December 11, 2005 Summit PM

True Worshipers

Introduction

A. Text – Phil.3:1-11

B. Pray

I. Paul Wants All To Know Where He Places His Confidence

A. Knew – without Jesus there was no hope

1. Jn.14:6 – way, truth & life

2. Acts 4:12 – no other name by which saved

3. His full confidence was in Jesus – not Paul

B. Safeguard = Rejoice in Jesus

1. More than command = needed spiritually

a. Hab.3:17-19 = where prophet found strength

b. Phil.4:4-7 = to get God’s peace guard you

2. Need be reminded to rejoice in Lord

a. Satan determined to discourage & destroy

1) Got to Eve = unhappy with situation

2) Uses life’s situations against us b. Also uses people get us trust our works

1) Context = false teachers

2) Focus is traditions; rituals; laws

c. Confidence must always be in Jesus

C. Urgency of Paul’s warnings

1. Calls them dogs = dangerous; not house pets

2. Calls them evil workers – Gal.1:6 (anathama)

3. Calls them mutilators of flesh – Col.2:20-23

(appearance of wisdom but useless)

II. Differences Between True & False Worshipers

A. True worshipers

1. Worship by the Spirit

a. Focus is spiritual not physical

1) In tune with God – Jn.4 (spirit & truth)

2) 2 Cor.4:16-18 – focus on unseen

b. Totally submissive to God – His will

1) James 4:7-10 – humble selves

2) Rom.12:2 – transformed; mind renewed

2. Glory in Christ Jesus

a. Faith in what He did (satisfies God’s justice)

b. Eph.2:8,9 – saved by grace not works

3. Put no confidence in the flesh

a. Know it is bent on evil (always will be)

b. Rom.8:5-8 – can never please God

c. Do good works – but know are always tainted

B. False worshipers

1. Religion is external

a. Emphasis on places; rituals; ceremonies

b. Focus is self-denial & rules & regulations

Col.2:16-23

2. Emphasis is their works

a. Take pride in achievements (Paul’s comments)

b. Publican prayer -thank God not like rest of men

c. Self worth something to be earned, deserved

d. Work hard enough = God pleased

e. If good outweighs bad = accepted

III. Apply – Do We Struggle With Works Salvation?

A. Struggle not biblical

1. Eph.2:8,9 = by grace not works

2. Rom.3:21-28 – God wants no boasting

3. James 2 – not faith vs. works = working faith (active)

4. True faith = trusting Jesus & obeying Him - Jn.14:15

B. Focus on achievements never bring real Joy

1. Never know if doing enough

a. Nicodemus = trying – yet had be born again

b. Rom.7 – Paul’s struggle

c. Isa.64:6 – righteousness always be tainted

2. True joy comes only in fully trusting in Jesus

a. Jn.17:13 – have the full measure of His joy

b. His sacrifice fully atones – 1 Jn.2:1,2

3. Paul’s goal – know & experience Jesus fully

a. Know Jesus more intimately

b. Draw upon His resurrection power – Rom.6

(live new life faithfully)

c. Personally enter His sufferings

(way grow spiritually – 2 Cor.12; 1 Pet.4:1)

d. Fully conform to His image – Rom.8:28,29

Conclusion

A. Let’s do all that we can to be true worshipers

a. Focus on the spiritual – not the ritual & ceremony

b. Glory in Jesus – what He has done

c. Put no confidence in the flesh

B. Result will be true & lasting joy in Christ

C. Pray