1 Quinn River Baptist Fellowship Thank you for your interest in our web distributed notes from our weekly bible studies. Some content had to be removed from these slides for copyright purposes, and thus the slides by themselves can be difficult to follow without the original animation sequences, and accompanying notes from the actual study, but we pray that you will still find them useful. You may send any questions to myself at and I will try and get answers back to you in a timely manner. You may re-use these slides in your own bible studies, both personal and public, and arrangements can be made for accompanying notes and original slide presentations once copyright issues have been resolved. May God bless your effort, and may you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Pastor Jerry Eyers

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3 Review “A Home Away From Home”Memory verse #1: Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he which began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: Memory verse #2: Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Memory verse #3: Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. “The third chapter of Philippians is probably the most beloved chapter of Paul’s letter. It lays out some of the most cardinal doctrines of the Christian life. It also unveils, in stirring language, Paul’s own key personal goal: to know and serve the Lord Jesus. His key challenge is to be joyful!” “A Home Away From Home” Entomology: “A Rome From Rome” or “A Rome Apart From Rome” – a nickname for the City of Philippi!! Paul is going to talk about how we should not be comfortable here, it isn’t our home.

4 THINGS STUFF STATUS What is joy?(the term ‘rejoice’ simply means to be filled with joy) Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. Joh 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. Greek: “Kharah” or “Khareero”: Cheerfulness, or a calm delight, great gladness Where does our “joy” come from? From winning the lottery? From buying the latest big screen TV? From purchasing the latest new vehicle that has caught your eye? Verses 1-11: Paul’s Past – Paul, the Accountant “I count”  New values Verses 12-16: Paul’s Present – Paul, the Athlete “I press”  New vigor Verses 17-21: Paul’s Future – Paul, the Alien “I look”  New vision THINGS STUFF STATUS

5 The orthodox Jew would call the Gentiles “Goyem”Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. In the middle east, there were packs of wild dogs that were savage, that would attack just about anything, were uncontrollable, and from the Jewish perspective, they were also an unclean animal. The Hebrew word for those animals was “Goy” or “Goyem” for plural. There was also in the middle east, domesticated or trained dogs, and the word in Hebrew for these animals was “Kelev” or “Kelevem” for plural. The orthodox Jew would call the Gentiles “Goyem” (Note: when Jesus told the gentile women that was seeking a miracle from him that it was not fit for the children’s bread to be given to the “dogs”, he used the Greek word “Koonareeon” which means little domesticated puppies. The women accepted that position and replied that even the puppies get crumbs from the master’s table.) Here Paul calls the orthodox Jews “Koo-ohn” or the Greek equivalent of “Goyem”. He isn’t just calling names: he is comparing these false teachers to the contemptible scavengers. They would follow him around teaching that Paul was not correct, that they came from Jerusalem with the “correct information” that the new believers needed to be circumcised in order to be saved, and obey the laws of Moses. Paul calls them “scavengers”, evil workers, and “concision”, or the Greek word “katatomay” or “Mutilators” Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. Gal 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you. Greek: “Apokopto” = To amputate

6 If you are a Christian, you have been circumcised.Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Rom 2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. Rom 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Rom 2:26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? Rom 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. This is NOT replacement theology, (the faithful replaces Israel) but rather Paul is saying that the law is spiritual, and Israel’s focus needs to be on the spiritual, not the physical works. He is saying the same thing here in Philippians. Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. If you are a Christian, you have been circumcised. Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

7 Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Paul was the student of Gamaliel himself, THE teacher of the Pharisees in Israel. He was trained in the best Greek and Jewish schools. He is going to rub their noses in that, then he is going to shift to the Christian’s point of view. Have they suffered as much for Christ as he has??

8 Paul the accountant: Changing of what mattersPhp 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Circumcised the 8th day Of the stock of Israel Of the Tribe of Benjamin A Hebrew of Hebrews As of touching the law, a Pharisee Concerning zeal – persecuting the church Touching the righteousness of the law – Blameless!! It would seem, on the surface, that Paul is boasting, in the flesh. But actually, he is demonstrating precisely what needs to be avoided! He is, autobiographically, an ideal example of the failure of works. Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. What you have given up for the Lord, do you yet long for? So you look back at those things and think ‘I could have “X” by now if I hadn’t quit that job, or given up that career for God’? Luk 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

9 2Co 11:16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. 2Co 11:17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 2Co 11:18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 2Co 11:19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 2Co 11:20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 2Co 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 2Co 11:22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 2Co 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 2Co 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 2Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 2Co 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2Co 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 2Co 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 2Co 11:30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 2Co 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 2Co 11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 2Co 11:33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. 2Co 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

10 Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (To the contrary), (without any reservation or doubt), I (reckon, consider, esteem) all things (violently disposed of) for the (higher, supreme, excellency, superiority) of the (firm knowledge, determined science) of Jesus Christ my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but (odorous refuse not fit for dogs, dung) that I may (gain) Christ! Paul would not let ANYTHING stand between him and God. No goal, no career, no job, no belief, no action, no peer pressure, no TV show, no rodeo, no fair, no car show, NOTHING! Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship (koinonia) of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. We are promised suffering in this world (John 16:33), God told Paul directly what Paul was going to suffer in following him (Acts 9:16), Sheep for the slaughter (Romans 8:36), Bear the marks (2 Cor 4:10), etc. The second word translation “resurrection” in verse 11 is used nowhere else in the scripture. It is the word “exanastasis” and literally means “a partial raising out from among other corpses”, or indicates a “partial resurrection”. Scholars think this is a veiled reference to the rapture, indicating Paul was expecting to be raptured out from among the general population of the Earth.

