TODAY’S MAIN PASSAGE:
Philippians 3:1-3
In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh
Kingdom Living
Philippians 1:27
Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
AnnualPrayer 2022
Father, help us to be Kingdom-minded and to draw closer to you as we live obediently, love radically, and serve sacrificially.
Jesus perfectly modeled Kingdom living.
If Jesus is Lord then I am called to obey him.
Timothy & Epaphroditus exemplified Kingdom Living.
Watch out for the dogs!
Philippians 3:1-3
In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 3:1b
To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you.
Philippians 2:2-3
Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh.
This is a warning against false teachings/teachers.
This is a command to guard against drifting into bad teaching/theology.
“Judaizers”
Faith + Works
In the Bible the ‘false teachers’ are those who identify as Christians but preach a false gospel or bad theology.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
Matthew 7:15
“Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves.”
Mark 13:5
Jesus told them, “Watch out that no one deceives you.”
Matthew 16:6
Then Jesus told them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Mark 12:38-40
He also said in his teaching, “Beware of the scribes (teachers), who want to go around in long robes and who want greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment.”
Rom 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, 18 because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.
Acts 20:28-31a
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert.
Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh.
Dr. Moises Silva
When “rituals are practiced in a spirit that contradicts the message of the gospel, these rituals lose their true significance and become no better than pagan practices. Here in Philippians Paul takes the Judaizers greatest source of pride and interprets it as the surest sign that they have no share among God’s people.”
Galatians 6:12-14
Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised—but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. 14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Common theological attacks today
- Universalism
- Relativism
- Religious Nationalism
- Religious Consumerism
- Easy Religion
- Legalistic Religion
How do we guard our theological beliefs?
- You have to know and study God’s Word.
- You have to choose good books, songs, videos, etc.
- You have to test everything according to Scripture.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:20-22
Don’t despise prophecies, 21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