WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:08.140 Good morning. It's my privilege this morning to continue our sermon series in the book of Philippians. 00:00:08.460 --> 00:00:23.660 And this morning we will be reading out of Philippians chapter 3, starting in verse 1, reading down through verse 11. 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:35.539 Just to set the stage a little bit before we read together, just a reminder, this is a letter that Paul, the Apostle Paul, is sending to the church at Philippi. 00:00:35.640 --> 00:00:47.780 He's in prison, and yet he loves him in such a way that he would desire to send a letter to them and instruct them and remind them and thank them and direct them and pastor them through this letter. 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:56.859 As we read this morning, we'll see early, he says, my brothers, just this affectionate term of those who are in the kingdom with him. 00:00:57.020 --> 00:01:01.299 So with that, I would ask, if you will, in honor of God's word, if you would stand. 00:01:01.460 --> 00:01:05.520 And hopefully you've got your Bible with you and you can open to this passage. 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:14.260 If not, there's Bibles in front of you you could use to look at this beautiful passage from the Apostle Paul to the Philippian church. 00:01:14.260 --> 00:01:17.859 Starting in verse 1, chapter 3. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:20.640 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. 00:01:21.960 --> 00:01:27.240 To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 00:01:28.320 --> 00:01:29.939 Look out for the dogs. 00:01:31.260 --> 00:01:33.040 Look out for the evildoers. 00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:35.920 Look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:47.599 For we are the circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. 00:01:48.260 --> 00:01:53.320 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. 00:01:54.099 --> 00:02:00.219 If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more. 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:07.219 For we are circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:09.879 As to the law, a Pharisee. 00:02:10.740 --> 00:02:14.219 As to zeal, a persecutor of the church. 00:02:14.860 --> 00:02:18.360 As to righteousness under the law, blameless. 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:23.819 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:31.699 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:41.500 For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:45.500 Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law. 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:49.180 But that which comes through faith in Christ. 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:52.819 The righteousness from God that depends on faith. 00:02:53.219 --> 00:03:02.480 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and may share his sufferings becoming like him in his death. 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:08.580 That by any means possible, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 00:03:08.640 --> 00:03:09.640 Let's pray one more time. 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:15.080 Father, I ask this morning that your word would speak to us powerfully this morning. 00:03:15.080 --> 00:03:18.540 And Father, if there's anything that comes from me, I pray that it would wash away. 00:03:18.640 --> 00:03:22.000 But I pray that your truth, your word would sink deep into our hearts. 00:03:22.400 --> 00:03:26.740 And Father, we would embrace the truth that's written here and live in such a way. 00:03:26.820 --> 00:03:27.640 And I pray in your name. 00:03:28.020 --> 00:03:28.240 Amen. 00:03:28.760 --> 00:03:29.720 You may have a seat. 00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:40.600 As we walk through this passage, again, I want to make the point here as I look at it. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:47.120 It says, finally, my brothers, this affectionate term that Paul uses for those that are in the faith with him. 00:03:48.099 --> 00:04:00.539 God used him to plant the church at Philippi as one who took the gospel message to this town and to these people in Philippi. 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:04.879 And he says, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. 00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:12.500 You know, we could read right past that and miss the power of what Paul is saying here. 00:04:12.799 --> 00:04:14.699 He's asking them to rejoice. 00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:22.980 If we look up the definition of rejoice, the definition would be to be full of joy, to be delighted. 00:04:24.719 --> 00:04:31.899 It says rejoice in the Lord, delighted in the Lord, full of joy because of our relationship with the Lord. 00:04:31.899 --> 00:04:39.620 And it's interesting, Paul is sharing that to these Christians who are persecuted for their faith. 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:48.679 You know, Paul is not asking them to do something that he personally is not doing. 00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:52.459 Paul is writing this letter from prison. 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:54.939 And we see that in chapter 1. 00:04:55.019 --> 00:04:57.199 He said, even in my imprisonment. 00:04:58.359 --> 00:05:01.779 He said, brothers, I count it joy that I'm in prison. 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:10.119 I rejoice that I'm in prison because God is using my imprisonment that those that are around me are hearing the gospel. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:21.279 Even the whole praetorian guard, the guards that are guarding me in prison are hearing the gospel as I continue to share it, even in this place. 00:05:22.299 --> 00:05:25.519 And though I'm locked away and though I don't know what the future holds, 00:05:25.719 --> 00:05:30.339 I still rejoice because I see that the gospel is being proclaimed. 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:33.779 I see God changing lives and touching hearts. 00:05:35.039 --> 00:05:36.839 And that is his rejoicing. 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:39.779 It's not the physical difficulty of being in prison. 00:05:40.119 --> 00:05:42.659 It's not the unknown that he rejoices about. 00:05:42.859 --> 00:05:45.979 He rejoices in what God is doing in the hearts of people. 00:05:47.779 --> 00:05:52.299 Even in chapter 2 earlier, Paul said this in verse 17. 00:05:52.300 --> 00:06:01.920 Even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:04.439 Do you get what he's saying? 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:14.639 Paul is saying, even if I die taking the gospel to you, sharing the gospel with you, it is worth it for me. 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:17.339 Because I see what's happening in your lives. 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:19.539 I see what's happening in your hearts. 00:06:19.659 --> 00:06:22.759 It's that you're embracing the gospel and I'm so glad. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:24.339 I'm thankful. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:25.419 I rejoice. 00:06:25.779 --> 00:06:30.019 I'm full of joy because I see what God is doing in your life. 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:36.279 And now he tells these Philippians to walk in similar manner. 00:06:36.979 --> 00:06:40.560 He said, I know in a sense, I know that you're going through a lot. 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:42.000 I know that you're suffering. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:45.160 I know that life is difficult in many ways. 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:47.980 And yet I say, my brothers, rejoice. 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:57.839 Live in such a way that you have a mindset that always is full of joy because we see the sovereign hand of God. 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:03.399 Though God would put, Paul would say, though God would put me in prison, I praise him. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:08.500 Though God would put me in prison, he can still use me. 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:14.139 And I surrender my life to him to be used in any way he chooses in his sovereign plan. 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:20.000 And Paul is encouraging the Philippian church to have this mindset of joy. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:27.680 A rejoicing that they can be used likewise to share the gospel with people, 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:34.079 to praise together with the church what God might be doing in their lives as well. 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:35.219 So we read on. 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:38.279 It says this, my brothers rejoice. 00:07:38.419 --> 00:07:39.859 Have this mindset of joy. 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:46.060 To write the same things to me, or the same things to you is no trouble to me. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:47.459 And it's safe for you. 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:51.719 And in Paul, in verse 2, he says, look out for. 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:53.060 He gives a warning. 00:07:53.060 --> 00:08:00.319 I really believe that Paul is very affectionate for the Philippian church. 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:03.040 He has a deep love for them. 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:06.259 And a shepherding heart for them. 00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:09.759 He desires for them to know God in great depth. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:14.500 He desires for them to be faithful in their walk. 