Introduction
Paul has a resume. He's a Pharisee from the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day, zealous for the law, righteous according to the law. By any measure, he's a religious success.
And then he met Jesus. And everything changed. Listen to how he describes what he left behind: 'But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.'
This is radical reorientation. Everything he built his identity on—his credentials, his righteousness, his accomplishments—he counts as loss.
I. What Paul Left Behind (Philippians 3:4-8)
'If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.'
Paul lists his credentials. He's not bragging—he's showing what he left behind. By his own standard, he was at the top.
'For his sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.'
The word is strong—garbage, rubbish. Not because his accomplishments weren't real, but because they don't compare to Christ. They're not his foundation anymore.
II. Knowing Christ as the Prize (Philippians 3:8-11)
'I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.'
Paul's goal isn't knowledge about Christ—it's knowing Christ. Intimacy. Relationship. That's the prize.
This isn't morbid. It's liberation. Once you've decided that knowing Christ is the greatest treasure, suffering for Christ becomes acceptable. Even welcome.
What are you currently treasuring? What would you give up to know Christ more deeply? What status or achievement are you holding onto?
III. Pressing On Toward the Goal (Philippians 3:12-14)
'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.'
Paul isn't saying he's perfected. He's saying he's still pursuing. He hasn't arrived. But he's pressing on with everything he has.
This is vision. Purpose. Direction. When you know what you're pursuing, everything else falls into place. When you know Christ is the prize, other losses become acceptable.
Conclusion & Appeal
What would change in your life if you counted everything else as loss compared to knowing Christ? If his presence, his transformation, his will were your only real treasure?
You might lose some status. You might give up some comfort. You might face resistance. But you'd gain something so valuable it makes everything else look like garbage.
That's the call. Not to despise your life, but to reorder your priorities. Christ first. Everything else, second at best.