October 24, 2025 - Philippians 3:1-3 - "Meeting Together for Worship"

Philippians 3:1-3

"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."

"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the LORD." This is the very heart of worship. We meet as brethren to rejoice in the LORD, to sit quietly before His Word, and to hear again of His redeeming grace. The Spirit of God draws our hearts aside from the noise of this life, that we might rest and reflect upon the blood and righteousness of the LORD Jesus Christ. True worship is not a matter of fashion or form, but of simplicity — a quiet and worshipful time where we sit and listen, not to the word of man, but to the Word of God that exalts His Son.

We rejoice in the LORD because Christ is our Chief Joy. He is very God of very God, the greatness of His Person, the Delight of our souls. We rejoice in the fullness of His incarnation, for the Son of God took upon Himself the form of a servant, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. The body prepared for Him was offered in perfect obedience unto death, even the death of the cross. There, He accomplished redemption for His people, and by His blood and righteousness, they are justified before God. That is our rejoicing — Christ our Righteousness.

The Spirit of God teaches the heart to rest there, to find acceptance only in Him. The condition of salvation was fulfilled by the God-Man. His blood shed unto death, His righteousness imputed to His people — this is the one means of acceptance with God. What joy it is to hear it again and again! The LORD’s people never tire of hearing of Christ’s finished work. To the believer, it is not grievous but safe. It draws our thoughts and minds, just like a magnet, to Christ. It brings us into submission to Him and His righteousness.

We rejoice also in the comfort of His good providence. In all that He brings, even affliction and trial, our hearts are taught to say, “Thy will be done.” There is comfort in that. For He works all things according to the counsel of His own will. The believer can bow and say, “Have Thine own way, LORD.” The clay rests in the hands of the Potter. His purpose and providence are perfect.

We rejoice in the glory of His intercession and His glorious return. Christ is seated in heaven, His work complete. He is not now bearing our sin — He bore it away on the tree. His very presence in glory is intercession for His people. And He shall come again. When we hear of His coming, our hearts echo the words of John, “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.” To love Him is to long to see Him. That is the believer’s joy — to be with the One Who redeemed him.

We meet together also to be reminded of the Gospel. As Paul said, “To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.” The Gospel must be heard over and over again. It keeps us from error and guards us against false teaching. “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” Beware of any who preach up conditions for salvation, any who turn the message of Grace into works. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Those taught of the Spirit have submitted themselves unto the Righteousness of God.

We meet as the true circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. The Spirit of God has done a work of grace in the heart, bringing life to the soul. This is true worship — not outward form or ceremony, but worth-ship, the heart bowing before the One Who is worthy. “Thou art worthy,” we cry. Worthy in His person, worthy in His work, worthy in His glory.

Gracious Father, teach us again and again of Him. Draw our hearts to Christ. Cause us to rejoice in His blood and righteousness, rest in His providence, and long for His return. For He alone is worthy. Amen.