Title: Last Things First - Part 3
Bible Book: Philippians 3 : 1
Author: David E. Owen
Subject: Last Things
Objective:
We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Praise That We Want To End Up With
Introduction
Today, we’re continuing our new series of sermons that I’m calling “Last Things First.” And we’re drawing upon some of the occurrences of the word “Finally” as it is used in the New Testament.
In several of these occurrences, the word “finally” has been translated from a Greek word that forms a transition to something else. In other words, it is moving the hearer or reader’s attention from one point to another point; from one line of thought to another line of thought. (According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
Last week, I told you that it’s a word that really expresses the idea of “Just one more thing,” or “as for the rest” (Marvin Vincent’s Word Studies). So several times when, for example Paul, used this word “finally,” he is saying, “Let me just say one more thing (or one last thing) before I finish this letter.”
In 1722, the great preacher and theologian Jonathan Edwards wrote a series of “Resolutions,” and in number 17 on that list, he said that he was “resolved, that I will live … as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.” In other words, he decided to live with the end in view. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 46:10 that God declares “the end from the beginning,” and while we cannot declare the end from the beginning, we can desire and aim for a particular end result from the beginning.
The goal of this series is to challenge us to cultivate in our lives today the qualities and characteristics that we want to end up with, instead of just expecting to somehow magically arrive at that level of desired spiritual maturity.
So we’re presenting the conclusions and the “finally’s” first. We’re basically trying to begin with the end in view. And in this series, we have already considered the fact that…
1. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Principles That We Want To End Up With
(2 Corinthians 13:11) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Power That We Want To End Up With
(Ephesians 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
This morning, our “Finally” teaches us that …
3. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Praise That We Want To End Up With
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Paul visited Philippi on his second missionary journey, and the record of this is given in Acts 16.
The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians is one of the Prison Epistles. Paul wrote four epistles when he was in prison, and we have labeled them Prison Epistles. They are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and the little Epistle to Philemon.
The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians was written to the believers in Europe in the city of Philippi. This letter came out of a wonderful relationship that Paul had with the Philippian church. It seems that this church was closer to Paul than was any other church. Their love for him and his love for them are mirrored in this epistle. They were a people very close to the apostle Paul. They followed him in his journeys and ministered to him time and time again. But when Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, they lost sight of him for two years. They did not know where he was. Finally they heard that he was in Rome in prison. The hearts of these people went out to him, and immediately they dispatched their pastor, Epaphroditus, with a gift that would minister to Paul’s needs.
So Paul wrote this epistle to thank the church and to express his love for them. … His letter to the Philippian believers is the great epistle of Christian experience. This is Paul’s subject in his epistle to the Philippians. … This epistle deals with Christian experience at the level on which all believers should be living. It is not a level on which all of us are, but it is where God wants us to be. (J. Vernon McGee)
The specific element of the Christian experience that we’re dealing with from our text this morning is “rejoicing.”
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
I. In This Passage, We Are Confronted By The Nature Of This Word
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
A. Let’s Think About The Specifics Of This Rejoicing – The Concept
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
rejoice – verb meaning to feel joyful; be delighted: To fill with joy; gladden. (American Heritage Dictionary)
1. To Rejoice Indicates The Triumphant Cheerfulness Of The Spirit
rejoice – Greek 5463. chairo; a primary verb meaning to be “cheer”ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; used as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well – farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail, joy (-fully), rejoice.
2. To Rejoice Indicates The Thriving Condition Of The Saint
rejoice – Greek NT:5463. chairoo; in the proper and strict sense the word means to rejoice or be glad; in a broader sense, it means to be well, to thrive; in salutations, the imperative chaire, Hail! (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
B. Let’s Think About The Source Of This Rejoicing – The Channel
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Finally, my brethren – or for the rest – as for what remains to be said to you, it all amounts to this – rejoice in the Lord. See that you live in joy: and see that that joy be indeed a Christian joy; a joy springing out of, and constantly traceable to, your union with Christ by a true and living faith. (C. J. Vaughan)
1. The Lord Is The Source Of Our Rejoicing Because He Is The Great Master Of Our Joy
Lord – Greek NT:2962. kurios, kuriou; he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has the power of deciding; master, lord. a. used universally, of the possessor and disposer of a thing, the owner. b. kurios is a title of honor, expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants salute their master. c. this title is given to God, the ruler of the universe, to the Messiah; and that: to the Messiah regarded universally: to Jesus as the Messiah, d. used of Christ. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
But He does not withhold joy as some tyrannical master. No…
2. The Lord Is The Source Of Our Rejoicing Because He Is The Gracious Minister Of Our Joy
Grounds of Christian rejoicing
There are two estates of men, “in the flesh,” and “in the Lord.” To be in the latter estate is to possess all that can minister to happiness. (W. D. Pope from The Biblical Illustrator)
Happiness may come from happenings, but true joy comes from Jesus.
