Andy Bruins preaching from Philippians on Sunday 15th May 2022.

In this passage, Paul is continuing his argument against the Judaisers who he described in v2 as, “those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh…” Paul boils down the problem to one simple principle: Where are they putting their confidence (and where will they lead you to put yours)?

Q Can you think of any well-known people (or celebrities) who have a reputation for being good? What is it about them that makes people think of them as good?
Q Read v3-6. What is the point that Paul is making here? How would the Judaisers have assessed this CV?
Q Read v7-9. How does Paul now think about all of his former credentials? What has led him to think this way?
Q What does Paul mean by “righteousness” in v9? Where does Paul say that he is now seeking to obtain this? Why can’t he get it from the law? What is the difference between the righteousness of v6 and this new righteousness?
Q Read v10-12. What sorts of things are we tempted to put our confidence in instead of Christ?
Q If Paul hasn’t yet “obtained all this” (v12) then what reason does he have to be so confident?