Knowing Christ, Gaining Christ and Being in Him

Intro

Philippians 3:7–9 ESV

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

What is the focal point of Chapter 3?

it is mentioned in each verse in vrs 7,8,9

7 the sake of Christ, 8 knowing Christ, gain Christ and 9 being found in Him

Christ is always the focal point of the entire bible but here more specifically is knowing Christ and being in Him

Juxtaposes Paul’s former life to his present life

Verse 7 What is the verse saying?

Philippians 3:7 ESV

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

previous verses he shows us his report card

tells us he was the Michael Jordan of the pharisees he has the glamorous Jewish life

verse 7 he tells us he gave it all up. Why? To the carnal mind it makes no sense! For the sake of Christ

To put it in a modern setting it would be like

The RC gave up the bells and smells for the sake of Christ

Giving up singing Jesus Jesus 30x in row with music so loud you cant hear with fancy motivational lights and smoke for the sake of Christ

Giving up the latest trends in churchianity to for the sake of Christ

Costi Hinn as an example

What does sake of Christ mean? Does it mean we are doing it because Christ needs us to do it? The next 2 verses help explain it

Verse 8 What is the verse saying?

Philippians 3:8 ESV

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

Paul echos Ecclesiastes 1:14 when he says I count everything as loss

Ecclesiastes 1:14 ESV

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind

Why does he say that?

every created thing pales in comparison to knowing the Creator of all things Indeed he calls them rubbish dung, manure, a stinking wind in comparison

spent much time looking at what we have lost, spend the rest on what we gain

What does the surpassing worth of knowing Christ mean?

more than a knowledge of who Christ is; it is a saving knowledge of Him.

a knowledge of the attributes of God as God applies to me and how I just ride on the coattails of the glorification of Christ. This is what makes it the surpassing worth or as Prov 9:10 and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Gaining Christ

giving up things in order to gain Christ what does that mean? Don’t we have Christ fully when we are converted?

completely justified but not entirely sanctified or as Peter put in 2 Peter 3:18

2 Peter 3:18 ESV

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

it puts everything into its proper place and perspective. It shifts our focus from the things in this world to the One who made the world so everything is a gift.

Verse 9 What is it saying?

Philippians 3:9 ESV

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—

odd place to put a verse break as it is mid sentence especially beginning with the word “and” more fitting to put “and be found in Him with may gain Christ

in Him or in Christ statements

found can be translated discovered Wow I’m in Him This is where I belong

point that Paul keeps driving home again and again in each of his letters. You are in Christ, your identity is in Christ your character is forming in Christ, your safe haven is in Christ Therefore nothing else matters except through the lens of Christ

Eph 2:8

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

So that in no way can it be tainted by your dirty works so it is all God from one end to the other.

Conclusion

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

this is part of being in Christ