Jesus Only

The Book of Philippians:

Jesus Only

Philippians 3:1-4

In the third chapter of the book of Philippians, Paul refers back to spiritual truths solidified by the Early Church in Acts chapter 15:

They/we don’t need to observe the laws of Moses to be saved.
They/we are all saved by grace through faith in Lord Jesus Christ!
As Paul was traveling around the Roman world telling people about Jesus, certain people were coming behind him and messing with the minds of the churches that he had just planted.

These Judaizers, “legalizers”, were telling people that:

1. Paul was….just an evangelist with some knowledge about Jesus….but his knowledge and message is lacking!

2. His message is not 100% right.

3. They need to become Jewish!

4. They need to obey the laws of Moses!

Paul cautions the church in Philippi about these people and shares the following with them in Philippians 3:

1. There is no advantage of spiritual righteousness before God in being Jewish.

2. It’s not being Jewish that saves you it is Jesus and your faith in Him!

Key verse:

Philippians 3:8-9, New International Version (NIV)

8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

*A question to ponder in your growth group this week:

Can you remember a time when someone tried to add religious works to your salvation in Christ?