The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ

Introduction

Overview thus far and a look at Paul’s conversion in

Acts 9:1–20 ESV

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Acts 9:1–9 ESV

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Acts 9:1:20

Exhortation to Rejoice (V.1)

The constant theme in the Book of Philippians has been Paul’s joy, his joy in Christ and in those in Philippi. Paul mentions joy and/or rejoicing over 14 times in 12 verses (1:4,18,25,2:2,17-18,28,29,3:1,4:1,4,10).

Again we know that Paul wrote to the Philippians while he was in prison (1:13). His circumstances were less than desirable yet he always found reason to rejoice. Paul makes mention in chapter 1:15 of some who are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ out of envy and rivalry. In spite of their wrong motives Paul says that he could rejoice that Christ was being proclaimed. We know from that the churches in Macedonia, which included the church in Philippi, had been going through a severe test of affliction. So both Paul and the Philippians were enduring tough times and it was important that they still were able to rejoice, primarily in knowing Christ and having the blessed hope of being united with Him someday. But also they could find joy in the fellowship of one another.

So the Christian’s joy is not dictated or undermined by our earthly circumstances. Our joy is anchored to Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV

19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

1 corinthians 15

Our hope is not in this life. Life as we now know it. The context of is the resurrection. So Paul is saying, ‘if there is no resurrection, and this life is it, than we are to be pitied and our hope is in vain.’ Remember our definition of hope:

Hope n. — a reasonable and confident expectation of a future event.

Caution Against Opponents of the Gospel (V. 2)

The hope we have is the basis for our joy. And because our hope is set on future things, namely being with Christ, that doesn’t mean we can’t be thankful and find gratitude for our circumstances right now.

To write the same things...

It’s clear that what Paul is about to write to them, the warnings he is about to give, he has stated before elsewhere, probably in person with them.

Paul mentions that it is for their safety. In order to keep ourselves in spiritual safety we need to always be reminding ourselves of truth, the truth in God’s word.

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Transformation begins in the mind, and it must continually be renewed, or refreshed through time in God’s word.

SF Quote

“We can sense here that Paul feels a little self-conscious about repeating teaching he has earlier given. Perhaps he was conscious of the case with which we tend to say, ‘I have heard that before, I do not need to hear it again.’ Not only the ancient Athenians, but sadly some contemporary Christians, always want to hear something new and different. Their presence can place a subtle pressure on a teacher or preacher to produce novelty. Paul resisted that pressure; he realized the frailty of our understanding, the brevity of our memories.

In this connection, Paul has a specific reason for going over well-trodden ground. He believes that the Philippians may soon be confronted with destructive false teaching. He knows such teaching always destroys joy.”

Caution Against Opponents of the Gospel (V. 2)

Look Out

(Falling Rock illustration)

The point of caution signs is to protect ourselves from possible harm.

Just as we see caution signs all around us, Paul is cautioning the Philippians from false teachers, particularly the judaizers. This is to protect themselves and the church.

Verse 2 begins with Paul telling them to ‘look out’. The word used here means to watch carefully. They are to be discerning in what they expose themselves to. They need wisdom, biblical wisdom.

There is a little bit of irony here in Paul referring to the false teachers as ‘dogs’.

Dogs

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Dog

As the dog was an unclean animal, the terms “dog,” “dog’s head,” “dead dog,” were used as terms of reproach or of humiliation (1 Sam. 24:14; 2 Sam. 3:8; 9:8; 16:9). Paul calls false apostles “dogs” (Phil. 3:2). Those who are shut out of the kingdom of heaven are also so designated (Rev. 22:15).

Dogs were unclean and referred to those outside of the covenant of God’s people. It was common to refer to gentiles as dogs.

Matthew 15:27–28 ESV

27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

The irony comes in that Paul refers to the judaizers who would’ve been from Jewish descent as dogs.

Paul’s opponents here may be either non-Christians or Christians (as in Galatians) who champion the law of Moses and insist on circumcision as the badge of salvation (cf. ). Although Philippi had so small a Jewish population that it had no synagogue, the reaction against the gospel from many Jews in nearby Thessalonica () may help to explain why traveling Judaizers now posed a threat to this church composed of Gentiles with a pagan past. First-century Jews considered dogs to be unclean animals.

Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (p. 2113). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.

Reassurance of Our Position in Christ (V. 3 )

Paul’s warning to the Philippians here is referring to those who are teaching a works based salvation. That salvation and being declared righteous by God comes from adherence to the law. That is the OT Law, to include all of the ceremonial rituals such as circumcision.

Many times in the New Testament Paul as well as the other writers are strongly cautioning against false teachers, primarily those who are teaching a false gospel.

In Galatians Chapter 1 Paul is dealing with the churches in Galatia. Apparently many there were turning to a false gospel. He tells them in verse 8 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”

He also refers to them as those ‘who mutilate the flesh’. This is referring to circumcision.

In using the term ‘mutilate’ he is indicating that they aren’t even in accordance with the Law of Moses.

Leviticus 21:5 ESV

5 They shall not make bald patches on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts on their body.

Leviticus 25:5

1 Kings 8:28 ESV

28 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day,

1 Kings 18:28 ESV

28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them.

Self mutilation was forbidden and Paul exposes that the false teachers were not only preaching a false gospel but not even following the OT law.

Reassurance of Our Position in Christ (V. 3 )

In addition to cautioning them, and us, he offers them reassurance of their position in Christ. He writes “for we are the circumcision”. While the false teachers were concerned about the external physical act of circumcision, Paul tells them they are the circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God and Glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. During Jesus earthly ministry He said in “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

This means that true worship of God is done in spirit, not by external physical religious rituals and practices. Paul contrasts here having false confidence in the flesh and confidence in Christ. To have confidence, as it pertains to eternal life, in the practicing of external religious rituals and ordinances is to deny the sufficiency of Christ’s work.

