Joy in Chains: Joy In Letting Go
Pastor Phil Burdoin
October 31, 2021
Further, my brothers and sisters, 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. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
Philippians 3:1-4
Don’t place your confidence in the outward appearance.
Paul had every right to brag about his outward appearance.
Paul was willing to let go.
Paul came face to face with Jesus and didn’t even recognize him.
Bottom Line: It’s not what you do, or what’s been done to you, it’s what’s been done for you.
October 31, 2021
Further, my brothers and sisters, 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. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
Philippians 3:1-4
Don’t place your confidence in the outward appearance.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
Paul had every right to brag about his outward appearance.
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; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
Philippians 3:5-6
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
Philippians 3:7-8
Paul came face to face with Jesus and didn’t even recognize him.
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Acts 9:3-5
Bottom Line: It’s not what you do, or what’s been done to you, it’s what’s been done for you.
Small Groups Talk About It
Watch the Message Summary:
- Share a time when you had to let go of something and it was hard to do.
- What are some of the things that you see people placing value in these days?
- Read Philippians 3:1-3 Why do biblical writers often repeat things many times?
- When Paul mentions circumcision he is referring to circumcision of the heart not the flesh. What is the difference between the two?
- What does it mean to have confidence in the flesh?
- Read Philippians 3:4-6 These are the areas Paul was tempted to have confidence in when it came to the flesh. What areas are you tempted to brag about when it comes to the outward appearance of your life?
- If Paul could not rely on his background and achievements, then what does that say about us?
- Read Philippians 3:7-9 What did Paul decide about all his earthly accomplishments?
- What attitude should we have since we know that we cannot gain any favor with God on our own?
- What do you need to let go of in order to take hold of Christ?