A Reminder to Rejoice

As we have been walking through the book of Philippians, Paul has told us again and again how important joy in Christ is. As we have looked at the themes of thanksgiving and prayer, gospel advancement and the faithfulness to the truth, the condescension and ascension of Christ, the examples of his friends, Paul never gets too far from the theme of joy. With the writing of every paragraph, the church planter wants his beloved friends to know, and experience, and savor, and live out of joy in Christ. 

Philippians 3:1-3 is a Reminder to Rejoice. Here, Paul adds specific reasons to rejoice in Christ. Paul tells us why he is reminding us to this way of living. This passage also comes with a warning as we are introduced to a group of people who are trying to make the Philippians become Jews if they truly want to follow Christ. They appeal to their own heritage, and their righteous works, and their religious customs as the basis of their right standing with God, and the source of their spiritual growth and joy. To combat them, Paul uses incredibly forceful irony to unravel the wrong doctrine of this group. He also helps the Philippians understand who they are and the great salvation they have been given, not by works, but by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. 

As we look at our passage today, we will see three reminders. The first to Rejoice in the Lord. The second is to Look Out For False Gospels (and their preachers). And finally, Remember Who You Are in Christ.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What do you need to be reminded of on a regular basis (from the Lord?
2. What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? What safety can be found in that?
3. What false gospel were the Philippians dealing with? What false gospels do we deal with today? Compare and contrast these two realities.
4. Who is one person you know that you need to “glory in Christ with”, telling your story of how Christ has worked in you?

PRAYER

Pray that our lives would be marked by rejoicing, looking, and remembering.