Paul is saying that the truly redeemed put no confidence in the flesh. Flesh is commonly use to embrace humanity as it is in rebellion against God, which he does here, but he also is using flesh as it relates to circumcision. So Paul means to say that we put no confidence in human effort to include cutting one’s flesh as in circumcision.

Man’s Righteousness (Vv. 4-6)

In verses 4-6 Paul expands on verse 3 by telling them that basically if what they are teaching you is true, I would be at the top of the self-righteous list. He goes on to give us his religious and ethnic pedigree as superior to those who are holding to this teaching. Paul’s really saying believe me if what they are teaching is true, I would be the first to embrace it because I would be at the top of the food chain.

Circumcised on the eighth day-

Genesis 17:12 ESV

12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,

OT Law required circumcision on the eighth day and Paul was.

Of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews

Paul’s ancestry traced back directly through the time of Moses and further back to Abraham.

Romans 9:6–7 ESV

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”

A Pharisee

Pharisee’s were the religious elite. They were at the top of the Jewish society. They were the most conservative and strict in matters of the law.

Righteousness under the law, blameless

Certainly Paul knew that he wasn’t really blameless, that’s the whole point of chapter 3, that it’s Christ’s righteousness alone that can save us.

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) Chapter 3

This is not a claim of sinlessness (Rom. 7:7–13), but of general fidelity to the OT’s prescribed way of life (cf. Luke 1:6). Paul’s outward obedience to the law was honorable (including the offering of prescribed sacrifices for inadvertent transgressions); but his resulting “confidence” (the word is repeated three times in vv. 3 and 4) was the worst of sins.

He means that externally,

Christ’s Righteousness (Vv. 7-9)

Whatever gain Paul had in his previous religious status, all of his self-righteous achievements, he counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Again we see contrasted here man’s righteousness and Christ’s righteousness. There is a negating of one for the other. They do not complement one another.

Jesus Christ is the Redeemer, not the co-signer. To redeem means to purchase. Jesus Christ fully and effectively purchased the salvation for all who would believe. He didn’t make a down payment towards your salvation, he bought it. His righteousness is His purchasing power. It’s His divine currency to pay the ransom.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood” Redemption comes through the righteous blood of Christ.

To have confidence in our righteousness, or our goodness, or our morality as the basis to enter God’s presence is to deny the sufficiency of Christ’s righteousness.

This passage is crystal clear that salvation, and justification are on the basis of Christ’s work. These verses single handedly close the door on all of the false religions.

This teaches the forsaking of self and self-righteousness in order to gain Christ. It’s not Christ plus _____________.

So many would teach that yes we need Christ but we have to do our part as well. They have a high view of man.

Our message to unbelievers isn’t ‘We don’t have to earn it’ but rather “ We can’t do it.” It’s not possible. It’s not just a matter of human will but ability, or rather our inability.

I met with an LDS apologist for over a year and that was his mindset. He thinks that salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, is just being lazy. Proving ones self worthy is at the center of all works-based religions.

But who does Paul say possesses all the worth and righteousness? It’s Jesus. That’s clear throughout the whole Bible.

Jeremiah 23:6 ESV

6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

Jesus is our righteousness. It’s His righteousness that allows us to stand in God’s presence and not be consumed.

8 This is really the heart of our text here this morning. It is a glimpse into Paul’s heart. It is about his relationship to Christ. He doesn’t say “I count everything as loss so that I can go to heaven” or “I count everything as loss so I don’t go to hell”. Paul values knowing Jesus Christ over everything. Everything in this life and the life to come will not surpass the value of knowing Christ. I pray that we would not view our salvation as merely deliverance from the punishment of our sins, as wonderful as that is. Or as merely getting to go to heaven. Our salvation is in knowing Christ and spending an eternity with Him. Christ is the greatest gift of the gospel.

Christ is of supreme value and worth.

Question: Are there things in our lives that we treasure more than knowing Christ?

Question: What is the ultimate source of your satisfaction and fulfillment?

Is it marriage, money, job, status, social acceptance, stuff?

Is it money, status, social acceptance?

All of those things can be okay in the right context but if we place more value on them then they can bear, or more value than they are really worth, it will be nothing but discouragement and disappointment.

This is really at the root of every sin. It’s taking the value and worth of God and putting it on something else. That’s what idolatry is.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

God invites you to come and be fully satisfied in Him.

9 Notice all of the finance and accounting language here. (Verses 7-9) Gain, counted, loss, count, loss, worth, loss, gain. And then see the transactions taking place, these transactions of righteousness.

To summarize these 3 verses 7-9, Paul came to the realization that he was spiritually bankrupt. He counted all of his righteousness as loss, in other words he wrote them off. He realized he had a debt he couldn’t pay.

Pslam 49:7-9 “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”

Upon declaring spiritual bankruptcy and trusting only the righteousness of Christ, and the sufficiency of His suffering and death at Calvary, is there intercession and protection from the wrath of God. The worth and value of Jesus Christ and His righteousness was credited to Paul’s account through faith. It’s not until one officially declares bankruptcy is there any divine intercession and protection from the One who will come to collect.

Those who do not know Jesus Christ in this way, the life you know live hangs by the thread of God’s common grace. You are living in a divine ‘grace period’ and you don’t know when that grace period ends and He will come to collect. But the Bible says “now is the day of salvation”.

Identification with Christ (Vv. 10-11)