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Study Three: Loss and Gains (Philippians 3)
Key Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21 (The Message)
Paul was an accomplished man. He came from a pedigree-heritage, was a renowned scholar, full of zeal and popular. He was also a puritanical persecutor.
Then he met Jesus. And all he believed of himself to be righteous, faultless, and truth came undone. What he had believed were ‘gains’, he realised were nothing of consequence or significance in the loss of his identity and life before he met Jesus.
What he believed to be his own righteousness, he realised was based on self. He found true righteousness – and a full-identity in Jesus. This was his salvation – and future.
How can we shift from sometimes crippling self-centeredness to living life in the FULLNESS of our salvation?
The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it – even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree:
Philippians 3:3-4 (The Message)
1. BOAST IN JESUS.
In verses 3:3-4, nothing is more important than knowing Jesus.
Question: How have you seen placing confidence in yourself rather than Christ affect your joy and relationship with Jesus?
And that’s about it, friends. Be glad in God! I don’t mind repeating what I have written in earlier letters, and I hope you don’t mind hearing it again. Better safe than sorry – so here goes.
Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances – knife-happy circumcisers, I call them.
The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it – even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting Christians; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.
The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash – along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ.
Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant – dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ – God’s righteousness.
I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.
If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
Philippians 3:1-11 (The Message)
2. MADE RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH, INSTEAD OF 'WORKS'.
In verses 3:1-11, It was Paul’s encounter with Jesus and its subsequent impact that transformed his identity and reason for living.
Question: Where is your ‘confidence’? How does Paul’s testimony encourage, or challenge – your own desire to be more like Jesus?
The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash – along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ.
Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant – dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ – God’s righteousness.
I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.
If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.
Philippians 3:7-12 (The Message)
3. LOST? BE FOUND IN JESUS.
In verses 3:7-12, lose all things, to be found in Jesus – and experience the power of His resurrection.
Question: : Is Jesus’ righteousness enough for you in each moment of life?
The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash – along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ.
Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant – dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ – God’s righteousness.
I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.
If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.
Philippians 3:7-12 (The Message)
4. FUTURE OR PAST?
In verse 3:15, mature in the promise of your future, not the shame of your past – by looking to each other for encouragement and example.
Question: : Why does Paul see wisdom and maturity in being able to recognise and deal with our own imperfection?
PRAY TOGETHER
Pray together, and perhaps commit to praying each day in the week ahead.
Lord Jesus, help us boast in all areas of our life in You and You alone – the ultimate example of perfection. Help us shift from our self-centeredness to a life where we are found in You. Help us support one another with growing more deeply in You and less of our own selves. Help us move beyond our past and lift our eyes to see what You have for us ahead.
Amen.
Thank you to Marley from Melbourne City Campus for these studies.