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:16.680 He desires for that church to be healthy. 00:08:17.660 --> 00:08:19.319 And he gives them this warning. 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:22.340 He says, brothers, look out for dogs. 00:08:23.099 --> 00:08:23.560 The dogs. 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:25.199 Look out for the evildoers. 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:27.719 Look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:37.299 It's as if he's sharing a warning to them about three different types or groups of people. 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:40.240 Those, and this is just the way I read it. 00:08:40.339 --> 00:08:42.399 He would say there's those who are dogs. 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:48.439 There's those who are so self-absorbed, who want whatever they want for selfish reasons. 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:50.459 They'll do anything to get it. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:51.600 Watch out for those people. 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:55.000 And he says, watch out for the evildoers. 00:08:55.180 --> 00:08:59.300 Those who scheme and plan with evil intentions. 00:08:59.500 --> 00:09:03.120 They have motives that aren't pure, that don't honor God. 00:09:03.680 --> 00:09:04.920 Watch out for those people. 00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:09.439 And he talks about these who mutilate the flesh. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:13.319 Those who would say, the flesh, there's nothing good in it. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:17.620 We just need to show God how serious we are about our faith. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:23.699 Mutilate our body as a way of saying to God, we want to do this to honor you. 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:35.740 This false idea that mutilating the body is going to in some way honor God or some way help them to be more favored in the eyes of God. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:37.600 A subtle lie. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:40.200 He says, watch out for these people. 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:45.139 You know, this is not the first time Paul is giving a warning to a church. 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:50.740 You remember in the book of Acts. 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:58.740 Paul's missionary journey as he traveled to Macedonia and shared the gospel in Macedonia. 00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:02.259 And he was traveling back heading toward Jerusalem on his missionary journey. 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:09.720 He had already been for years in Ephesus and he had shared with them the gospel. 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:13.960 And he longed for them to be faithful in serving God. 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:17.080 And so on his trip back, he stopped at Miletus. 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:20.299 He didn't want to spend more time at Ephesus because he's heading to Jerusalem. 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:22.500 And in the book of Acts, it says this. 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:28.299 Now, from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.559 So the picture is this. 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:33.819 Instead of going to Ephesus and spending more time in Ephesus, 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:37.359 which would have kept him from being in Jerusalem at Pentecost, 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:39.379 he sends a message to the elders. 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:39.739 Come. 00:10:40.079 --> 00:10:40.839 Come to Miletus. 00:10:40.979 --> 00:10:42.859 I want to tell you some things. 00:10:42.939 --> 00:10:45.159 I want to share with you some things. 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:46.859 Things that have been on my heart. 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.619 Things that I'm praying about. 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:51.039 And here's one of the things he shared with them. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:55.000 Very similar to the warning we just heard to the church at Philippi. 00:10:55.579 --> 00:10:57.719 He said this to the elders. 00:10:57.720 --> 00:11:27.720 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:29.200 Therefore, be alert. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.820 You hear his warning? 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:37.180 It's a warning to the elders of Ephesus. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:39.240 Those who are shepherds of the church. 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:40.580 Beware elders. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:45.540 There are those who will come in to destroy the church. 00:11:45.660 --> 00:11:50.440 There are those who will come in for their own selfish reasons 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:54.660 that will destroy the unity and destroy the gospel message, 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:57.380 destroy the effectiveness of the church. 00:11:58.380 --> 00:12:02.940 And he shares something similar to these brothers at Philippi. 00:12:03.040 --> 00:12:03.560 Beware. 00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:10.160 There's those who would not protect the church. 00:12:10.160 --> 00:12:15.800 Instead, they would come in as dogs, as evildoers, 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:17.639 with false messages. 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:18.679 Be aware of them. 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:20.879 Be alert. 00:12:20.979 --> 00:12:22.539 Do you think that's true for us as well? 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:28.419 In our day and time, do you think that there are messages that are in the church 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:29.500 that are not according to Scripture? 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:33.079 Do you think there's those who have their own selfish ambitions 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:37.820 and reasons for being involved in leadership in churches? 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:43.360 I think we likewise need to be aware of the enemy's plan. 00:12:44.420 --> 00:12:48.560 I really believe, church, that Satan has a plan to destroy every healthy church. 00:12:48.680 --> 00:12:49.879 He wants to bring disunity. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.780 He wants to bring dissension. 00:12:51.780 --> 00:12:54.620 He wants the message to be unbiblical. 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:57.900 He does not want the church to be strong. 00:12:57.899 --> 00:13:03.179 He does not want us to serve one another, to care for one another. 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:08.519 He does not want the church to go and take the gospel to the lost and dying world. 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:11.519 Satan will do whatever he can to destroy the church. 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:13.860 So Paul says to them, watch out. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:16.720 He has all kind of methods. 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:20.879 He uses all types of people to destroy the church. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:21.360 Beware. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:24.779 And Paul goes on in verse 3 and he says this, 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:26.419 For we are their circumcision. 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:28.039 I find that interesting. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:31.539 He's speaking to Gentile believers. 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:35.179 He says, we, Gentile believers, church at Philippi, 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:36.879 we are the circumcision. 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:37.860 Paul, what do you mean? 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:43.740 I thought circumcision was a sign of the covenant for the Jewish nation. 00:13:45.199 --> 00:13:47.719 Paul would say, yes, that's true. 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:49.179 It was a sign of the covenant. 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:54.639 It was an ordinance given by God to Abraham when he gave Abraham a covenant. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:58.500 And he said, on the eighth day, your children should be circumcised. 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:02.639 But Paul is saying to these Gentile believers, we are the circumcision. 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:04.539 Paul, what do you mean by that? 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:11.879 You know, it's interesting that Romans chapter 2 will give us a little insight into what Paul was saying. 00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:14.199 Paul is speaking to Romans 2 and he says this, 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:21.180 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law. 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:26.020 But if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 00:14:27.020 --> 00:14:31.220 So if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:35.320 will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:47.420 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code in circumcision but break the law. 