The Rest Is Rubbish

Moses asked God a question. He said, please show me your glory, glory being the manifestation of God's splendor and God's beauty and God's greatness. Glory is a revelation. So Moses wants to see something that God has to reveal. That's why he asked, please show me your glory. I just want to have the simplicity of a Samuel who says, Lord, first of all, the answer is yes. But for the request, because you are Lord, I'm servant and I'm going to do what you told me to do. I do. Philippians chapter three, if you don't know, we're in a summer study in the book of Philippians and we're reading every single word in the entire book. Today is no different. Today is Philippians chapter three. So if you don't mind to stand to your feet for the reading of the word, we're going to read it out loud altogether as a family. And then I'm going to make quick work of the entire chapter. Is that all right with you guys? All right. Is that all right with you guys? Come on, 8 a.m. I know it's early. All right, let's do it. Verse one. Finally, my brothers rejoice in the Lord to write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. One of the things that I want to point out real quick before we go to verse two is how Paul addresses them as brothers. This is not religious filler. This is Paul emphasizing what we studied last week, which was the necessity of unity in the church. Somebody say unity. So that's what Paul's talking about. Verse two, look out for the dogs. And that's not a good thing. Look out for the evildoers. Look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision who worship by the spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, as to the law of Pharisee, as to zeal, a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law, blameless. Paul gives his resume there. Now get this. This is really important that you catch the next two verses. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything. How much? As loss because of the surpassing worth of. Because of the surpassing worth of. Say that word. Knowing. Notice Paul's not talking about knowing about Jesus.

No, he's saying knowing Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and I count them as. Count them as what? So if you look this up in the original text. It's the word do do. That's what Paul's saying. In order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible, I may attain to the resurrection of the dead. He's talking about going to heaven now. Verse 12, not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I do press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing that I do. I forget what lies behind and I strain forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature. In this way Paul's back to talking about mindset and if in anything you think otherwise God will reveal that Also to you remember the Holy Spirit is the teacher Jesus said when the Holy Spirit Comes the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you into all truth So Paul is making an appeal if you disagree with me Then pray I wish I was that confident as a Bible teacher If you don't agree with what I'm saying ask God He told me to say it. That's what Paul's saying Only let us hold true to what we have Attained somebody say no backsliding Brothers join in imitating me and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us for many of Whom have often told you and now tell you even with tears Says Paul crying out to God for his people walk as enemies of the cross of Christ He's talking about those who would oppose the church in Philippi. He's in tears He's saying their end is destruction Their God is their belly and they glory in their own shame with minds set on earthly things But don't forget our citizenship is in heaven, which is like this

insult to everybody living in Philippi who would confess Caesar is the Lord and they're gaining identity and Who they are as a Roman citizen, which was very expensive to obtain at the time or perhaps they're retired military personnel So they're getting identity from being Roman and Paul says our citizen our Citizenship Christians is in heaven. That's where my passport is from and from it We await a Savior the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body By the power that enables him that resurrection power that Holy Ghost power Even to subject all things to himself I thought I would borrow a phrase for the title here from verse 7 and 8 But whatever gain I had I counted as lost for the sake of Christ indeed I count everything as lost because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I Count them as rubbish. So I decided to call this message today. The rest is rubbish The aside from knowing Jesus Church. The rest is nothing more Than rubbish Lord. We say thank you We pray again and we ask for your transforming power your resurrection power that the Apostle Paul is crying out for here We cry out for resurrection power today God Lord. We're asking that you would take us beyond ourselves Do something in us that we cannot do through discipline Holy Spirit come with power today and help us as we study your word and Jesus name. We pray and everybody said Amen, you can be seated So don't forget Paul is pastoring a persecuted people We've been talking about this the last couple of weeks But if you've forgotten the context then the church at Philippi is experiencing a lot of persecution But they've heard that their founder the Apostle Paul is also Experiencing persecution and he's in prison in Rome. So they send this guy with a really funny name named Epaphroditus with a financial gift as well as some information as to how the church that Paul planted is going and They talk a little bit about the pushback as well as the disunity Even if it's mild by comparison to the Corinthian Church They still send Epaphroditus with a report and then Paul alongside Timothy and some others

