To be Found in Him

Verse:

Philippians 3:7-9 KJV

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Word Study:

Verse 7:

The word : “What” is qualitative - Refers to things to be an asset or gain.

“Counted” can be translated as, to consider, deem, think, account. The perfect tense which speaks of a process completed in past time having present results.

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Intro: The A- Clause of Verse 9 being the focus of the message

The book of Philippians,which is a letter written to the church of Philippi is composed of 4 concise chapters written by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned in Caesar’s household. Paul had written this book in prison due to his pro activeness in advancing the Gospel in his second missionary journey in Europe. But Paul wasn’t just on any missionary but he endured many trials before the advancement of the Gospel. We remember Paul’s journey, on the Road to Damascus back in Acts Chapter 9, where the Lord asked Saul, "Why are you persecuting me?” Then was given direction to enter the city, which led to the birth and maturation of his true calling.

Then we Segway to Acts Chapter 16, where we then see the introduction to the church of Philippi. The birthing of the church did not begin with Paul’s original intent in mind, in fact he had plans to go to Asia, but the Holy Spirit provoked him and redirected him through a vision to Macedonia. (Talk about the house of Lydia..)

Then, Paul writes to a church who was already loyal, confident, and in unison with one another. And being that the cultural background/influences of the church is composed of people who valued Roman culture, its laws, and practices, Paul has a recurring theme of his citizenship in Christ being the key to his identity and them having the same mind as him. Which is why we hear Paul in Chapter 2 state, “Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded. Having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” And Paul’s aim was to do this on 4 premises. 1, having joy in suffering. 2, having joy in serving. 3, having joy in believing. And lastly, having joy in the midst of their giving. But once again, Paul’s goal was to reiterate the importance that in order to complete this task you must be rooted in Christ.

So then Paul has a task in Chapter 3 where he has to then deconstruct the thinking of Jewish believers, who thought that in order to achieve righteousness, they would have to abide by the Old Testament law. Which required them to achieve salvation through the process of circumcision. Which is a result of works. But what I've discovered is that in order to receive the benefits of God, we must deconstruct our minds from the old pattern of living, to walk into our true inheritance.

Paul then begins to introduce in Chapter 3 verse 3 that we are the circumcision and place no confidence in the flesh.

Exercise: The underlying issue is that Paul is dealing with an audience influenced by Jewish leaders convincing them that righteousness is achieved through circumcision. Meaning that salvation is only achieved by works alone and not by faith in Jesus Christ. So Paul's intent is to inform the church that in order to be found in Christ they must all be rooted in God through faith.

What we see now is that many of us have been so immersed with the works within ourselves to earn our salvation or a seat, but salvation is merely from faith alone.

But the hope of this text is when you are found in him because of the confidence in Him it then produces a greater knowledge of Him.