PHILIPPIANS 3: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

Jonathan Falwell 

Jesus First / Philippians 3:1-21 

Today, we continue forward in the book of Philippians to the third chapter. This is one of the great chapters of Paul’s writings for it gives us a clear understanding of what it means to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on the right things. As Christians, we don’t have the luxury of being double-minded (as we discussed last week) but rather we must focus on the things which matter to God. So today, we ask ourselves the questions…What are you looking at? 

1. Keep your eyes focused  (vv. 1–3; 12-19) 

Vss 1-3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it issafe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

• Here Paul reminds us once again to be careful not to give in to the pressures from this world. His statement clearly echoes what we read in 1:15-16 and 2:3 about the proper motivations.
• He warns against the “dogs” who were Jewish teachers who were pushing people back to the ways of the law. Paul uses strong language to describe them: i.e. dogs, evil workers, mutilation.
• His encouragement was to fix our eyes on Christ, not the law and our works.

Vss 17-19 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 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: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

• Once again, Paul references the group of people who no doubt followed him around attempting to circumvent his ministry.
• They didn’t have the mind of Christ, they gave in to their own earthly desires.

Richard Melick states, “They apparently followed him about, seeking to entice people away from the truth. Doubtless, repeated efforts to counter that brought on fatigue. Second, he called them enemies of the cross. The statement must mean more than that they refused to accept the cross as God’s way of reconciliation. It means that they actively opposed the message of the cross and hindered those who would take advantage of its work. Paul cherished the cross. For him, the fact that the false teachers did not revealed who they were.”[1]

2. Keep your eyes on what matters (vv. 4–11)

Vss 4-11 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.

• Paul uses his own life as an example of the temptation to think highly of one’s self and to believe they could “work their way” to Heaven.
• He gives us a glimpse of an impressive resumé he carried throughout life. Yet, he indicates those things mean absolutely nothing when compared to the gift of Christ.

Dwight L. Moody said: “We know what it is to lose health and wealth and reputation…but what is the loss of all these things compared with the loss of the soul?”[2]

3. Keep your eyes looking forward (vv. 12–16).

Vss 12-16 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

• Paul encourages diligence and perseverance for the life of the Christian. He tells us to keep moving forward recognizing we can never actually obtain all God has for us in this life.
• We must press on for what lies ahead in eternity.
• Verse 14 states: I press toward the goal
  • Goal – skopos = an observer, a watchman; the distant mark looked at, thegoal or end one has in view[3]

Max Anders says, “A fact of the Christian life is that the more you mature the more you realize how much further you have to go to become like Christ.”[4]

4. Keep your eyes on Him (vv. 20-21)

Vss 20- 21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

• Ultimately, the most important thing to remember as we navigate the challenges of this earth is that this is not our home.
• God has given us the blessed hope of knowing that one day we will spend eternity with Him in a place of perfection.
• The problems of today will be forever eclipsed by the glories of tomorrow.

Conclusion:

1. Don’t beat yourself up – forget what’s behind 

2. Press on – actively pursuing “better”

3. Don’t get discouraged or dissuaded 

4. Remember who wins 

[1] Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 142–143.

[2] George Sweeting, Who Said That? More than 2,500 Usable Quotes and Illustrations., Word, Incorporated, 1985.

[3] Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc

[4] Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 245.