Philippians 3:7-11 That I May Gain Christ

Bible

We are in a very powerful section in ch.3

as you can tell from our title

“That I may gain Christ”

there is no better gain then Christ!

nothing and no one is better than Jesus

so this passage is very special as it

shows us

how we gain Christ

and what that means

My prayer is that none of us

miss anything that God

has for us today!

Pray

Read

Philippians 3:7–11 NKJV

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

So here we see Paul repeating these words: counted, loss

v.7 - what things were gain, I have counted loss

v.8 - count all things loss the the excellence of the knowledge of Christ

v.8 - suffered the loss of all things

v.8 - count them as rubbish that i may gain Christ.

What is he counting loss?

If we look up into the previous section

he tells us

Philippians 3:4–6 NKJV

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

So this is a description of his life before Christ

He is saying I have counted it as a loss. - wow

all his self righteousness

which was once very important to Paul

it was what his life was all about

now saying ...counted as loss… counted as rubbish

(also transled dung, trash)

every good and righteous deed he had done

every act of devotion

every commandment kept

every part of the law He followed

counted as loss

his entire life has changed based on this.

he was living one way

and now living in a new way, with a new life.

So this is an important text because it contains a message

that took one of the most religious,

law following

self righteous men ever

to call all he had done a loss.

This should grab our attention.

This means for us it contains a message of great change too.

How did this happen?

it starts with what we read about in verse 9

Philippians 3:9 (NKJV)

9 ....not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Jesus did the work we could never do.

He gives a righteousness we could never earn.

Paul had tried before Christ to earn righteousness with God

He lived his life for it.

Then Jesus paid the price for His sins.

and gave him righteousness.

He couldn't earn

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2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

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Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

This great change in Paul’s life started here

but it didn't stop here

Paul clearly isn't only talking about

receiving righteousness from God in Jesus

he keeps talking about Jesus

“gaining Jesus, knowing him,”

Looking at verse 7 he says “I have counted loss” “for Christ”

v.8 - for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus

v. 8 - that I may gain Christ

v.9 - & be found in Him

v.10 -

Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

There is something here thats very important

While no doubt receiving righteousness from God in Jesus

was a huge moment of change

This section isn't a ticket

To get righteousness and then do your thing and move on

The clear highlight of Paul here is: Jesus

leading us to thank Him for righteousness & rejoice in it

but let’s not miss getting to know Jesus more

because the change does not stop at inputted (given)righteousness,

that is where it started:

it continues in Christ

this is captured in verse 8

“for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (v.8)

excellence = surpassing

this shows this is far greater

much better, it excels

So he counts all loss

for the surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus

knowledge = “γινωσκω”

this knowledge is not just an intellectual knowledge

its a knowledge based on experience.

for example its one thing to

know that steak is good

its another thing

to know by experience that steak is good.

to taste it

that is the word knowledge here

its an experienced knowledge of Christ.

So this is huge because

this speaks of a relationship we can have with Jesus.

that there is a getting to know of Christ

by experience

Then Paul adds after saying “excellence of the knowledge of..”

he says “of Christ Jesus, MY Lord”

showing us that He is his

Yes Jesus is Christ/Messiah Lord

but He is also Mine!

which takes it up a level

this speaks of a personal

getting to know Jesus

a personal relationship with Jesus

Knowing Jesus goes beyond the walls of a

religious building, a service

where you dont need a person to come between you and God.

This speaks of you and Him

a relationship with Him

where you can get to know Him

in an experienced way.

It is an opportunity

greater then we can probably understand

to get to know Jesus.

which is what he is referring to at the end of verse 8

“that I may gain Christ” (v.8)

this is not salvation, this is speaking of relationship

Where Jesus is the goal to gain ,to ginosko

notice the wording

he didnt say I have gained Christ

like it has already happened..

or that he has a finished relationship.

no, its “that I may”

because this after salvation

its now about growing in our relationship with Jesus

it is a process this is a working towards

it shows us that this is something to be growing in

as you would in a relationship.

your getting to know each other more

so to gain Christ

its speaking towards Jesus as a whole

Gaining all of Jesus

not only the Savior part

but gaining the person of Jesus

to gain Him in all His fullness

I want to know Him in His love

I want to know Him in being with me

I want to know Him as friend

I want to know Him with His compassion

In every possible way I can know Him

May we share in that desire!

I want to know Him

Who He is!

To experience that

so this is a precious relationship

Which we should not be taking for granted

that Paul continues talking about in the beginning of v.9

“be found in Him” (v.9)

what a beautiful detail added there.

not just gain Him

but also found in Him

and as the verse continues to point out

found in Him

with righteousness from God.

