Philippians 3:8-14
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, 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 is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I. Assurance knows how to lose (vv. 7-9)
• Assurance is not
• Quality assurance provides us with the freedom to choose our wins and losses with
• Faith is God’s
• Values are affections that determine worship priorities revealed in the “
• The error of
• The error of
II. Assurance knows how to know (vv. 10-11)
• To know Christ in his resurrection power is having assurance of
• To know Christ in his suffering is investing in the process of
• To know Christ in our death and resurrection is the future expectation of
• Relationships grow or degenerate on
• Not making a
III. Assurance knows how to forget (vv. 12-14)
• We cannot forget that we take hold of Christ by
• We cannot forget that past sins do not
• Assurance knows that we are loved and forgiven by God which frees us to let go of past
• Resentment is
• Reflection takes time to
TAKE OFF
Share a fun fact about yourself that not many people know about (favorite book, favorite restaurant, most embarrassing moment, etc.).
TEXT
Philippians 3:8-14
1. What thoughts or feelings did you have during this week’s sermon?
2. What gives Paul the ability to consider “everything a loss” when he compares it with knowing Christ (v. 8)? Have you reached the same conclusion in your life? What things do you find it easy to lose and what things are you hesitant to lose or part with?
3. How does the apostle Paul describe knowing Christ (vv. 10-11)? How does it feel to be fully known and loved by God? What is sanctification and how does participation in it help us grow in our relationship with Christ?
4. The apostle Paul forgets what is behind to focus on the prize of heaven (vv. 13-14). Is there anything in your past that is hindering your ability to focus? How can you forget these things and continue to press on?
TAKE AWAY
What practical steps will you take this week to prioritize and grow in “knowing” Jesus?