Introduction

Welcome, beloved family in Christ. It is always a joy to gather together in the House of the Lord, unified by our common faith, bound by the love of Christ, and driven by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. We are here to seek God's face, to hear His voice, and to be changed by His Word.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the profound words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians. The passage is Philippians 3:8: "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."

These are not just words on a page. They are a testament to the life-transforming power of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. They are a proclamation of the immeasurable value of our relationship with Him. They are a call to surrender all we have, all we are, for the surpassing worth of gaining Christ.

Harvesting Holiness through God's Investment

In the heart of the Apostle Paul's words, we find a profound truth. Everything we have, everything we are, is but a small speck compared to the immense value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. This knowledge is not just intellectual, but deeply personal and transformative. It changes us from the inside out, shaping us into the image of Christ.

This transformation is not a result of our own efforts, but a divine work of God. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, invests in us. He plants the seeds of His Word in our hearts, waters it with His Spirit, and nurtures it with His grace. Over time, these seeds grow and bear fruit - the fruit of holiness.

Holiness is not a set of rules or regulations. It's not about what we do or don't do. It's about who we are in Christ. It's about being set apart for God, living in a way that reflects His character and love.

God's investment in us is not without purpose. He desires to see us grow and mature in our faith. He longs to see us bear fruit in every area of our lives. This fruit is not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others. As we live out our faith, as we demonstrate the love and character of Christ, we become a blessing to those around us.

The process of growth involves pruning, refining, and sometimes even suffering. But through it all, God is with us. He provides the strength and grace we need to endure. He comforts us in our pain and rejoices with us in our victories. The Apostle Paul understood this well. He counted everything as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. He understood that the trials and tribulations he faced were not in vain, but were part of the process of becoming more like Christ.

In our own lives, we too can embrace this truth. We can count everything as loss for the sake of gaining Christ. We can surrender our own desires and ambitions, and instead pursue the things that are of eternal value.

As we do this, we will begin to see the fruit of holiness in our lives. We will see our character being shaped and molded into the image of Christ. We will see our relationships deepening and our love for others growing. We will see our faith strengthening and our hope becoming more secure.

This is the beauty of God's investment in us. It's not just about what we gain, but about who we become. It's about becoming more like Christ, living a life of holiness, and bearing fruit for His glory.

Harnessing Heavenly Wealth in Jesus

As we continue to reflect on the words of the Apostle Paul, we find ourselves drawn to the idea of heavenly wealth ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO