Philippians: Know Jesus, Know Purpose | 6-12-2022

Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 2/19/2023

Sermon Prep

As per my last post, this was a tumultuous time of life changes and keeping up with it on paper was a struggle. At the end of May, my now wife and I were ramping up wedding prep, which was exciting and taxing on us all at once. Between this sermon and my last sermon, I only journaled twice. Didn’t make the time to slow down because these changes in life were happening so fast. Great and beautiful changes, but man what a whirlwind in time. Falling in love and less than 2 months from the wedding. With that, here’s the sermon I shared:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Tonight, we’ll be in Philippians 3:1-11
  • What should be our mindset on purpose?

Intro

  • Read Philippians 3:1-11
  • Fake bill sports vending at Coors Field

Transition To Main Point

  • To warn you about false gospels, remind you of how to know Jesus, and the benefits of purpose.

Main Point

For Your Sake (3:1)

  • “To write the same things” = He’s talked about this before. What things? The gospel.
  • “no trouble to me” = Not annoying.
  • “safe for you” = Better safe, then sorry.

Forsake False Gospels (3:2-6)

  • “the dogs… the evil doers… those who mutilate the flesh” = Judaizers believed Jesus was the Messiah, but still held onto Judaism.
  • “the circumcision” = True believers have confidence in Christ -> Galatians 6:15.
  • “worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus” = Action + attitude.
  • “no confidence in the flesh” = zero assurance in our own good works.
  • “have reason for confidence… I have more” = Has the most cultural credibility

Confidence In Flesh

  • “circumcised on the eight day” = Ritual
  • “people of Israel” = Ethnicity
  • “tribe of Benjamin” = Rank
  • “Hebrew of Hebrews” = Tradition
  • “a Pharisee” = Law-Abiding
  • “persecutor of the church” = Passion
  • “blameless” = Obedience

For God’s Glory (3:7-11)

  • “Whatever gain I had” = Benefits; respect
  • “counted as loss” = Meant nothing
  • “for the sake of Christ” = Our aim is his fame
  • “everything as loss” = Nothing compares
  • “knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” = Most fulfilling desire is met: purpose.

“Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for these desires exists”

C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
  • “count them as rubbish” = Literally BS
  • “righteousness of my own” = Works-based
  • “righteousness from God” = Way-based
  • “power of his resurrection” = Alive + everlasting
  • “any means possible” = Whatever it takes
  • “attain the resurrection” = Acquire life/purpose

Why It Matters

  • Purpose isn’t found in relevant labels, but rather in real love.
  • God’s acceptance and grace isn’t earned, but given. The gospel is the message of God’s grace.
  • There’s a lot of false gospels. The gospel is only found in Jesus alone.
  • Know it. Learn it. Study it. Live it.
  • The more you know Jesus, the more you’ll know your purpose here.
  • The more you find what’s true, the more the lies of life dissipate.
  • If you want to know your purpose, know Jesus.
  • Purpose is found in the person of Jesus.

Final Thoughts

This was knowing the season, a rushed writing process. Thinking up how to approach this message. Making time for it. As the next couple sermons approached, this was true too. Feedback I heard was I covered too much detail and overstuffed this sermon, which was fair admittedly. Not a standout sermon, but an okay one. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

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