The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ - Pt 1

Sunday Service
The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ
Philippians 3:7-11

THEME: Bankruptcy is a legal process involving a person or business that is unable to repay outstanding debts. Sadly, when someone files for bankruptcy it often results in financial ruin, it wipes them out completely, they go broke, they are left destitute and it brings them to their knees. For some people however, filing for bankruptcy provides a way out of debt and a fresh financial start. That’s true of everyone who files for spiritual bankruptcy. The great Apostle Paul went bankrupt despite his rich heritage and many religious achievements he had earned. His bankruptcy took place while he was on his way to arrest Christians in the City of Damascus. This proud, self-righteous Pharisee was brought to his knees when he came face to face with the risen Lord Jesus Christ and realized he was spiritually broke even though he had spent his life amassing all sorts of things to gain God’s approval and earn acceptance into heaven. Paul rejected his works-based righteousness and received God’s gift of faith-based righteousness in Christ and God graciously granted him a fresh spiritual start. He became a new man with new values, new passions, and goals that he experienced when he was born again.

1. PAUL’S APPRAISAL OF HIS PAST (vv. 7-9)

2. PAUL’S ASPIRATION FOR HIS FUTURE (VV. 10-11)

Thank God for graciously replacing your rancid rags with Christ’s righteous robes so you are now presentable before Him. Ask Him to help you not fall back into trusting in your own self-effort to earn His approval. Pray that you will live in such a way that others will know Christ matters more to you than anything else in life so that they would want to know Him too.