In this lesson we examine the apostle Paul and his former life and his life after his conversion. We see how that he was able to add once he subtracted some things from his life. www.cmcoc.org Sermon by: Brian Birdow

1. Addition by Subtraction
by
Brian Birdow
Sermon text: Philippians 3
www.cmcoc.org

2. Objective of Lesson
✓To show what confidence is and what it
should be placed in.
✓To challenge us to focus more on heaven.
✓Carnal vs. Spiritual.
✓Challenge to think differently.

3. Confidence defined
★Confidence (Gk. Peitho) to
have faith in, to trust in.
★The feeling or belief that one
can rely on someone or
something
★Firm trust, the state of
feeling certain about
something. A feeling of self-
assurance arising from one’s
appreciation of his/her own
abilities or qualities.

4. Context of Phil. 3:1-4
• Dogs, evil workers, and mutilation all represent false
teachers. Mainly, Jews who believed but still bound parts of
the Law of Moses.
• Circumcision was a sign of the covenant given to Abraham
and his descendants (Gen. 17:9-14; Ex. 6:7)
• Circumcision who worship God = Christians, who are now
God’s covenant people. Christians are the “New” Israel of
God (Gal.6:16, Rom. 9:24-26, 1 Pet. 2:9-10).
• Many Jewish people who obeyed the gospel still trusted in
the law.

5. Paul’s Confidence was..
✴Circumcised on 8th day.
✴Stock of Israel.
✴Tribe of Benjamin.
✴Hebrew of Hebrews.
✴Pharisee - stricktest sect.
✴Zealous—persecuted
church.
✴Blameless in keeping the
Law.

6. Paul subtracted so he could
add (Phil. 3:7-9)
✓He counted all things loss for
the excellence of the
knowledge of Christ JESUS!
✓His former accolades he
counted as dung or rubbish!
✓Dung (Gk. Skybalon) any
refuse, as the excrement of
animals.
✓He no longer put faith in his
own righteousness through
the law, but faith in CHRIST!

7. Do not put confidence in the
flesh.
‣Romans 7:18
‣For I know that in me
(that is, in my flesh)
nothing good dwells,
for to will is present
with, but how to
perform what is good
I do not find.
‣Ref. Jeremiah 10:23

8. What do we put
confidence in?

9. Things we trust in..
✓Investments
✓Race
✓Preacher
✓Career
✓Education
✓Good deeds
✓Status
✓Retirement (401k)
✓Stock Market
✓Skill set
✓Health/physique
✓Government

10. Lose the Carnal &
Add the Spiritual
✓Romans 8:6 For to be
carnally minded is death,
but to spiritually minded is
life and peace.
✓Romans 8:7 Because
the carnal mind is enmity
against God: for it is not
subject to the law of God,
neither indeed can be.
✓1 Cor. 15:31…die daily!

11. Think spiritually!
• Philippians 4:8
• What so ever things are,
• Noble…..Just
• Pure……Lovely
• Good report
• Virtue, praise worthy
• Meditate on these things!