To Gain Christ

To Gain Christ

Philippians 3:1-8

Good morning.

The music group “Bread” had a soft rock song in the early 1970’s called “Everything I own”. Some of the lyrics said…

“You sheltered me from harm, kept me warm, kept me warm

You gave my life to me, set me free, set me free. The finest years I ever knew were all the years I had with you.

And I would give anything I own I'd give up my life, my heart, my home, I would give everything I own.”

Although that is a secular song, I want us to think about some of those words when it comes to serving Jesus.

Jesus you sheltered me, kept me warm. You give life to me and set me free.

“And I would give anything I own I'd give up my life, my heart, my home, I would give everything I own.”

Dog and cat theology is how some people treat the Lord.

Dog theology says, “You do everything for me so I love you so much, that You must be God.”

Cat theology says, “You do everything for me so I must be God.”

Please open your Bibles to Philippians 3, as we continue in our verse-by-verse study of Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Philippi.

Last week the portion of the letter we studied commended Timothy as a son with proven character.

Paul said Timothy had a like-mindedness, to care for those believers just like he would.

Timothy had a pastor’s heart for those believers.

Again, Paul said Timothy had a proven character as a son. The word character in the original language means proof of genuineness and trustworthiness.

Spiritual maturity and proven character go hand in hand, but spiritual maturity is impossible in our lives, without the Lord transforming our character, through the renewing of our minds.

After telling the Philippians how much he thought of his son in the faith, Paul said he wanted to send Timothy immediately to them.

But then Paul seemed to add a P.S. to the message, “As soon as I see how it goes with me.”

So Paul wanted to send Timothy. Then we were introduced to Epaphroditus (EE-paFF-rodite-Us) who was the one who delivered the original letter from Paul to the church in Philippi.

We learned it is our responsibility to show our children, a godly example to prepare them to live a life pleasing to the Lord.

Our children learn proven character by our example and humility.

I. Rejoice.

Read Philippians 3:1

Wiersbe said, “Finally” at this point does not mean Paul is about to close the letter, because he keeps on going. The word means “For the rest,” and introduces the new section.”

The word rejoice is actually an action verb, and the dictionary definition means to feel or show great joy or delight.

Remember, Joy is the theme of the whole letter.

An abiding joy in a believer reveals that we trust in the Lord, and we believe He is in control.

When we believe the Lord is in control of all things we will be filled with joy because we know our good Father is not out to harm us, through life’s circumstances.

Not all things that happen are good, but we know our good Father will work them out and He is always good.

We should not only rejoice during happy times, but also during sorrowful times as well.

The Christian can rejoice always because our joy is not based on circumstances, but it is based on the promise and trust we have in the Lord Jesus Christ.

John MacArthur said, “There is no event or circumstance that can occur in the life of any Christian that should diminish that Christian's joy.”

Circumstances always change, but the Lord never changes.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. NKJV

Some people, especially those who are going through trials, may say, “It is impossible, to rejoice always, it can't be done,” and in our own strength, they are right, rejoicing in trials is not natural.

Happiness comes from happenings, or because something happens our way. But the Lord instructs us to rejoice in all circumstances, in afflictions, as well as times of blessing.

Rejoicing in any situation comes from a supernatural joy which is only made possible by the Holy Spirit.

F.B. Meyer said, “It is a duty for us to cultivate this joy. We must steadfastly arrest any tendency to murmur and complain; to find fault with God’s dealings; or to seek to elicit sympathy.

We must as much resist the temptation to depression and melancholy as we would to any form of sin.”

We don’t rejoice because of tragedies in life, but we believe God is doing things in and through our circumstances, and He even turns evil into good, for those who love Christ.