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:54.740 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 00:14:55.640 --> 00:14:56.500 Let me say that again. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:15:05.879 Paul is indicating that circumcision is something that is not just a physical issue, it's a heart issue. 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:15.519 He goes on to say, but a Jew is one inwardly and circumcision is a matter of the heart by the spirit. 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:21.519 The physical act of circumcision pointed to something that was intended, 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:24.320 that is a spiritual circumcision of the heart. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:31.040 That our heart would be circumcised, that our heart would no longer desire the ways of the world, 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:33.280 but our heart would desire the ways of God. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:38.860 In that respect, he says to these believers in Philippi, 00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:40.480 we are the circumcision. 00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:44.260 We are those who have been spiritually changed. 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:47.100 Paul, what do you mean? 00:15:49.040 --> 00:15:51.660 We are those who have been spiritually changed. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:53.960 We are those who have been born again. 00:15:55.160 --> 00:15:58.640 We are those who have been now indwelt by the spirit. 00:15:58.820 --> 00:16:01.080 We now have spiritual life. 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:03.900 Y'all remember the passage with Nicodemus. 00:16:05.140 --> 00:16:07.300 He talks about being born again. 00:16:09.280 --> 00:16:11.540 And Christ says, you must be born again. 00:16:11.640 --> 00:16:13.200 He says, how in the world am I going to be born again? 00:16:13.280 --> 00:16:14.820 He says, you must be born of spirit. 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:19.340 You know, that's true for the believers in Philippi and it's true for you and I, 00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:22.800 that if we're truly believers, we've been born of the spirit. 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:27.600 That we're part of the circumcision in this sense, 00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:29.860 is that our heart has been circumcised. 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:33.660 Where we used to have a heart of stone, we now have a heart of flesh. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:37.120 We now have a heart that desires God's honor. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:37.980 We've been changed. 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:39.940 We can walk now in newness of life. 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:44.539 Even in the book of Psalms, David writes this. 00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:48.139 As he writes, he says this. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:51.920 He says, for you will not delight in sacrifice or I would give it. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:56.099 You will not be pleased with burnt offering. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:02.319 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. 00:17:02.459 --> 00:17:04.180 Oh God, you will not destroy. 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:06.099 I mean, sorry. 00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:08.399 I said the wrong word. 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.720 Not despise. 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.019 Sorry. 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:14.399 Do you hear what I'm sharing? 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:21.840 Is that by virtue of being born again, by virtue of spiritual life, 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:23.940 by virtue of spiritual birth, 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:29.620 these people are part of this body of believers that have been circumcised, 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:31.680 not just in the flesh, but in the heart. 00:17:32.820 --> 00:17:34.160 There's been a change. 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:37.720 And that change is marked in three ways in this verse. 00:17:37.780 --> 00:17:38.200 Do you see it? 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:44.740 There's three things that Paul shares here about those who have been born again, 00:17:44.860 --> 00:17:47.539 about those who are truly Christians. 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:50.620 And here's the first one. 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:53.299 The three, well, all three are the, it says here. 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:57.640 For we are the circumcision who worship by the Spirit. 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.900 We worship by the Spirit. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:02.100 Number two, we glory in Christ Jesus. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:05.559 And number three, we put no confidence in the flesh. 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:09.839 These three marks of the church, 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:12.319 these three marks of true believers, 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:14.779 we worship by the Spirit, 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:16.960 we glory in Christ Jesus alone, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.839 and we put no confidence in the flesh. 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:22.399 First, this concept of worshiping by the Spirit. 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.539 You remember the encounter, 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:29.519 the woman at the well where Christ went to Samaria? 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:34.259 And they were thirsty, and so they went to the well. 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:36.319 And there was, 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:39.339 he sent his disciples on, 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:41.660 and there was a woman who came late in the day 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:44.440 to fill her container with water 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:46.220 to draw from the well. 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:48.819 And there was an interaction with this woman at the well. 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:52.859 And she's trying to get away 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:54.579 because he's digging a little bit. 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.460 He's exposed, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:57.440 he's exposing the sin in her life. 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:59.799 And finally, 00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:03.279 she, in an attempt to get away 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.740 and change the conversation, 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.420 she says, 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.559 well, y'all Jews, 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:09.059 y'all say you ought to worship in Jerusalem, 00:19:09.580 --> 00:19:11.799 but we say you ought to worship, 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:13.500 Samaritans ought to worship here. 00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.860 And Jesus says what to her? 00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:16.340 Do you remember? 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.500 He says, 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:19.160 woman, you don't know what you worship. 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:22.779 You have this idea of what worship is, 00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:24.220 but you don't even know what you worship. 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:26.980 You remember what he said to her 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:29.180 in that encounter? 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.299 He said, 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.539 the true worshipers 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:38.640 will worship the Father in spirit and truth. 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.519 The true worshipers 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:43.539 will worship in spirit or truth. 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:44.759 God is a spirit, 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.720 and those who worship 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:49.299 must worship Him in spirit and in truth. 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:51.259 Do you know if you're not a Christian, 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.880 you can't truly worship God? 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:56.160 If you're not born of the Spirit, 00:19:56.260 --> 00:19:57.280 there's no way to worship, 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.600 but don't you know people try? 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:03.400 People come up with all kind of ideas 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:05.520 about what it looks like to worship God. 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.420 But truly, 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:11.900 unless we're born again, 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.640 we cannot truly worship God. 