Righteousness Through Faith: Knowing Christ Above All
Summary
In today's gathering at Mountain Vista Baptist Church, we explored the profound truths found in Philippians 3:1-11. The central theme is the understanding that righteousness is not achieved through our works or adherence to the law, but through faith in Christ. Paul addresses the church in Philippi, warning them against the teachings of the Judaizers, who insisted on the necessity of following the law for righteousness. Paul emphasizes that true righteousness comes from God and is based on faith in Jesus Christ, not on human efforts or achievements.
Paul shares his personal journey, recounting how he once placed confidence in his heritage and adherence to the law. However, he now considers all those things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This radical shift in values highlights the transformative power of encountering Jesus. Paul uses accounting terms to illustrate that what was once considered gain is now seen as loss, emphasizing that everything outside of Christ is worthless.
The sermon challenges us to examine where we place our hope and assurance. It is a call to rest in Christ's righteousness rather than our own. Paul’s desire to know Christ deeply, to experience the power of His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings, serves as a model for us. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but experiential, calling us into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Ultimately, the message is a reminder that our works, no matter how noble, cannot earn us favor with God. It is only through faith in Christ that we receive His righteousness. This truth should drive us to seek a closer intimacy with Jesus, valuing Him above all else.
Key Takeaways:
- Righteousness Through Faith: True righteousness is not achieved through our works or adherence to the law but is a gift from God through faith in Christ. This challenges us to shift our focus from self-reliance to reliance on Jesus. [37:58]
- The Value of Knowing Christ: Paul considers all his past achievements as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This teaches us to prioritize our relationship with Jesus above all worldly gains. [42:30]
- Experiential Knowledge of Jesus: Knowing Christ is not just about intellectual understanding but involves an experiential relationship. This calls us to engage deeply with Jesus, experiencing His presence and power in our lives. [48:56]
- The Futility of Self-Righteousness: Paul’s transformation illustrates the futility of self-righteousness. Our works, no matter how commendable, are worthless without Christ. This encourages us to place our hope solely in Jesus. [53:09]
- Desire for Intimacy with Christ: Paul’s ultimate goal is to know Christ intimately, experiencing the power of His resurrection and sharing in His sufferings. This challenges us to seek a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus. [01:00:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Service and Announcements
- [03:00] - Call to Worship and Prayer
- [05:00] - Introduction to Philippians 3
- [07:30] - The Judaizers' Influence
- [10:00] - Paul's Personal Testimony
- [15:00] - The Concept of Loss and Gain
- [20:00] - Righteousness Through Faith
- [25:00] - Experiential Knowledge of Christ
- [30:00] - The Futility of Self-Righteousness
- [35:00] - Desire for Intimacy with Christ
- [40:00] - The Power of Christ's Resurrection
- [45:00] - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings
- [50:00] - Conclusion and Call to Faith
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:1-11
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul warn the Philippians about in Philippians 3:2, and why is this warning significant? [37:58]
2. How does Paul describe his past achievements and status in Philippians 3:4-6, and what does he now consider them in light of knowing Christ? [42:30]
3. According to Philippians 3:9, what is the basis of the righteousness that Paul desires? [46:03]
4. What does Paul express as his ultimate desire in Philippians 3:10-11, and how does this reflect his relationship with Christ? [57:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul’s personal testimony in Philippians 3:4-8 illustrate the futility of self-righteousness? What does this reveal about the nature of true righteousness? [53:09]
2. In what ways does Paul’s desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection challenge common perceptions of success and achievement? [01:00:20]
3. How does the concept of "experiential knowledge" of Christ differ from mere intellectual understanding, according to the sermon? [48:56]
4. What does Paul mean by considering everything as "loss" for the sake of Christ, and how does this perspective influence a believer's life? [42:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are relying on your own achievements or status for righteousness? How can you shift your focus to rely more on Christ’s righteousness? [53:09]
2. Paul speaks of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus and prioritize Him above worldly gains? [42:30]
3. Consider the idea of "experiential knowledge" of Christ. How can you engage more deeply with Jesus in your daily life to experience His presence and power? [48:56]
4. Paul desires to share in Christ’s sufferings. How do you respond to the idea of suffering for your faith, and what might it look like in your context to embrace this aspect of following Jesus? [01:00:20]
5. Examine your motivations for serving and doing good works. Are they rooted in a desire to earn favor with God, or are they an expression of your faith in Christ? How can you align your actions with the truth of righteousness through faith? [46:03]
6. Paul’s ultimate goal is to know Christ intimately. What distractions in your life might be hindering this pursuit, and how can you address them this week? [01:05:55]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to rest in Christ’s righteousness rather than their own efforts? What role can you play in fostering a culture of grace and faith within your church or small group? [01:09:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Righteousness as a Divine Gift
True righteousness is not achieved through our works or adherence to the law but is a gift from God through faith in Christ. This challenges us to shift our focus from self-reliance to reliance on Jesus. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, warns against the teachings of the Judaizers, who insisted on the necessity of following the law for righteousness. Paul emphasizes that true righteousness comes from God and is based on faith in Jesus Christ, not on human efforts or achievements. This understanding calls us to rest in Christ's righteousness rather than our own, recognizing that our works, no matter how noble, cannot earn us favor with God. It is only through faith in Christ that we receive His righteousness, and this truth should drive us to seek a closer intimacy with Jesus, valuing Him above all else. [37:58]
"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own efforts for righteousness? How can you shift your focus to rely more on Jesus today?
