus! Humble like Jesus! Joyful like Jesus! In this world we try to do many things well. It is important to do one main thing well. What is one main thing we should do well? Forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. What is ahead of us? It is not uncertainty of this world. Rather, what is ahead of us is Christ Jesus! With Christ Jesus our future is not bleak.
In 1970 I first came to UBF and learned about key verse symposium. At the end of each year I have done my review and planned for the new year. This one practice made me to be conscious about specific goals. In 2008 we prayed for student ministry with 24 world class leaders. We will continue to pray for student ministry. At the end of the next year we will have newly renovated and expanded house of worship. Our personal and ministry capabilities will grow to serve the Lord. For the next two weeks we will review this year and plan for the new year. How wonderful it is if we do one thing well—to know Christ better. For this we will pray. For this we will forget what is behind and strain toward the goals—to grow in greater capabilities to serve Christ in this world.
December 14, 2008. Toledo UBF
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
