Authentic vs Counterfeit
Pastor Chang Kim
Philippians 3:1-3
1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.
Galatians 1:6-9
3:2 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
I. Look out for C Christianity v2
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
Romans 9:16 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
A. Dogs: he is taking a page out from the Jews who used against the Gentiles and turning back against these false teachers.
B. Evil workers: These are people who pride themselves on their good works.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
3. Mutilators: just as the pagan priests of Baal in Elijah’s day cut themselves crying out their non-existent god, so these false teachers were mutilating people through their demand for circumcision.
Romans 4
II. Embrace A Christianity v1, 3
Rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God[b] and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.
A. Rejoice in the Lord
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
B. Worship in the Spirit of God
John 4:24 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
C. Boasting in Christ Jesus
Jeremiah 9:23-24 23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
D. Having no confidence in the flesh
Jeremiah 17:5Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Discussion Questions
Who or what are things Paul is warning us about?
What does it mean to “Rejoice in the Lord?”
Why is boasting about themselves discouraged?
Having head knowledge is great, but why is it more important to have heart knowledge?