WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.580 Please open up in your copy of God's Word with me to Philippians chapter 3. 00:00:04.580 --> 00:00:07.879 ! Philippians chapter 3. 00:00:11.980 --> 00:00:16.719 Our main text for this morning is going to be from verses 4-9. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:21.740 ! This morning I want to read starting in verse 2. 00:00:27.179 --> 00:00:29.980 This is the Word of God and it reads, 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.100 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 00:00:37.820 --> 00:00:43.560 For we are the real circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:46.539 and put no confidence in the flesh. 00:00:47.219 --> 00:00:50.519 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. 00:00:51.519 --> 00:00:55.939 If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more. 00:00:56.919 --> 00:01:02.939 Circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. 00:01:03.320 --> 00:01:05.620 As to the law, a Pharisee. 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:08.840 As to zeal, a persecutor of the church. 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:12.400 As to righteousness under the law, blameless. 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:17.319 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 00:01:17.319 --> 00:01:24.519 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:29.699 For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:33.399 in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. 00:01:33.400 --> 00:01:40.120 Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ. 00:01:40.520 --> 00:01:43.240 The righteousness from God that depends on faith. 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:46.360 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection. 00:01:46.800 --> 00:01:50.280 And may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:55.260 That by any means possible, I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 00:01:55.260 --> 00:02:03.080 God, this morning I just pray that you would feed your sheep, not by human will or exertion, 00:02:03.820 --> 00:02:09.700 but for your good and for the good of your people, that your word would go forth. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:11.960 In your name we pray, amen. 00:02:13.960 --> 00:02:21.219 So, during Paul's day, author of this letter, the early church found itself in much division. 00:02:21.219 --> 00:02:26.439 Certain groups were exalting themselves over one another because of cultural differences, 00:02:27.080 --> 00:02:32.719 ethnicity, worldly status, what teaching or whose teaching they should follow. 00:02:33.620 --> 00:02:35.460 I think that should sound familiar to us. 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:40.659 There was a particular disagreement with which the New Testament writers spent a great deal of ink 00:02:40.659 --> 00:02:44.599 addressing differences between Jewish and non-Jewish believers. 00:02:45.460 --> 00:02:49.979 Gentile believers in the Roman Empire sought to exalt themselves above Jewish believers 00:02:49.979 --> 00:02:54.280 because of their worldly skill or because of their status within the empire. 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:59.359 Think like Paul's appeal to the Corinthians not to view himself as lesser 00:02:59.359 --> 00:03:05.299 because he laid aside oratory skill or because he was poor and shared in Christ's sufferings, 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:08.379 unlike the sarcastically named super apostles. 00:03:09.539 --> 00:03:13.539 Likewise, Jewish believers were treating Gentiles as second-rate Christians 00:03:13.539 --> 00:03:19.239 because they were uncircumcised, didn't follow Hebrew feastal traditions, and so forth. 00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:25.259 Nathan last week spoke of the Judaizers, and this is a particular party of people who taught 00:03:25.259 --> 00:03:28.839 that circumcision was necessary in order for salvation. 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:34.019 And in Galatians, Paul calls this belief a false gospel. 00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:40.060 So then adding one single work to the work, the finished work of Christ, makes it null. 00:03:40.939 --> 00:03:45.739 In our passage today, Paul is arguing that he has more of a reason for confidence in the flesh 00:03:45.740 --> 00:03:50.020 to approach God in righteousness than do any of the Judaizers. 00:03:50.680 --> 00:03:55.719 So if Paul's righteousness isn't enough, the Judaizers, and likewise our righteousness, 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:58.520 is not enough either to approach God. 00:03:59.100 --> 00:04:04.740 We need a righteousness which comes from the outside, an alien righteousness from Christ. 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:10.080 So to look at our text this morning, I've broken it up into four headings, 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:12.640 and I'll go through them, naming them again as I go. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:17.960 Firstly, we see Paul's pre-conversion confidence. 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:20.060 Paul's pre-conversion confidence. 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:23.379 Secondly, the great transfer of confidence. 00:04:25.220 --> 00:04:28.600 Thirdly, indicators of confidence in the flesh. 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:33.280 And fourthly, placing confidence in Christ alone. 00:04:33.800 --> 00:04:35.180 A lot of confidence this morning. 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:42.280 So Paul, in our passage, begins by listing off seven resume items, if you will. 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:48.280 Four of these items are from birth, and three of them are attained through his own work. 00:04:48.840 --> 00:04:52.340 So the first item in this list is a proper beginning. 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:55.579 Paul was circumcised on the eighth day, he says. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:58.519 And this was a sign of the covenant of God with his people. 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:02.100 It was meant to point forward to a time in that person's life, 00:05:02.100 --> 00:05:07.840 and a time in general when God's word would cut away the unrighteousness of the heart. 00:05:08.400 --> 00:05:12.020 Paul had done what God commanded and what the Judaizers would require, 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:19.920 and yet he counts it as rubbish, as trash, as refuse, in order to stand before righteous God. 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:22.700 So maybe we, some of us in this room, grew up in the church. 00:05:23.120 --> 00:05:28.180 Some of you were likely dedicated as a little baby, or maybe even sprinkled. 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:30.379 Not in this church, but maybe sprinkled somewhere. 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:36.819 Secondly, we see Paul's proper nationality. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:41.460 Paul was of the nation of Israel, which were, of course, God's chosen people, 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:43.259 who were given the oracles of God. 00:05:43.340 --> 00:05:46.819 And he says in Romans 3 that this is of much value. 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:51.600 He spoke, God spoke with them, he sent them the prophets, made his covenant with them, 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:55.360 and yet this nationality gave him no righteousness before God. 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:58.560 There are many in our culture, particularly here in the South, 00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:03.259 who would view America as God's new chosen people, as the promised land, 00:06:03.400 --> 00:06:08.220 viewing American interests at the expense of all others as equated with moral goodness. 00:06:09.020 --> 00:06:12.160 This is not a proper view for myriad reasons that we won't be going into today. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:17.199 But God works in this world in spite of the sinfulness of man, 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:19.980 not because of the goodness of man. 00:06:19.980 --> 00:06:22.900 And even if you believe that we are in God's country, 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:28.540 Paul's point here is clear that our nationality gives us no standing before a holy God. 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:33.379 Thirdly, we see Paul's proper lineage. 00:06:33.620 --> 00:06:36.600 Now, I don't know how much you know about the Benjamites. 00:06:36.759 --> 00:06:39.819 I certainly didn't know a whole lot before preparing for this text. 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:42.640 But Paul says that he's of the tribe of Benjamin. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:48.919 And this was the only tribe to remain faithful to the throne of David along with the tribe of Judah. 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:52.620 And together, those two tribes formed the southern kingdom of Judah, 00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:56.219 which is the less evil of the two, Old Testament Israel. 00:06:57.060 --> 00:07:00.379 Benjamin also produced Israel's first king, being Saul. 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:03.560 And Jerusalem was located within Benjamin's borders. 