There are moments in the Christian life when we need to stop looking at ourselves and look again to Jesus. We need to be reminded that salvation is not earned by human effort, religious performance, or personal merit. It is received by faith in Christ.
In this communion message from Fannin County Seventh-day Adventist Church, the sermon centered on Philippians 3 and the Apostle Paul’s testimony of righteousness by faith. It was a message about joy, surrender, assurance, and the invitation to rest fully in the saving work of Jesus.
Rejoicing in the Lord
The Apostle Paul begins this portion of Philippians with a simple but powerful instruction:
- “Rejoice in the Lord.”
- Not rejoice in personal achievement.
- Not rejoice in religious status.
- Not rejoice in human effort.
- Rejoice in Christ.
This is an important beginning because the Christian life is not meant to be marked by fear, uncertainty, or spiritual exhaustion. True faith in Christ brings joy because it rests on what Jesus has done, not on what we can accomplish in our own strength.
Paul warned the believers against those who would rob them of that joy by turning salvation into a list of human requirements. When religion becomes focused on earning God’s favor, the joy of salvation is quickly replaced by anxiety and discouragement.
No Confidence in the Flesh
Paul then gives one of the clearest statements in the chapter:
- “We have no confidence in the flesh.”
This does not mean obedience is unimportant. It means obedience can never become the basis of our salvation.
Paul was speaking against the human tendency to trust in our own works, discipline, background, knowledge, or religious record. This tendency is deeply rooted in fallen human nature. We often feel that we must deserve what we receive.
We understand reward and punishment. We understand effort and results. But when it comes to salvation, Scripture teaches something far greater: we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul Had Every Reason to Boast
If anyone could have trusted in religious achievement, it was Paul. In Philippians 3, he listed his background:
- Circumcised the eighth day
- Of the stock of Israel
- Of the tribe of Benjamin
- A Hebrew of the Hebrews
- A Pharisee concerning the law
- Zealous in religious life
- Blameless according to outward righteousness in the law
By human standards, Paul had an impressive spiritual résumé. He had heritage, knowledge, zeal, discipline, and outward obedience.
Yet after meeting Christ, Paul counted all of it as loss compared with the excellence of knowing Jesus.
That is the heart of the message. Nothing we bring can compare with Christ. Nothing we accomplish can replace Christ. Nothing in us can save us apart from Christ.
Something Was Still Missing
The sermon also connected Paul’s experience with the experience of Martin Luther. Luther deeply desired peace with God. He tried to find that peace through religious discipline, self-denial, fasting, vigils, and severe effort.
Yet those efforts did not bring the assurance he longed for.
This is a lesson every believer needs to understand. A person may be religious and still lack peace. A person may work hard and still feel condemned. A person may know the right doctrines and still need the assurance that only Jesus can give.
The problem is not with obedience. The problem is trusting obedience as the basis of acceptance with God.
Look Away From Yourself
The turning point for Luther came when he was pointed away from himself and toward Christ. Instead of focusing endlessly on his sins, failures, fears, and punishments, he was told to look to Jesus, his sin-pardoning Savior.
That same message is needed today.
We are not saved by looking deeper into ourselves. We are saved by looking to Christ.
We are not healed by torturing ourselves over our sins. We are healed by coming honestly to Jesus in repentance and faith.
We are not made righteous by our own works. We receive the righteousness that comes from God by faith.
Righteousness by Faith Made Simple
Righteousness by faith can sound like a complicated theological term, but the sermon made it beautifully simple.
It means coming to Jesus as we are.
It means confessing our sins with the whole heart.
It means trusting His righteousness, His life, His sacrifice, and His death.
It means falling helplessly into the arms of Christ, believing that He is willing and able to save.
This is not careless religion. It is not cheap grace. It is surrender. It is faith. It is the soul resting entirely in the pierced arms of a loving Savior.
Not an Angry God, But a Loving Savior
One of the most powerful contrasts in the message was this: we are not simply sinners in the hands of an angry God. We are sinners invited into the pierced arms of a loving God.
Jesus gave His life to save us. His hands were wounded for us. His blood was shed for us. His body was broken for us.
That is why communion is so meaningful. The bread and grape juice point us again to the body and blood of Christ. They remind us that our salvation is not based on our worthiness, but on His sacrifice.
When we come to the communion table, we come humbly. But we do not need to come hopelessly. We come remembering that Jesus has already paid the price.
What Communion Calls Us to Remember
Communion is not just a church ceremony. It is a sacred reminder of the gospel.
It reminds us that:
- Jesus gave His body for us.
- Jesus shed His blood for us.
- Our sins can be forgiven.
- Our guilt can be lifted.
- Our peace comes from Christ.
- Our assurance rests in His righteousness.
- Eternal life is a gift received through Him.
Every communion service is an invitation to return to the foundation of our faith. Christ died for sinners. Christ receives the repentant. Christ gives assurance to those who trust in Him.
Why This Matters Today
This message matters because many people still struggle with assurance.
Some wonder if they have done enough.
Some carry guilt from the past.
Some know the teachings of Scripture but still lack peace in their hearts.
Some are trying to earn what Jesus has already purchased.
Some are spiritually exhausted because they are looking at themselves more than they are looking at Christ.
The answer is not to care less about holiness. The answer is to come more fully to Jesus. True obedience grows from faith, gratitude, and love. It does not grow from fear-driven attempts to earn salvation.
Practical Application
Here are several ways to respond to this message:
- Rejoice in Christ, not in your own spiritual record.
- Stop trusting in human effort as the basis of salvation.
- Confess your sins honestly to God.
- Look away from yourself and look to Jesus.
- Trust the righteousness of Christ.
- Remember that communion points to His sacrifice for you.
- Let assurance produce gratitude, obedience, and joy.
- Rest in the pierced arms of your loving Redeemer.
A Call to Rest in Christ
The central appeal of this sermon is simple:
Cast yourself into the arms of your Redeemer.
Come to Jesus as you are. Bring your sins, your weakness, your fear, your guilt, and your need. Do not come trusting your own righteousness. Come trusting His.
The Savior who died for you is not reluctant to receive you. He calls you to come, confess, believe, and live in the assurance of His grace.
Closing Appeal
As we think about the body and blood of Jesus, let us remember that eternal life is not something we earn. It is a gift given through Christ.
May we leave with peace, not because we are strong, but because He is strong.
May we leave with joy, not because we are worthy, but because He is worthy.
May we leave trusting fully in Jesus, our righteousness, our Redeemer, and our Savior.
Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Your life for us. Forgive us for the times we have trusted in ourselves instead of resting fully in You. Teach us to look away from our own merit and to trust Your righteousness by faith. Help us to receive Your forgiveness, rejoice in Your grace, and live in grateful obedience. In Your name, amen.
Discussion Questions
- What does Paul mean by having “no confidence in the flesh”?
- Why is it easy for people to think they must earn God’s favor?
- What can we learn from Paul’s religious background in Philippians 3?
- How does Martin Luther’s experience help us understand righteousness by faith?
- What does communion remind us about the body and blood of Christ?
- What does it mean to cast yourself into the arms of your Redeemer?
- How can assurance in Christ lead to a more joyful Christian life?