Rethinking Conversion: Finding Treasure in Christ Alone
Summary
Paul’s story in Philippians 3 invites us to rethink what it means to be “converted.” He was not a notorious sinner, but a model of religious zeal and moral uprightness. Yet, when confronted by the risen Christ, Paul realized that even his best efforts and credentials were worthless compared to knowing Jesus. Conversion, then, is not simply turning away from obvious sins, but recognizing that our strengths and achievements cannot make us right with God. True conversion is a radical reorientation: letting go of everything we once trusted in, and finding our treasure in Christ alone.
Paul’s language is striking—he counts all his former gains as “loss” and even “garbage” compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord. This is not just about intellectual assent or religious activity, but a deep, personal relationship with the Messiah, the Savior, and God Himself. Paul’s joy is not in what he has done, but in what he has received: a righteousness that comes from God, not from his own efforts. This is the heart of grace—God’s gift, not our achievement.
But Paul’s journey doesn’t stop at conversion. He longs to know Christ more fully, to experience both the power of the resurrection and the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. This is not a passive faith, but an active pursuit. Paul presses on, straining toward the goal, not because he doubts his salvation, but because he desires to be transformed ever more into Christ’s likeness. There is a tension here: we are secure in Christ, yet called to strive for maturity. We abide in the assurance of God’s love, and yet we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, trusting that God is at work within us.
Wherever we find ourselves on this journey, the encouragement is to hold on to what we have already attained, trusting that God will continue to lead us onward. Our hope is not in our own progress, but in the faithfulness of the One who has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Key Takeaways
- Conversion is not just about leaving behind obvious sins, but also about letting go of our best qualities and achievements as grounds for confidence before God. Even our strengths can become obstacles if they lead us to self-reliance rather than dependence on Christ. True repentance means surrendering both our failures and our successes, recognizing that only Christ can make us right with God. [06:43]
- Knowing Christ is the surpassing treasure that redefines all our values. Paul’s willingness to count everything as loss is rooted in the joy of discovering Jesus as Messiah, Savior, and God. This relationship is not about religious performance, but about receiving a new identity and righteousness as a gift from God. [14:59]
- Grace is not merely the starting point of faith, but the ongoing foundation of our life in Christ. We do not earn God’s favor by our efforts; rather, we receive righteousness through faith. This frees us from the endless striving for self-worth and allows us to rest in the security of God’s love. [16:06]
- The Christian life is marked by both abiding and striving. We are called to rest in the assurance of our salvation, knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love. At the same time, we are invited to actively pursue Christlikeness, pressing on toward maturity, not to earn salvation, but to live out the fullness of what God has already given us. [27:16]
- Maturity means holding on to what we have already attained, even as we continue to grow. God is patient with our progress and promises to make clear what we do not yet understand. Our journey is not measured by comparison with others, but by faithfulness to the calling we have received in Christ. [30:34]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:33] - A Sunday School Image of Conversion
[02:45] - Four Sections of Philippians 3
[03:43] - Paul’s Credentials and Loss
[04:46] - The Danger of Self-Reliance
[06:43] - True Conversion vs. Reformation
[07:54] - Job, Isaiah, and the Limits of Righteousness
[09:36] - Paul’s Damascus Road and the Treasure in the Field
[11:31] - The Meaning of “Christ Jesus My Lord”
[14:59] - The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
[16:06] - Righteousness by Faith, Not by Law
[17:56] - Knowing Christ: Power and Suffering
[22:14] - The “Now and Not Yet” of Salvation
[24:50] - Abiding in Christ’s Assurance
[27:16] - Striving for Christlikeness
[28:59] - Theological and Practical Balance
[30:34] - Encouragement to Hold On and Continue
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Philippians 3 and the Heart of True Conversion
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### Bible Reading
Philippians 3:4-16 (ESV)
> 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
> 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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.
>
> 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
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### Observation Questions
1. What kinds of achievements and qualities does Paul list as his credentials before meeting Christ? (Philippians 3:4-6) [04:46]
2. According to Paul, what does he now consider all his former “gains” to be, and why? (Philippians 3:7-8) [05:39]
3. What does Paul say is the source of true righteousness? (Philippians 3:9) [16:06]
4. How does Paul describe his ongoing journey after his conversion? (Philippians 3:12-14) [27:16]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul say that even his best qualities and religious achievements are “loss” or “garbage” compared to knowing Christ? What does this reveal about the nature of true conversion? [06:43]
2. The sermon says that conversion is not just about turning from obvious sins, but also about letting go of our strengths as grounds for confidence before God. Why might our strengths be just as much of an obstacle as our failures? [06:43]
3. Paul talks about both “abiding” (resting in Christ’s assurance) and “striving” (pressing on toward maturity). How can these two attitudes exist together in the Christian life? [27:16]
4. The sermon mentions that maturity means holding on to what we have already attained, even as we continue to grow. What does it look like to “hold on” and “continue” at the same time? [30:34]
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### Application Questions
1. Paul had a long list of religious and moral achievements, but he realized they could not make him right with God. Are there things in your own life—good things—that you tend to rely on for your sense of worth or acceptance before God? What would it look like to “count them as loss” for the sake of Christ? [05:39]
2. The sermon says that even our strengths can become obstacles if they lead us to self-reliance. Can you think of a time when your strengths or successes made you less dependent on God? How might you surrender those to Him? [06:43]
3. Paul describes knowing Christ as a “surpassing treasure” that redefines all his values. What is one area of your life where knowing Jesus has changed your priorities? Is there an area where you still struggle to let go? [14:59]
4. Grace is described as not just the starting point, but the ongoing foundation of our life in Christ. Are there ways you find yourself trying to “earn” God’s favor, even after becoming a Christian? How can you remind yourself to rest in God’s gift of righteousness? [16:06]
5. Paul wants to know both the power of Christ’s resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. What might it look like for you to pursue both the joys and the challenges of following Jesus in your daily life? [17:56]
6. The sermon talks about “abiding” in Christ’s assurance and “striving” for maturity. Which of these comes more naturally to you—resting in God’s love, or pressing on to grow? How can you cultivate a healthy balance between the two? [27:16]
7. Paul encourages us to “hold on to what we have already attained.” Is there a truth or practice in your faith that you need to hold on to right now, even as you keep moving forward? How can the group support you in this? [30:34]
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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person let go of self-reliance and find their true treasure in Christ.
Devotional
Day 1: True Conversion Means Letting Go of Our Own Righteousness
Conversion is not about reforming our bad habits or simply turning away from obvious sins; it is about recognizing that even our best efforts, our strengths, and our religious achievements cannot make us right before a holy God. Paul, who had every reason to boast in his heritage and law-keeping, realized that all his gains were actually losses when compared to Christ. True conversion is a radical reorientation, where we repent not only of our failures but also of the pride in our successes, acknowledging that nothing we do can earn God’s favor. [06:43]
Philippians 3:4-7 (ESV)
"Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."
Reflection: What is one “good thing” in your life—an achievement, a strength, or a source of pride—that you need to lay down before God, trusting Him instead of your own efforts for your worth and acceptance?
Day 2: The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ Jesus as Lord
Paul discovered that knowing Christ Jesus as Messiah, Savior, and God is of surpassing value, far greater than anything he had previously treasured. This knowledge is not just intellectual but deeply personal—a relationship with the One who fulfills all of God’s promises. To know Christ as Lord is to recognize Him as the King above all, the divine Lord, and the One who brings salvation. When we see Jesus for who He truly is, everything else fades in comparison, and we are willing to give up all to gain Him. [14:59]
Philippians 3:8-9 (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 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."
Reflection: In what ways does knowing Jesus as Messiah, Savior, and God change the way you see your life’s priorities today?
Day 3: Experiencing Christ’s Power and Suffering
Paul’s desire was not only to know Christ but also to experience the power of His resurrection and to participate in His sufferings. This means longing for the Holy Spirit’s power to bring new life and transformation, but also being willing to humble ourselves, serve others, and even endure hardship for the sake of the gospel. True discipleship involves both the joy of resurrection life and the cost of following Jesus in humility and sacrifice, knowing that both are part of being united with Him. [21:11]
Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV)
"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Reflection: Where is God inviting you to rely on His resurrection power or to embrace humble service and sacrifice for others this week?
Day 4: Abiding in Christ and Striving Toward the Goal
The Christian life is a balance of resting in the security of salvation—abiding in Christ—and actively striving to become more like Him. Paul reminds us that while our salvation is secure by grace through faith, we are also called to press on, to forget what is behind, and to reach forward to what lies ahead. This means daily rejecting our old self and pursuing the fullness of Christ, trusting that God is at work in us even as we work out our salvation with reverence. [28:59]
Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can “press on” in your walk with Christ today, letting go of the past and reaching for what God has ahead?
Day 5: Holding On to What You Have Already Attained
No matter where you are on your journey of faith, you are called to hold on to what you have already received in Christ. Spiritual maturity involves trusting that God is leading you heavenward, even when you feel stuck or unsure. Rather than comparing yourself to others or becoming discouraged, take comfort in God’s faithfulness and continue to live out the truth you have already grasped, knowing that He will make all things clear in His time. [30:34]
Philippians 3:15-16 (ESV)
"Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained."
Reflection: What is one truth or promise from God that you need to hold on to and live out today, trusting Him to guide you forward?
Quotes
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