00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:07.560 So these people had been among the most faithful to God. 00:07:07.560 --> 00:07:13.139 Now, while we may not take pride in our ethnic lineage as much today, 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:16.459 we certainly have a tendency to feel pride in our spiritual lineage. 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:22.800 We act as though our parents' or grandparents' faith somehow reflects on our own standing before God. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:28.060 We may identify ourselves with the Reformers, the Puritans, Augustinian philosophy, 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.939 Piper, MacArthur, Dever, or Rainer. 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:34.360 You like that company? 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:35.420 Yeah. 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:40.379 So while these are certainly faithful examples with their flaws, 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:44.040 a more in-depth knowledge imbues us with no righteousness. 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:47.780 Fourthly, we see Paul's proper upbringing. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:50.560 Paul says that he was a Hebrew of Hebrews. 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:53.019 Different people had different perspectives on what that means. 00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:54.939 But certainly, Paul had a proper upbringing. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:08:00.939 He was raised according to Jewish tradition, as religiously Hebrew as he could be. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:04.319 Many of you in the room probably went to Awana, your youth group. 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:05.639 You memorized the right verses. 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:07.959 You might know the catechisms. 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:12.779 And these are filthy rags to clothe us before a holy God. 00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:17.759 Next, we have the proper standard of living. 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:21.399 So we're getting into the things that Paul has accomplished himself. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:28.519 So Paul is a Pharisee, meaning that he was among the most committed to knowing and understanding the very word of God. 00:08:28.979 --> 00:08:30.139 He believed it. 00:08:30.219 --> 00:08:30.759 He taught it. 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:31.919 He memorized it. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:36.960 And he did everything he could to live by it, according to his unbelieving heart. 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:43.000 The historian Josephus notes that there were never more than 6,000 Pharisees at a time. 00:08:43.180 --> 00:08:44.779 So Paul is in elite company. 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:49.779 And he even notes elsewhere that he rose above his peers in standing as a religious leader. 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:59.339 The Pharisees humble me, not because they're scary or intimidating or had a lot of knowledge, but because they were following after the right God. 00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:01.199 They were using his very word. 00:09:01.339 --> 00:09:07.100 We're way more devoted than I am or many of us are to studying his word. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:13.680 And yet we're making twice other people, twice the children of hell as they were, to use Jesus's words. 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:17.040 And we are a very knowledge heavy congregation. 00:09:17.560 --> 00:09:18.860 This is not a bad thing. 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:20.159 It's commendable. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:29.860 But we must regularly remind ourselves that our justification or approval or standing before God comes not from a theological perspective or a certain tribe. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:34.639 Next, we see Paul's proper sincerity. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:38.960 He says that he was a zealous persecutor of the church. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:47.580 From Paul's perspective, if Christ was not indeed the Messiah, he would have rightly seen himself as a protector of the truth. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:58.059 After stoking in the numerous Old Testament examples of God's people being led astray, he was not about to let a new sect of God's people be taken away by a false Messiah. 00:09:58.059 --> 00:10:06.099 Likewise, our passion for good works, our going on mission trip, mission trips for a week or years. 00:10:06.359 --> 00:10:11.819 The number of disciples or converts that result from our teaching don't elevate us in God's sight. 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:16.000 And lastly, we see his proper morality. 00:10:16.359 --> 00:10:20.239 And I want to put a note here, maybe proper outward morality. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:31.919 The Pharisees had devised a complex system of laws and of hedge laws, which were there to keep you from getting close to breaking the actual laws, which focus mostly on outward behavior. 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:38.680 While God's law was always meant to be an expression of inward faith, that he would have to be the one to grant mercy, 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:46.620 the Jews believed if they could act in accordance with the law and sacrifice when they felt short, then it would be enough to make them righteous. 00:10:47.599 --> 00:10:56.219 Some of you have responded to altar calls, said the sinner's prayer, and have been baptized only to realize that it was all due to social pressure. 00:10:56.779 --> 00:11:01.739 Many testimonies follow that pattern and only later coming to true repentance. 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:12.799 Now, while God certainly has worked through, and sometimes in spite of, some of these actions, the actions themselves, the right outward behaviors, give us no righteousness. 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:23.879 So, Paul has an impressive resume that we see here, certainly to that people that he's writing to more so than our context today, 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:26.620 because we know Jesus' teaching on the Pharisees. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:31.620 But what are we to make of Saul and the Pharisees, and where did they go wrong? 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:40.259 I think sometimes we wrongly distance ourselves from seeing ourselves and our tendencies in the life of the Pharisees, 00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:44.460 so we would be wise to not learn from their mistakes. 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:47.180 I don't know if that sentence made sense. 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:49.019 All right, you get what I'm saying. 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:53.060 So, let's look at Matthew chapter 5. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.860 So, turn there with me. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:58.100 It's the Sermon on the Mount. 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:19.639 Matthew chapter 5 and verse 17. 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:25.279 Jesus himself teaches here. 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:29.100 Do not think that I've come to abolish the law or the prophets. 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:32.439 I've not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:40.919 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:48.860 Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:53.820 But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 00:12:54.419 --> 00:13:01.419 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:04.539 So, Paul's family had kept the covenant. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:06.979 They had stayed faithful to David's throne. 00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:08.899 They knew God's law in and out. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:13.279 They cleansed what they thought was the evil leaven among God's people. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.339 And he did his best to keep the law. 00:13:16.099 --> 00:13:20.339 Aren't these great things that we should find ourselves striving towards? 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:23.620 This seems like the camp that we would like to find ourselves in. 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:26.899 And it really comes down to one word from our text. 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:30.480 And that's the word confidence or trust. 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.620 We'll stick with confidence. 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:35.560 Paul's problem was not in his outward behavior. 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:38.720 The behaviors generally were correct. 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:47.519 But it came down to a tragically wrong understanding of the purpose of the law that many in our day continue to hold. 