The Real Thing (Part 2)

THE REAL THING (PART 2)

PHILIPPIANS 3:3

05/11/95

Two weeks ago we took at look at those people the apostle Paul referred to as "dogs, evil workers and the mutilation". We noted that Paul give a server warning to the Philippian people when it comes these false teachers.

We also took a look at some modern day judizers, modern cults and religious movements that Paul would certain classify as dogs, evil workers, and mutilators, as we saw how these groups mutilate the Gospel. And we too must be warned concerning the doctrine which these groups bring to us.

While Paul warns us, and give us the marks of these false teachers, he also, as we will see today, gives us the marks of the truth. The marks of what a true Christian is. Those who states are of the true circumcision. You see while it is important to know what is false, it is even more important to know what is true.

There are banks who train their people on how to detect counterfeit bills, and they do this having them handle real bills. So they become so familiar with the real thing, that they know automatically when a counterfeit bill comes their way.

The same needs to be true concerning Christianity. We need to be so knowledgeable in the truth, so knowledgeable in the real thing which is Christ, that when someone comes knocking at our door with some new teaching that we know automatically that is is another gospel. We need to know and live the truth according to the Word of God, that we can pick up on what is false instantly. But unfortunately this is not always that case with Christians. Because they neglect learning the truth.

Today we are going to take a look at the marks of a true believer as listed here by Paul. There are of course more then what Paul states here but for our study today we will only be looking at those listed here.

Please turn with to page 1018 of your pew Bible, as we look at Philippians chapter 3, verse 3. There we read;

Philippians 3:3 "For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,"

Here Paul write that we are "the circumcision". The week before last we mentions how Paul calls the circumcision of the Judizers nothing more then mutilation, because they were doing in hopes that it would make them righteous before God, yet there are not works that we can do that will make us right before God.

So here Paul is saying we are the true circumcision, not that which is done in the flesh the circumcision of the spirit. He also makes mention of this in:

Colossians 2:11 "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,"

This is the true circumcision, the circumcision of Christ. When we cut off from our lives the sin which dwells in us, and commit ourselves to live Godly lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now this circumcision Paul notes as certain marks, the first mark he mentions is that we "worship God in the Spirit". Which is to say that those who have put their trust in Jesus, and been filled with the Holy Spirit, worship God by the power of that Spirit. Reading this passage I am reminded of the account in the Gospel of John of Jesus and the Samaritan woman when they meant at the well. After speaking with one another the woman tells Jesus;

"Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

The basic thing which Jesus is telling this woman, and what Paul is telling us is that the Worship of God is a Spiritual thing it must be because is Spirit.

Worship is not just external religious rites. It is not just raising your hands, it is not just saying the Our Father, or singing your favorite hymn, anyone can do that. Anyone can raise their hands, or say the Our Father, or pick up that hymnal and join right in singing a hymn. But only the true Christian can worship God, only those who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can worship God as He has commanded us to Worship Him.