OUTLINE
I. TRUE CHRISTIANS REJOICE IN THE LORD (v.1a)
II. TRUE CHRISTIANS LOOK OUT FOR FALSE CHRISTIANS (v.1b-2)
I) You must look out for those that teach salvation by works (v.2a)
II) You must look out for those that brag about themselves (v.2b)
III) You must look out for those that make a big deal of outward signs (v.2c)
III. TRUE CHRISTIANS HAVE HAD THEIR HEARTS CHANGED BY GOD (v.3a)
IV. TRUE CHRISTIANS WORSHIP GOD BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD (v.3b)
V. TRUE CHRISTIANS BRAG ABOUT CHRIST JESUS ALONE (v.3c)
VI. TRUE CHRISTIANS PUT NO CONFIDENCE IN THEMSELVES (v.3d)
DISCUSSION
I. After giving the Philippian Christians many commands, as well as setting before them the shining examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus, what does Paul “finally” command in verse 1? Why do you think he says, “To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you”? What should we learn from this repetition?
II. Next, Paul turns but briefly to warn the Philippians of the false apostles that they are no doubt already aware of. *note the brevity of his warnings concerning these false teachers. If they were truly a threat to the Philippians Paul would have undoubtedly spent more time writing about them as he did to the Galatians.
What does he call them in verse 2 and what do these terms indicate? How are true believers (“we”) contrasted with these false teachers in verse 3? According to the last part of verse 3, what marks all true believers in Jesus Christ? Do you put “confidence in the flesh” or do you “glory in Christ” alone “by the Spirit of God”?