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:55.199 Now, the Pharisees, Old Testament Jews, would not have claimed to be sinless, else they would have not sacrificed. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:14:03.120 Rather, they had confidence in their own ability to follow God's law, to cover over their sin with animal sacrifice, 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:10.259 in a way that did not rely on God for mercy and did not necessitate inward repentance. 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:19.200 And this is part of the reason why John the Baptist or baptizer's message was so poignant or pointed in that day and age, 00:14:19.299 --> 00:14:21.059 calling Israel to repent. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:27.379 Like, if they had a context for ongoing repentance, that probably would have made more sense to them. 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:31.039 The psalmist in Psalm 130 writes, 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:34.960 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, hear my voice. 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:38.960 Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy. 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:42.840 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, who could stand? 00:14:43.700 --> 00:14:46.820 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:51.340 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:56.740 Sacrifices and obedience to the law were meant to be worshipful in nature, 00:14:56.840 --> 00:15:01.019 as they recognized God as the only one who could grant mercy. 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:01.480 Right? 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:06.019 And this is simply not true of Old Testament Israel, or the way that they're painted in the Scripture. 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:14.100 That the outward behavior was not followed with inward worship and an inward attempt at sinlessness. 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:20.259 The Jewish people had turned obedience to the commands of God into acts of self-idolatry. 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:23.659 In their mind, mercy was deserved because of their obedience. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:28.559 Their view of man was huge, and their view of God's mercy was small. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:33.539 It is as if the Pharisee would answer back to God, to that question, 00:15:33.979 --> 00:15:35.979 who could stand if you were to mark iniquities. 00:15:36.239 --> 00:15:38.500 The Pharisee would raise their hand and say, 00:15:38.719 --> 00:15:42.119 Me, I could stand. I have followed your law. 00:15:42.979 --> 00:15:43.959 What arrogance. 00:15:44.739 --> 00:15:44.939 Right? 00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:46.519 What arrogance when we look backwards. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.799 But we need to see that same arrogance in our own heart. 00:15:49.219 --> 00:15:53.139 This is the same arrogance that we show when we put confidence in ourselves 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:57.059 to gain status before Holy God through our thoughts and through our deeds. 00:15:58.019 --> 00:16:00.519 There are likely some in this room who aren't believers. 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:05.039 Most people, apart from Christ, consider themselves generally to be good people, 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:07.419 and you're probably no exception. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.899 But hear Paul's word to us today. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:14.819 Failing to bow the knee before Christ as Savior and Lord in repentance from sin, 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:18.759 whether for the first time or in an ongoing fashion as a believer, 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:23.100 Scripture expresses this arrogance and entitlement to waltz into God's presence, 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:26.539 however we like, on our own terms, because of our own goodness. 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:30.939 Paul has reminded us already that all will bow one day. 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:34.139 Some people will bow in humble submission and worship. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:36.200 I hope that you are counted among that number. 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:40.159 And others will be crushed in the weight of God's wrath, 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:44.899 still recognizing Him as Lord, but not in worship and submission. 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:48.259 Do we dare prolong repentance another day? 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:53.840 So, what changed in Paul's case, and how do we change? 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:57.740 At Paul's conversion, there was a massive shift in his confidence. 00:16:57.860 --> 00:17:01.460 So that brings us to point number two, the great transfer of confidence. 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:04.400 And this is really the main point of our text this morning. 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:07.839 Picking up in verse 7, 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.599 he says, 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:27.819 First, I want us to note the past and present transfers of confidence. 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:32.899 We see that Paul counted these specific areas that he's listed as loss, 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.079 but then he says, 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:40.839 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:41.059 Right? 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:42.319 So both things are going on. 00:17:42.399 --> 00:17:43.940 It's the past tense. 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.919 I did this. 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.419 Right? 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.440 It's perfect. 00:17:46.659 --> 00:17:47.779 The perfect tense in the Greek. 00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:48.700 It's a completed work. 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:50.099 And then the present tense. 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:52.019 So it's in the past and ongoing. 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:56.460 This kind of repentance and faith in Christ certainly happens at conversion, 00:17:56.460 --> 00:18:00.879 but should be the practice or should be practiced in an ongoing fashion, 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:01.940 as Paul displays here. 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:06.600 Oftentimes when explaining the Christian life, 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:08.880 especially to unbelievers or those young in the faith, 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:13.059 it can be difficult to describe exactly what denying ourselves, 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.500 taking up our cross, 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:18.500 and following Christ means in more practical terms. 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:20.039 We're answering the question, 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:22.420 What does it mean to put faith in Christ? 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:25.880 At first, at conversion, and then in an ongoing fashion. 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:30.580 And I think our text helps us to understand at least one aspect of that. 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:34.460 So Paul here is speaking in accounting terms. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:34.839 Okay? 00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:36.980 He's talking about assets and liabilities, 00:18:37.199 --> 00:18:39.819 talking about gains and losses. 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:40.779 Okay? 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:42.059 So on one side, 00:18:42.179 --> 00:18:46.539 he has this list that he previously understood as adding to his righteousness 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:48.899 or giving him standing before God. 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:53.699 And then he's got a list of things that take away from his standing before God. 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.919 So on that list, 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.579 we found zeal, 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.500 obedience to the law, 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.639 keeping the covenant, 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:03.540 and sacrificing when he fell short on his list of gains. 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:07.880 And notice in our text that Paul does not merely erase these things 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:09.800 and replace them with Christ. 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:11.000 This is an important point. 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:15.860 Paul does not merely take those things off of the list on the gains column 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:18.080 and then put Christ on the gains list. