Everything Is Awesome & Nobody Is Happy The Risky Business of Christian Living

 Everything Is Awesome & Nobody Is Happy

The Risky Business of Christian Living 

Opening Illustration:

Friends, it is a dangerous world out there. I think that we would all agree with that. We have all lived through a global pandemic. We have seen first hand how a small virus can cripple the mightiest country in the world. For a short time, the Coronavirus had people locked in their homes, social distancing, and wearing masks. The recent pandemic has revealed to all of us just how fragile life can be and how easily we can see our civilization break. 

Did you know that there are entire fields of study dedicated to the rational and often times irrational fears that plague humanity? 

Acrophobia is the fear of flying. Lots of people have that fear even though they statistics tell us that air travel is absolutely the safest way to travel. 

Anginophobia is the fear of choking. Lots of people have that fear even though there is only a 1 in 2,535 chance that you will die from choking. 

Here is another, Bibliophobia. Bibliophobia is the fear of reading books. I scoured the internet and discovered that no one in recent history has ever died from reading a book. Not one person. Still, there are an unusual amount of people who are afraid of reading books. 

Last one I promise, Hadephobia. Are you up to speed on that fear? Hadephobia is the fear of going to hell. 

A fear of hell is understandable. In the Bible it is described as a horrifying place of eternal torment. Jesus says that hell is a place where a fire burns continuously and worms continuously devour. He also says hell is dark and characterized by weeping and gnashing of teeth. In Revelation 14:10-11, hell is described as a lake of fire filled with brimstone, smoke, torment, and unrest. Revelation 21:8 says, "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death". 

While there are lots of people who have been rightly motivated into having a relationship with Jesus Christ through this fear, Im afraid that there is a lack of fear of the afterlife, where we will spend our eternity. This lack of fear has many men and women, boys and girls, playing Russian Roulette with their lives. Each day that they wake up, live life without Jesus, they are at risk of missing out on eternity. 

What’s worse is that we have an enemy trying to deceive us into believing that we don’t need Jesus. We are fine without God. For those that know the Lord, this enemy is trying to minimize our faith or lead us down a road where God’s grace is dependent on our works, what we can offer God, or how many good things we do. 

It is a risky place this world. Pandemics. Fears. Enemies and Deceivers. 

You know the great lie of Satan. Satan wants you to believe that you can work your way to heaven. If you just do enough good things, you’ll get it. If you help the little old lady across the street, don’t kick your dog, get to church 2 out of the 4 weeks, surly God will let you into heaven. After all, your Daddy is the pastor and your grandparents were charter members of Eastern Shore Baptist Church. He has convinced many “believers” that their eternal security has nothing to do with Christ but everything to do with them. He has us believing what matters most is a religion, not a relationship. So, answer for me this question this morning. What matters most to God? What we do, or what He has done? Don’t worry, we will come back to that question in a moment. 

Today’s Thought:

What Matters To God, What We Do or What He Has Done?

Background and Context of Philippians 3

hilippians chapter 3 speaks about Christ as the proper focus during times of suffering. Philippians 2 sets this passage up in the context of persecution and oppression for the sake of the gospel. First, Paul discusses the importance of righteousness through faith in Christ rather than by works (Philippians 3:1–11). Second, Paul talks about straining toward the goal of following Christ (Philippians 3:12–21).

In Philippians 3:1–11, Paul begins with a reminder to "rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 3:1). He also warns his readers to "look out" for certain specific types of false teachers (Philippians 3:2). Those who required Jewish circumcision, or other rituals, as part of salvation were not part of the true family of faith. The true "circumcision" are those who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:3). 

Paul then adds his own spiritual resume, noting his reasons to boast "in the flesh" (Philippians 3:4). They included: circumcision on the eighth day; being from Israel, specifically the tribe of Benjamin; being a Pharisee; persecuting the church; and living according to the law (Philippians 3:5–6). Paul's point is that if any human being could be justified by the law, he would be—and yet, he considers all of that wasted in comparison to Christ (Philippians 3:7–8). Nothing was more important than knowing Jesus. 

Paul's focus is to be "found in [Christ]," finding a righteousness not based on works of the law but on faith (Philippians 3:9). His goal is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. He wants to also share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death (Philippians 3:10). 

So, let’s read Philippians 3:1-11 this morning and discover some safeguards to our faith. 

Today’s Scripture:

Philippians 3:1-11 ESV

[1] Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. [2] Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. [3] For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, [4] though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! [5] I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin-a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. [6] I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. [7] I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. [8] Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ [9] and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. [10] I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, [11] so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Paul Provides 4 Ways To Safeguard Our Faith!

