Sermon Notes: Philippians 3:1-11 (Sixth Reason to Rejoice)

Series Overview

Continuing series through Philippians, emphasizing joy/rejoicing (mentioned >12 times).
Previous 5 reasons to rejoice:
- God finishes what He starts.
- God uses chains for divine purposes.
- To live is Christ, to die is gain.
- Unity through humility (following Jesus' example).
- Witness impacts the world.
Sixth reason: Nothing compares to knowing Christ and His righteousness by faith.

Salvation is just Jesus (grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone); Jesus + anything (works, rituals) ruins the gospel.
"Finally" (v1) = "furthermore" (Greek loipon); transitions to critical warning, repeated for safety.

Beware 3x: "dogs" (unclean scavengers), "evil workers," "mutilation."
- 1st-century Jews believing Jesus is Messiah but requiring Mosaic laws/rituals (feasts, kosher, circumcision) for salvation = "Jesus plus."
Context: Philippi church mostly Gentiles; Judaizers demanded circumcision (unfamiliar/painful for adults).
Circumcision origin: Genesis 17 covenant sign (cut flesh to reject self, belong to God); 8th day (matches vitamin K clotting).
True circumcision: Heart (worship in Spirit, rejoice in Christ, no flesh confidence).

Paul's superior fleshly resume (if works saved):
- Circumcised 8th day.
- Israelite (tribe of Benjamin; original name Saul).
- Hebrew of Hebrews; Pharisee; zealous (persecuted church); blameless under law.
Counts all as loss/rubbish (skubalon = dung) for excellence of knowing Christ.
Gain Christ, found in Him: Righteousness by faith, not law.

Know Him: Resurrection power, sufferings fellowship, conformed to His death → resurrection.

Rejects "Jesus plus": Penance, confession, Mass, baptism, tithing (e.g., young men drawn to Catholicism's structure/checkboxes).
Heaven's question: "Do you know Me?" (not achievements).