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:19.780 He actually transfers it. 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:20.300 Right? 00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:25.500 He takes it from what was gain and moves it over to the loss column. 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:28.259 So what are we to make of this? 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:36.920 These things that he previously understood as gaining him status before God actually count against his righteousness before God. 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:38.160 So how is that? 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:43.560 How is it that Paul's outward obedience to the law actually counts against him? 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:45.060 And this is how. 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:52.399 When we see the acts of obedience as a means to attain righteousness or status in God's sight, 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:55.639 they become an abomination to the Lord. 00:19:55.640 --> 00:20:01.660 When we see our acts of obedience as our means to attain righteousness or status in God's sight, 00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:04.420 they become an abomination to the Lord. 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:10.160 This is the reason for the prophet Isaiah's harsh words in chapter 1 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:16.120 where the Lord describes Israel's multitude of sacrifices as a trampling of his courts. 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:20.800 Their feast as something that his soul hates and is burdensome. 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.460 Right? 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.460 These things that they were doing. 00:20:22.560 --> 00:20:26.120 They were obeying part of what God had commanded to do, 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:30.980 and yet the Lord saw them as an abomination because of how they were counting them, 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:33.779 how they were considering those works. 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:39.779 Paul's example here shows us that even the most fervent acts of zeal can become a loss to us, 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:42.519 a hindrance to our relationship with the Lord. 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:46.859 So this means that good theology, reading good books, teaching the word, leading music, 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:52.720 or a small group and discipling can become gross and self-exalting depending on how we count them. 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:55.259 And the implications from this are huge. 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:58.940 Part of what it means then to deny ourselves and follow Christ 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:02.879 is to recognize that the outwardly moral things we did pre-conversion 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:05.820 were not attractive to God. 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:10.840 He did not look at you or me and see a hint or a glimmer of light that caught his eye 00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:11.600 and made him think, 00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:14.520 Oh, how I could use him for greatness. 00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:19.420 Instead, he saw, rightly, a rebel, an enemy, someone who was spiritually dead, 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:23.340 and praise God, he sent his son to die for us in that state. 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:27.639 And now he does not see the believer's obedience and think, 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:33.419 Oh, what would I do if it weren't for Piper or for Platt or for, again, Nathan? 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:37.119 Faithfully teaching and leading his church. 00:21:37.199 --> 00:21:37.299 Right? 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:39.539 This is not how God sees us. 00:21:39.659 --> 00:21:42.779 And that may be a blow to your ego or our ego, 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:45.199 but there's great freedom in this message. 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:47.139 And that's what I want us to see today. 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:51.380 We are expendable tools in the Redeemer's hands. 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:54.200 He does not need you and he does not need me, 00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:57.740 but he delights to use his people to accomplish his purposes. 00:21:58.620 --> 00:22:01.020 And while this may feel like a shot to our ego, 00:22:01.300 --> 00:22:03.020 as it likely did the Pharisee, 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:07.440 this reality will set us free from the weights that we place on ourselves. 00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:10.880 For the unbeliever, to repent and believe in the gospel 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:13.080 means to take everything that you've been telling yourself 00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:16.319 about why you're a good person and recognize the arrogance, 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:19.799 the self-exaltation, and the rebellion of that claim, 00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:21.399 as Paul does in our text. 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:25.159 You have placed yourself as judge over God's word, 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:27.919 and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. 00:22:28.939 --> 00:22:31.179 For the believer, this looks like vigilance 00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:35.519 to keep our regular acts of obedience from slipping into self-righteousness. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.319 This can be really subtle. 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:39.099 So I want to give us some indicators 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:42.019 as to when we may be putting our confidence in the flesh. 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:45.139 That we believe gives us standing before God. 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:47.379 So we're not moving away from the text, 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.740 but we're going to set it aside 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:50.759 and then come back to the text for the solutions 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:54.900 of how we get rid of this confidence in the flesh. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:57.579 So I have four indicators of confidence in the flesh. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:59.879 So this is sub point three, if you're taking notes. 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:01.879 Indicators of confidence in the flesh. 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.579 Two of them that we're going to talk about 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.740 are a bit more obvious, 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:08.160 and two a little bit more subtle. 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:12.660 And I hope that as we're thinking about these things 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:14.300 that we may be putting confidence in the flesh 00:23:14.300 --> 00:23:15.779 that we didn't realize that we were. 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:20.000 I hope that you don't see them as a further burden on our shoulders 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.940 or a way that, 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:23.460 oh, now I'm falling short in a way that I didn't know I was. 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:26.019 Anytime that the Spirit reveals those things to us, 00:23:26.040 --> 00:23:28.279 it's an invitation of freedom, right? 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.480 To turn away from that sin 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:33.240 and to live and think how God would have us live and think. 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.440 Okay, so first one, 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:37.940 first indicator of confidence in the flesh. 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:39.940 Any belief or perspective 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:42.240 that makes us feel superior to other believers. 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:45.640 Indeed, all ground is level at the foot of the cross. 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:48.779 And to be clear, that bar is set low, right? 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:52.440 The ground is level on a very low plane at the foot of the cross. 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:55.160 Apart from Christ, we are spiritually dead. 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:59.319 There were those, hopefully not in here, 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.779 who would teach that certain giftings 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:04.399 like tongues and prophecy or certain vocations 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:07.859 indicate a higher status in relationship with God. 