ALL-WEATHER SERIES: SUNNY by Ptr. Noel Ojerio (Victory Caloocan)

"Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put 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; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, 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 is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

(Philippians 3:1-11 New International Version)

We almost thought we have done it right; we have completed it, only to know that we missed something.
We thought that we got the best things in life, only to know that it is not the thing/s that matter/s most.

Brief background about Paul's Epistle to the Philippians:

1. It is a letter of COMMENDATION

2. It is written while Paul is in prison

3. It's main them is about JOY in the midst of life's circumstances.

4. The Judaizers were attempting to force Gentile Christians to live under the Mosaic Law.

Romans 2:17-29

Paul's Bio-Data:

1. Circumcised on the eighth day

2. Citizen of Israel

3. From the Tribe of Benjamin

4. Hebrew of Hebrews

5. In regard to the law, a Pharisee

6. As for zeal, persecuting the church

7. As for righteousness based on the law, faultless

Paul's Conclusion: Sincerity alone will NOT save you.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS
I. The Glory in Knowing Christ (v.8a)

-We often boast that we know God. But the most important question of all is, "Does God know you?" 

-To know God is to know His grace

-John 17:3

II. The Glory in Gaining Christ (v.8b)

-RUBBISH --> useless, trash, fit for disposal.

-"What are you willing to lose for the sake of gaining Christ?"

III. The Glory in Faith in Christ (v.9)
-Complete Faith vs Compromised/Partial Faith ("I know you can do this, Lord, but let me help you")
-What you can do isn't enough. What God can do is ALREADY enough.

-John 15:5

IV. The Glory in Becoming Like Christ (vv.10-11)
-Paul gave an emphasis not on becoming Jewish-like but becoming Christ-like.

-Philippians 3:21, 1 John 3:12



NOT "Jesus+" but "JESUS."

CONCLUSION:

I have what I have in Christ alone.

I am what I am in Christ alone.

I can do what I can do in Christ alone.
GLORY IN CHRIST.

Listen to ALL WEATHER Series Podcasts of Victory Caloocan here.