Safeguard One: Look Out For False Teachers vs. 2

Philippians 3:2 ESV

[2] Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 

Point:

The Bible is full of warnings about false teachers who seek to spread erroneous teaching in order to deceive God’s people. Jesus himself warns us: “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves” (Matthew 7:15 NLT). Peter, too, warns of scoffers and false teachers coming in the last days to lead us astray from our faith in Christ and His truths (2 Peter 2:1).

These and other news reports about people distorting the person, works, and teaching of Christ is a timely reminder that false teachers and false teachings are not a thing of the past: they are still a real and present danger today.

It serves to remind me that I need to:

First, test what I hear against God’s Word. God’s Word is always consistent, for He will never contradict himself. The only way to ensure that we are receiving godly teaching is thus to check it against the Word of God. Is it in line with what the Bible says? Does it contradict the basic precepts of our faith?

Next, know that God is not a deceiver. God is not a liar. He would not lie to me in order for me to serve His purposes. Doing this would be entirely uncharacteristic of God’s character. The one who would use lies and deceptions to achieve a goal is Satan, the father of lies. “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

As Christians, we can share God’s love and talk about Him and His Word openly. We do not need to resort to trickery or deception in sharing and teaching His Word, for His truth is for all, and it will convict people and transform lives by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8).

Lastly, true servants of the Lord rightly divide God’s Word and apply it rightly. 2 Timothy 2:15 calls on us to “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. This means we need to be found reading and meditating on God’s Word regularly (Joshua 1:8), and sharing it responsibly with others. 

A false teacher will often twist God’s Word for selfish purposes. A false teacher will tell you to give “seed money” to a ministry and that God will take that seed money and plant within you a huge monetary blessing. False teachers will convince sick people that their healing is attached to what they give. False teachers will equate one’s faith to what they give to a ministry or church. Beware of preachers and pastors who preach social gospels or prosperity gospel. If the word “Gospel” has to be qualified by another word than rest assured, it is not the Gospel. 

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Paul Provides 4 Ways To Safeguard Our Faith!

Safeguard One: Look Out For False Teachers vs. 2

Safeguard Two: Look To Jesus Christ vs. 3-4

Philippians 3:3-4 ESV

 [3] For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, [4] though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

Point:

In the days of the early church, there was a theology being practiced among converts to Christianity. It was a particular theology that only applied to Gentiles. The thought was for a Gentile to become a Christian, he must first become a Jew. This was accomplished through the religious ritual of circumcision. Imagine my awkward surprise when I asked my 8th grade Bible class what circumcision was only to have my teacher go into great detail which included a chalk drawing. I never asked the question again. If were awkward for a 13 year old Stuart Davidson, imagine how awkward it would have been for those living in the days of Paul and your early church leaders compelling you to undergo the procedure. Aren’t you glad that we do not require such policies to join Eastern Shore Baptist Church?

Point:

We of course know that circumcision was practiced in the Old Testament. It was a way for God to set His people apart. The Jews of Paul’s day were just leaning into what they knew but what they didn’t understand is that salvation cannot be attained through any work of man. Salvation is achieved and accomplished through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. 

Think about it. If there was a work, or something that we could do to be saved, then why would Jesus have ever died? What about baptism? There are some denominations that claim that salvation is baptism plus Jesus. Baptism is just a work of man. If that were true it would stand to reason that we could just dunk you enough to where Jesus never would have had to die. We could just baptize you over and over until you were saved. 

Paul is appealing to the Philippians to keep their eyes on Christ, depending not on anything that they could do to bring salvation. It is all about Jesus. Jesus is enough. Here is another equation. Listen up people because this is important. IF a pastor says to you that salvation is the sacrifice of Jesus plus anything else, it is not salvation. It is a lie. 

Point:

No. Christians were freed from the Law, including circumcision (Acts 15:1-20). It was described as an almost unbearable yoke on the neck (Acts 15: 10). The yoke, of course, was a sign of slavery and Christians were told not to become entangled with 'a yoke of bondage' (Galatians 5:1-2).

Hebrews 12:2-3 CEV

2 We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side[a] of God’s throne! 3 So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.

Paul Provides 4 Ways To Safeguard Our Faith!

Safeguard One: Look Out For False Teachers vs. 2

Safeguard Two: Look To Jesus Christ vs. 3-4

Safeguard Three: Look Not To Your Own Works vs. 5-6

Philippians 3:5-6 ESV

[5] I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin-a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. [6] I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

Point:

One of the most beautiful stories, vision actually, about redemption comes from Zechariah 3. Zechariah, a prophet of God, is having a vision. In his vision is the priest of Israel whose name is Joshua or Joshua. Joshua would have been considered a very holy, pious man, filled with righteous works and words. Listen to Zechariah’s words.