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:12.299 Here, we're probably more likely to act or subtly speak 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:14.379 as though our theological outlook, 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:17.079 our viewpoint on schooling and parenting methods, 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:19.500 our beliefs about dating or courtship, 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.720 and I'll stop there, 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:23.639 indicate a more genuine relationship with God 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:25.599 or that He is more pleased with us 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:27.619 because of our enlightened state. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:31.019 And there are certainly serious issues at stake. 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.460 I could go on in that list. 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.720 But the attitude that many, 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:37.259 or the attitude of derision that many in the faith 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:40.079 have on others outside of their particular camp 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.119 is troubling. 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.480 Dare we look down on, 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:45.480 or view ourselves higher than, 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:48.139 or mock such a brother or sister? 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:51.720 Where is our compassion for those led astray 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:53.259 by wolves in sheep's clothing, 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:56.059 as if we had something to do with keeping ourselves 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:57.440 from similar deception? 00:24:57.440 --> 00:25:00.140 In the words of Francis Schaeffer, 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:03.279 there is nothing more ugly than Christian orthodoxy 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:06.120 without understanding or without compassion. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:09.620 We must be careful not to let the love of truth 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:12.059 slip into an idolatry of the self 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:14.660 or a mockery of the souls led astray. 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.779 By way of advice, 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.779 talk to someone in that camp. 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:22.340 Expose yourself to a person with this or that belief, 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:24.159 remove it from the theoretical, 00:25:24.699 --> 00:25:27.519 and see the damage that wrong belief can do. 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.519 Secondly, 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:33.039 second indicator of confidence in the flesh 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.619 is self-sufficiency. 00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:37.199 Let's flip over to Galatians chapter 3. 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:39.599 I believe Nathan read this last week, 00:25:39.679 --> 00:25:41.119 but I want to remind us of it this morning. 00:25:43.159 --> 00:25:44.299 Galatians chapter 3. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:26:14.279 Galatians chapter 3. 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:16.419 Are you so foolish, 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.720 having begun by the Spirit, 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:20.019 are you now being perfected by the flesh? 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:23.019 Did you suffer so many things in vain, 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:24.500 if indeed it was in vain? 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:27.220 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.700 and works miracles among you 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:30.500 do so by works of the law 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:32.539 or by hearing with faith? 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.559 Like the Galatians, 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:36.579 many of us function as though 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:38.779 we are saved by hearing through faith, 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:41.379 but are made perfect for our own willpower, 00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:42.059 intellect, 00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:43.919 or record of righteous behavior. 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:46.460 Paul clearly here is saying 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:48.319 that our sanctification is no different 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:51.019 than our justification in this way. 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:53.299 It happens through hearing the Word of God 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:55.180 and receiving it with faith. 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.000 Now, 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:58.000 we have to work out 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.559 what the Spirit works into us. 00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:01.399 We have to be obedient to be sure, 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:04.079 but it happens by hearing the Word of God 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:05.339 and receiving it with faith. 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:08.199 So what does this self-sufficiency look like? 00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:10.299 It may look like burnout. 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.099 It may look like anxiety. 00:27:12.439 --> 00:27:13.659 It may look like fear. 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:16.079 As we try to accomplish by ourselves 00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:19.480 what the Spirit is meant to be working in and through us. 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:21.200 As I was prepping this yesterday, 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:24.059 Ross walked into the coffee shop that I was sitting in, 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:28.480 and I asked him what he thought were some ways 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:31.220 that Christians manifested confidence in the flesh, 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:33.279 and two things popped into his head 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:35.759 that I agreed with, obviously. 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.339 Firstly, he said, 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:40.339 Paul's resume sounds exhausting. 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.960 What a life and image to maintain. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.860 For us, 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:47.120 it may feel like we're continually pouring out 00:27:47.120 --> 00:27:48.279 without getting filled up 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:50.180 or caring mostly what others see 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.880 in and about us 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:53.680 rather than what God sees. 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.360 We often treat God, 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:56.940 secondly, 00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:57.360 he said, 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.860 we often treat God 00:27:58.860 --> 00:28:00.519 like we should treat our boss at work. 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:02.980 We try to handle the day-to-day on our own, 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:04.400 but if something big comes up 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.319 and we need help with it, 00:28:05.620 --> 00:28:06.980 then we'll reach out to him for help. 00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:09.980 If the very Son of God 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.660 was dependent on the Father, 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:13.840 how much more do we need him 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:15.440 as our daily spiritual sustenance? 00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:19.060 So, how did God's sovereign reign over this world 00:28:19.060 --> 00:28:21.040 and the realities of the freedom of the gospel 00:28:21.040 --> 00:28:22.980 come to bear in your attitude 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.160 towards parenting, 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:26.140 towards career choice, 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.580 and towards evangelism? 