Counting the Right Things

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

Everyone else we are going to be in Philippians 3 today. This whole section is so powerful I beleive, and I believe God has something for you to pay attention to this morning in order to grow closer to Him.

Now as we begin chapter 3 I want to share with you the most dangerous places to be spiritually.

You see, the most dangerous places to be is not far from God…but almost there.

That was also Paul as he was living his life. He was religious—he was disciplined—he was respected. Yet he was completely lost…Until that all changed in his life.

Paul has been talking about the importance of unity as a church so far—and you’ll remember we said that unity is not uniformity, but a shared mind of Christ. A unified church is not one that agrees on everything—but one that puts the mind of Christ and the mission of Christ above all. Today I want to invite us to look at the fact that true value isn’t from titles of achievements, but the personal knowledge and relationship one has with Christ.

Challenge yourself today to move beyond simple religious actions to a vibrant faith that depends on Christ’s grace and love.

Let’s start this journey by looking at how we prioritize our spiritual life. Specially, we should

Prioritize Spirit Over Ritual (1-3)

Paul begins with a warning—becuase what you count as valuable will shape everything about your life, and your unity with others.

Philippians 3:1–3 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. 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—

Paul points to a stark difference between external religion and true spiritual worship here.

First of all in vs 1 we see that Paul is telling his friends in Philippi that he is happy to address this concept with them again. Clearly there have been additional conversations with them, likely in person, but Paul feels the need to address this again, likely because of something that Epaphroditus shared with him.

That then leads us to see the

Danger of Misplaced Trust

Paul here refers to the “Dogs”. This is referring to the false teachers. You see, the Jewish people hated dogs, and so by referring to these people as dogs, Paul is communicating how despicable they are. These are zealous Jewish teachers who were focusing on ritualistic religion, not heart transformation.

These Judaizers, were essentially attempting to convert the new beleivers from Rome into keeping the law to gain salvation. When they were talking about mutilation of the flesh, Paul was describing their desire to circumcise everyone who converted from paganism to true belief in Jesus.

These were not pagans — they were religious people. But they were not teaching the true gospel. They were adding works to grace, and by doing that, they were distorting the gospel itself.

Much like the Pope did this week when he claimed that Islam was good, and others in the media claimed that Islam loves Jesus just like we do. These figures were adding to the gospel, and they were teaching a false gospel that was not of Jesus. The Pope has even gone so far as to open up the Vatican for Islam…There are billions of people who have placed their trust in a fallible man.

So Paul’s purpose here is to show that

True Worship is from the Spirit

The thing is that true obedience flows from a regenerate heart under the Lordship of Christ. This is to rely on the spirit of God, not on the works of man…there are no human efforts that can possibly attain to the glory of God.

There is no spiritual benefit to those who only focus on the outward pictures of belief. In other words, there is no benefit to posting beautiful sentiments on social media and then live abandoned of the Gospel. Essentially…There is no spiritual benefit to looking like a Christian outwardly while rejecting Christ inwardly.

John 4:24 ESV

24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Paul shows us that as a church we are unified when we

Boast only in Christ.

If we can boast in ourselves, then we rob God of his glory.

What happens is if we are so focused on ourselves, we come to believe that we are no longer dependent on Christ.

However, true worship is in the Spirit and not of the flesh. True worship honors Jesus, not religious leaders. True worship depends on God’s grace, not fleshly strength.

Paul is pointing out that these false teachers are truly only teaching fleshly religous ideals.

You know, that can be said of us today—how much of what passes for the Christian faith in this world, is truly only fleshly religion. How many people here today…are guilty of fleshly religion and have no true relationship with the resurrected Jesus Christ. There is no spiritual benefit to those who will live outwardly as believers, but inwardly reject the truth.

Churches fracture when we begin to put preferences above Christ, or traditions above truth. Unity happens when Christ becomes all that we boast in!

Now, if anyone could have confidence in religious performance, it was Paul. And that’s exactly where he goes next…

Maybe it’s time we—

Assess Gains and Losses

Paul begins to open up his personal story—not to boast, but to demolish boasting!

Philippians 3:4–7 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. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

This is truly one of the most impactful passages to me in all of Scripture, and I’ll tell you why.

