JESUS, BE THE CENTER OF IT ALL

Philippians 3:3-11

For we are the circumcision, who worship God inthe Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have noconfidence in the flesh, though I also might haveconfidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks hemay have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

Philippians 3:3-11

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel,of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of theHebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;concerning zeal, persecuting the church;concerning the righteousness which is in the law,blameless.

Philippians 3:3-11

But what things were gain to me, these I havecounted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count allthings loss for the excellence of the knowledgeof Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I havesuffered the loss of all things, and count them asrubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:3-11

and be found in Him, not having my ownrighteousness, which is from the law, but thatwhich is through faith in Christ, therighteousness which is from God by faith; that Imay know Him and the power of Hisresurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings,being conformed to His death,

Philippians 3:7-8

But what things were gain to me, these I havecounted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count allthings loss for the excellence of the knowledgeof Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I havesuffered the loss of all things, and count them asrubbish, that I may gain Christ

1. THE LORD JESUS IS THE BIGGEST GAIN YOU CAN

EVER HAVE

Philippians 3:3-11

For we are the circumcision, who worship God inthe Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have noconfidence in the flesh, though I also might haveconfidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks hemay have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

Philippians 3:3-11

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel,of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of theHebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;concerning zeal, persecuting the church;concerning the righteousness which is in the law,blameless.

Philippians 3:3-11

But what things were gain to me, these I havecounted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count allthings loss for the excellence of the knowledgeof Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I havesuffered the loss of all things, and count them asrubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:3-11

and be found in Him, not having my ownrighteousness, which is from the law, but thatwhich is through faith in Christ, therighteousness which is from God by faith; that Imay know Him and the power of Hisresurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings,being conformed to His death,

A. The source of our acceptable righteousness (vs human righteousness)

Philippians 3:9

and be found in him, not having a righteousnessof my own that comes from the law, but thatwhich is through faith in Christ--therighteousness that comes from God and is byfaith.

Romans 3:22

This righteousness from God comesthrough faith in Jesus Christ to allwho believe. There is no difference,

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is anew creation; old things have passedaway; behold, all things have becomenew.

1 Peter 2:24

who Himself bore our sins in His ownbody on the tree, that we, having died tosins, might live for righteousness--bywhose stripes you were healed.

B. The Lord Jesus is the only source of resurrection to eternal life

Philippians 3:11

if, by any means, I may attain to theresurrection from the dead.

1 John 5:11-13

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternallife, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son haslife; he who does not have the Son of God does not havelife. These things I have written to you who believe inthe name of the Son of God, that you may know thatyou have eternal life, and that you may continue tobelieve in the name of the Son of God.

2.THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUSCHRIST IS THE MOSTIMPORTANT KNOWLEDGEYOU CAN HAVE.

Philippians 3:7-8

But what things were gain to me, these I havecounted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count allthings loss for the excellence of the knowledgeof Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I havesuffered the loss of all things, and count them asrubbish, that I may gain Christ

Ecclesiastes 1:13-18

And I set my heart to seek and search out bywisdom concerning all that is done underheaven; this burdensome task God has given tothe sons of man, by which they may beexercised. I have seen all the works that aredone under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity andgrasping for the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:13-18

What is crooked cannot be made straight, Andwhat is lacking cannot be numbered. Icommuned with my heart, saying, "Look, I haveattained greatness, and have gained morewisdom than all who were before me inJerusalem. My heart has understood greatwisdom and knowledge."

Ecclesiastes 1:13-18

And I set my heart to know wisdom and toknow madness and folly. I perceived thatthis also is grasping for the wind. For inmuch wisdom is much grief, And he whoincreases knowledge increases sorrow.

3.THE KNOWLEDGE OF

JESUS CHRIST MUST BE EXCELLENT.

Philippians 3:8

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for theexcellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesusmy Lord, for whom I have suffered the lossof all things, and count them as rubbish,that I may gain Christ