Zechariah 3:1-5 NLT

[1] Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel's right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. [2] And the LORD said to Satan, "I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire." [3] Jeshua's clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. [4] So the angel said to the others standing there, "Take off his filthy clothes." And turning to Jeshua he said, "See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes." [5] Then I said, "They should also place a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the LORD stood by.

Joshua’s situation reminds me of Isaiah’s words in Isaiah 64:6.

Isaiah 64:6 NLT

[6] We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Point:

Joshua stands before the Lord, with all his good words, righteous works, and they represent nothing but filthy rags before God. They are worthless. Meaningless. 

Paul before he met Christ was also considered to be a holy man. He kept the law perfectly. Even so, Paul’s righteousness and circumcision were worthless to God. Meaningless. 

Paul encourages the Philippians that when they look to their own works to save them, they will be sorely lacking. If Joshua could not stand before God clean and approved, then what hope do any of us have? If Paul, in all of his perfect law keeping could not stand before God as Holy, then what hope do we have?

The only hope we have is in Christ Jesus. We have to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. He is our salvation. We must keep our eyes on Christ because our world wants to distract us and discourage us. Life is hard people. We need Jesus. 

Point:

A great biblical illustration of the need for keeping your eyes on Jesus in the midst of life’s difficulties is found in Matthew 14:22-31. In this passage, we read about the time when a great storm hit the sea, and yet Jesus walked to His disciples on the rough water. Jesus had sent them out into the bad weather. The problem was the storm. But when Jesus came to the disciples, He walked on top of the very problem itself. Without getting rid of the storm, He overcame it. He overpowered it.

Peter was only able to overcome it himself when he kept his eyes fixated on Jesus. He asked if he could come out on the water, too, and as long as he looked at Jesus, he was fine. But when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused instead on the tumultuous circumstances that surrounded him, Peter began to sink.

Friend, whatever you are facing, if you focus on the circumstances, the circumstances will overwhelm you. They will overpower you. They will swallow you up. Jesus invites you to come to Him in the midst of risky situations. He asks you to step out in faith. But He gives you success only when you keep your eyes focused on Him. You will become consumed by your circumstances if you choose to focus on them. Like Peter, you will sink. But if you choose to return your gaze to Jesus as Peter did, He can lift you back up so you are above the stormy sea once again. Remember, Jesus hadn’t moved when Peter started to sink. Peter’s focus moved. Only when Peter adjusted his focus back on Jesus did he receive the divine intervention he desperately needed.

Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Paul Provides 4 Ways To Safeguard Our Faith!

Safeguard One: Look Out For False Teachers vs. 2

Safeguard Two: Look To Jesus Christ vs. 3-4

Safeguard Three: Look Not To Your Own Works vs. 5-6

Safeguard Four: Look For Jesus In Suffering vs. 10-11

Philippians 3:10-11 ESV

[10] I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, [11] so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Point:

As we have stated before, Paul was well acquainted with suffering. He was staring his own death in the eye. He was living in a Roman prison at the time of this writing. Paul, ever the glass half full person, used his suffering to help him identify with Jesus. Paul knew instinctively that suffering is just a part of this human existence. We could either use it for positive, helping us grow closer to Christ, or we could allow use suffering to drag us down. 

Point:

Suffering is a universal human experience. We all experience it in various ways and to varying degrees, whether through emotional pain, disease, death, natural disaster, or difficult circumstances. When you read Scripture you see early and often that it is through human sin that human suffering is born. It was human sin that broke God’s heart and it is human sin that continues to break God’s good world and universe. 

So why does God allow suffering? First, a good God allows suffering to remind us that our world is broken because of sin. If he removed all consequences of sin, he would also remove much of our need to seek him for the healing we, and the rest of creation, need.

Like a good father, God allows us to suffer consequences from our sins so we learn to stop sinning and follow him. Also like a good father, he gives us grace and mercy to find forgiveness for sin, which he has provided through his Messiah. Jesus has done the work of redemption by dying for our sin; we need to put our faith and trust in what he has done for us to enter into the healing he offers us. The first step toward healing the world is accepting the forgiveness and healing provided through Jesus.

Point:

So when does the suffering end? We know much of the suffering will be minimized when Messiah returns and reigns from Jerusalem, and ultimately God will remove all suffering and wipe all tears from our eyes. Whether those days are near or far we cannot say. We know each day, it grows closer. Until that time, we need to trust God and draw near to him in the person of Yeshua so we can have the grace we need in the midst of suffering so we might learn the lessons He has for us.

Romans 8:18 ESV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Be Careful, Safeguard Your Faith!