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:30.620 Beloved, we are not in control 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:32.620 as much as we pretend like we are, 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:35.500 but we are stewards of the children God gives 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:37.940 and the opportunities that come our way. 00:28:38.800 --> 00:28:40.320 This isn't always the case, 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:42.779 but oftentimes fear and anxiety arise 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:45.659 as we see the guise of our control slipping 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:48.319 and a deeply rooted discontentment 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:51.500 with the way God has decided to rule our lives 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:53.319 shows itself forth. 00:28:55.919 --> 00:28:57.879 Third indicator of confidence in the flesh 00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:59.720 is self-pity. 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.740 Okay, so this one, 00:29:00.899 --> 00:29:03.099 we're getting into more subtle realms here. 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.779 Self-pity. 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.319 Now, this may seem counterintuitive, 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:07.779 but feeling sorry for oneself 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:10.159 is an expression of pride. 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:12.339 John Piper puts it in this way 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.619 in his book, Future Grace. 00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:15.720 He says, 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:17.619 both boastfulness and self-pity 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:19.319 are manifestations of pride. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:22.980 Boasting is the response of pride to success. 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:26.619 Self-pity is the response of pride to suffering. 00:29:27.659 --> 00:29:28.460 Boasting says, 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:30.079 I deserve much admiration 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:31.879 because I have achieved so much. 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:33.380 While self-pity says, 00:29:33.560 --> 00:29:34.560 I deserve admiration 00:29:34.560 --> 00:29:36.980 because I have sacrificed so much. 00:29:37.780 --> 00:29:39.320 Boasting is the voice of pride 00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:40.720 in the heart of the strong. 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.840 Self-pity is the voice of pride 00:29:42.840 --> 00:29:44.440 in the heart of the weak. 00:29:45.260 --> 00:29:47.640 The reason self-pity does not look like pride 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:49.680 is that it appears to be needy. 00:29:50.020 --> 00:29:52.740 But this need arises from a wounded ego 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:55.060 and the desire of the self-pitying 00:29:55.060 --> 00:29:56.660 is not really for others 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:57.720 to see them as helpless, 00:29:58.280 --> 00:29:59.080 but as heroes. 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:03.279 The need self-pity feels 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:05.659 does not come from a sense of unworthiness, 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:08.759 but a sense of unrecognized worthiness. 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:12.559 It is the response of unapplauded pride. 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:16.259 Do we really believe that our Father 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.879 who sees what we do in secret 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:19.079 will reward us? 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:21.879 Or do we so value the opinions of others 00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:23.259 that we feel sorry for ourselves 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:25.059 when they don't recognize what we're doing, 00:30:25.199 --> 00:30:26.759 they don't recognize our potential 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:28.359 and the sacrifice we make? 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:31.339 Do we believe in a sovereign Lord 00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:33.000 who sees, who hears our prayers 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.379 and has each one of us 00:30:34.379 --> 00:30:36.000 where we are in life for a reason? 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.339 Do you really believe that? 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:40.199 God sees your faithful mothering. 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:42.119 He sees your diligent hard work 00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:43.480 that your boss doesn't recognize. 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:45.879 He sees integrity in school work 00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:47.539 when those around you would take shortcuts. 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:50.079 Don't give in to the prideful temptation 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:51.319 to feel sorry for yourself. 00:30:51.899 --> 00:30:53.439 There is beauty in the mundane. 00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.779 Work to believe in these realities. 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:58.940 And fourthly, lastly, 00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:02.579 is penance or self-punishment. 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:04.460 Penance or self-punishment. 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:06.000 It's similar to self-pity 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:08.859 because it may look like humility on the outside. 00:31:09.639 --> 00:31:11.180 Many believers find themselves 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.660 battling with the same sins 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.720 they've been struggling with 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.940 for many years, 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:16.619 sometimes decades. 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:18.639 And this has led many 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:20.099 to an attitude of self-hatred, 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:22.519 viewing oneself as a lesser Christian, 00:31:22.979 --> 00:31:24.500 viewing ourselves as unworthy 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.719 to enter God's presence 00:31:25.719 --> 00:31:27.000 because we haven't been able 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:29.319 to overcome a certain sin pattern. 00:31:29.979 --> 00:31:31.959 We feel like we don't deserve redemption 00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:33.219 and therefore run away 00:31:33.219 --> 00:31:35.019 from the graces God has given us, 00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:37.359 which can quickly spiral into isolation 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.519 and to further sin. 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:40.019 We punish ourselves. 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:42.740 On this topic the other day, 00:31:42.879 --> 00:31:44.160 Nathan cheekily remarked 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:45.940 that if he put a whipping post 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.680 in his office, 00:31:46.879 --> 00:31:48.220 it might get put to good use 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:49.180 with the attitudes 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.660 that many of us have. 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.779 So what's the issue? 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:56.599 Both self-pity and penance 00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:59.000 assume that if we could just 00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:00.559 get our outward behavior right, 00:32:01.139 --> 00:32:02.559 if we could just get our attitude 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:04.220 before the Lord right, 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.859 then we would be worthy 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:07.720 to enter into the presence of God, 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:09.379 to go to Him for help, 00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:10.680 and to take part 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:12.380 in the good gifts that He gives. 00:32:12.800 --> 00:32:14.000 That sounds an awful lot 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.800 like the Pharisee. 00:32:16.060 --> 00:32:17.420 By punishing ourselves, 00:32:17.520 --> 00:32:18.440 we say to God 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:20.020 that Christ's payment on the cross, 00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:22.420 the bearing of the wrath of God 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:23.140 for His people, 00:32:23.300 --> 00:32:24.920 wasn't quite enough. 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.260 So we want to inflict 00:32:26.260 --> 00:32:27.520 a bit more pain in ourselves, 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:29.400 and if we can act sincere enough, 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.160 like Paul the Pharisee, 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:33.520 then maybe God will approve. 