Ep. 139 - SBS - A Study of Philippians - Lesson 4 - Philippians 2:19-3:11 "God's Workers and the Devil's Assassins"

SBS = Sunday Bible StudyA Study of Philippians: Renewing Joy in LifeHere is the lesson 4 study guide:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SXHycAfmQp-0Obq6E1aI60MMb8xKxQAh/view?usp=sharing Lesson 4 - Philippians 2:19-3:11 - "God's Workers and the Devil's Assassins"In this section, Paul makes a big contrast between those who serve God and those who serve their own desires or worse, the Devil himself. You can tell the difference, says Paul. Those who love God and love his people will sacrifice for them. They will preach the truth no matter what it costs. They will be faithful in their personal study and desire for more Jesus and less other stuff. On the other hand, if the teacher or influencer doesn't care for the people, or love God's Word and its inerrant truth, then they are assassins of faith. They will destroy themselves and all who follow them. Beware!Paul concludes by detailing his own transformation from a false teacher, fully convinced of his own righteousness, to a follower of Jesus, humbled and dedicated to the salvation of souls like his.The Text:I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 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. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.