Our Greatest Need

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Question to begin: As you sit in these pews, what can you identify as your greatest need this morning?
Philippians 3:7-14

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, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I want to talk to you today about a message titled Our Greatest Need.

Context

The Apostle Paul is writing this passage to the church in Philippi, that was planted thorough Him.
This is Paul’s most encouraging and joyful letter, and Paul more than likely wrote the book as an encouragement unto the church and thanksgiving unto them.
Before we find his encounter with Christ and conversion in Acts 9, His accomplishments were numerous:

Philippians 3:3-6

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.

a. Paul came from a lineage of Pharisees and was a Pharisee himself.
b. More than likely sat on the Sanhedrin - The supreme council and court of the Jews during their time that consisted of 71 men.
b. Studied under Gamaliel — one of the most prominent teachers of Jewish Law.
c. Had memorized Torah — the first 5 books of the Bible.
d. Fluent in multiple languages.
Having every reason to boast in the flesh and in his accomplishments, he reaches a place of recognition that what was former can and in no way does compare with the present.
One of the things that we must begin to realize is that none of us have any reason to boast in the flesh or in ourselves.
Our giftings are not ours.
Our potential is not our own.
a. I have no reasons to provide as to why I should be given the opportunities to know Him.
b. Everything that is of me is from Him, and all that is from Him belongs to…. Him.

Philippians 3:7-9

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

What is Paul saying? NOTHING that I have gained in the past, present, or the future will come close to comparing with knowing Christ as my Lord and Him knowing me.
Paul is saying: I have not received righteousness based upon the accomplishment of my past; I have received the righteousness of Christ based upon the work of Christ and my faith in Him. This is my greatest need: To Know Him

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast

It seemed that Paul had everything he needed and had acquired every accomplishment he could; yet, it was not until he counted all a lost that he recognized his greatest need: Jesus

Interpretation

This is the central point of what I would like to humbly submit before you today: Your greatest need….my greatest need… OUR greatest need is Jesus Christ Himself.
You need Him before you even realize you need him.
You need Him to simply want Him.
Our greatest need is not:
A Platform
Relationships
A Promotion
Financial Prosperity/Stability
He does not need you nor me to make him famous.
He does not need you nor me to be so consumed with solely doing something for and being used by Him
He does not need our first concern to be church attendance.
He’s looking for lovers.
He needs us to die.
Matthew 16:25

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

The ways of the King and the manners of His Kingdom have not changed.
You cannot have the Kingdom without the King.
MK - The Kingdom without the King is dumb.
a. The ways into His presence have not changed.
b. The commands He has given have not been altered.
c. To lose my life means that I gain the most precious, fulfilling thing I can ever acquire: Christ Himself.
Our greatest need has not changed.

Philippians 3:10-11

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

The Lord is not only looking for those who celebrate Him and His Resurrection, but also those who care about and share in His sufferings.

Why Does This Matter - Application

Paul is saying the greatest accomplishment I can have is to KNOW Christ.
To not just know about Him, but to know of Him.
He is my greatest need: Nothing more, nothing less.

1. Seek Upwardly

Philippians 3:12-13

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.

Paul recognizes that He is in need of the Lord now as much as He ever has been.
“Yes, I have obtained Him. But I have not obtained the fullness of knowing Him, and there is so much more.
Philippians 3:13-14

But one thing I do:

Parents: It’s not up to the Pastor to be the one to seek upwardly for you.
Teenagers: It’s not up to your parents to be the one to seek upwardly for you.
How do we seek the Lord Upwardly?
a. Seek the things that are above — where Christ sits. (Colossians 3:1-2)
Devote ourselves to the Scriptures — morning, noon, and night.
Look for Jesus within the Scriptures.
You’ll never grow tired of going to the Scriptures if you’re trying to find Him.
Jesus is:
The Author of the Word (Acts 3:15)
The Word (John 1:1)
Teacher of the Word (John 13:13)
Fulfillment of the Word (Luke 24:44)
Devote ourselves to prayer - pray without ceasing.
Praying in the secret place goes deeper than the generating of words; prayer is joining alongside the Holy Spirit in what He has to say.
Praise and Thanksgiving
Repentance
Intercession
Appeals

2. Search Inwardly

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

3. Serve Outwardly

It’s out of recognition that Jesus is our greatest need that we understand He too is the greatest need for those around.
We love others the most when we overflow in love for the King first.
Serve the Lord out of overflow of love for Him.
We say to our neighbors, silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have is Christ, and that is what I give to you.
We treasure others intentionality and help bear their burdens.
We use our skills and talents given to us by God to give back to Him and assist others around us through such.
Our greatest need: Jesus
Our greatest desire: Jesus
Our greatest love: Jesus
Our greatest opportunity: Jesus
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