Philippians 3

The Value of Christ

Questions from the past few weeks

What is your purpose?

Is Christ your purpose?

New question tonight.

Worldly Values:

What is it you brag about?

- money

- traveling

- new guitar (skills)

- light saber

As cool as I may think these things are and how easy it is for us to brag on ourselves and the things we have. I want to look at what Paul’s perspective on these things.

Philippians 3:2–10 ESV

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

1. Keep your ear to His Word

The old saying, “keep your ear to the ground”

This old expression originated in the late 1800s. When Indians and cowboys would physically place their ear on the ground they were able to hear hoof beats and vibrations from far off distances.

Philippians 3:1–2 ESV

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

Paul is telling us to “keep our ears to the ground”

There was a group of people called the Judiazers, that believed in the old law of the Hebrew bible and salvation was through works.

Today, there are so many false idols and “fake news” that if you don’t know Gods word you can easily be swayed.

2. The Worth of Knowing Christ

Do you know a person that has to always be better than everyone else? has to brag about everything?

Paul says that he is that person.

Philippians 3:4–6 ESV

4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Paul literally says if you have a reason to brag, I have a better one.

He lists accomplishments that he has done, things that no one else has, and even in accordance to the law he was blameless.

The things that Paul lists makes my little bag seem not worthy of mention.

Philippians 3:7–8 ESV

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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

“The reasons I have for boasting in the flesh I count as a loss.” “In fact I consider them nothing more than trash when compared to the worth of knowing Jesus”

Tony Evans: “The only way a person can view life as Paul does from in prison is to see how valuable Christ truly is”.

Closing

Is knowing Christ more valuable to you than anything you could ever achieve in your life?

If Paul valued any of what he had achieved he would not have been able to rejoice in the Lord in a prison cell.

What is the Lord revealing to you? what is it that you value more than knowing Him?

Wright it down —> how to deal with it