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:36.000 Is our inadequacy 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:38.080 not the very point of the gospel? 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:41.079 Where we were not adequate 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:42.119 to fulfill the law, 00:32:42.619 --> 00:32:43.460 that Christ was, 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.299 and His righteousness 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:45.319 has been freely given 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.139 to those who place 00:32:46.139 --> 00:32:47.539 their faith in Him. 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.980 Wrath that we deserved 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:51.279 punished in His body, 00:32:51.419 --> 00:32:52.659 that we might know 00:32:52.659 --> 00:32:53.960 and enjoy God forever. 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.319 Praise be to the land 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:55.919 who was slain, 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:57.480 so that we could live free 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:59.579 from the bondage of the law. 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.859 So from the Pharisee, 00:33:01.919 --> 00:33:02.559 to the bitter, 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.899 to the self-loathing, 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:05.619 there's one factor in common. 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:08.039 The self and not Christ 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:09.000 is at the center. 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.879 Our view of ourselves 00:33:10.879 --> 00:33:11.779 is too big 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.799 and of Christ 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:14.259 and His glory too small. 00:33:14.719 --> 00:33:16.059 Our thoughts are consumed 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.859 with ourselves 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:18.579 and not God's glory. 00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:20.359 So returning to our text, 00:33:20.459 --> 00:33:21.779 we have the solution. 00:33:21.959 --> 00:33:23.000 How do we transfer 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.159 this confidence? 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:25.079 How do we do that 00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:27.119 in an ongoing fashion? 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.259 Go back to the text 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.819 if you're not there already. 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:40.279 I'll start in verse 8. 00:33:42.919 --> 00:33:44.500 Indeed, I count everything 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.139 as lost 00:33:45.139 --> 00:33:46.720 because of the surpassing worth 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:48.539 of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 00:33:49.159 --> 00:33:50.059 For His sake, 00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:51.139 I've suffered the loss 00:33:51.139 --> 00:33:51.919 of all things 00:33:51.919 --> 00:33:53.019 and count them as rubbish 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:54.819 in order that I may gain Christ 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.960 and be found in Him. 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.659 Not having a righteousness 00:33:57.659 --> 00:33:58.480 of my own 00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:59.500 that comes from the law, 00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:01.019 but that which comes 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.759 through faith in Christ. 00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:04.599 The righteousness from God 00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:06.220 that depends on faith. 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:08.400 So how do we transfer confidence? 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.340 How do we see Paul 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:11.119 transferring this confidence? 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.099 Firstly, 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.619 we are to believe 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.880 that knowing Christ, 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:16.559 but by whatever means 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.719 God deems necessary, 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:19.300 surpasses everything 00:34:19.300 --> 00:34:20.260 that we might gain 00:34:20.260 --> 00:34:21.000 from this world. 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.360 And a belief in this 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:23.739 will help us to transfer 00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:24.699 that confidence 00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.380 from ourselves 00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:26.320 onto Christ. 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:27.500 So knowing 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:28.860 and enjoying Christ. 00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:29.840 This is the chief 00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:30.980 end of man. 00:34:31.140 --> 00:34:32.039 It is the reason 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:33.519 we were created. 00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:34.880 This type of knowledge 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.760 is not merely 00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:37.260 knowing things about Christ, 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.140 but knowing Him 00:34:38.140 --> 00:34:38.680 intimately, 00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:39.980 experientially, 00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:41.059 and in relationship 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:41.880 with Him. 00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:43.500 Jesus taught 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.680 in Matthew 13 00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:45.660 that the kingdom of heaven 00:34:45.660 --> 00:34:46.720 is like treasure 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:47.559 hidden in a field 00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.740 which a man found 00:34:48.740 --> 00:34:49.480 and covered up. 00:34:49.640 --> 00:34:50.500 Then in his joy, 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:51.940 he goes and sells 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:53.140 all that he has 00:34:53.140 --> 00:34:54.559 and buys that field. 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:55.920 And again, 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.940 in John 17, 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:58.019 Jesus says, 00:34:58.360 --> 00:34:59.619 this is eternal life 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.960 that they know you, 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:02.059 the only true God 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:03.159 and Jesus Christ 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:04.800 whom you have sent. 00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:05.840 Does that reflect 00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:06.820 on your attitude 00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:08.420 toward the means of grace, 00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:10.059 towards knowing God 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:11.440 and knowing Christ? 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:12.420 If not, 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:13.440 then we may not 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.740 be valuing Christ 00:35:14.740 --> 00:35:16.119 in the surpassing worth 00:35:16.119 --> 00:35:16.820 of knowing Him 00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:17.619 enough. 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:19.400 Is this how we view 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.400 our time in the word 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:21.139 and prayer, 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:22.720 time listening to preaching 00:35:22.720 --> 00:35:23.340 and singing 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:24.320 these glorious songs 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:24.720 together? 00:35:24.719 --> 00:35:25.819 Do we view them 00:35:25.819 --> 00:35:26.739 as partaking 00:35:26.739 --> 00:35:27.719 in eternal life 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:28.459 through the knowledge 00:35:28.459 --> 00:35:29.379 of Christ? 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:30.819 This knowledge 00:35:30.819 --> 00:35:31.899 is worth sacrificing 00:35:31.899 --> 00:35:32.839 everything for, 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:34.399 including this guise 00:35:34.399 --> 00:35:35.459 of self-righteousness. 00:35:35.719 --> 00:35:36.779 We must remind ourselves 00:35:36.779 --> 00:35:37.739 of this often. 