Back At It Again Series

Idea came from Back at It series from Ministry Pass

Read Opening Scripture

(Philippians 3:12) 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.

Introduction

Paul spends the first part of this challenging the Philippians to follow after the Spirit of Christ and not after works. He challenges the church not to be led by religion and religious works but by the Spirit of the Lord.

He uses an illustration about he could be boastful.

Paul’s reason to boast

Philippians 3:3-5 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, [5] rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, (4) 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;

"I was born a Jew and circumcised on the eighth day, according to the exact regulation of the law."

Benjamin being the tribe of Israel's first king (1Sa_9:1-2), and being the one tribe that remained loyal to the house of David when the ten northern tribes revolted under Jeroboam, Paul's lineage was admirable.

The Pharisees, numbering only six thousand, kept the minutest detail of the law and were known for their holiness and piety.

Saul’s Conversion to Paul – glorious, life changing

Acts 9:1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest (2) and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Conversion

(3) As he journeyed (in his daily routine, he was angry. He was doing everything he could to attack God “I believe because a fear of the truth”) he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. (Jesus showed up) (4) Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (5) And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." (a goad is a long rod with a sharp end that is used to prick an animal to move or to move in a different direction)

From "KICK AGAINST THE GOADS" - What Did It Mean? (bibleversestudy.com)

Why did Jesus say it's hard for Saul to "kick against the goads"?

Stubborn animals kick against the goads (a goad is a long rod with a sharp end that is used to prick an animal to move or to move in a different direction). Kicking against the goads inflicts pain to the kicker. Jesus was saying that in the process of persecuting Christians, Saul was hurting himself. Since he wasn't hurting himself physically, the Lord was likely referring to the impact on Saul's conscience.

How did persecuting Christians hurt Saul's conscience?

Instead of behaving like criminals, the Christians he arrested, imprisoned and killed most likely exuded grace, confidence and forgiveness. Stephen's words and demeanor as he was martyred (see Stephen stoned) also may have stayed with Saul, who may have even tried to overcome the effect on his conscience by persecuting more vehemently - kicking against the goads - which aggravated the self-inflicted pain.

Conversion

(6) So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" (the response to God’s calling) Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

Arise

Notes from “You Can Understand the Bible: Bible Series Commentary” by Bob Utley

Luke_17:19 "Stand up and go; your faith has made you well" This construction is parallel to Luk_17:14 (aorist active participles used in an imperatival sense and a present middle [deponent] Imperative).

? Notice that faith is the hand that received Jesus' power. The man's faith did not cure him; Jesus cured him by means of his faith (cf. Luk_7:9; Luk_7:50; Luk_8:48; Luk_17:19; Luk_18:42; Mar_5:34; Mar_10:52; Mat_9:22; Mat_9:29; Mat_15:28).