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:15.820 The only way to genuinely worship Him, 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:17.820 as Christ told this woman at the well, 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:19.200 is in spirit and in truth. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.380 That is, 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:22.480 until we're born again, 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.940 until we have spiritual life, 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:26.120 we don't really understand 00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:27.100 what it is to worship. 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.160 And in truth, 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:31.840 and proper worship is based on truth. 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.980 Let me just share a little more here. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:37.160 Those who are truly born again 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:38.259 will worship in the Spirit, 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.880 but they will glory in Christ Jesus. 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.700 What does it mean to glory in Christ Jesus? 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:43.980 To make much of Christ. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.099 Christ. 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:46.920 To understand what Christ has done. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:49.839 To understand that His death on the cross 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:54.720 is the only means by which we would ever be saved. 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:57.019 It's not by what we do, 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:58.259 it's by what Christ did. 00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:01.240 And so we rejoice in the sacrifice 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.400 and the life of Christ. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.220 Paul says this, 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:05.059 here's the one thing I boast of, 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:07.480 I boast in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:09.799 In Galatians 6, 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.140 he says, 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.539 that's what I boast in. 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:14.360 I boast in Christ and Christ alone. 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.940 We're about to see, 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.400 in just a second, 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:19.480 a false gospel that Paul talks about. 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:22.180 This boasting in something other than Christ. 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:24.519 This boasting in our efforts and what we do. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.079 But he says, 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.480 the true Christians, 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:30.319 the true spiritually circumcised ones, 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:32.140 the church worships by the Spirit, 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:34.299 we glory only in Christ Jesus 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:36.400 and we put no confidence in the flesh. 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.980 You know how difficult that is? 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:41.140 At least from my perspective, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.720 to put no confidence in the flesh. 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:45.720 Our whole culture 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:50.400 operates in that way. 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.360 It's performance, right? 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.500 Think about basketball. 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:55.339 I don't know if any of y'all 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:57.220 watched the Clemson Carolina game 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:59.319 or the Texas-Texas A&M game 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:01.079 or football in general, 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.680 but we're in a season right now, 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.640 if you like football, 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.099 this is a great time 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.579 to be watching TV. 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:09.019 It's not great if you're a Clemson fan, 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.519 although you did get bailed out. 00:22:11.199 --> 00:22:12.480 Carolina fans are smiling 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.439 and not saying much. 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.659 They're hoping, fingers crossed, 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.799 they're going to make it to the playoffs. 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:17.720 You know, how do you make it to the playoffs? 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.599 You've got to play good. 00:22:20.439 --> 00:22:21.659 You've got to beat all these teams. 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.960 You've got to have a great record. 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:25.419 You've got to perform it on the field. 00:22:25.879 --> 00:22:26.879 There's this sense that 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:29.199 the only way I make it to the playoffs 00:22:29.199 --> 00:22:31.740 is I just have to play really well. 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:34.019 I have to be better than all these other teams 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.660 and have to play extremely well. 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.440 How are you going to win 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.279 the national championship? 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:37.839 Same thing. 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.920 We're going to compete on the field. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.519 Whoever plays the best is going to win. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.839 Whoever's the best team 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:45.920 and the best capability 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:47.799 is going to win 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:50.259 based on how you perform. 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:52.039 You know, isn't that the way 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.940 the world operates? 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:54.779 My daughter swam in high school. 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:57.799 And the only way to make it 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.740 to the state meet 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:00.980 is to make a time threshold. 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:03.160 If you're going to swim butterfly 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:04.279 or you want to swim freestyle, 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:06.059 if you don't get to this time, 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:07.299 you don't get to go to state. 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.500 How do you get to go? 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.619 By performing. 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.440 By doing really well. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:15.680 Isn't that the way our culture is? 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:19.099 How do you rise the corporate ladder? 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:22.079 You just do well. 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:23.699 You show that you're competent 00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:25.079 and you are elevated 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.819 into other positions. 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.419 How do you become 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:29.559 the national sales leader? 00:23:29.699 --> 00:23:31.039 Well, you are great salesman 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.039 with great performance 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.579 and great accomplishment. 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.720 And so as a result, 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.720 you get opportunities 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.539 to climb this ladder. 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:38.039 It's all based on performance, right? 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.579 You know, God's kingdom 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.379 is just the opposite. 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:48.159 You know, there's a false gospel 00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:48.980 that says this, 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.079 and we're going to see here 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.099 this false gospel. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:54.740 The false gospel says this, 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:56.559 that as long as you work 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.399 really, really hard, 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.199 as long as you're 00:23:58.199 --> 00:23:59.139 really, really good, 00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:01.019 then you can earn 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:02.059 your way into heaven. 00:24:02.179 --> 00:24:03.980 You can impress God. 00:24:06.179 --> 00:24:07.259 You know, God's kingdom 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.099 is not that way. 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:12.819 Paul says of Christians 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:14.879 that we put no confidence 00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.720 in the flesh. 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.299 In other words, 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.059 he's saying that 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:19.339 there's no amount 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:21.700 of good deeds 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.519 that we can do 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.419 that's going to earn 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:25.159 our way into heaven. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:27.679 There's no amount 00:24:27.679 --> 00:24:28.940 of goodness 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.839 or good deeds 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.579 that we can do 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:31.339 that is going to earn 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:32.259 the favor of God. 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.700 So he shares 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:38.240 a story of his life. 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.960 Really, he summarizes 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.399 a perspective 00:24:41.399 --> 00:24:42.579 he used to have. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.399 He used to have 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:45.240 and he was running 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:46.319 hard after God 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:48.079 but not according 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.599 to knowledge. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.460 He was running 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.799 hard after God 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.579 but it wasn't 00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:56.019 according to truth. 00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:56.919 Let me share 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.779 what I'm talking about here. 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:58.099 It says, 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.460 we put no confidence 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:00.799 in the flesh 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.919 though I myself 00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:02.720 have reason 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:04.240 for confidence in the flesh. 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:05.419 Let me tell you why. 00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:06.740 If anybody's going 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.480 to get into heaven, 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.519 I'm the guy. 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:11.240 Paul would say this. 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:11.539 He says, 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:11.859 listen, 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.579 as far as pedigree, 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.180 as far as being 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.339 in the right family 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.440 and the right town 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.480 and the right nation 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:18.779 and the, 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.819 man, I had it. 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:22.000 I was from 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.980 the Jewish nation. 00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.299 So he's speaking 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.500 to a Gentile church 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:25.680 and he says, 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:25.980 listen, 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.139 you know, 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:27.779 there's those 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.279 that believe 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.940 as long as you're 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.859 children of Abraham 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:31.099 then you're good. 00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:32.440 That you're going 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.299 to end up in heaven. 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.599 Abraham's the one 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.500 that God gave 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.279 this promise to 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.839 and since I'm 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:38.659 a child of Abraham, 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.439 I'm good to go. 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:39.759 Listen, 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.199 Paul says this, 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.439 I was circumcised 00:25:43.439 --> 00:25:44.240 the eighth day 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.980 of the tribe 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.519 of Benjamin. 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:47.559 I was a true Hebrew. 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:50.220 I was a true child 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.799 of Abraham. 00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:55.000 I did everything 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.959 that I was supposed 00:25:55.959 --> 00:25:56.199 to do. 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.059 I was circumcised 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.679 on the eighth day 00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:58.459 like the Old Testament 00:25:58.459 --> 00:25:58.799 says. 00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:00.000 Man, I am set. 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.399 I'm good. 00:26:00.659 --> 00:26:01.399 And matter of fact, 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.559 not only was I born 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.559 into the right nation, 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.579 but listen to my 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.359 accomplishments. 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:08.219 Listen to how 00:26:08.219 --> 00:26:09.379 I was outpacing 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.379 all my peers 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:12.959 on my performance. 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.479 Listen, 00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:17.000 as to the law, 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.439 that is the Old Testament 00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:18.719 law, 00:26:18.979 --> 00:26:20.399 I was a Pharisee. 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.259 You know that Pharisee 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.539 is the most strict sect 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:25.319 of the Jewish nation? 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:26.839 Much more so 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.859 than the Sadducees 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.859 and some of these others. 00:26:29.219 --> 00:26:30.279 I was a part 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.819 of the strictest sect 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:33.019 in our religion, 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.939 our Jewish faith. 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.000 I was a Pharisee. 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:37.059 Check the box. 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:38.799 As to zeal, 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.600 let me just tell you, 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.400 I was so passionate 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.019 for God 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.519 that I was chasing 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.920 after Him. 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:46.840 I was, 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.420 all these other 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:50.960 fates, 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.960 these people 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.660 that call themselves 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.259 Christians, 00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:56.539 that dishonor God 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.640 in the mind of Paul, 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.200 I was chasing them 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.220 to arrest them 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.100 and put them in jail 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.000 or put them to death. 