No Confidence in Ourselves

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Philippians 3:1-3 (KJV)

1. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

1. The Danger of Self-Confidence is Subtle . . . "beware of dogs, beware . . . beware . . ."
   There were people in Paul's day called Judaizers who said it was not enough to have faith in Jesus Christ to be right with God. You must be circumcised, perform Temple rituals, etc.
   In our modern day, there are those who say salvation is Christ PLUS, works, service, etc.
   There is no eternal life nor joy if one trusts a false gospel. How do we protect ourselves?
   1. We need continual reminders . . . "to write the same things is not grievous to me" (v.1).
   2. We need complete honesty . . . "beware of dogs - evil workers - the concision" (v.2)
      Paul minces no words in protecting the people in Philippi from a false gospel.
   3. We need constant vigilance . . . "beware . . . beware . . . beware." (v.2)
2. The Deliverance from Self-Confidence is Sure . . . "For we are the circumcision . . ." (v.3).
   The Judaizers were saying the true children of God were those who were circumcized.
   Paul says, "No! We are the true children of God!" He then proceeds to describe Christians.
   1. We worship God in the spirit . . .
      We don't need Temples, buildings, stained glass, or any other religious trappings.
      1. Is your worship a matter of duty or desire?
      2. Is your worship cold and formal or warm and free?
      3. Is your worship with a sense of God being distant or God being near?
      It is interesting that the phrase "in the spirit" could be translated "by the Spirit."
      The evidence that you are a child of God is the change within your heart regarding God.
   2. We boast in Christ Jesus . . .
      The word rejoice is probably better translated "boast." A Christian boasts in Christ.
      D. Martyn Lloyd Jones says that a Christian is Christ-intoxicated. The way that God gets you to boast in Christ is by breaking you of your self-confidence.
      1. The person who has never been broken will usually speak of himself.
      2. The person who has been broken spiritually will always speak of Christ.
   3. We have no confidence in the flesh . . .
      We don't trust our background, our training, our church, our talents, or our promises.
      We don't trust our experience, our accomplishments, or our abilities. NO confidence.
3. The Death of Self-Confidence is Satisfying . . . "Finally, rejoice in the Lord" (v.1).
   When we come to the place of no confidence in ourselves but full boasting in the Lord:
   1. All the promises of God are ours through Christ . . . "a righteousness from God."
   2. All the gifts of God are ours through grace . . . "rejoice in the Lord."