Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It is indeed a joy and privilege to stand before you today, not because of who we are, but because of who He is. We gather in this sacred space, not to celebrate our own works or wisdom, but to honor and adore the One who is our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption - Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior.

As we prepare to immerse ourselves in the truth of God's Word, I am reminded of the profound words of the renowned theologian, J.I. Packer, who once said, "Knowing God is a relationship calculated to thrill a man's heart." Isn't it amazing, dear friends, that we have been invited into this thrilling relationship with the Creator of the universe? We are not mere observers of His majesty, but active participants in His divine story.

Now, let us turn our hearts and minds to the scripture passage at hand, Philippians 3:1-6:

"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you, it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless."

Christ's Centrality in Salvation

First point: Paul's words remind us that our salvation is not a result of our own efforts or achievements. It is not something we earn or deserve. Rather, it is a gift, freely given by God through Christ. This is a humbling truth, but also a liberating one. It frees us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and allows us to rest in the finished work of Christ.

Second point: The nature of Christ's work on our behalf. Paul refers to Christ as the one "who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." Each of these terms carries profound implications for our understanding of salvation.

Christ as our wisdom: This means that through Him, we come to know God truly and intimately. He reveals to us the character and purposes of God. In Him, we find the answers to our deepest questions and the solution to our greatest problem - our sin.

Christ as our righteousness: This means that through His perfect obedience to the law, He has fulfilled all its demands on our behalf. He has lived the life we could not live and died the death we deserved to die. In Him, we are declared righteous before God, not because of our own righteousness, but because of His.

Christ as our sanctification: This means that through His Spirit, He is transforming us into His likeness. He is purifying us from sin and renewing us in righteousness. In Him, we are becoming the people God created us to be.

Christ as our redemption: This means that through His death and resurrection, He has delivered us from the power and penalty of sin. He has paid the price for our sin and set us free from its bondage. In Him, we are no longer slaves to sin, but sons and daughters of God.

Third point: The response that Christ's work calls forth from us. Paul speaks of those who "worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." This is the proper response to the work of Christ on our behalf. It is a response of worship, joy, and trust. We worship God, not out of fear or obligation, but out of gratitude and love for what He has done for us in Christ. We rejoice in Christ, not because of our circumstances, but because of our standing in Him. We have no confidence in the flesh, not because we deny our abilities or achievements, but because we recognize that they are insufficient for our salvation.

Fourth point: The assurance that Christ's work brings. Paul writes, "To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you, it is safe." The repetition of these truths is not burdensome, but beneficial. It serves to remind us of the certainty of our salvation in Christ. In a world filled with uncertainty and change, this is a comforting truth. Our salvation is not dependent on our circumstances or feelings, but on the unchanging character and work of Christ. In Him, we are safe and secure.

Circumstances Before Salvation

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