In many ways I feel that I can relate to Paul. Paul had accomplished great things at an early age in regards to religious activities. However, all of that is garbage and he later realizes that everything he had, or thought he had was loss for the sake of Christ.

Why do I tell you some of that? Because I want you to understood

Paul’s earthly resume

You see, Paul had a resume that would shut up anyone that called themselves pious and religious. Paul was circumcised, he was an Israelite, he was a Pharisee, he was zealous for everything the Torah said—so much so that he condemned people to death, and held them accountable to their death.

He was socially, religiously, and morally superior based on outward actions. Paul was the best of human self-righteousness.

However, what Paul shared is that something happened when he had an encounter with Jesus. After that encounter we can see

A great reversal

Paul had an encounter with Jesus on the road traveling to a place called Damascus. Jesus confronted him and questioned him on his lifestyle and behavior towards Christians. Jesus asked him why he was attacking those who followed him—those who were saved.

This encounter changed everything about what Paul believed and who Paul was.

What Paul says is that everything that he gained…was actually a loss.

Paul realized that worldly achievements and religious accolades are nothing compared to the opportunity to know Jesus personally.

In other words, knowing Christ passes up all former gains and religious credentials, leading to a richer, more fulfilling spiritual life grounded in a relationship with Jesus rather than religious rituals.

Listen, Paul is speaking from a place where he has literally lost everything…Paul went from wealthy religious leader, to sitting on house arrest awaiting the death penalty. However, he also says it is all worth it because knowing Christ is far more than everything he can accomplish on his own.

This is why people say it’s not about religion…it’s about a relationship! That came from Paul because that is exactly what he is sharing with the Christians in Philippi.

However, Paul doesn’t just reject his old life—he completely replaces it with something infinitely better. Paul learned to

Value Christ Above All

This is the heart of this passage—the controlling value that creates unity…that fuels generosity…That frankly transforms everything!

Philippians 3:8–9 ESV

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—

Now this is clearly not a reluctant loss—

This is a joyful exchange

This is likely one of the most important things that Paul wrote to these people. Remember, these are Romans who are used to be praised for their achievements, and here Paul is saying that everything he has ever earned…which is alot based on the worlds standards…but everything is loss compared to the value of knowing Christ personally. Christ is infinitely superiour to all other created things! Paul is happy to trash everything—if it means he gains Christ.

Now, I’d like to look at the

Language of “rubbish”

Now, I asked a couple of pastor friends how far I should go in talking about what Paul is actually saying here. They thought I better temper the word much like the translators do. However, I want you to honestly understand what Paul is saying here.

The word that Paul is using in order to describe what he had earned and now lost, is “Skubala”. This is a Greek term for trash. However, it holds a much higher weight that simply “trash”. This term is a harsh, potentially socially unacceptable, but Paul is attempting to shock them into understanding what all of their best actions are worth.

The CSB translation comes the closest to what Paul would have been saying

Philippians 3:8 CSB

8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

Skubala = trash = dung (human excrement)

Paul is saying that all of his good works, and all of our good works are like human excrement compared to the value of knowing Christ Jesus. Let that sink in a little bit folks.

See, because some of you might look at your life and think you’re doing pretty well spiritually…however, what Paul says is that if you are doing all of that yourself…its dung!

Listen…Paul has just listed his credentials, and let’s be honest—none of us could match that—then he says that all of that is dung. What does that say about all of your religious activities apart from Christ.

Folks, what I want you to hear is that everything you are and everything you do, is nothing compared to actually knowing Christ Jesus…and some of you listening right now don’t actually know Christ Jesus.

But knowing Christ is not just a one-time decision—this is a lifelong pursuit to know him more.

Paul encourages the Philippians, and he encourages us here in Leaf River to

Pursue Christ-Centered Transformation

Paul is moving from justification to sanctification—from gaining Christ, to becoming like hIm.

Philippians 3:10–11 ESV

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.

There is a term I want you to learn—I’ve talked about it before.

Progressive Sanctification

This is the process of becoming more like Christ. This is the process of learning and growing as a believer. This is the process of dealing with sorrow and grief, and even anger in ways that are God honoring.

