- This Week's Study Notes -
Philippians 3:1-3
Verse 1: “Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord”
Psalm 105:1-3 Deuteronomy 26:11
Sometimes we may feel like we don’t have anything to rejoice in...
Isaiah 60:11 2 Corinthians 9:15/p>
Rejoicing is one of Paul’s favorite subjects...
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Philippians 4:4
The rest of verse 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.”
But what did mean when he said that rejoicing would keep Christians safe? Safe from what?
Verse 2 “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”
Dogs and Evil Workers?
Matthew 7:16 2 Peter 2:1-2
In Matthew 24, Jesus said that there would be a lot of deception going on in the last days...
Verse 11 Verse 24
Avoiding Deception...
Isaiah 8:20 John 16:13
When Disagreements Arise...
Philippians 2:3 2 Timothy 2:23 Romans 12:18
Last Part of Verse 2: "beware of the concision"
"Concision" means "those that mutilate the flesh"
Paul is referring to the Jews who trusted in circumcision and their own righteousness.
Galatians 5:6 Romans 3:20 Galatians 2:21
Verse 3: “For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh.”
The Bible tells us that true circumcision is not on the outside at all, but it takes place in the heart...
Deuteronomy 10:16 Jeremiah 4:4
Jesus rebuked the pharisees because they were so focused on the the outward deeds, but their hearts were far from the Lord...
Luke 11:39 Mark 7:6-7
Outward acts like circumcision will never make a person righteous before God...
Romans 2:25-26
The Israelites thought that just because they were God's chosen people, they would automatically make it to heaven, but the Bible clearly tells us that our heart must be right with Him if we really want to be one of His people...
Romans 2:28-29 Galatians 3:28-29