It’s About A Relationship

Philippians 3:4-11

Introduction:

This morning we come to our thirteenth message in the series Joy in the Journey. As we continue our study through Philippians, we’ll be focusing on chapter 3, verses 4–11.

Story: Have you ever been convinced you were right, only to find out later you were completely wrong? If you’re married, like me, you’ve probably had your spouse lovingly point that out! Paul had a similar realization. He once believed his background, achievements, and religious efforts made him right with God. But in passage of Scripture we are about to read and dig into, he shows us that true righteousness doesn’t come from what we do—it comes only through a relationship with Jesus.

Prayer:

Read The Text:

Philippians 3:4-11

Walk Through The Text:

POINT ONE: Boasting In The Flesh

Read Verse 4

Paul goes into explaining that he himself has reason for confidence in the flesh also. He is about to explain that his background and credentials as a religious man, would have been seen as having more confidence in the flesh than anyone else.

Meaning confidence in his own abilities to be religious, self-righteous, works-based in the eyes of others when it comes to salvation and following the law. This continues what he just mentioned in verses 1-3, the Judaizers who looked to their own works for salvation.

Read Verses 5 & 6

Paul explains in several ways how his resume and background put him at the top of every religious, self-righteous list. It's broken down in two ways, his upbringing or background and his own works/merit/doings:

His Background:

Circumcised on the 8th day- Custom according to the Law throughout the OT

Of the people of Israel- A true Israelite, descendant of Abraham.

Of the tribe of Benjamin- A Distinguished Tribe

Hebrew of Hebrews- Raised according to Hebrew Law and Culture.

His Works:

A Pharisee- Read Acts 22:3 (Gamaliel was a well-respected Rabbi and teacher of the Law during the time Paul studied under him).

A persecutor of the church (Read Acts 9:1-5)

As to righteousness under the law, Blameless.

One commentator summarized Paul’s elite credentials:  “In summary, if anyone could lay claim to pleasing God by law-keeping and the works of the flesh, it was Paul. He was far more qualified than his legalizing opponents were to make such a claim.”

POINT Two: Believing in the Lord Jesus

Read Verse 7

Paul highlights and illustrates the importance of everything he gained, everything he "gained" according to the law and his upbringing, is truly a loss because it didn’t involve a relationship with Jesus.

One commentator said: “They were counted loss not so much because they were harmful to Paul, but because these things were ways in which Paul sought to please God in the energies of the flesh. Before Paul became a Christian, he thought all these things made him a success in the effort to please God by works.”

Read Verse 8

What a powerful statement! Everything or all things are considered loss when compared to the SURPASSING worth or other translations say infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord! For the sake of Christ Jesus, Paul suffered the loss of all things (His status as a religious pharisee, his "works" that he thought put him in right standing with God, all of that is a loss now. It's all rubbish or garbage, so that Paul will gain Christ.

The language of loss/gain is accounting language. Would have been understood in that time period and is understood by us today. Powerful language how he compares who he truly was before Jesus and now as he has a true relationship with Jesus.

Illustration: Real Estate investing, numbers don't lie when it comes to assessing properties, the financials behind a property (the truth always comes out). The Word of God will never return void and is incapable of being wrong. You can achieve a lot of things even in the church “Deacon, tithe every week, baptism certificate, Sunday school teacher” but if you do not have an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, if you never accepted Him as Lord and Savior and believe what He did for you on the cross, all of your accomplishments won’t get you into Heaven. The Word of God is clear about that.

Read Verse 9

Paul describes three specific ways he has gained Christ:

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 that comes from God that depends on faith

His salvation is in Jesus Christ, not in the works he thought he had to do. Having faith that Jesus died on the cross for his sins. That He resurrected 3 days later and conquered sin and death. (Romans 10:9)

POINT Three: Benefitting From Resurrection Power

Read Verses 10 & 11

Future tense language (I may). An on-going process of knowing Jesus (personal relationship with Him) and the power that comes from His resurrection of the dead, for our sins.

Paul knew that He was going to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ.

The Philippians know and are reminded here that suffering is part of the role of a believer in Jesus Christ, especially in areas where persecution is everywhere. But it’s worth it! Having a relationship with Jesus far outweighs anything else.

We also know there is resurrection power: because Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected 3 days later, the power from that allows all who come to Jesus, confess their sins, and believe in Him, will be saved! We get to be part of that and tell others about the resurrection power!

Read verse 11: This is twofold: Spiritual and physical resurrection. Spiritually being resurrected from the dead and physically, whether that's being killed in prison for his bold faith or down the road by some other means.

Applications:

Prioritize your relationship with Jesus

Where Do We Go From Here:

Sing “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”- Hymn

Spend the next few minutes in prayer. God may be calling you to repent. God may be calling you to draw closer to Jesus this morning if you have strayed. God may be calling you to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and start your relationship with Him today. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, if he truly is not your Lord and Savior, I would love to talk to you right now about how you can leave here with a relationship with Jesus Christ today!

However God has spoken to you this morning to respond, do it!