Day 2: The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
Paul considers all his past achievements as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This teaches us to prioritize our relationship with Jesus above all worldly gains. Paul shares his personal journey, recounting how he once placed confidence in his heritage and adherence to the law. However, he now considers all those things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This radical shift in values highlights the transformative power of encountering Jesus. Paul uses accounting terms to illustrate that what was once considered gain is now seen as loss, emphasizing that everything outside of Christ is worthless. This challenges us to examine where we place our hope and assurance, calling us to rest in Christ's righteousness rather than our own. [42:30]
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What achievements or possessions do you hold dear that might be hindering your relationship with Christ? How can you begin to prioritize knowing Him above all else?
Day 3: Experiencing Christ Beyond Knowledge
Knowing Christ is not just about intellectual understanding but involves an experiential relationship. This calls us to engage deeply with Jesus, experiencing His presence and power in our lives. Paul’s desire to know Christ deeply, to experience the power of His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings, serves as a model for us. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but experiential, calling us into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is an invitation to engage with Christ in a way that transforms our lives, allowing us to experience His presence and power daily. This experiential knowledge of Jesus challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a vibrant, living relationship with Him. [48:56]
"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." (Philippians 3:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to experience the presence and power of Jesus more deeply?
Day 4: The Futility of Self-Righteousness
Paul’s transformation illustrates the futility of self-righteousness. Our works, no matter how commendable, are worthless without Christ. This encourages us to place our hope solely in Jesus. Paul’s personal testimony reveals the futility of relying on self-righteousness. Despite his impressive credentials and adherence to the law, he realized that these were worthless without Christ. This transformation challenges us to examine our own lives and recognize the futility of self-reliance. It is a call to place our hope solely in Jesus, acknowledging that our works, no matter how commendable, cannot earn us favor with God. This understanding should drive us to seek a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus, valuing Him above all else. [53:09]
"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." (Romans 3:28, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own righteousness? How can you begin to place your hope solely in Jesus today?
Day 5: Intimacy with Christ as the Ultimate Goal
Paul’s ultimate goal is to know Christ intimately, experiencing the power of His resurrection and sharing in His sufferings. This challenges us to seek a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus. Paul’s desire to know Christ deeply, to experience the power of His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings, serves as a model for us. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but experiential, calling us into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is an invitation to engage with Christ in a way that transforms our lives, allowing us to experience His presence and power daily. This experiential knowledge of Jesus challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a vibrant, living relationship with Him. [01:00:20]
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take this week to deepen your intimacy with Christ and experience His resurrection power in your life?
Quotes
Righteousness is something that comes from Christ. Righteousness is something that comes from God. Our big idea, works don't save us. We talked about that last week. That's part of today as well. Our works don't save us. Our works don't give us more righteousness. Our works don't give us a better favor or standing with God. [00:36:03] (18 seconds)
Everything that was counted as a profit from religion was really loss when compared to the person of Christ. And so, Paul recognizes that through himself, through his own actions, through his own works, everything that he did was worthless. It meant nothing. [00:40:45] (19 seconds)
Man, our good works, they can really make us feel good. Our righteousness can make us feel like we've accomplished something. Anybody think, you know what? I'm pretty self-sufficient. I've got this. I can figure it out. I can make it on my own. No, right? None of us do that. [00:41:43] (32 seconds)
Whatever was gain, I consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, verse 8, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Notice, so he says, whatever were gains to me, so his Judaism, his state as a Pharisee, all of that, I consider them loss for the sake of Christ. [00:43:18] (21 seconds)
His love was demonstrated to us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. His favor was extended to us, not because of us, but because of him. Yes, we are his special creation. Yes, we are made in the image of God, but his favor was extended to us because of who he is. [00:45:39] (21 seconds)
Our works, our goodness, our righteousness, just like Paul's, they are worthless. If we're trusting anything but Jesus for our righteousness, if we're trusting in anything but Jesus for the favor of God, if we're trusting anything but Jesus for salvation, we're trusting in the wrong thing. [00:47:23] (23 seconds)
Knowing Christ, he says. The knowing as he talks about gain, knowing Christ, this is not just a head knowledge as he's talking. The word that's used here actually means an experiential knowledge. It's a difference between just reading a book and doing something. [00:48:56] (24 seconds)
Paul sees everything as worthless so that he can have Jesus. He doesn't want to be found relying on himself. He wants to be found relying on Jesus. I consider them garbage 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 is through faith in Christ. [00:55:13] (28 seconds)
Righteousness comes from God. This righteousness happens. This righteousness comes when we have faith in Christ for our salvation, salvation from sin, salvation from death. This righteousness is based fully on God. It is fully dependent on God and his saving grace. [00:56:02] (21 seconds)
Paul states, verses 10 and 11, that his ultimate drive is to know Christ. I want to know Christ. We could do a full stop right there. Do you want to know Christ. Do we want to know Christ? If you've trusted Jesus to save you from your sins, if his righteousness is on you, if the Holy Spirit indwells you, you should have a desire to know Christ. [00:57:18] (28 seconds)
Paul says, I want to know Christ. He doesn't say, I want to go to heaven. He says, I want to know Christ. He talks about being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. To Paul, everything was about Christ. Eternity was about Christ. Everything else was just gravy. [01:05:30] (25 seconds)
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