00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:04.039 I was zealous for God. 00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:05.679 I was serving God 00:27:05.679 --> 00:27:06.419 in that way 00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:07.599 as to righteousness 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:08.359 under the law, 00:27:08.459 --> 00:27:08.919 blameless. 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.000 Paul is saying, 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:12.319 listen, 00:27:12.439 --> 00:27:13.439 according to the flesh, 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.359 if this is the way 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.099 things work, 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.699 I was in good shape. 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.059 But you know what he says? 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.259 This is not the thing, 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.279 the way things work 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.919 in God's kingdom. 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.980 It's not based 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.719 on accomplishment. 00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:24.159 It's not based 00:27:24.159 --> 00:27:24.919 on pedigree 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:25.899 or performance. 00:27:26.719 --> 00:27:27.240 Matter of fact, 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.240 if we look down 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.839 to verse 9, 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.140 he talked about 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:33.000 a righteousness 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.240 of my own 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:35.460 that comes from the law. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.700 You know, 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.799 the false gospel 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.240 is this. 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.039 It's a gospel 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:44.779 based on performance. 00:27:47.160 --> 00:27:48.120 A gospel 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:49.319 based on performance. 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.400 And you know 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.019 the result 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.120 of good performance 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:53.960 is self-righteousness. 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:55.140 Do you think 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.880 that Paul 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:57.299 gained 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.940 genuine righteousness 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:00.019 in the eyes 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.400 of God 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.120 because of his 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:02.120 great zeal 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:03.059 and his great passion 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.259 because of his pedigree 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.200 being born? 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.279 Not at all. 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:07.700 Matter of fact, 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.500 Paul says here, 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:08.759 he says, 00:28:08.860 --> 00:28:09.100 listen, 00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:12.380 I was dead wrong. 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.180 And if we look 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:15.259 at chapter 9 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.819 of Acts 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.880 and the whole encounter 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:17.539 where Christ 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.240 encountered him 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.700 on the road 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.480 to Damascus, 00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:21.000 he says this 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.400 of Paul, 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.120 Paul who's 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:23.200 passionately chasing 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.120 hard after God 00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:24.700 in his own 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.820 self-righteous way, 00:28:26.360 --> 00:28:27.759 he meets Christ 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.360 on the road 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:28.980 to Damascus 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.540 and Christ says this, 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.340 Paul, 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:31.660 Paul, 00:28:31.780 --> 00:28:32.380 why are you 00:28:32.380 --> 00:28:33.480 persecuting me? 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.080 Paul's like, 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.519 who are you? 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.660 What do you mean 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.780 I'm persecuting you? 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:41.060 I'm doing everything 00:28:41.060 --> 00:28:42.400 I can possibly do 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.200 to honor you 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:44.360 and to serve you 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:45.460 and to love you 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.600 and be faithful to you. 00:28:46.820 --> 00:28:48.720 I'm working hard 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:50.140 for you. 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:51.759 What do you mean 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.480 you're saying 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.960 I'm persecuting you? 00:28:59.560 --> 00:29:01.020 The kingdom of God 00:29:01.020 --> 00:29:02.460 is an upside-down kingdom. 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:03.520 The kingdom is not 00:29:03.520 --> 00:29:04.500 based on performance. 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.720 It's based on grace. 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:08.440 Here's the difference 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:09.440 in these two gospels 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:10.580 Paul is talking about. 00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:11.680 It's the gospel 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:13.100 of works 00:29:13.100 --> 00:29:14.460 based on performance 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.500 and it's the gospel 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.120 of grace 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:17.380 based on faith. 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:20.860 Paul says, 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.140 listen, 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:22.840 I put no confidence 00:29:22.840 --> 00:29:24.260 in the flesh, 00:29:24.380 --> 00:29:24.660 Christian. 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.620 If I couldn't 00:29:26.620 --> 00:29:27.100 earn it, 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:29.500 earn my salvation 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.380 based on the flesh, 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.800 I can't earn God's favor 00:29:31.800 --> 00:29:32.580 based on the flesh. 00:29:32.760 --> 00:29:34.080 I put no confidence 00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:34.820 in the flesh. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.380 The false gospel says 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:36.960 work harder, 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:37.540 work harder, 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.060 work harder, 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:38.520 work harder, 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:39.400 and God will receive you. 00:29:39.560 --> 00:29:40.360 That's dead wrong. 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.060 It's not biblical. 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:44.059 Paul says it this way. 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:45.079 If we look down 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:47.919 in verse 9 again, 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.339 it says, 00:29:49.679 --> 00:29:49.919 no, 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.720 that's the beginning of the sentence. 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.940 Let's go back up to 7. 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:53.559 Whatever was gain, 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:56.099 whatever gain I had, 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:57.539 whatever I'd accomplished, 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.940 I counted as loss 00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.960 for the sake of Christ. 