he says I want you to go back with a letter and I want you to talk to the church that I've Established and I want you to tell them a few things that are very important I want you to make sure that they have a mindset to suffer That's the first thing because as a Christian you gonna go through some stuff Amen You gonna go through some stuff if you're a believer and you've not experienced hardship for your faith yet You've probably just been saved a week So Paul's like you got to have a mindset to suffer man and Then as you experience that persecution, the next thing you need to know is stay in unity Don't let the enemy divide you Because hell is afraid of a united church Amen So the last part he says finally my brothers he's He's coming here to the conclusion. He's saying I want to make sure if you've forgotten everything else, you don't forget this This is kind of like when I was a kid My parents used to go for date nights and they would leave me in charge That's a big mistake. I'm the oldest of four boys We got into some trouble Really? I remember one time I hogtied my little brother to a doorknob and I left him there. He eventually got out, don't worry, he's all right. We're still connected today. We'd put my youngest brother in a duffel bag, we'd bounce him off the bed. Just things like that. Nothing big. Wreck everything, you know. So I have no idea why my parents left me in charge, but they would.

And I think they just got used to having four boys, you know. So as they were leaving the house for the night, I'll never forget the sound of our garage door opening back up, the door between the garage and the house in the laundry room. Open up, and then my dad had this very distinctive whistle. He'll probably be here in the next service, I'll have him do it. I can't even do it. And he would get all of our attention and he would rally us right before they left. And he would say, if you forget everything that I told you, don't forget this. And this is my point, and the point I think that Paul is making here, is that the last couple of things that he wants to remind the church of his kids are the most important things. If you forget about how to suffer well, if you forget how to interact with one another well, like you neglect to keep the unity, you go through hardship and you break down momentarily, if you forget all of that, I wanna make sure that you remember something, my brothers, you guys are my spiritual family, and I'm gonna give you a word here that's very important for you to remember. He says right there in verse one,

I'm going to write the same things to you. How many of you guys know, sometimes we don't need new revelation, we just need old reminders. It ain't necessarily about the next download, but it is about being disciplined to be obedient to the things that Christ has already taught us. So Paul's saying, it's no problem for me, I'm gonna write it to you again because I wanna make sure that you get it, and he says, it's safe for you. What is he telling him? He's saying, if you will listen to what I'm saying, I'm inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this letter, if you will listen to what I'm saying, it will promote safety in your life. In 2 Timothy, we all know this quite well. I think I have the scripture from 2 Timothy, chapter three, verse 16, but let me remind you, all scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching. This is why it's important for us to build our lives on the solid rock that is the Word of God, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Paul is saying, if you'll listen to these words, if you'll listen to a word from God, then it will provide safety to you, it will strengthen you, and it will help you move forward

in the way that God has called you to move forward. Are you with me, church? So this is what Paul is saying, and he goes on to say, listen, I want you to look out for the dogs. He calls them mutilators. The reason he calls them mutilators is because these are the Judaizers. So these are the people, whether they're in or outside of the community of Christ Jesus, they're telling Christians that they're not saved by grace through faith. They're saying, no, if you don't get circumcised like the Jewish people, then you don't bear the mark of covenant in your body, and that is necessary if you are gonna see salvation. That's what's gonna be required. And so Paul's like, watch out for those guys, man. Watch out for the dogs. Watch out for those people who pervert the gospel. Watch out for those people who tell you that you've gotta strive, you've gotta achieve, you've gotta do this, you've gotta perform. You've gotta do all these things in order to be saved. Paul's like, that ain't the gospel. You certainly don't need to be circumcised. You don't need to cut yourself. He calls them mutilators. He says it's not necessary for you to do those things to be saved. And if anybody comes to you telling you

