Calvary Vero Home Groups

Week of 10/26/25

Pastor Nate Gallagher

Philippians 3:1-11- How to Protect Joy when something attempts to steal it

Paul starts this section of Philippians exhorting the brethren to “rejoice!” this is the 9th time joy is mentioned in this short letter. Paul quickly turns from the great joy of our faith, to the great threat of warning we will encounter on our walk with God (v. 2). Commentators state that this warning is perhaps the most explicit section of Paul’s writings “beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation”. In this time these people would creep into the Church and seek to Judaize the Church by stating that it’s not enough to have faith alone but that Salvation is obtained through works or our own merit.

These verses highlight some of the dichotomies of a faith-filled life such as beauty and brokenness not being mutually exclusive. We know there is great beauty as we are created in His image with great purpose, but also know that we will experience difficulty and trouble as we seek to live a faith-filled life. Regardless of our circumstances we should rejoice in Christ.

As you walk through this life, beware of others or other things coming to steal your joy and remain focused on Solus Christus (Christ alone)!

Q: How do we see people creeping into the Church today with false teachings that attempt to add to the gospel of grace?

Pastor Nate gave us tools to help us not to let our joy be stolen:

  1. Place no confidence in the flesh

  2. Change what we value

  3. Trust fully in Christ

  1. Place no confidence in the flesh (v. 3-7)

In this portion of the text, Paul gives his resume highlighting by the law’s standards he was blameless, yet he acknowledges that on his own he cannot make himself approved unto God. Pastor Nate walked us through 3 ways we put confidence in the flesh:

  1. Self-Righteousness: an attempt to do physically what only God can do spiritually.

  2. Self-Gratification: the constant pursuit of self.

  3. Self- Actualization: confidence to curate the life we want and diminishes our value to just what we accomplish in our own strength.

  • When we are self-righteous, we fall into a cycle of pride and despair as we measure our faith based on our works. This way of thinking also causes us to judge other’s relationships with the Lord based on our performance and personal convictions.

Q: Are there areas of your life where you find yourself judging other believers?

Q:  If so, how can we combat this way of thinking?

  • In this life we are bombarded with messages pushing the constant pursuit of self and letting pleasure, flesh, and our wants drive us. We pursue ourselves and then wonder why we’re lonely yet when it’s all about you, all you get is you.

Q: Are there areas in your life where you are isolated?

Q: If so, how can you combat these areas of isolation?

  • Self-actualization tells us our identity is rooted in our accomplishments and not in who we are in God.

Q:  Are there areas in your life that you don’t see yourself as God sees you, but solely as     your accomplishments?

2. Change what we value (v. 8-11)

After giving his resume, Paul writes “I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ.” Going from a belief of Jesus to being in love with Jesus changes everything about our life

Q: What do you value most and how does your life reflect that?

Q: Do you let knowing and experiencing Christ be the most important thing about you?

3. Trust fully in Christ (v. 8-11)

How do we trust Him fully?

  1. Righteousness (v. 8): receive fully the righteousness He offers.

  2. Relationship (v. 10): this is available because He first loved us and pursues us.

  3. Resurrection (v.10-11): trust in Christ is sharing in suffering but knowing that He brings resurrection in our lives.

Q: If someone is struggling in trusting Christ fully how can we come alongside in that?

Q: How have you seen God’s pursuit of you in your life?

Q: God can produce resurrection in the most dried up and fatigued areas of our lives. What areas of your life are you needing God’s resurrecting power?

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”