This is the process of daily Scripture reading as you learn more and more about Christ. This knowledge that your gain is not simply intellectual—it is relational and transformative in your life.

This begins to bleed into every part of your life. You cannot separate out a different level of salvation for different environments you are in. In other words, the person that is listening to these words right now, will speak to your boss tomorrow, and will go home with the kids this afternoon.

You see, as a believer you have joined Christ in both his

Power and Suffering

But what does this mean?

In Christ — you share in both the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering

In other words — Paul literally experienced the power of the resurrection in his life…and maybe you have to. I know the power of the resurrection in my life was recognized almost immediately. My anger and frankly hatred, began to slip away and I was far from perfect, but I literally felt the power of the resurrection changing all of my perspectives. That happened when I gave my life to Christ…not when I started going to church.

Of course, after I felt the power of the resurrection in my life, I also realized that I joined him in his suffering.

You see, as we grow in our knowledge of Christ, we will come under the attack of the enemy. Paul was a persecutor, and now he was being persecuted…but it was worth it!

For Paul, walking with Christ was a practical experience. Paul lived for Christ because he died to self. The result of this death was a spiritual resurrection that caused Paul to walk in a brand new life. Paul summarizes this whole experience in Galatians 2:20, so take time to read it.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This is what gave Paul an

Eternal Perspective

Christian, your desire should be for a deeper, more transformative relationship with Christ. A relationship where knowing him becomes central to your very identity and purpose.

When Paul says that by any means possible his desire is for the resurrection from the dead…folks, he talking about the 2nd coming of Jesus. Paul is referring to his hope in the eternal glory with the Father…and that he will endure and continue on until that day arrives.

Church—that day is coming sooner than you may realize. Listen, we can read the Scriptures and we can understand more and more that the day and hour are coming closer and closer for Jesus’ final return when he will resurrect all the saints from the dead and he will bring us into his presence.

Philippians 2:2 ESV

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

As a church we are called to have one mind…we share the same goal…we share the same eternal perspective…we share the same mission ahead of us.

Our mission is to Know Christ…that means we each individually better be about the business of getting to know Christ. Our mission is to grow in our faith…that means we better be seeking growth through progressive sanctification. Our mission is to go make him known…that means we better be about telling others that Jesus is coming back and they better pursue Christ-centered transformation before it’s to late.

As a church—and individually…

We will only be unified and generous and effective to the degree that we are captivated by the surpassing worth of Christ.

Let me bring you back to Paul one more time…this man had everything this world says matters—status, power, respect…a name people literally feared.

Now? He’s sitting in house arrest waiting to find out if he’s going to die.

Then he says, “I count it all as loss…rubbish…dung…so that I may gain Christ”

How can a man actually lose everything like that — and still say he gained everything?

It’s because he found something better — or rather — he found Someone better.

Listen, today there is a truth I want you to listen to.

Some of you are still holding on to your resume…your trusting in your goodness…still thinking you’re close enough.

But folks close enough doesn’t save you. There’s a saying I used to say down south…close enough only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades—not in salvation.

I was once told that alot of people enter Hell for 14” — 14” is the distance from your brain to your heart. Close enough isn’t close enough. Attending church isn’t close enough. Joining online isn’t close enough.

Only Christ saves!

Will you keep counting your life, your goodness, your effort as gain— or will you lay it all down — call it what it is, Skubala— and trust fully in Jesus Christ.

Not partially…not mostly…not intellectually…but completely.

Becuase one day — you will stand before God. And in that moment…your church attendance won’t matter. You’re reputation won’t matter. Only one thing will matter. Are you found in Christ — or not?

Philippians 3:9 ESV

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—

So those of you listening today still counting on your own “credentials”, are you ready to count them as excrement…in order that you may know Christ.

It’s simple—but it will cost you everything.

Here’s how…you turn from trusting in yourself…then you put your faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ! Admitting to your sin, and believing in his resurrection!

For those who know him and are being sanctified every day through every ounce of suffering you endure—all for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ — Live like he is your greatest treasure!

We are called to be unified as a church around Him…to be generous with your resources because of him…and be bold to others for him…

Not just because he’s worth it…but because he’s everything!

Let’s Pray