Community Group Weekly Resource

August 18, 2024 Service

The Gospel is Simple.


Philippians 3:1-11 (ESV)

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.


Paul transitions to a new thought in his letter and begins with the exhortation to “rejoice in the Lord.” He has been talking about our salvation, sanctification, and partnership in the gospel up to this point. These are all worthy of rejoicing over, so he says “rejoice in the Lord.”


In our text today, Paul offers a warning, a testimony, and his gospel centered hope.


A Warning
Paul writes, “Look out.” In other words, pay attention and be watchful, there is a new thing coming into the church that is not good or right. The gospel is founded on Jesus Christ alone, nothing else. He is saying to look out for anyone who tries to add something to the gospel. It might be Jesus plus doing something, Jesus plus some set of rules, or Jesus and what you accomplish, but whatever it is it is an improper addition. The dogs refer to unclean Gentiles, those not following the Lord. The evildoers are those who don’t do good and speak un-truth, and engage in corrupt things of the flesh. In all of this Paul is saying to rejoice the Lord alone, don’t joy in anything but Christ. This is the true Christian way of living.


Testimony
Paul offers 7 reasons for putting confidence in the flesh

  1. He was circumcised
  2. He is of the people of Israel
  3. He is from the tribe of Benjamin
  4. He is a Hebrew of Hebrews
  5. Concerning the law a Pharisee
  6. Concerning his zeal, a persecuted if the church
  7. Concerning righteousness under the law, blameless


In other words, Paul had everything going for him in the flesh. This is Paul before Christ. But he considers this waste and loss for having been encountered by Jesus. True knowledge which includes belief and relational experience with Jesus transforms you, changes you. What Paul thought mattered before Jesus no longer matters. He has a new heart, new life, and new mindset. He writes, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (vs. 7-8)


Paul has a testimony of knowing Jesus and the transformation that occurs when you “know” Him in a real and personal manner.


Hope
Because of Jesus Paul now has much gain, he has everything. He has a new hope which defines his pursuit and a longing to know Christ. He has set his course on the hope of his calling by Jesus. He writes about the longing he has and what his hope is placed in, “that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Vs. 9-11) This is a hope that will not disappoint because it is founded on the love of Christ he has experienced personally with Jesus and a future hope that he has assurance of as “a citizen of heaven.


Reflection

  1. What’s one thing that is the most valuable to you?
  2. What if Jesus and the gospel over your life were truly the most valuable thing to you (if it is not)? What would change in you?
  3. Think about your testimony before Jesus and then after Jesus. What are the top 3 things before and after that tell of His transforming love for you?
  4. What is your hope and how would you describe it?


COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION

  1. Read the passage for this week together: Philippians 3:1-11
  2. Talk about Paul’s warning. What is he concerned about? Why?
  3. Consider Paul’s testimony before Christ. What would your testimony be before Christ? And after Christ?
  4. Discuss what “to know” means practically. This is both a cognitive and experiential knowing. Talk about how this made a difference for Paul. Share how this has made a difference for you in your life?
  5. What are the gains Paul describes? How are these true for us?
  6. Talk about the hope Paul describes in vs. 8-10. How do we nurture these in our hearts?
  7. What did God speak to you personally through the reflection? What is God inviting you to respond to and how? Share this with your group.


Spend time praying for each other and for our church to be reconciled in the ways God desires and for our witness to be made good, pure, and glorifying to the LORD.


Grace and peace on this journey together,


Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor