Counting All as Loss: The Treasure of Knowing Christ
Summary
In Philippians 3:8, Paul expresses a profound transformation in his life, declaring that he counts all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. This passage is a continuation of his previous statement in verse 7, where he reflects on his past achievements and religious credentials, which he now considers worthless in light of his relationship with Christ. Paul writes to the Philippians to address the confusion caused by Judaizers, who insisted that adherence to Jewish law was necessary for salvation. He emphasizes that true Christianity is not about external rituals or heritage but about a deep, personal relationship with Christ.
Paul's testimony is not just theoretical; it is deeply experiential. He has suffered the loss of all things, including his status, family ties, and personal ambitions, for the sake of Christ. This loss, however, is not a burden but a liberation, as it allows him to gain Christ and be found in Him. The knowledge of Christ captivates Paul entirely, engaging his mind, heart, and will. It is a dynamic and growing relationship that becomes more precious over time, not a static or diminishing experience.
Christianity, according to Paul, is not merely an intellectual assent or a set of moral guidelines. It is a transformative encounter with the living Christ that redefines one's values and priorities. The things that once seemed important—wealth, status, personal achievements—are now seen as refuse compared to the glory of knowing Christ. This knowledge is not just about understanding doctrines but involves a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus, who is the Lord of Glory and the Savior of the world.
Paul's message challenges us to examine our own lives and priorities. Are we captivated by the knowledge of Christ? Do we count all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Him? This is the essence of true Christianity—a life wholly surrendered to Christ, finding in Him our ultimate joy and fulfillment.
Key Takeaways:
- Christianity is not about external rituals or heritage but about a deep, personal relationship with Christ. Paul emphasizes that true faith is found in knowing Christ, not in adhering to religious laws or traditions. [03:18]
- The knowledge of Christ captivates the whole person—mind, heart, and will. It is a transformative encounter that redefines one's values and priorities, making everything else seem worthless in comparison. [20:33]
- True Christianity is a dynamic and growing relationship with Christ. It is not a static experience but one that becomes more precious and thrilling over time, as we grow in our understanding and love for Him. [22:33]
- The things of this world—wealth, status, personal achievements—are seen as refuse compared to the glory of knowing Christ. This knowledge is not just intellectual but involves a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. [32:33]
- The Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus is the ultimate treasure. It surpasses all earthly gains and provides true fulfillment and joy, as we are united with the Lord of Glory and Savior of the world. [41:03]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Philippians 3:8
[00:49] - Paul's Past Achievements
[02:01] - The Danger of Judaizers
[03:34] - True Christianity Defined
[05:11] - Becoming a Christian
[06:09] - Profound Change in a Christian
[07:01] - The Gospel for the Bankrupt
[08:22] - Moving from Negative to Positive
[09:49] - Captivated by Christianity
[11:04] - Paul's Passionate Expression
[13:17] - Experiential Christianity
[15:09] - Paul's Loss for Christ
[18:09] - Suffering for the Gospel
[20:33] - The Whole Person Involved
[22:33] - Increasing Knowledge of Christ
[25:14] - Christianity's Total Captivation
[28:02] - All Things as Loss
[32:33] - The Excellency of Knowing Christ
[41:03] - The Ultimate Treasure in Christ
[52:42] - Conclusion and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:7-8
---
Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says he counts all things as loss for the sake of Christ? How does this reflect his transformation? [00:30]
2. In the sermon, what were some of the things Paul considered as loss compared to knowing Christ? [01:42]
3. How does the sermon describe the impact of Judaizers on the early church, and what was Paul's response to their teachings? [03:18]
4. According to the sermon, what does it mean for Christianity to captivate the whole person—mind, heart, and will? [20:33]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's view of his past achievements challenge the way we often value our own accomplishments and status? [09:16]
2. The sermon describes Christianity as a dynamic and growing relationship with Christ. How does this perspective differ from a static or ritualistic approach to faith? [22:33]
3. What does it mean for the knowledge of Christ to redefine one's values and priorities, as described in the sermon? How might this look in a believer's life? [32:33]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of suffering loss for the sake of Christ as a form of liberation rather than a burden? [15:53]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there achievements or possessions you hold onto that might be hindering your relationship with Christ? How can you begin to see them as loss compared to knowing Him? [09:16]
2. The sermon emphasizes a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Christ beyond intellectual understanding? [13:35]
3. Consider the things in your life that captivate your mind, heart, and will. Are they aligned with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ? How can you shift your focus to prioritize your relationship with Him? [20:33]
4. The sermon challenges us to see worldly achievements as refuse compared to the glory of knowing Christ. How can you practically apply this perspective in your daily decisions and interactions? [32:33]
5. Paul experienced a profound transformation in his values and priorities. What specific changes do you feel called to make in your life to align more closely with the values of Christ? [06:34]
6. How can you cultivate a growing and dynamic relationship with Christ that becomes more precious over time? Identify one area of your spiritual life that you want to focus on this month. [22:33]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt liberated by letting go of something for the sake of Christ. How did that experience impact your faith journey, and how can it encourage you to continue surrendering to Him? [15:53]
Devotional
Day 1: True Faith is Found in Knowing Christ
Christianity is not about external rituals or heritage but about a deep, personal relationship with Christ. Paul emphasizes that true faith is found in knowing Christ, not in adhering to religious laws or traditions. In Philippians 3:8, Paul reflects on his past achievements and religious credentials, which he now considers worthless in light of his relationship with Christ. This transformation is profound, as Paul writes to the Philippians to address the confusion caused by Judaizers, who insisted that adherence to Jewish law was necessary for salvation. Paul’s message is clear: true Christianity is not about external rituals or heritage but about a deep, personal relationship with Christ. [03:18]
Galatians 5:1-2 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you."