that you've gotta perform or accomplish all of these things in your own strength in order to see Jesus, they lying. So he says to them, they're dogs. Us, on the other hand, we live life differently. We worship differently. He says we are of the circumcised. If you look right here in verse three, is it okay that I'm just going verse by verse? He says, we are the circumcision, meaning we are those in covenant with God. If that's you, say amen. We are the circumcision. Now, look at what the circumcision is. It's actually four things. Number one, we worship by the spirit of God. Remember in John chapter four, whenever Jesus is speaking to the woman at the well, I think I saved it, yep, God is spirit. And those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth. This is the kind of worship that. are God wants not just ritualistic mechanistic legalistic type of worship that the mutilator the mutilators the mutilators it's another wrestling team the mutilators they're promoting that and Paul's like no no that's not that's not how we worship we're not worshiping out of ritual here this is most important we're not worshiping out of absence of real relationship

no we have an awareness that whenever we worship we're not worshiping to the ceiling we're not just singing songs to make ourselves feel better no we're talking to a person who is alive are you with me so you're saying we're worshiping by the spirit he goes on to say this the second thing is and we glory in Christ Jesus mean I'm not glorying in anything that I've done to prove that I'm in covenant they're saying well you know I'm circumcised I wear these outfits I sit in these seats in church Paul's saying it doesn't matter I glory in Christ Jesus alone he goes on the next thing he says and and I put no confidence in the flesh three things I glory in Christ Jesus and I put no confidence in the flesh meaning I'm saved not because of what I've done externally but I'm saved because of what the spirit of God has done for me internally regenerated me I'm a new man so I'm not worshiping just externally but something is happening internally in my heart I have a relational connection with the man who saved me I'm speaking to him and I'm listening to him speak to me and I don't do this in my own strength I'm not doing it out of my own ability some days I don't have the strength to worship the Lord in the way that he desires to be worshiped and if we're honest we're all loving him back on borrowed love the Bible says that we can only love him because he first loved us I know sometimes you look at yourself in the mirror and you say I just ain't got it today truly that's every day just certain days you're more confident in the flesh than others but the truth is it doesn't matter what kind of day you're having because none of this is built on your ability to do anything righteous and that's what Paul is reminding them of

he's saying make sure that you understand this now listen I know some of you guys are bragging that's what Paul is saying I know some people they bragging oh I do this I do that for God I serve I give I do all these things I'm a pastor I'm a preacher I'm an evangelist I'm a missionary I'm this I'm that and Paul's like listen oh y'all sit down if you want to hear somebody's resume mine is as long as a CVS receipt I don't know when the last time you went to CVS is but dog man they going through some trees man CVS Paul's like here's my resume I'm gonna let me tell you about about who I am y'all want to talk about external symbols he starts there he's like look at this he says I'm circumcised on the eighth day you want to talk about external symbols like circumcision today we ain't talking about that when it comes to well I'll show you the mark I'm bearing in my body y'all didn't think that was funny okay we don't want to see that sir unnecessary I always thought about that like in the old testament like how did you know I guess I'll take your word for it amen you you bear the mark amen today we don't we don't do that but what do we do it's like tattoos jewelry y'all y'all too quiet but like do we not rappers I got two Jesus pieces right what he's talking about is is he's talking about that external symbol or well my bio on Instagram Jesus is Lord I've got these external symbols I got bumper stickers I do all of these things and Paul's like all of those things don't matter uh-oh he goes on to the next thing and he says I'm an Israelite he's talking about his birth right now

