Illus. I was raised in low income family; learned to make sacrifices; learned value of dollar.
•At 13, I needed a new bicycle; $110. I worked all winter and spring.
•I sacrificed a lot, but I never complained; it was worth it; 14th birthday, bought it.
•Some things are simply worth sacrificing for.
I believe that Paul had the same idea in mind when he wrote Philippians, esp. 3:4-11.
•He was familiar with living in the low income bracket (Phil. 4:12).
•He was currently in prison because of his faith.
We’re going to discover a remarkable truth today.
Paul willingly sacrificed everything in order to get one thing.
What was it that was worth everything in the world to him? Let’s find out after we pray.
Prayer
Last week, we remembered that the Gospel is all about Christ and not ourselves.
•The Judaizers boasted in their works, their heritage.
•If anyone had a reason to boast, it was Paul. Let’s look at what he had.
I. PAUL’S EARTHLY GAIN vv. 4-6
(start w/ v. 3) 3FOR IT IS WE WHO ARE THE CIRCUMCISION, WE WHO WORSHIP BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, WHO GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS, AND WHO PUT NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH—4THOUGH I MYSELF HAVE REASONS FOR SUCH CONFIDENCE (in the flesh, cf. v. 3). IF ANYONE ELSE THINKS HE HAS REASONS TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH, I HAVE MORE: Paul then lists 7 reasons why he could boast.
5CIRCUMCISED ON THE EIGHTH DAY, OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, A HEBREW OF HEBREWS; IN REGARD TO THE LAW, A PHARISEE; 6AS FOR ZEAL, PERSECUTING THE CHURCH; AS FOR LEGALISTIC RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAULTLESS.
Not only was he born a Jew, he was an outstanding Jew (Hebrew of the Hebrews).
Not only was he an outstanding Jew, he was a Pharisee (the epitome of religion).
•The Pharisees worked hard to protect the Jewish Law from Gentile influence.
Not only was he a Pharisee, he was a zealous, legalistic Pharisee.
•He had been trained by the best.
Acts 22:3-4 “I AM A JEW, BORN IN TARSUS OF CILICIA, BUT BROUGHT UP IN THIS CITY (Jerusalem).
It’s possible that Paul was among the Pharisees who condemned Jesus.
UNDER GAMALIEL (the foremost teacher in Jerusalem) I WAS THOROUGHLY TRAINED IN THE LAW OF OUR FATHERS AND WAS JUST AS ZEALOUS FOR GOD AS ANY OF YOU ARE TODAY. 4I PERSECUTED THE FOLLOWERS OF THIS WAY TO THEIR DEATH, ARRESTING BOTH MEN AND WOMEN AND THROWING THEM INTO PRISON… He was the Pharisees’ bouncer/enforcer.
Paul was the epitome of a Jewish Pharisee and was well on his way to the top.
•He had everything going for him.
He started out with incredible potential and yet ended up penniless and in prison.
Many of his peers would say his was a “riches to rags” story.
How could he go from one extreme to the next? Let’s look at his loss.
II. PAUL’S EARTHLY LOSS vv. 7-8
7"BUT WHATEVER WAS TO MY PROFIT I NOW CONSIDER LOSS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST. 8WHAT IS MORE, I CONSIDER EVERYTHING A LOSS COMPARED TO THE SURPASSING GREATNESS OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD, FOR WHOSE SAKE I HAVE LOST ALL THINGS. I CONSIDER THEM RUBBISH,
Paul considered his prestige/power/popularity a total loss, but not in the way we would think. He wasn’t upset about it. He rejoiced over it.
Everything he had worked for, for his profit, he considered rubbish/dung heap.
What some people would call a total loss, Paul calls a total gain.
He willingly gave up everything in order to get one thing.
Paul discovered a priceless gem: Knowing Christ is worth the price.
•His earthly loss was nothing compared to his heavenly gain.
The most important thing in Paul’s life was knowing Christ. It must be ours as well!
Let’s look at what Paul gained.
III. PAUL’S HEAVENLY GAIN vv. 8-11
Illus. “Let’s make a deal.” Contestants were given money or a prize and then asked;
Do you want to trade what you have for what’s behind door #2?
Illus. “Deal or no deal.” People have the opportunity to take the money or go for more.
