Philippians 3:1-11

Bringing the sermon home:

In light of the two advents of Christ, Paul has called the Philippians to humble, sacrificial obedience to Him. But this is not a call to a joyless life, so Paul then turns his attention to joy, calling them to “rejoice in the Lord”.

Before highlighting the greatest source of joy, Paul addresses the greatest enemy of true joy: self-righteousness and self-reliance, as you trust in yourself for salvation and seek for joy in human achievements.

In coming to know Christ, Paul discovered that his self-righteous life had left him spiritually bankrupt, for the righteousness we need is “the righteousness from God that depends on faith,” not on anything we do, and true joy is only found in knowing Jesus.

May we seek to know Christ more fully by spending time with Him through studying His Word, worshipping Him alongside His people, seeking His resurrection power at work within us, and being His light to a dark world by sharing His gospel with others.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord… (Psalm 27:4)

(See follow-up article here.)