Philippians 3:8-11
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 – 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.(ESV)
- Paul’s Focus (v 8):
a. His priority in Christ – he counts everything as loss. Our priorities are meaningless if they are not tied to Jesus Christ. Our worldly activities cannot take the place of Christ (see Mat. 6:24-26).
b. His praise of Christ – Paul considers Christ to have surpassing worth than anything life can provide – Christ is his praise.
c. His pursuit of Christ – he says that “for His sake I have suffered all things…” - Paul’s Faith:
a. His position in Christ – being found in Him, not having a righteousness of his own that comes from the Law, but being spiritually united to Christ by faith, and therefore not being found guilty before God as the divine Judge. God accounts Christ’s obedience and righteousness to those with professing faith – not justified through works of the Law but faith in Jesus Christ (see Rom. 2:1-8; Gal. 2:16).
b. His placement in Christ – he has faith (knowledge, ascent and trust) in Christ – Forsaking All, I Trust Him.
c. His provision in Christ – the righteousness from God that depends on faith – we’re justified, but we’re also being sanctified and will be glorified. Paul gets to stand innocent before a righteous God and gets to live a life of righteousness – loving his Lord and loving other people. - Paul’s Fortune:
a. His power in Christ – he knew God and the power of His resurrection.
b. His pain in Christ – he shared in Christ’s pain through the suffering he faced in his ministry and his time on earth.
c. His praise in Christ – for the Gospel, the Good News that Jesus died and rose again according to the Old and New Testaments, reigns as Saviour and Lord and promises forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who repent and believe.