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.559 Indeed, 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.599 I count everything 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:02.500 as loss 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:04.019 because of the surpassing 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.879 worth 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:06.220 of knowing Christ Jesus 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:07.200 my Lord. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.159 For His sake, 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:09.440 I've suffered the loss 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.220 of all things 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.079 and I count them 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.559 as rubbish. 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:11.799 Paul, 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.539 what are you talking about? 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.319 Paul would say, 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.819 every credential 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:17.380 that I just gave you 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:18.500 that I thought 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.400 was going to earn me 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:20.839 favor in the eyes of God, 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.620 that I thought 00:30:21.620 --> 00:30:22.880 was for the kingdom of God, 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.680 I now see as nothing. 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:28.299 It's self-made righteousness. 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:30.339 It's me patting myself 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:30.839 on the back 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.039 and saying, 00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.920 look what I've done 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:32.600 for you, God. 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:36.079 And Paul says, 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:36.680 God, 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.900 open my eyes 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:39.200 to see the lie 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:40.160 that I was believing. 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.660 That I could earn 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.480 God's favor 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:44.079 by what I do. 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.579 That I could become 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.140 righteous 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:48.140 because of all 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:49.240 my good works. 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.519 Paul says, 00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:51.660 I now see it 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:53.059 for what it really is. 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.559 It's absolute garbage. 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:59.400 There's nothing good in it. 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.900 There's no value to it. 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:02.339 It deserves to be 00:31:02.339 --> 00:31:03.400 on the dung pile. 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:05.519 It is absolutely 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.880 less than trash. 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:08.779 It has no place 00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.680 in the kingdom of God. 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.779 It does not earn 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.599 salvation. 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.639 It does not earn 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.960 the favor of God. 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.000 Instead, 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:17.319 there is this righteousness 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:18.639 that comes from God. 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.220 Do you see it? 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.339 Verse 9. 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.319 He said, 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.299 I count all that 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:26.000 as garbage, 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.839 as rubbish, 00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.599 in order that I may 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:30.039 be found in him. 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:32.480 I'll speak of that 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:32.960 in a second. 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.920 Not having a righteousness 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:35.859 of my own 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.480 that comes from 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.359 my own effort 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.099 from the law, 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.839 but that which comes 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:41.220 through faith in Christ. 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:42.139 The righteousness 00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:43.339 from God 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:45.359 that depends 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.099 on faith. 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.039 The righteousness 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.579 that comes 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.779 from God 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.700 that depends 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.299 on faith. 00:31:52.379 --> 00:31:52.539 Paul, 00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:53.359 what are you talking about? 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:55.699 Do you know 00:31:55.699 --> 00:31:56.719 that on your own 00:31:56.719 --> 00:31:57.740 you'll never be righteous 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.500 in the eyes of God? 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:00.639 Do you know 00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:01.979 that all of our works, 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:03.019 all of our effort, 00:32:03.199 --> 00:32:04.240 all of our performance 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.399 in the eyes of God 00:32:05.399 --> 00:32:06.519 is like filthy rags? 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:12.319 Based on what we do 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.219 and our effort, 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:14.539 we'll never come to Christ. 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.500 The only way 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.259 that we will be 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:17.939 in him, 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.959 the only way 00:32:18.959 --> 00:32:19.659 that we will be 00:32:19.659 --> 00:32:20.799 united with him, 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:22.019 the only way 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.559 we will be 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.700 in relationship 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.419 to God 00:32:24.419 --> 00:32:26.980 is through Christ. 00:32:28.139 --> 00:32:28.779 It's through 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.559 the sacrifice 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.359 of Christ 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:32.200 and his willingness 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:33.460 to die in our place 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:34.059 on a cross. 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.460 You know what 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.599 the result of that is? 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.960 When we understand 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.700 the reason 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.759 Christ died on the cross, 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.759 when we understand 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:44.859 that he died 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.579 in our place 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.259 that we might 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.119 be born again, 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.819 that we might 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:49.000 have spiritual life, 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:53.420 not only that, 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:56.400 but the righteousness 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.180 of Christ 00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:58.420 is imputed to us. 00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.240 It's as if God 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.359 takes the righteousness 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.039 of Christ, 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.519 his pure life, 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:03.740 and he takes it 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:05.140 and he gives it to me 00:33:05.140 --> 00:33:06.680 and he causes me 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.500 to be righteous, 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:08.819 not because of 00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:09.660 what I've done, 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.640 but because of 00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:11.660 what Christ has done. 