Paul made a great deal. He traded all his earthly prestige and possessions for Christ.
In vv. 8ff, he lists three things that make it a great deal; that make Christ worth the price.
A. He wants to pursue Christ. I CONSIDER THEM RUBBISH, THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST
GAIN means to pursue Christ for the purpose of making Him your own.
Illus. The world is obsessed with the pursuit of happiness.
•Paul was obsessed with the pursuit of Christ
Illus. Athletes often will sacrifice greatly to win the race.
Why is gaining/pursuing Christ such a great deal?
•Consider the prize - Christ! (fellowship, support, strength, etc.)
Phil 3:14 "I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE PRIZE FOR WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME HEAVENWARD IN CHRIST JESUS."
Like Paul, we need to pursue Christ, regardless of the cost.
B. He wants to be found righteous in Christ.
9AND BE FOUND IN HIM, NOT HAVING A RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY OWN THAT COMES FROM THE LAW, BUT THAT WHICH IS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST--THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT COMES FROM GOD AND IS BY FAITH.
Paul was already considered righteous in peoples’ eyes. He was a “righteous” Pharisee.
Isa 64:6 "ALL OF US HAVE BECOME LIKE ONE WHO IS UNCLEAN, AND ALL OUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS ARE LIKE FILTHY RAGS".
Paul tells the Galatians that righteousness from Law is useless.
Mt. 5:20 "FOR I TELL YOU THAT UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS SURPASSES THAT OF THE PHARISEES AND THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW, YOU WILL CERTAINLY NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN."
That was the difference between Paul and the Judaizers.
•They were self-righteous. He was Christ-righteous.
•He didn’t want man’s recognition, he wanted Christ’s.
This righteousness can only come from God, from pursuing and obeying God.
Illus. Common idea among "Christians" that we are basically good.
•I can spend years in seminary and ministry, etc., and still not be "righteous".
Being good is not good enough, unless our goodness is in Christ.
•Unless we pursue Christ at all costs.
We need to be found righteous in Christ, not in ourselves or our peers.
C. He wants to experience Christ.
10I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF SHARING IN HIS SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH,
This phrase "To know" stands out in the original.
Paul is saying, “I want to gain Christ and be found righteous in Him, and… to know Him.”
Notice he didn’t say, "know about", study doctrines, theologies, memorize.
•These are important, but not enough.
Going to church and studying Scripture is not enough!
This word “know” is more than simply "head knowledge". It’s heart knowledge.
•It’s a very intimate and experiential word. Ex. Adam knew Eve and she conceived.
Notice also that it’s a continuous pursuit (Paul hadn’t gotten there, yet).
•He still wanted to gain Christ and be found righteous in Him and to know Him.
Experiencing Christ is the ultimate ecstasy.
Let’s look at just what Paul wants to experience in Christ. (4 things)
Illus. If I were writing this, I would want to experience joy, fellowship, intimacy, etc.
1. The person of Christ (intimately, experientially) (I would agree)
2. The power of the resurrection (I would agree)
Illus. Shuttle, atomic bomb, etc. vs. Christ’s power in the tomb/ascension.
All the power we can produce can’t light a candle to the power of Christ.
3. The partnership of His sufferings (I wouldn’t agree)
Remember, Paul’s in prison, suffering for Jesus. He’s lost all his possessions/prestige.
•And yet, he’s almost enjoying it. He wants to know more of His suffering.
I wonder if he had already realized that suffering deepens our walk with Christ.
Rom. 5:1-5 says that suffering produces perseverance-character-hope.
Phil. 1:29 says it’s a privilege and honor to suffer for Him.
4. The passion of His death (BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH,)
Paul wants to know everything about Christ, including His death. Could we say that?
Why did he willingly trade his earthly gain for heavenly gain?
•Why is he so eager to know Christ?
11AND SO, SOMEHOW, TO ATTAIN TO THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD."
Paul wanted to spend eternity with Christ.
•Note that this isn’t just a wish, it’s a hope, a real anticipation of the future.
Paul wanted to spend eternity with Jesus Christ, his Risen Lord.
There is nothing else in all this world that can compare with knowing Christ!
In case you’re hesitating on taking the deal, let me share some Scripture with you.