C. Let’s Think About The Sharers Of This Rejoicing – The Connection
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
1. As Brethren, We Share In The Common Beginning Of Christian Life
2. As Brethren, We Share In The Common Blessings Of Christian Life
The joy of Christian brethren – Notice the designation – “Brethren.” By loving compellation he labours to enter into their hearts. If exhortation comes from the pride of man, the pride of man will beat it back. Why are Christians brethren?
1. They have the same beginning of life from the same Father; the same common brother Christ; the same food, the Word of God; the same promises and inheritance.
2. The word is indicative of equality. This should fill up the valleys of hearts dejected here in regard to mean estates; as also pull down the mountains of proud hearts.
3. It is a name of dignity belonging to the heirs of heaven.
4. It is a word of love.
(Richard Sibbes from The Biblical Illustrator)
II. In This Passage, We Are Confronted By The Nature Of This Writing
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
A. For Paul To Write About Rejoicing Was A Repetitious Thing
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
[To write the same things] That is, to repeat the same truths and admonitions. (From Barnes’ Notes)
1. There Is Repetition In The Meaning Of The Term “same”
same – Greek NT:846. autos, autee, auto; pronoun. derived from the particle au with the added force of a demonstrative pronoun. In itself it signifies nothing more than again, applied to what has either been previously mentioned or, when the whole discourse is looked at, must necessarily be supplied.
(From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
2. There Is Repetition In The Message Of The Text
Prominent in Philippians is the theme of joy.
The word “joy” (Greek: chara) is found five times (1:4, 25; 2:2, 29; 4:1)
and the verb “to rejoice” occurs eleven times (twice in 1:18; 2:17, 18; 4:4; and once in 2:28; 3:1; and 4:10). Despite his unpleasant circumstances in prison, Paul manifests a joyous confidence in God’s provision for him personally and for the Philippian Christians. (Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts)
In speaking of the usefulness of repetition, Henry Melville said, “The nature of scriptural truth demonstrates that repetition can never be useless.” (From The Biblical Illustrator)
In other words, “It’s just as good the 1,000th time as it was the first time.”
B. For Paul To Write About Rejoicing Was Not A Reluctant Thing
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
[To me indeed is not grievous] It is not burdensome or oppressive to me to repeat these exhortations in this manner. (From Barnes’ Notes)
grievous – Greek NT:3636. okneeron; is not irksome to me, I am not reluctant. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
It did not grieve Paul or become overly burdensome to repeatedly preach the message of rejoicing, because he seems to have been reassured that joy would come in the life of believers. It was a reassured thing. He was ready to do it. It was a ready thing.
1. Paul Was Not Grieved In His Task So That He Became Weary In Waiting
Grievous okneeron (NT:3636). In both instances rendered “slothful.” From okneoo (NT:3635) “to delay.” Hence, in Classical Greek, “shrinking, backward, unready.” The idea of “delay” underlies the secondary sense, “burdensome, troublesome.” It is the vexation arising from weary waiting, and which appears in the middle English “irken to tire or to become tired,” cognate with the Latin urgere “to press,” and English “irk, irksome, work.” (From Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament)
2. Paul Was Not Grieved In His Task So That He Became Weary In Well-doing
(Galatians 6:9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Illustrate:
same – Greek 846. autos, ow-tos'; from the particle au [perh. akin to the base of G109 (to breathe unconsciously, i.e. respire; by anal. to blow; “air”) through the idea of a baffling wind].
Just like a woman is instructed in Lamaze to breath repeatedly in the birthing of her baby, the Christian is repeatedly breathing in the truth of rejoicing through the coaching of the Holy Spirit and the preachers and teachers as joy is birthed in their hearts. For the woman to hear the birthing coach say, “Breathe,” may be grievous or irritating, but it is not grievous for the birthing coach.
C. For Paul To Write About Rejoicing Was A Reinforcing Thing
(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
1. There Is A Safety In Rejoicing
safe – Greek NT:804. asfalees, asfales; (sfalloo to make to totter or fall, to cheat, sfallomai to fall, to reel). The word means “firm” (that can be relied on, confided in): or suited to confirm. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
It is safe. Lest amidst trials you should ever despond, spiritual joy is our safety against error. (JFB Commentary)
2. There Is A Strength In Rejoicing
(Nehemiah 8:10) Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
III. In This Passage, We Are Confronted By The Nature Of This Warning
(Philippians 3:2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
beware – Greek 991. blepo; a primary verb meaning to look at – behold, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.
A. Concerning Our Rejoicing, There Is A Word Of Warning About The Dogs
(Philippians 3:2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Dogs – Paul retorts upon the Judaizers the term of reproach by which they stigmatized the Gentiles as impure. Among the Jews of the Christian era, it was a common designation of the Gentiles involving the idea of ceremonial impurity. John applies the term to those whose moral impurity excludes them from the new Jerusalem, the spiritual Israel (Revelation 22:15 – without are dogs). As a term of reproach, the word on the lips of a Jew signified chiefly “impurity”; of a Greek, “impudence” – insolence, rudeness. The herds of dogs which prowl about Eastern cities, without a home or owner, feeding on the refuse of the streets, quarrelling among themselves, and attacking the passer by, explain both applications of the image. Thus St. Paul’s language is strikingly significant. (Bishop Lightfoot from The Biblical Illustrator)
1. This Mention Of “Dogs” Refers To Wandering Scavengers
2. This Mention Of “Dogs” Refers To Wild Scoundrels
“Dogs.” The orthodox Jew would call the Gentile a “dog,” but here Paul calls orthodox Jews “dogs”! Paul is not just using names; he is comparing these false teachers to the dirty scavengers so contemptible to decent people. Like those dogs, these Judaizers snapped at Paul’s heels and followed him from place to place “barking” their false doctrines. They were troublemakers and carriers of dangerous infection. (Warren Wiersbe)
B. Concerning Our Rejoicing, There Is A Word Of Warning About The Deceptive
(Philippians 3:2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
1. They Are Deceptive In Their Toiling
evil – Greek 2556. kakos; means worthless, i.e. (subj.) depraved, or injurious:--bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.
workers – Greek 040. ergates; a toiler; fig. a teacher:--labourer, worker (-men).
Not simply ‘evil-doers,’ but men who ‘worked’ seemingly for the Gospel, but really for evil.
(From Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
2. They Are Deceptive In Their Teaching
“Evil workers.” These men taught that the sinner was saved by faith plus good works, especially the works of the Law. But Paul states that their “good works” are really evil works because they are performed by the flesh (old nature) and not the Spirit, and they glorify the workers and not Jesus Christ. (Warren Wiersbe)
C. Concerning Our Rejoicing, There Is A Word Of Warning About The Divisive
(Philippians 3:2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
We need to understand the meaning and background of this term before we make any applications…
concision – Greek 2699. katatome, kat-at-om-ay'; from a compilation of G2596 (kata – according to) and temno (to cut); a cutting down (off), i.e. mutilation (ironically).
“The mutilation.” (Concision) Here Paul uses a pun on the word “circumcision.” The word translated “circumcision” literally means “a mutilation.” The Judaizers taught that circumcision was essential to salvation (Acts 15:1; Gal. 6:12-18); but Paul states that circumcision of itself is only a mutilation! The true Christian has experienced a spiritual circumcision in Christ (Col. 2:11), and does not need any fleshly operations. (Wiersbe)
Concision, [katatomeen (NT:2699)]. Paul digresses at this word. Circumcision [peritomee (NT:4061)] had now lost its spiritual significance, and was to those who rested on it at all for justification a senseless mutilation. Christians have the true circumcision – namely, of the heart; legalists have only “concision” - i.e., the cutting off of the flesh.
(From Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
With this in mind, how does this warning apply to us?