he's talking about his nationality he's talking about his ethnicity he's talking about things that belong to him as a result of where he's been born and who his parents are he says if you got identity in those things none of those things matter either stop bragging about that stuff it don't matter where you're from it don't matter Who your parents are it don't matter the color of your skin Jew Greek don't it don't matter stop putting identity in those things Are you with me church? He goes on again. He says this and number three. He says my pedigree He said I'm of the tribe of Benjamin. He's now he's talking about his family ties Well because of whom because of who I'm related to that means I'm very special Because of who my spiritual mom is Well, I'm different than everybody else because I got ordained by somebody who's very famous in the church Paul's like it don't matter Is it too much He goes on to the next one. He says I'm a Hebrew of Hebrew today This is about denomination or this is about expression or this is about stream. Well, I'm Catholic. Well, I'm Protestant Well, I'm uh, I'm non-denominational. Well, I'm Baptist. I'm Presbyterian well, I'm Y'all with me because we get identity from these things and Paul's like none of that stuff matters All that's all that stuff doesn't matter Well, I'm Pentecostal. Well, I'm a spirit field. Well, I'm evangelical. Well, I'm Orthodox. I'm angry and Paul's like it doesn't matter If that is what you're putting on your resume as the thing that you think qualifies you to have relationship with God You Dog that's what he's saying You teaching lies And I heard it as a kid I remember cuz I grew up holiness Pentecostal I used to hear messages like if you ain't a part of our denomination, you're gonna go to hell. I Just remember being so confused, but that's like what? They're like you can't have a beard. I was like Jesus had a beard If you if you get an identity from stuff like that That's the point and and I realized that this kind of pushes on some things in us

It's like you squirm a little bit when you start hearing about my theological history. The next thing is religious status He says I'm a Pharisee of a Pharisee if you're like, I'm a pastor. I'm very important Therefore I've got identity in the body of Christ Paul said it don't matter if you're a pastor Hey, they don't matter if you're a missionary Don't matter if you're an apostle and evangelist a pastor a teacher. It does not matter Stop putting your identity in these titles these religious titles Well, I'm this person and I'm anointed and the high call of God is upon my life. Yeah me too and you too and everybody Because it's none of those things that matter That's what that's the point that Paul is trying to make the next thing is this you're a defender of the faith and listen We got so many truth police in the world today Well I'm gonna I'm gonna call everybody out. Okay, who gave you that job because if it wasn't God Man be careful Have some respect have the fear of the Lord Paul said I'm a defender. He called himself a persecutor He was he said I seek out people who I believe are blasphemous You can't tell me that's not happening today and I jump on him Paul said I did that so much so that I stood by while Stephen was martyred So you won't you won't pull out a resume you want to talk about somebody who was passionate about apologetics? You ain't gonna find nobody more passionate than the Apostle Paul. He was ready to kill for truth And Then lastly he said according to the law, I'm blameless. I'm blameless meaning. I have a reputation for good and I always follow the rules According to my community and my conscience I'm blameless Paul said if you want to look at a resume look at this resume. I've got the external symbols I've got the birthright. I've got the pedigree. I've got the denominational expression. I've got the religious status I'm a defender of the truth and I am blameless if you want to look at somebody's resume You can look at my resume and then here's what Paul says. That is so incredibly important Church. He said it's all rubbish So It's all trash Doesn't matter none of that matters because it all pales in comparison to one thing which is this real? relationship with Jesus

Everything that we try to put in the way of that to keep up with appearances So everybody knows that we're Christians Paul says all of that stuff is rubbish If you forget how to suffer well if you forget how to keep the unity Here's the thing that you've got to remember Church all of the things that you're getting identity from Outside of real authentic deep connection with Jesus Christ is all trash. I Don't know how Paul can make it more plain is this is this like hard preaching today We got to stop getting our identity from the wrong things if you if you dive a little deeper you can go to verse 12 I'll close with this Because Paul tells us how to get there. He says the first thing that you need is you need humility You need humility if you're gonna value the right things if you are gonna walk in the right way You're gonna have to have right relationship with Jesus meaning I've got to have the right heart posture I'm not coming to God saying God you owe me an encounter Because I'm a part of this denomination God you owe me an encounter because I called out that guy on the internet You Owe me more anointing because of who my spiritual dad is Maybe we got we're gonna have to go lower and get more if we want more relationship because Paul says I'm pressing on I'm striving toward toward what? Relationship and power That's what Paul says that he wants He said I want relationship and I want power and he doesn't put power before relationship because he knows that power is a byproduct of relationship He said if I can have a greater relationship Then I can have more power because I'm trying to achieve the high call of God that is resting upon my life And I cannot do it in my own strength, and I cannot do it with my resume Hell is not afraid of your resume Look here demon, this is who my spiritual dad is sons of Sceva had that same experience Doesn't matter At the end of the day it doesn't matter Are you with me? And I know you hear my heart

