Gtcotr/033022
Paul’s Prison Epistles includes Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and the New Testament Book of Philippians. We know from the account of Acts 25: & 28:19, that rather than being placed under the jurisdiction of the religious Jews in Jerusalem, Paul took advantage of his Roman citizenship and appealed to Caesar. No doubt Paul was set-up by God.
His legal appeal ended up with Paul being sent to Rome where he was kept under house arrest for at least two whole years before many believe he was released in about AD62 or AD63. This is often referred to as Paul’s first imprisonment at Rome. Those who hold to this scenario feel Paul was rearrested after AD64 by Emperor Nero who was trying to shift the blame for the burning of Rome off himself and onto a group known as Christians.
With this in mind, some date the book of Philippians to AD62. If we accept that thought, Paul would have been about 58 years old and well-seasoned as a minister of the Gospel. You can find a little more background information by reading the notes or listening to the messages I shared in Part 1 and Part 2. (EZSermons.com; COtR.com; or ChurchOnline.TV)
Let’s begin the third part by reading verse 1 of Philippians chapter 3. We will survey a few verses and will end up focusing on “Superhuman Energy”.
Just a side note – a little lesson Jesus taught Martha and Mary prior to His crucifixion. Not all of the Gospel is go and do. Some of the Gospel is sit and listen. You never know what the Holy Spirit may want to teach you if you never take time to just sit and listen. (Luke 10:39-42)
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
·
The
Christian has a greater source of real joy than anyone else.
·
One
Bible Scholar wrote concerning the benefits of a Christian:
o “He has a Saviour in
whom he may always find peace;
o a God whose character
he can always contemplate with pleasure;
o a heaven to look
forward to where there is nothing but happiness;
o a Bible that is full
of precious promises;
o and at all times the
opportunity of prayer, in which he may roll all his sorrows on the arms of an
unchanging Friend.
o If there is any one on
earth who ought to be happy, it is the Christian.” (Barnes Notes on
Philippians 3:1))
·
Paul
wrote - It is not difficult or laborious for me to continue telling you these
things and it is best for you that I do.
o 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore!
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
·
We
are the true circumcision, circumcised of the heart and not of the flesh. (Deuteronomy
10:16; Romans 2:9)
o Consecrated
o Sanctified
o Identified with Christ
in our hearts not our flesh
o An inner reality
instead of an outward show
·
We
cannot depend on any earth-based advantages of birth or human achievement to
impress or satisfy God.
· All earthly gain is rubbish (v.8) in the face of knowing Jesus.
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
·
True
righteousness comes only from God by faith in Jesus, not from climbing a
religious ladder created by man.
·
Position
or possessions make no one right, let along right with God.
· I count all I am and all I’ve accomplished as nothing against Christ, for even our righteousness cannot save us (v.9).
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
·
“That
I may know Him”
·
This
passage contains some of the most beautiful language and captures the
heart-felt sentiment of the Believer whose desire is to fully follow Christ.
· I’ll read this passage in the Authorized Version of the King James Bible – just for the sound of that familiar golden ring reminding me of the season in which I first fully committed my life to Christ.
10 That I may know him, and
the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might
attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had
already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may
apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not
myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
·
Golden
memories of finding and getting to know my first love in the quiet times of
prayer and rehearsing His Word in the early years.
· Such a fragrance of love permeates our quiet times with Jesus.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
·
Some
may have greater revelation in the Word or Will of God.
·
However,
without respect as to how much of a Christian one is, how much they know about
the Bible, or how often they pray, we all should all have attained to some
simple basic understandings of what God requires from us. Therefore we should
all hold ourselves accountable to walk by those same simple rules.
·
We
all agree on some basic right and wrong behavior which belongs to a Christian.
Need I annunciate those? I think not.
· We have all attained a certain knowledge of what is acceptable to God and to our fellow Believers – so let us do and not squabble about it.
Deuteronomy 29:29 “The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.”
·
We
are accountable to walk in the revelation we have received.
·
Others
may know more and are therefore accountable for more.
·
However,
we cannot claim exemption for the things we know to do.
· And we all know what is right and what is wrong before God.
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 mind earthly things.)
·
The
Apostle Paul is speaking about Christians. Those who profess Jesus as Lord but
live contrary and are motivated by earthly advantages.
·
Our
posture should be that of weeping, not anger, emblazoned rhetoric, prideful
opposition, or endless accusation.
·
It’s
a sad day for all when gain and glory become the goal of those who follow
Christ.
· Earthly profits and sense ruled pleasures are no match for Jesus.
20 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.
·
We
are citizens of heaven and as such are afforded certain privileges.
·
One
of which is a transformation of our bodies upon entry to our eternal home.
·
This
will be accomplished by a Superhuman Energy
·
It
is the same energy, “energeia” (Gk), which transformed the body of Jesus at the
resurrection.
·
It
is the same Superhuman Energy God used to produce the human body in the
beginning.
· This Superhuman Energy is the power which flows from Jesus and enables Him to transform, conform, subdue, and bring all things under His dominion and control.
Seeing that the imprisoned Apostle Paul revealed these things almost 2000 years ago to the members of the Church in the city of Philippi, what purpose of God do you imagine it was aimed at accomplishing?
When I consider this chapter, I am encouraged to:
·
Rejoice
in the Lord.
·
Not
entertain boredom when repeating basics.
·
Place
my confidence in Jesus and not in achievements.
·
Walk
according to revelation I have and allow others to do the same.
·
Eagerly
await my Superhuman transformation that’s out of this world.
·
Don’t
forget the value of taking some time to just sit and listen.