So this speaks of our

union with Christ that was possible

only because God imputed Christ’s righteousness to us

I once was lost

in my own self-righteousness

but now found in Him righteous

united with Christ

losing myself in Him!

united with Jesus

there is no safer, better, more secure place

Then being found in Jesus with His righteousness.

all so that what

Paul will say again in

in verse 10

“That I may know Him” (v.10)

this word know is the word ginosko again and

is connected to verse 8 (excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord)

and again is the phrase

“That I may know”

connecting to “that i may gain Christ” (v.8)_

now Paul is saying “that I may know Him” (v.10)

Showing us that

Paul is expressing the desire to be drawn

a deeper understanding of Who Jesus is

He wants to experientially know Christ

ginosko Jesus

this should be the heartbeat of every true believer

wanting to know more about the one

Who gave His life for me

He showed His love for me on the cross

So I want to know more about Him, His love Who He is

may we have that desire

to want to know our Jesus

who gave His life for us more

How do you get to know someone?

by spending time with them

by speaking with them

by going through things together

by sharing in experiences

it is ginosko

This can found be in times of prayer

reading His Word

moments in worship

waiting on Him

This is why daily devotions is good

why its good to daily be in the Word

its not so that you can check off a box

or so that you can learn a fact

or to earn a badge

its to enjoy Jesus

its for a relationship with Jesus

but also in any relationship

where you getting to know someone

its not just an alloted moment in the day

we can go to the Lord anytime

what joy there is in

walking with him through the day

and when the day gets hard

Poor your heart to Him

Often in those moments we

ginosko Jesus

as He ministers, leads us, corrects. teaches us.

but i dont want us to miss

Paul is obviously excited about Jesus

He loves Him

He wants to know Him more

Just like in a healthy relationship

your excited to be with that person

Paul is excited about Jesus

May we have that for Jesus too!

and any time of the day we can go to Him

He never closes up shop

or gives us a busy signal

We can know Him

to get closer to

the full person of Jesus

personally

which is why Paul said his self-righteousness is all loss for!

why he said i count all that past self righteousness as dung

and why he said i suffered the loss

because Jesus is just way way way better!

its almost disgusting to compare.

We get His righteousness and a relationship with Lord

So for Paul and may it be for us that

we just want to keep

knowing Jesus

then in verse 10 Paul takes it up a level

as he shares that he wants to know Jesus

in the great moments and in the hard moments.

look there at verse 10:

That i may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and in the fellowship of His sufferings.

“Power of His resurrection” (v.10)

Paul wants to know by experience the power of His resurrection

The power of His resurrection

conquered sin and death

and it brings life. and eternity

This doesnt mean we dont in the flesh have a sinful nature

we still have a sinful nature until its removed.

but sin has no power in its, control or its condemnation

There is no condemnation in Jesus

and we can live in the newness of life

alive in Christ

Romans 6:4 NKJV

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Paul wants to know by experience this power!

To grow in this newness of life!

He wants to know the power of the resurrection in His life.

so

Paul wants to know Jesus

in the greatest way possible

but also as he says in the

“Fellowship of His sufferings” (v.10)

This sounds hardcore

especially that He adds here

“being conformed to His death”

Most people, probably every person does not want to suffer

Everyone has no problem with

knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection

-but to fellowship /share in His sufferings...

that sounds hard...

Yet Paul is here saying “that i may know...

he wants to know by experience the sharing in His suffering.

What is His suffering

Jesus preached on this in

Jesus said: Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:10–12 NKJV

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

but why is Paul wanting this?

Well 1 because Jesus said your blessed but

2. Paul is wanting to be close to Jesus and there is a unique closeness in suffering

Kind of like when you suffer with someone you get closer to that person

While suffering with Jesus is different than sharing a suffering

circumstance with someone.

Suffering together brings a closeness

unique to times that are going well.

So we may be given the privilege to share in His suffering

and face a trial for our love for Jesus

we may be persecuted for following Him

we may be treated in an evil way because of Jesus

we may suffer for righteousness sake.

Now we may not know this like some

other believers living in places where Jesus

is not allowed now but

the church is already seen in a negative light.

Times of persecution may be around the corner

for us

Paul welcomed the suffering

Jesus called it blessed

So there is something special in knowing Christ in suffering

maybe its the closeness

His presence in that fire

giving peace

but Paul is not wanting anything held back in knowing Jesus

He wants it all

He wants to know Jesus in every single way possible

In the great moments and in the hardest moments

in the depth of suffering

and in the power of the resurrection

as Paul continues to say in verse 10 “being conformed to His death

This speaks of submission (Philippians 2:8).

Paul wanted to be completely yielded to the will of God

just as Christ was so submissive to God

that He willingly went to the cross and died.

So Paul here is willing to suffer fully submitted to the will of the Lord

and then he ends in verse 11 with a humble expectation saying

Philippians 3:11 NKJV

11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul didn’t doubt that he was saved,

He ends longing for the completion of his salvation

through his resurrection

In other words he is willing to suffer, submitted to the will of God

longing for his resurrection.

This all shows us that our greatest gain,

our most valuable possession,

is not in earthly achievements

or human accomplishments,

and in being found in Him.

and in gaining Jesus

having a relationship with Him

There is so much to experience in Jesus

to know of Jesus

as He is

He is truth itself.

He is the source and strength of all beauty,

He is wisdom and knowledge

Full of compassion and mercy

We can know this in our minds

but may we know this ginosko

expereincing it!

We can so easily miss out

on keeping our knowing of Jesus

to only intellectual

but Jesus doesnt get boring,

the closer You get to Him

more you want to know Him more!

...

In closing I love how the NLT translates this and I want to share it with you

Philippians 3:7–11 NLT

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

As worship team comes forward:

May we desiring to gain Jesus

to know ginosko the full person of Jesus

personally

In the good or hard

May it be a goal to know Jesus in every way we can

to know Him more and more

to be closer to Him

I hope we all come from this

desiring Jesus like Paul here

What a great desire for us to have

What would happen to us

if we all shared that same desire

May we make it a goal today and this week

to grow and know Jesus more

to deepen our relationship with HIm.