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:13.180 It's this great exchange 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:14.119 where he would 00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:16.519 cause me to be 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.759 righteous in his eyes 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.799 based on what Christ 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.279 has done. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.599 He takes the 00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:21.879 righteousness of Christ 00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:23.099 and puts it on my account 00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:24.440 and now Paul says this, 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:24.859 he says, 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.619 yes, we are made righteous, 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:28.160 but this righteousness 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.200 is not from us 00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:29.819 and our effort. 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:30.940 This righteousness 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:31.940 is from God 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:33.640 and the means 00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:34.980 by which we are granted 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.799 this righteousness, 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.619 this relationship 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:37.420 is through faith. 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:43.320 notice a beautiful result 00:33:43.320 --> 00:33:46.720 of faith. 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:47.880 Verse 10, 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:49.140 that I may know him, 00:33:49.560 --> 00:33:50.600 that I may know him. 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:52.000 Let me ask this church 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:53.700 for any of you 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.519 who are here this morning 00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:56.060 that maybe don't know Christ. 00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:58.240 Maybe there's someone here 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.860 that would say, 00:33:58.859 --> 00:34:05.439 I'm investigating the claims, 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:07.000 I'm listening to the scripture, 00:34:07.219 --> 00:34:07.839 to the preaching, 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.579 I'm reading, 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:10.559 I don't know 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:12.279 that I really understand yet 00:34:12.279 --> 00:34:14.000 what this whole thing is about. 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.159 You know, 00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:19.960 Paul says here, 00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:22.159 and he says that 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:25.019 righteousness from God 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.019 depends on faith. 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.619 What faith? 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:30.359 faith that Christ lived a life 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:33.319 in our place 00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:35.940 and that he died on the cross, 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:37.039 we deserve to die 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.719 because of our sin, 00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.759 in our place 00:34:38.759 --> 00:34:40.119 and that God is willing 00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:42.299 to forgive us of our sins 00:34:42.299 --> 00:34:44.699 and give us the righteousness of God 00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:46.759 and give us a relationship 00:34:46.759 --> 00:34:48.980 that we would be found in Christ. 00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:53.239 Children through faith 00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:56.319 in Christ. 00:34:56.619 --> 00:35:04.099 I wonder how much confidence 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:05.359 we put in the flesh. 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:07.799 I wonder 00:35:07.799 --> 00:35:11.579 if we've come to really know him 00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.199 in that way 00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:13.759 to recognize that 00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.500 on my own 00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:16.079 I can never do enough 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:16.799 on my own 00:35:16.799 --> 00:35:18.960 I am not truly righteous 00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:20.299 that the only righteousness 00:35:20.299 --> 00:35:20.980 is found 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:22.559 through Christ 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:23.519 by faith. 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.139 Let's pray. 00:35:24.139 --> 00:35:27.879 Father, 00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:31.980 Father, 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:33.139 thank you that you would 00:35:33.139 --> 00:35:33.940 provide a way 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.559 that we can be forgiven 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:38.480 not based on what we do 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:40.619 but based on what Christ did. 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.159 Father, 00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:43.920 thank you for the life 00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:45.239 of Christ 00:35:45.239 --> 00:35:48.599 that Father, 00:35:48.719 --> 00:35:51.959 he was willing 00:35:51.959 --> 00:35:57.199 to live a perfect, 00:35:57.739 --> 00:35:58.539 spotless life 00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.679 and die in our place 00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:00.719 that we might know you, 00:36:00.819 --> 00:36:01.539 that we might be 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:02.839 in relationship with you. 00:36:02.939 --> 00:36:03.279 So God, 00:36:03.359 --> 00:36:04.719 I give you thanks 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:05.439 and I thank you 00:36:05.439 --> 00:36:06.259 for this truth 00:36:06.259 --> 00:36:07.500 in the scripture 00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:08.699 that the true gospel 00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:09.679 is based on faith. 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:10.939 It's not based on performance. 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.519 God, 00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:13.260 I thank you 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.179 for your provision. 00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:14.800 I thank you 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:15.360 for your love. 00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:15.880 I thank you 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:16.679 for your relationship. 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:17.099 God, 00:36:17.139 --> 00:36:17.619 I just pray 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:19.139 that the Father, 00:36:19.260 --> 00:36:20.340 if there's those here 00:36:20.340 --> 00:36:21.760 who do not know you 00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:22.320 in that way, 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:22.679 Father, 00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:23.740 not yet born again, 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.260 that Father, 00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:25.099 you would draw them 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:25.659 to yourself. 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:26.579 I pray in your name. 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:27.039 Amen. 00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:27.119 Amen. 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:27.139 Amen. 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:29.119 Amen. 00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:29.460 Amen. 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:29.720 Amen. 00:36:29.720 --> 00:36:30.240 Amen. 00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:31.280 Amen. 00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:34.059 Amen. 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:34.099 Amen. 00:36:34.099 --> 00:36:35.260 Amen. 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:36.119 Amen. 00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:37.159 Amen. 00:36:37.159 --> 00:36:37.280 Amen. 00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:38.079 Amen. 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:39.200 Amen. 00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:40.920 Amen.