I. Choose Today to Rejoice in the Lord
3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
II. Watch out for the joy thieves.
What is it in your life that you are allowing to steal your joy?
- Circumstances can steal your joy
- Difficult People can steal your joy
- Complaining and Grumbling can steal your joy
- Sin can steal your joy
- Selfishness can steal your joy
- The Greatest Joy Thief- Self Righteous Religion
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
III. Characteristics of Joy-Filled Worshippers
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—
- Spirit-Empowered Service
- Boast in Christ Jesus
- Put no confidence in the flesh
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
IV. Paul’s Religious Resume
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
- Don’t trust in family upbringing
- Don’t trust in nationality
- Don’t trust in genetic lineage
- Don’t trust in your religious purity
- Don’t trust in your party affiliations- denominational or political
- Don’t trust in Passion or Zeal
- Don’t trust in your moral resume
V. The Great Reversal: From Gain to Loss
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
VI. Justification: The Gift of Righteousness
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
VII. Knowing Christ: Take Up Your Christ and Find Life
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
In The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
Discuss Questions:
- What are some things that people treasure? Why do they treasure these things?
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Which of the “common joy thieves” resonated most with you this week: circumstances, difficult people, complaining, sin, or selfishness? Why?
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How have you seen complaining or grumbling quietly reshape your attitude or outlook over time?
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Why do you think sin often promises joy but ends up draining it instead?
- Paul warns against religious self-righteousness using strong language. Why do you think this is more dangerous than obvious sin?
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According to verse 3, what are the three marks of true worshippers? Which one do you find easiest? Which one do you find hardest?
- Why is it important to resist legalism and false gospels?
- Consider the sources of false confidence (family upbringing, ritual, ethnicity, rank, tradition, party affiliation, rule keeping, zeal, and obedience to the law). Which source is most enticing for you? Why?
- In what subtle ways can religious performance or comparison creep into church life—or into your own walk with God?
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If you were honest, what would be on your own “spiritual résumé”—the things you’re tempted to trust for acceptance with God?
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Paul calls all of that “loss” compared to knowing Christ. Why is it so hard for us to let go of things that once gave us identity or security?
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How is “knowing Christ” different from simply knowing facts about Christ?
- Why do you need Christ’s righteousness?
- How does suffering for Christ enable us to know Christ more?
- How does the hope of your resurrection encourage you in the Christian life?