Christ alone (Phil3:3)

Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh

Circumcision was a sign of belonging to God. What does Paul say is the sign of being Gods people now? Worshipping by the spirit of God, glorying in Jesus and having no confidence in the flesh. The advocates of circumcision were saying that we needed to do something. If we start to evaluate our standing before god based on our actions we are not worshipping by the spirit, we are defining the way which we think we can worship god. We are not glorying in Jesus but in ourselves. And we have confidence in the flesh, in something about ourselves, rather than confidence in Jesus. The biblical gospel is not Jesus + ... it is Christ alone. 

threat to joy (phil3:1-2)

Philippians 3:1-2

Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write these things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Paul obviously wants to remind the Philippians to rejoice but it seems like an abrupt change to warning them about evildoers. This would seem to suggest that the greatest threat to their joy are these "dogs", evildoers, mutilators - advocates of circumcision. The biggest threat to the joy of these Christians was "Jesus PLUS something else". Joy will be killed whenever we revert to the law - we have to do something. Joy comes from knowing that, while we were unable and unwilling to follow the law, Jesus was obedient to it and has set us free from it's condemnation

honouring others (phil 2:29-30)

Philippians 2:29-30

So receive him (Epaphroditus) in the Lord with all joy, and honour such men, for he almost died for the work of Christ, and risked his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me

Do we give honour to people who are risking their lives (or reputation, or money, or status, or comfort, or control) for the work of Jesus? Our tendency is to honour to people who have more obvious gifts - good speakers or musicians - or, even worse, base it on worldly standards of success - numbers of people, human praise, reputation, money, possessions. That's not how Paul evaluates things, and neither should we, because neither does God!

people before programs (phil 2:26-28)

Philippians 2:26-28

for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

Paul thinks it's necessary to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi, even though he seems to be doing a great job (v1) because they were worried about him being ill - and that causes both of them distress. This is people before programs! Paul could have legitimately thought it was more useful for Epaphroditus to stay where he was, but they are concerned about people, not just the most effective strategy. For Paul, the most effective strategy is loving God and loving others.

Epaphroditus (phil 2:25)

Philippians 2:25

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need

Epaphroditus is described as a brother to Paul, showing the deep affection shared between the two, that has been formed and forged by working together in gospel partnership, engaged in the same conflict (see 1v30). He has been sent by the Philippians to Paul as a messenger and minister - helping him on their behalf. So often, the relationships we see in churches are superficial and shallow, talking the christian jargon but concealing what's going on deep down and with no real shared mission other than getting what we think we "need" from the church. Gospel partnership forges deep bonds as we strive to see the gospel advance.

plans (phil 2:23-24)

Philippians 2:23-24

I hope therefore to send him to you just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also

Paul makes plans but doesn't take anything for granted. He's not going to be surprised if he gets released and wonder what to do, because he's already got it planned. But if he doesn' get released he wont be devestated because, in making those plans, he's mindful that God may have something different in mind!

philippians chapter 1

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