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:39.719 Secondly, 00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:40.959 we must believe 00:35:40.959 --> 00:35:41.719 that our identity 00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:43.480 is found in Him. 00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.679 Our identity 00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:46.059 is found in Him, 00:35:46.500 --> 00:35:47.539 not in our actions, 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.739 whether good or bad. 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.699 We must believe 00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:51.759 that we are new creations 00:35:51.759 --> 00:35:53.399 with new natures. 00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:55.059 We are saints 00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:56.539 who struggle against sin, 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:57.820 not sinners 00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:58.960 who fight to act 00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.820 like saints. 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:00.740 Again, 00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:01.800 we are saints 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:03.220 who struggle against sin, 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.200 not sinners 00:36:04.200 --> 00:36:05.160 who fight to act 00:36:05.160 --> 00:36:05.820 like saints. 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.480 Humans do not 00:36:07.480 --> 00:36:09.180 vary in degree 00:36:09.180 --> 00:36:09.920 before God, 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.840 but we vary 00:36:10.840 --> 00:36:11.539 in type 00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:12.360 before God. 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.880 He does not see us 00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.800 as more or less 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:15.840 Christ-like, 00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:17.440 which is how we experience 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.639 progress in our faith, 00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:19.780 but He sees us 00:36:19.780 --> 00:36:20.340 on the basis 00:36:20.340 --> 00:36:22.019 of Christ's righteousness 00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:23.480 or lack thereof, 00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:24.719 which is how we ought 00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:25.980 to think and speak 00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:26.860 of ourselves. 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:28.480 We must be careful 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.099 about the language 00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:30.019 we use to talk 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:30.719 about our sin. 00:36:31.360 --> 00:36:32.259 Language changes 00:36:32.259 --> 00:36:33.360 the way that we think. 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.900 And with all due respect 00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:35.659 to those who struggle 00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.440 in these areas, 00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:37.340 Christian, 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:38.480 you should not refer 00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:39.019 to yourself 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:39.780 as an alcoholic, 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:40.719 a homosexual, 00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:41.820 a drug addict, 00:36:42.179 --> 00:36:43.780 as if our primary identity 00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:45.239 resides in outward 00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:46.440 behavioral patterns. 00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:47.920 Now, you may have 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.539 a biological 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:50.380 or socialized predisposition 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:51.500 to strong temptation 00:36:51.500 --> 00:36:53.720 in this or that area, 00:36:53.980 --> 00:36:54.700 but it does not 00:36:54.700 --> 00:36:56.019 determine your identity. 00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:58.240 If you want 00:36:58.240 --> 00:36:58.940 a further text 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.380 for that, 00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:00.079 I would suggest 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:01.500 Romans chapter 6, 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.940 6 through 14. 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:04.920 We must find 00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:05.840 our identity 00:37:05.840 --> 00:37:07.039 primarily in Christ 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:08.700 and consider ourselves 00:37:08.700 --> 00:37:09.639 dead to sin 00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:11.000 as we look to Him 00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:11.800 day by day. 00:37:12.760 --> 00:37:13.519 And lastly, 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:15.380 we must believe, 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:16.539 remember that 00:37:16.539 --> 00:37:17.320 our righteousness 00:37:17.320 --> 00:37:18.340 is alien. 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:20.420 It's outside of ourselves. 00:37:20.820 --> 00:37:21.380 In verse 9, 00:37:21.780 --> 00:37:22.079 he said, 00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:23.200 not having a righteousness 00:37:23.200 --> 00:37:23.920 of my own 00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:25.160 that comes from the law, 00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:26.300 but that which comes 00:37:26.300 --> 00:37:27.480 through faith in Christ, 00:37:27.680 --> 00:37:28.160 the righteousness 00:37:28.160 --> 00:37:28.860 from God 00:37:28.860 --> 00:37:30.539 that depends on faith. 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:32.320 This is great news. 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.559 If you have done 00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:35.300 nothing to earn 00:37:35.300 --> 00:37:36.140 Christ's righteousness, 00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:37.200 then we can do 00:37:37.200 --> 00:37:38.140 nothing to lose it. 00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:39.579 What security 00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:40.500 and freedom 00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:41.740 are found in this reality? 00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:43.300 Christ's righteousness 00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:44.440 given to us freely, 00:37:44.760 --> 00:37:45.300 apart from 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.039 our good works 00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:46.740 and apart from 00:37:46.740 --> 00:37:47.519 our bad works, 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:49.160 and anchors our soul 00:37:49.160 --> 00:37:49.940 within the veil 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:51.420 to the very presence 00:37:51.420 --> 00:37:52.400 of God. 00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:54.360 In order to gain Christ, 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:55.400 we suffer the loss 00:37:55.400 --> 00:37:56.060 of all things, 00:37:56.100 --> 00:37:56.720 our ego, 00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.660 our preference, 00:37:58.060 --> 00:37:58.760 our desire, 00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.960 our self-sufficiency, 00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:00.880 and oh, 00:38:00.920 --> 00:38:01.640 is He worth 00:38:01.640 --> 00:38:02.560 the cost. 00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:04.320 You no longer 00:38:04.320 --> 00:38:05.140 have to prove 00:38:05.140 --> 00:38:05.900 your worth 00:38:05.900 --> 00:38:07.000 or your worthiness 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:07.539 to God, 00:38:07.620 --> 00:38:08.380 but can rest 00:38:08.380 --> 00:38:09.380 in the finished work 00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:10.300 of Christ. 00:38:11.160 --> 00:38:12.060 May we be a people 00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:13.059 who put no confidence 00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:13.719 in the flesh 00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:14.519 for righteousness 00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.299 under the law 00:38:15.299 --> 00:38:16.639 or elevated status 00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:17.400 before God, 00:38:17.840 --> 00:38:18.840 but see Christ's 00:38:18.840 --> 00:38:19.539 atoning blood 00:38:19.539 --> 00:38:20.679 as our only plea 00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:21.759 before a Holy Father, 00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:23.119 looking to Him 00:38:23.119 --> 00:38:24.279 as our sole hope 00:38:24.279 --> 00:38:25.360 in this life 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:26.239 and in the life 00:38:26.239 --> 00:38:26.619 to come. 00:38:26.619 --> 00:38:27.619 Let's pray.