Mark 8:34-36 "IF ANYONE WOULD COME AFTER ME, HE MUST DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME. 35FOR WHOEVER WANTS TO SAVE HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, BUT WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR ME AND FOR THE GOSPEL WILL SAVE IT. 36WHAT GOOD IS IT FOR A MAN TO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, YET FORFEIT HIS SOUL?
Mt. 7:21-23 “NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS TO ME, ‘LORD, LORD,’ WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT ONLY HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN. 22MANY WILL SAY TO ME ON THAT DAY, ‘LORD, LORD, DID WE NOT PROPHESY IN YOUR NAME, AND IN YOUR NAME DRIVE OUT DEMONS AND PERFORM MANY MIRACLES?’ 23THEN I WILL TELL THEM PLAINLY, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU. AWAY FROM ME, YOU EVILDOERS!’
That’s what we get if we pursue earthly gain rather than heavenly gain.
What do we get if we take the deal Jesus offers? If we pursue Christ above all else?
Rev. 21:3-4 AND I HEARD A LOUD VOICE FROM THE THRONE SAYING, “NOW THE DWELLING OF GOD IS WITH MEN, AND HE WILL LIVE WITH THEM. THEY WILL BE HIS PEOPLE, AND GOD HIMSELF WILL BE WITH THEM AND BE THEIR GOD. 4HE WILL WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES. THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH OR MOURNING OR CRYING OR PAIN, FOR THE OLD ORDER OF THINGS HAS PASSED AWAY.”
Is knowing Christ worth the price? YES!!!
Let me challenge you with 2 questions;
What is Christ worth to me?
We can’t be satisfied simply with knowing about Christ.
We can’t be satisfied with comfortable, status quo Christianity.
We must strive to develop a passion for Christ, regardless of the cost.
We need to pursue Christ. We need to be found righteous in Him.
We need to experience all that He is. We need to take the deal!
We need to be willing to give up all we have in order to experience Christ.
That leads to the 2nd question;
Am I willing to pay the price?
•Am I willing to give up the things that dishonor or offend God?
•Am I willing to give up my free time to pursue Him, read His Word, serve Him?
•Am I willing to give my tithe (or more)?
Illus. I’d like 50 cents worth of God, please.
•Just enough to make me feel good, but not enough to pressure me.
•Just enough to encourage me, but not enough to make me feel guilty.
•Just enough to reward me, but not enough to make me work overtime.
I’d like 50 cents worth of God, please.
•Just enough to enjoy His grace, but not enough to plead for His mercy.
•Just enough to be comfortable, but not enough to be convicted.
•Just enough to be respected, but not enough to be humbled.
I’d like 50 cents worth of God, please.
•Just enough to get me to heaven, but not enough to make me forsake earth.
•Just enough to make me content, but not enough to require anything of me in return.
•Just enough to meet my needs, but not enough to challenge me to meet others’ needs.
You see, if I only had 50 cents worth of God, I could feel great without all the guilt.
•I could enjoy pleasure without the pain. I could have the best of both worlds.
But there is no such thing as 50 cents worth of God, especially when it cost Him His Son’s life. He offers us a free gift that cost Him everything.
We can’t pay for it, but it will cost us as well.
It will cost us our earthly treasures, our pride and selfishness, our personal agendas.
But in the end, if we’re willing to pay the price of following Christ, we’ll receive not just 50 cents, but 50 trillion dollars worth of God. He is truly worth the price!
"BUT WHATEVER WAS TO MY PROFIT I NOW CONSIDER LOSS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST. 8WHAT IS MORE, I CONSIDER EVERYTHING A LOSS COMPARED TO THE SURPASSING GREATNESS OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD, FOR WHOSE SAKE I HAVE LOST ALL THINGS. I CONSIDER THEM RUBBISH, THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST 9AND BE FOUND IN HIM, NOT HAVING A RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY OWN THAT COMES FROM THE LAW, BUT THAT WHICH IS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST--THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT COMES FROM GOD AND IS BY FAITH. 10I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF SHARING IN HIS SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH, 11AND SO, SOMEHOW, TO ATTAIN TO THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD."
Can we say the same?
The Bottom Line: Knowing Christ is worth the price!
How much of God would you like?
Prayer/Challenge
Hymn 596 I Surrender All
I Commit To:
Power Point and Sermon Outline are available by emailing the author.