1. Rejoicing Is Hindered When People Bring Division Over Spiritual Precepts
2. Rejoicing Is Hindered When People Bring Division Over Spiritual Practices
IV. In This Passage, We Are Confronted By The Nature Of This Worship
(Philippians 3:3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
A. In True Worship, There Is The Cutting Away Of The Superficial
(Philippians 3:3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
[For we are the circumcision] We who are Christians. We have and hold the true doctrine of circumcision. We have that which was intended to be secured by this rite-for we are led to renounce the flesh, and to worship God in the spirit. The apostle in this verse teaches that the ordinance of circumcision was not designed to be a mere outward ceremony, but was intended to be emblematic of the renunciation of the flesh with its corrupt propensities, and to lead to the pure and spiritual worship of God. (From Barnes’ Notes)
1. When It Comes To Worship, The Flesh’s Part Is Diminished
Cf. (Romans 2:25-29) For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. {26} Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? {27} And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? {28} For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: {29} But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Illustrate: The man who ran through a glass door in a worship service. I thought, “That was done in the flesh.”
We are in the flesh, but true worship is not about the flesh.
2. When It Comes To Worship, The Focal Point Is Declared
worship God – Greek 2316. theos, theh'-os; of uncert. affin.; a deity, espec. (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; fig. a magistrate; by Heb. very:--X exceeding, God, god [-ly, -ward].
B. In True Worship, There Is The Characteristic Of The Spiritual
(Philippians 3:3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
1. This Worship Is A Matter Of Honor
worship – Greek NT:3000. latreuoo; in Greek writings it meant to serve for hire; universally it meant to serve, minister to, either gods or men; in the N.T. it has the idea of rendering religious service or homage (reverence, respect, honor), to worship. The phrase that relates here to the manner of worshipping is “in the spirit,” and this indicates that worship is accomplished with the spirit or soul (as in Philippians 3:3), but it may also have the idea of worship being prompted by, and filled with, the Spirit of God. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
2. This Worship Is A Matter Of The Heart
(John 4:24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
A pure, a holy, a spiritual worship, therefore, is such as he seeks-the offering of the soul rather than the formal offering of the body-the homage of the HEART rather than that of the LIPS. (From Barnes’ Notes)
C. In True Worship, There Is The Centrality Of The Savior
(Philippians 3:3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
1. Our Rejoicing Is In Christ
In verse 1, the word “rejoice” is…
rejoice – Greek 5463. chairo; a primary verb meaning to be “cheer”ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; used as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well – farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail, joy (-fully), rejoice.
In verse 3, the word “rejoice” is different…
rejoice – Greek 2744. kauchaomai, kow-khah'-om-ahee; from some (obsol.) base akin to that of aucheo (to boast) and G2172; to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense):--(make) boast, glory, joy.
2. Our Reliance Is In Christ
(Philippians 3:3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
confidence – Greek 3982. peitho, pi'-tho; to convince (by argument, true or false); by anal. to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflex. or pass. to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty):--agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be (wax) content, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.
Paul is saying that we’re not convinced or persuaded about the ability of the flesh. We are not reconciled by the flesh. We are not trusting in the flesh, nor do we believe in it. We are not making friends with the flesh. We are not content with the flesh. But all of these things, we can find in Christ.
Conclusion
Ron Hamilton said…
Every young boy dreams of becoming a cowboy, a fireman, or maybe even a pirate, and I did too. I also dreamed of having a nickname that sounded dangerous and exciting—something like Buffalo Bill or Long John Silver.
When I was 27 years old, my dream came true. On a routine visit to the eye doctor, something unusual was discovered in my left eye. After several weeks of testing, I was rolled into the operating room for surgery on my eye. Only God knew what the outcome of that surgery would be. As I slowly regained consciousness several hours later, my wife gave me the startling news. “The doctor found cancer. Your left eye is gone.”
The doctor gave me my first eye patch, and suddenly I was a pirate! Kids were fascinated by my pirate patch. Everywhere I went children would call out to their embarrassed mothers, “Look, Mom! There goes a pirate!” The children in my church gave me a nickname that stuck – Patch the Pirate.
Ron wrote a song during that time. Describing it, Ron says, “God was so good, and I wanted to write a song to communicate to others how He had taken a trial and turned it into one of the greatest blessings of my life. I sat down in our dining room and began to weave together the different Scriptures that folks had sent me and that God had used to bless me in the book of Philippians. I wrote a song called “Rejoice in the Lord” and this song has become my testimony. God took my left eye to cancer and gave me a worldwide ministry.
The song says…
Verse 1
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.
Verse 2
I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.
Chorus
O rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take.
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
