Study Guide: "Giving Up Everything to Gain Even More"

Philippians 3:1-11

Open:

On Wednesday we will observe Ash Wednesday with the imposition of ashes.  It marks the beginning of the Lenten season, a period of fasting, repentance, and spiritual discipline.  During Lent, many believers commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence.

In Philippians 3:1-11, the apostle Paul describes what he gave up to gain even more.  Paul gives an autobiographical account that leads to a remarkable declaration.  He describes an impeccable religious pedigree, then marks it all null and void in light of the greater value of knowing Christ.  By examining Paul's declaration, we learn better the value of and path to intimacy with Jesus Christ.  Essentially, religion is revealed to be inferior to relationship.

I. Paul's Impeccable Religious Pedigree Described (verses 1-6).

  1. The background of Paul's declaration is the prevalence of a certain heresy in the church (vv. 1-2).

     - The early church dealt with many external pressures.

     - The church also struggled with certain heresies that developed within the church.

  2. Paul describes his impressive religious credentials (verses 3-6).

     - Tribe of Benjamin

     - Taught by Rabbi Gamaliel

     - Pharisee (member of the Sanhedrin)

     - Persecutor of the church

Key transitional statement in verses 7-8:

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish (dung), that I may gain Christ."

  3. Brokenness is the prerequisite to spiritual awakening.

     - This has been true of every recorded spiritual awakening -- personal & corporate/national.

     - Two kinds of brokenness:

     1) Involuntary

     2) Voluntary

II. The Greater Value of Relationship (verses 7-11).

  1. The value of relationship begins by sacrificing self-sufficiency (vv. 9-10).

  2. Relationship truly is everything (vv. 10-11).

"I want to know Christ...."

Why is relationship so important?

     1) God is a relational Being.

     2) We are created in the Image of God.

Implications?

     1) Discipleship is relational.

     2) Intimacy between Persons of the Godhead is offered to us (John 15:4-8).

     3)Knowing Christ intimately is the summit of the Christian experience.

Close:

Religion truly is inferior to relationship.

(Dr. Dane Fowlkes)