11 Paul the athlete: Running the good raceIt is interesting to see Paul draw upon illustrations that everyone can relate too, no matter what walk of life you hail from. He uses idioms and illustrations from the military (‘the armor of God’, ‘fighting a good fight’, ‘the sword of God’s word’, etc.); from architecture (‘you are the temple of God’, ‘the foundation corner stone’, ‘stones building the church’, etc.); from agriculture (‘what a man sows, that shall he reap’, ‘being fruitful’, etc.); and here from athletics Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. This is the declaration of a Christian who never permitted himself to be satisfied with his spiritual attainments. A sanctified dissatisfaction is the first essential to progress in any race or serious undertaking. “The only certain barrier to truth, is the presumption you already have it.” “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.” “A faith that hasn’t been tested, can’t be trusted.” Paul was never satisfied with his current position in Christ. He never relaxed his guard or took a break. You are always moving. Either climbing higher towards God’s ideal, or backsliding. Read the seven letters to the seven churches dictated by Jesus Christ himself. There is a common theme. All seven churches had an incorrect view of their spiritual well being.

12 Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul was certainly not complacent. He was intensely committed to winning the race of life, and maximizing his opportunities. “One thing” in the scriptures are important flag phrase for each of us: “One thing thou lackest,” Jesus said to the self-righteous rich young ruler (Mark 10:21) “One thing is needful,” Jesus explained to Martha when she criticized her sister (Luke 10:42) “One thing I know!” exclaimed the man who had received his sight by the power of Christ (John 9:25) “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after,” testified the Psalmist (Ps 27:4) One of the secrets of discipline is to concentrate on “one thing.” An athlete gets rid of all distractions in order to focus on one training event, that even needed to succeed at his goal. A long distance runner doesn’t spend all his time practicing at the high jump and lifting weights, but rather focuses on running. No athlete succeeds by doing everything; he succeeds by specializing. 2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. Ben Franklin’s famous admonition is usually misquoted: “Jack of all trades and master of one.” For the Christian, that one MUST be the bible, and he must NOT let anything distract him. If you have more than one focus, what does the bible say about you?? Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

13 Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Paul, here, focuses his readers on this issue: “And if on some point you think differently, that, too, God will make clear to you.” (NIV) How can you know God’s will? How is it possible for someone to know the mind of God? If God has a plan for your life, how does he reveal it to you? God is committed to guiding us. Not necessarily more than a step at a time. Just like an aircraft flying on instruments. It works because it is trusted. God is committed to revealing His will to us. If you are a Christian, God promises clarity (Romans 12:1,2) but it depends upon your response to Him. There are a number of principles to apply to this crucial area: 1) We can have this assurance because of the nature of God. God made the world to reveal Himself to those who would ultimately live in it. (Romans 1:20) 2) We must be walking by God’s Word. Nothing can be the will of God for you that is not in accordance with His Word. We can’t know His will for us without a knowledge of God’s Word. (John 7:17, Psalm 1:1-2, 1 Peter 1:23, John 17:17, etc.) 3) Another principle is daily fellowship with the Lord. He has assured us that, Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

14 It is through study of the Bible and fellowship with God that we are increasingly as He would have us to be. Unfortunately, Christians often seek holiness anywhere but by God’s Word. They seek it through reading other literature, by attending religious conferences, by emotional experiences, even mysticism. Do you want to know how relevant the Bible can be to your life and how God can use it to reveal His will to you? Then you must spend time reading it daily. If you are a Christian, God has a specific path marked out for you. You will find it only as you discover His will for you through Scripture and fellowship with Him. Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

15 Paul the alien: Citizenship in Heaven, Not HerePhp 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) There is nothing sadder than to see someone drift away from God and pursue the lusts of this world. The desires of this world get their attention, or they refuse to give into the Lord’s leading, and walk that path of their own choosing, not His. We have many examples in the Bible: Lot, Samson, King Saul, King Solomon, Ananias and Sapphira, etc. How strange, in a letter devoted to joy, to find Paul weeping! Not for himself, not for his treatment by the Romans, but for others. He was heartbroken over the way some professed Christians are living, people who “mind earthly things.” Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Memory verse #4: Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: A group of displaced persons, uprooted from their natural home, and on their way to an heavenly destination; not of this planet, neither in roots nor in its ideals. Donald Grey Barnhouse

16 Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Our Body of glory: 2 Cor 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: “House”: oiketerion: a dwelling place, habitation; of the body as a dwelling place for the spirit. The only other place in the New Testament that this word is used is in Jude: Jud 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Another insight into the hyperspace that will be involved with our resurrection bodies is given to us by John: 1 Joh 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.