Elliott Baptist Church - February 20, 2000 Sermon

Sunday, February 20, 2000

New Point of View
Philippians 3:7-9

INTRODUCTION: There was a time when Paul put his trust in things. In verses 5-6, Paul tells us about his advantages as a true Israelite, of his noble birth, of his orthodox beliefs, and his blameless conduct. Paul thought that he was climbing the ladder to God. Paul climbed with diligence but never made any progress. No one will ever get into heaven by good works (Titus 3:5). The Bible clearly teaches that man, no matter how religious or how good he is, will never hit the mark (Romans 3:10, 23). Friends, thank God on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians, Paul met Jesus Christ. Hendriksen says of this: "In a moment Paul saw himself as he really was, a deluded, self-righteous, damnable sinner. Then and there he embraced the One whom until now he had been persecuting with might and main.
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1. Paul became a new creature in Christ with a new point of view (II Corinthians 5:17).
2. The cause that he fought with everything he could muster became very near and dear to him.

I. VERSE 7, THE RELIGIOUS LIFE A LOSS

     A. What is Paul talking about here? Well, he is talking about his past; he is talking about his religious orthodoxy.
     B. All of Paul's separate gains became one big loss. The Greek verb tense used here means that Paul never changed his mind. C. Paul had gained the world in a real sense; but before salvation, he was loss (Mark 8:36-37).

           1. Much of what Paul had was not bad in itself; but whenever folks try to get to heaven by good works, then this is bad.
          2. Just as Paul had many good things to look to in life, so many of you have things that can be counted as gain:
                a. You have been raised in a Christian home.
                b. You have been faithful to come to church.
                c. You read the Bible.
                d. You give to the church.
                e. Your parents and grandparents are faithful to church.
                f. You have education and looks, and etc.
                g. All of these things, although good, may hinder you if you do not realize your personal need of Christ (John 1:12).

II. VERSE 8 THE LIFE OF RESOURCES A LOSS

     A. Possessions, friends, prospects of the future are in mind here.
          1. In comparison to knowing Christ these things are loss.
          2. The Damascus road experience had taken place about thirty years before, but for Paul it was as though it had happened yesterday.

     B. Paul speaks here of that one who outshines all others and all the world has to offer.
           1. He speaks of Christ Jesus.
          2. But notice that he puts in a little word that makes all the difference "my," "Christ Jesus my Lord."
          3. When we have Christ, we have all we need. Paul in others scriptures tells us what Jesus was for him (Philippians 1:21; 4:13; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; Ephesians 5:1,2; Colossians 3:1-4, etc.)
                a. For Paul Christ was his Life, his Love, his Strength, Example, Friend, Savior, and Sovereign.
                b. Can you say that Christ is "my" Savior?

     C. "For whom I suffer the loss of all things, and do count them but dung....."
          1. For years Paul tried by his own efforts to get into a right relationship with God.
                a. He strictly adhered to the Jewish Law.
                b. He tried climbing the works ladder to heaven.
           2. Paul found that trying to keep the Law was useless when he came to salvation. He could never be justified by the "deeds of the flesh" (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16).

     D. Paul counted all things "but dung."
          1. The Greek word for dung is skubala, and it has two meaning:
                a. That which is thrown to the dogs.
                b. Excrement.
          2. Paul found the Law no more than dung to be thrown on a heap when it came to getting into a right relationship with God.

     E. "That I may win Christ."
           1. Christ had already won Paul (Acts 9).
          2. Paul realized that although he was in the promised land, there was still much land to be possessed.

III. VERSE 9, RELYING ON CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS

      A. "And he found in him."
          1. Paul desires to make Christ more and more fully his. Paul desires to grow in grace (II Peter 3:18).
          2. Paul is saved; he knows it; yet he wants a closer walks with Jesus. Is that what you want?

     B. The righteousness that Paul has is:
          1. Christ's righteousness is imparted to the sinners (II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7).
          2. Not merited by works Paul said: "Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law." Remember Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:5,6,8).
          3. Appropriated by faith "That which is through the faith of Christ...." Faith is the hand that reaches out to receive the free gift.
                a. You accept; you do not earn a gift.
                b. By simple faith, we reach out and receive Christ.
          4. Comes from God "The righteousness which is of God by faith."
                a. This is the divine origin of righteousness.
                b. Ephesians 2:8 "gift of God...."

CONCLUSION: Religion, wealth, possessions, etc. cannot save. Only Jesus can save.

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Sunday, February 20, 2000