Treasure

I am a pack-rat, I readily admit it!
Though I hope to own much less a year from now.
I am a treasure hunter, only moderately successful however in that area.
But I have three hunts laid out which could put my grand-kids through college, maybe.

But what I value is history, knowledge and the people I have known.
Even though some of them were massive negative influences ...

What do you value?
What is it you cling to?
No wrong answers here ...

Philippians 3:1-6

Welcome Consistent Concepts
Remind ourselves whose you are,
Who God is,
What the Gospel is.

The world brings confusion:
Misunderstanding of sexuality, security and happiness.

Conversely, God brings the correct understanding to all of these areas:
Purity and innocence
God
Joy

The Wild Dogs
Paul uses a much debated linguistic statement.
Wild dogs, mutilated flesh - what the heck!?!

Well, unfortunate history, not withstanding Roman Catholic theology ...
First century Jews, wanted to fight in the Olympic Games, but were mocked for their circumcision.
Now how to undo a circumcision?
Yeah, butchery!

And Paul attaches these thoiughts to the concept of the Jesus Plus crowd.
Jesus plus something else is what gains you salvation.
And that something else has no end of definitions.

If ANYONE tells you that ANYTHING else other than Jesus blood shed on the cross and his resurrection are needed for salvation - you have just encountered one of the false teachers!

Christian Characteristics
Your circumsion is of the heart.
The sin nature stripped away.
Our trust is in Jesus, nothing else!

Don't get Cocky
Before Jesus, Paul valued:
hereadity
nationalism
his works
being a "blue blood"

He found he had to abandon this value system to follow Jesus!
See what God values.
See what God rewards.
Then FOLLOW God ...