Reflection: What traditions or rituals in your life might be overshadowing your personal relationship with Christ? How can you refocus on knowing Him more deeply today?
Day 2: The Transformative Encounter with Christ
The knowledge of Christ captivates the whole person—mind, heart, and will. It is a transformative encounter that redefines one's values and priorities, making everything else seem worthless in comparison. Paul’s testimony is not just theoretical; it is deeply experiential. He has suffered the loss of all things, including his status, family ties, and personal ambitions, for the sake of Christ. This loss, however, is not a burden but a liberation, as it allows him to gain Christ and be found in Him. The knowledge of Christ captivates Paul entirely, engaging his mind, heart, and will. [20:33]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: In what ways has your encounter with Christ transformed your values and priorities? Identify one area where you still need transformation and ask God to work in that area.
Day 3: A Dynamic and Growing Relationship
True Christianity is a dynamic and growing relationship with Christ. It is not a static experience but one that becomes more precious and thrilling over time, as we grow in our understanding and love for Him. Paul’s relationship with Christ is dynamic and growing, not static or diminishing. The knowledge of Christ captivates Paul entirely, engaging his mind, heart, and will. It is a dynamic and growing relationship that becomes more precious over time. [22:33]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: How can you actively pursue a deeper relationship with Christ this week? What specific steps will you take to grow in your understanding and love for Him?
Day 4: Earthly Gains vs. the Glory of Knowing Christ
The things of this world—wealth, status, personal achievements—are seen as refuse compared to the glory of knowing Christ. This knowledge is not just intellectual but involves a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. Paul’s message challenges us to examine our own lives and priorities. Are we captivated by the knowledge of Christ? Do we count all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Him? [32:33]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: What earthly gains are you holding onto that might be hindering your relationship with Christ? How can you begin to see them as refuse compared to the glory of knowing Him?
Day 5: The Ultimate Treasure in Christ
The Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus is the ultimate treasure. It surpasses all earthly gains and provides true fulfillment and joy, as we are united with the Lord of Glory and Savior of the world. Paul’s message challenges us to examine our own lives and priorities. Are we captivated by the knowledge of Christ? Do we count all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Him? This is the essence of true Christianity—a life wholly surrendered to Christ, finding in Him our ultimate joy and fulfillment. [41:03]
Ephesians 3:8-9 (ESV): "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things."
Reflection: Reflect on what you consider your greatest treasure in life. How does it compare to the treasure of knowing Christ? What steps can you take to make Christ your ultimate treasure?
Quotes
The Apostle faced them all and this is his verdict, this is his calculation at the end: I count, I assess all things as but loss. Now the Christian is bound to do this. Did you notice the examples of that we had in our reading at the beginning out of that 11th chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews? [00:29:10]
Christianity, let me remind you again, is something that takes hold of a man. You don't take up Christianity; Christianity takes you up. And if you haven't been taken up by it, I'm sorry, but you're not a Christian. If you say, "Oh yes, I'm interested, I took up Buddhism once, I've now taken up Christianity," you haven't. [00:13:51]
The Christian alone is a man who really knows how to assess and to make his calculations. Did you notice how we were told that at the beginning? Abraham, he suddenly asked by God one day to take his son, his only true son, Isaac, and to go and sacrifice him on a certain mountain. [00:29:47]
The Apostle says, "I'm still doing this. I say it, I mean it, yea doubtless, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." But he goes beyond that. He can't stop even that. He says, "You know, it's not only loss, it's worse, it's dung, it's manure, it's refuse." [00:32:39]
The Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus is the ultimate treasure. It surpasses all earthly gains and provides true fulfillment and joy, as we are united with the Lord of Glory and Savior of the world. [00:41:03]
Christianity is something that captivates a man entirely and completely, not only with his mind, not only with his heart, not only living a good life with his will. If the three are not involved, there's something wrong. He takes up the entire man. [00:25:20]
The knowledge of Christ captivates the whole person—mind, heart, and will. It is a transformative encounter that redefines one's values and priorities, making everything else seem worthless in comparison. [00:20:33]
True Christianity is a dynamic and growing relationship with Christ. It is not a static experience but one that becomes more precious and thrilling over time, as we grow in our understanding and love for Him. [00:22:33]
The things of this world—wealth, status, personal achievements—are seen as refuse compared to the glory of knowing Christ. This knowledge is not just intellectual but involves a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. [00:32:33]
The Apostle faced them all and this is his verdict, this is his calculation at the end: I count, I assess all things as but loss. Now the Christian is bound to do this. Did you notice the examples of that we had in our reading at the beginning out of that 11th chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews? [00:29:10]
The Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus is the ultimate treasure. It surpasses all earthly gains and provides true fulfillment and joy, as we are united with the Lord of Glory and Savior of the world. [00:41:03]
Christianity is something that captivates a man entirely and completely, not only with his mind, not only with his heart, not only living a good life with his will. If the three are not involved, there's something wrong. He takes up the entire man. [00:25:20]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 25, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?