Sermon Series: “Help, I Can’t Find My Joy!”
(A Study of Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians)
Sermon #3 “You can have Joy in Believing”
Series Text: Philippians 4:4
OPENING JOKE: “Fact vs. Faith” A minister was trying to illustrate what the difference is between “fact” and “faith”. He went into the deep theology of true belief in the unseen and expounded many Scriptures that give a definition for faith. Finally he thought of a wonderful illustration to make his point. “It is a fact that you are all sitting in the pews. It is also a fact that I am standing behind this pulpit. But it is only by faith that I believe any of you are actually LISTENING to me!”
INTRODUCTION: Welcome to our continuing sermon series through Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi.
You will remember that we learned that this letter is called the “Epistle of Joy” as we can see references to Christian joy sixteen (16) times within its four (4) chapters.
We learned in week #1 how we can have joy in suffering as long as we remember that:
(1) God’s in control
(2) His plan is being worked out
(3) He isn’t finished yet!
We learned last week how we can have joy in service by:
(1) Humbling ourselves as Christ did
(2) Staying the course as Timothy did
(3) Offering God our lives as Epaphroditus did
***This week we continue this series with chapter 3 of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, and we are going to see how true joy comes from a faith that is rooted in God’s Word.
Question: How does faith allow us to maintain joy?
I. Faith Protects us from Those Who Would Steal our Joy (False Teachers)
Philippians 3:2-3 “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh”
a. In the first century there were many false teachings that were being spread throughout the Church
i. A close look at the NT shows the attempts of Paul, Peter, John and the rest of the writers making defense against false teaching an important point in their respective writings
ii. They all have a common warning: BEWARE
b. The false teaching Paul addresses in this passage were taught by a group called “Judaizers”
i. This was a group of zealous Jews who said that a Christian, along with faith, must also be circumcised to receive God’s favor
ii. Paul refers to this group as “dogs”
1. NOTE: During this period of history dogs were not ordinarily kept as pets. They roamed in packs through the streets and were essentially scavengers.
2. Because they were filthy animals, the Jews often referred to the Gentiles as dogs (Mk 7:27, 28).
3. But Paul aims that remark back to the Judaizers, to describe their sinful, vicious, and uncontrolled character.
iii. He references not only their false teaching in this passage, but also their improper use of circumcision
1. They were not only teaching a wrong doctrine concerning circumcision, but they were also teaching an improper method for the practice
2. Proper Circumcision comes from the Greek word “Peritome” and it means “to cut around”
3. But the Greek word used here (Katatome) means “to cut up, or mutilate”
iv. This group was teaching a form of self mutilation, characteristic of pagan worship
1. Illustration: “Prophets of Baal” When Elijah stood against the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel in the OT, they began cutting into their flesh as a way to appease their god.
2. This is strictly forbidden in the OT (Lev 19:28)
v. Note: The Judaizers’ circumcision was, ironically, no spiritual symbol; it was merely physical mutilation – which probably derived from the intertwining of a proper Jewish symbol and a pagan act of worship.
c. QUOTE: Paul’s biggest problem with the false teachings of the Judaizers was not that their type of circumcision was improper but that they were teaching Christians that they must trust in their own works to achieve God’s favor
i. They were teaching that certain achievements must be accomplished to be considered “right” with God
ii. This is the trademark of all false religions
1. Christianity is the only religious system in the world that teaches that God’s favor is not earned by man’s good deeds, but can only be received by the empty hands of humble faith
2. Since it began at Pentecost, the Church has been fighting battles with false teachers who try to add requirements to faith for the receiving of God’s grace
3. Paul is warning us to “BEWARE” of those who try to add anything to faith as a means of salvation
d. He goes on to say that Christians are of the “true circumcision”.
i. He is referring to the “circumcision of the heart”
ii. Romans 2:28 “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
iii. The circumcision of the heart is not an outward work – but an inward change where God (through the ‘new birth’ experience) changes our hearts when we yield to Him in faith.
iv. Quote: “At salvation, believers undergo a spiritual “circumcision” “by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh” (John MacArthur)
e. Question: How does this affect our joy?
i. Many false teachers will try to rob us of the joy of salvation by trying to adding requirements to faith
ii. Anyone who feels they have not reached those requirements will not be able to have a joyous Christian walk
iii. But faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross protects us from the false teachings of those who would add the yoke of works to our salvation.
f. Satan’s most dangerous “fiery dart” is labeled “doubt”
i. He wants us to live in doubt so that we will not have joy in our salvation
ii. As long as we live with the thought that God’s judges on achievements, and we constantly fail to live up to those achievements, we will live in doubt and forfeit our promised joy
iii. Ephesians 6:16 “…the shield of faith…will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one”
iv. The reason Paul refers to faith as a shield it because it is the only thing that can protect us when Satan is launching his arsenal of attacks against us.