I know you understand my the context here of what Paul is saying But number one is this go lower still be more humble number two is press on I don't care. How long you've been living for Jesus. Can I tell you today? There's more You've not experienced all that there is to experience in God this side of heaven there's more for you There's more for you perhaps You're not hungry for it today But I pray by the Spirit of God that you would be stirred in your spirit to a place of wonder and curiosity To a place of holy hunger that you would look up and say God Surely that's not all that there is I want more Paul says I press on toward it. He's using a he's using sports language here athletic language Paul does this several times throughout the Gospels which I appreciate because I Like to think of myself as somebody who is somewhat athletic although that's going downhill fast I'm like that's right. I can be inspired when I run. There's more and you know what Paul says stop looking back Stop looking back remember Isaiah chapter 43 The prophet Isaiah said this Remember not the former things Nor consider the things of old stop looking back The only time that you need to review your past is when the Spirit tells you to look back in obedience. Otherwise, don't worry about it You Nothing for you back there Paul says don't look back. Don't look back. There's actually more for you in your future. Don't look back We're looking back to testify. We remember what God has done God tells us many times to remember but please hear my heart here and hear what Paul is saying Your future is ahead and the more of God and the more of his power is ahead It's not behind look ahead. That's the last part Hebrews chapter 12 verse 1 and 2 says this looking to Jesus Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses Let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us Looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith who for the joy that was set before him Endured the cross despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God One of the things to notice as well is how often in the book of Philippians that Paul uses the word joy or rejoice 16 times in 12 verses Paul says joy or rejoice and remember church. He's writing the letter from prison

That in itself is a whole sermon how often Paul says Take joy Because he knows joy is more than an emotion joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and when you're filled with the Holy Spirit The by-product of your overflow is that of joy? It's like received joy walk in joy and Remember, this is how the mature think And don't backslide. He says don't backslide don't backslide, but remember who you are don't backslide I know a lot of times we think of backsliding as like this extreme Commitment to being a prodigal but whenever Paul talks about not neglecting what you've already attained He's not talking about giving up on your faith throwing in the towel Then leaving church all together. He's saying no don't slip back even an inch. I think we have to Expand our definition of what backsliding means A lot of times we think of backsliding is that person left the church. They backslid no Backsliding according to paul is neglecting the things that you've already attained. Yes, there's more but you're you're not a beginner If you've been in church for a while, you've received truth. You've had encounters You know what? It's like to read through the scripture and receive revelation from god. Don't neglect what you've attained Because even even backing up an inch backing up a foot paul's like that's backsliding Don't backslide but remember who you are. That's how he closes out. Remember who you are Remember who you are. Let's stand and pray I don't know who needed to hear that today Obviously I didn't have any cute points or great stories, but I hope that you Received what the spirit was speaking through Pause, he wrote to this church. He established We are the church of the living god today. We are the circumcision as paul said we bear the marks of covenant internally and as a result We glory in christ jesus and we put no confidence In the flesh if that's you today

Or you want that to be you? Let's lift our voices with the team And let's sing a chorus Unto the lord as we close From my heart to the heavens Jesus be the center. It's all about you. Yes, it's all about you from my heart Jesus be the center. It's all about you. Yes, it's all about you from my heart Jesus be the center. It's all about you. Yes, it's all about you Jesus Let's lift our hands toward heaven and just sing it out. Yes, it's all about you from my heart Jesus be the center. It's all about you. Yes, it's all about you Yes Yes You It's all about you. Yes, it's all Come on Yes Yes Oh Nothing else Oh Jesus