v. Illustration: “Life-Saving Shield” A safari hunter was startled by the loud screeching of a bird. When he caught sight of the bird, it was darting back and forth around its nest. He was perplexed by all the racket until he noticed a huge snake moving up the tree. The hunter could have easily aided the bird with one shot from his gun, but he was captivated by the drama before him. As the snake slithered up the tree, the bird became silent and flew from the nest. It now seemed as though the snake would dine without resistance. But before the reptile could reach the nest, the mother bird returned with a leaf in her beak. She carefully placed the leaf over her babies then flew to another tree. The snake raised his head to strike, but then hesitated. It froze as if it had met a foe. Slowly it recoiled from the nest and wound its way down the tree. The puzzled hunter related the event to native Africans when he returned to the camp. They laughed with enthusiasm as they explained this unlikely victory of the bird. The leaf that the mother bird used to cover her nest was poisonous to the snake. What looked like nothing more than a leaf was, in fact, a life-saving shield.
g. Quote: Our faith may at times feel as flimsy as a leaf, but God’s Word reminds us that it is a shield against the attacks of our serpentine enemy. When we take up the shield of faith and truly trust in what Christ has done for us, we will be able to maintain joy even when Satan tries to steal it from us.
II. Faith Reminds us of what Confirms our Joy (Christ’s Sacrifice)
a. Paul continues in the same mindset as before showing the absolute failure of trusting in the flesh for salvation
i. He even uses himself as an example
ii. v.4-6 “though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”
iii. Paul is saying here that if anyone has the right to trust in accomplishments it is himself
b. But he goes on in the next verse to indicate that its all worthless when compared to faith in Christ, which is the only means of salvation
i. v.7 “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”
ii. Paul shows that his assurance was not in the works of righteousness he had accomplished, as none of these confirm salvation
iii. The only confirmation comes in the perfect work Christ accomplished in the cross
c. He goes on to show how Christ’s righteousness is found through faith
i. v.9 “…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”
ii. Our own righteousness is not righteousness at all, but filthy rags (Is 64:6)
iii. Christ’s righteousness is perfect and without flaw
d. Question: How does this affect our joy?
i. It allows us to rely on the righteousness of Christ, and not our own righteousness to confirm our salvation.
ii. Because we know that Christ maintained perfect righteousness we will be able to face God without shame because Christ’s righteousness has been given to us.
iii. By faith the righteousness of Christ is “imputed” to you – this simply means that it is “added to your account”
e. Quote: “We, who were once bankrupt of any righteousness, have been given the righteousness of Christ. Faith in this fact gives a wonderful confirmation of our salvation and results in the joy of assurance.”
III. Faith Looks Forward to the Reason for our Joy (Eternity with God)
Philippians 3:13-14 “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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
a. Ultimately, the end result of a life of faith will be the call of God to an eternity in heaven
i. We get so caught up in the religiosity of our faith sometimes, we forget the plan God has for us
ii. Paul was centered in the fact that Heaven was his future home, and as long as he was on this earth he was going to keep his mind on it.
b. Paul says in verses 18 and 19 that there are those, however, that are enemies of Christ
i. These are people who have rejected God and His salvation, have refused to repent and receive Christ, and decided that the things of this world are more important than the things of God.
ii. They are characterized as people whose:
1. God is their appetite
2. Glory is in their shame
3. Minds are set on earthly things
4. End is destruction
c. Paul is saying that we are not to follow the example of these heathens
i. Their minds are perverted by the world
ii. And the world is filling their appetite for sin now
iii. But in the end, they will experience the eternal torment of Hell
d. QUOTE: But for we who trust in Christ, the end is not destruction, but glory…and in that truth we can find joy. The joy of knowing we have eternal life with Christ.
CONCLUSION: “Not Home Yet” Samuel Morrison was a faithful missionary who served twenty-five years in Africa. In failing health, Morrison returned to the United States. Also traveling home on the same ocean liner was President Teddy Roosevelt who had been in Africa for a three-week hunting expedition. As the large ship pulled into New York harbor, it looked as though the entire city had come out to welcome the President. Music filled the air, banners wafted in the wind, balloons flew to the sky, flashbulbs were popping, and confetti streamed down like snow. As Roosevelt stepped into sight, the crowd exploded in applause and cheers. It was truly a reception fit for a king. While all of the eyes were on the President, Morrison quietly disembarked and slipped through the crowd. None of the applause was for him and nobody was there to welcome him home. His heart began to ache as he prayed, “Lord, the President has been in Africa for three weeks, killing animals, and the whole world turns out to welcome him home. I’ve given twenty-five years of my life in Africa, serving you, and no one has greeted me or even knows I’m here.” He then felt the gentle touch of God and sensed the Spirit say, “But my dear child, you are not home yet!”
Paul says in v.20, “For our citizenship is in Heaven…”
One of the greatest ways a Christian can maintain joy is by continuing to trust God for his eternity and remembering he is “not home yet”.
Everything in this life is temporary, that includes the good times and the bad times.
True joy comes in knowing that one day this temporary world will be put away and eternity will come to be – and by resting in the assurance that our eternity is secure in Christ Jesus.
Quote: When we begin looking ahead to heaven in faith, rather than looking behind at our failures and trials, we will then be able to maintain joy.
