This chapter begins with the word “finally.” Paul was not closing his letter, but was literally saying “the remaining”, showing that he was changing subjects. So far he has spoken about the need for Christlikeness. Now he warns them to beware of false teachers (v.2). These false teachers are like dogs. Mr. Lightfoot in his commentary tells us that herds of dogs “prowl about eastern cities, without a home and without an owner, feeding on the refuse and filth of the streets, quarrelling among themselves, and attacking the passer-by.” These false teachers are evil workers causing injury.

True Christians (v.3) worship God in spirit not in rituals. They rejoice in Christ Jesus not in customs and traditions. And they have no confidence in the flesh’s good deeds but solely in Christ’s atonement.

Paul was a prime example of one who was religiously pious before he came to Christ. Note his excellent credentials (v.5-6). Then Paul makes a startling statement (v.7). He gave away all his credentials to gain something far better (v.8). This reminds me of Missionary Jim Elliot’s words: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Transition

This morning I want to point out four benefits that Paul gained when he gave up his religious credentials and trusted Christ (v.8-11). I do not believe these speak of goals in Paul’s Christian life, but rather benefits of his faith in Christ. These same benefits belong to every true Christian.

(1st Benefit) Paul Gained Christ (v.8)

  1. He gained a personal knowledge of Christ.
    1. He had known about Christ, but he hated Him. “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.” (Ac 8:1)
    2. Now he knew Christ as a friend. He was now able to say, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Php 1:21) Paul called his knowledge of Christ the excellency of the knowledge or excelling knowledge. This is only available through faith in Christ.
    3. Intimate knowledge about a person comes only with time spent in their presence. Spent time with Christ!
  2. He gained Christ, or won Christ as a friend.
    1. Christ became his companion.
    2. Christ became his Lord. From the day of his salvation he recognized Christ as Lord.
    3. Christ became his intercessor.
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(2nd Benefit) Paul Gained Christ’s Righteousness (v.9)

  1. He gained it through faith in Christ.
    1. This was not a self-righteousness from keeping the Law. We cannot be made right with God by being good. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Ga 2:16) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Tit 3:5)
    2. Along with righteousness, Christ’s salvation includes propitiation, justification, regeneration, reconciliation, adoption, etc. Knowing Christ is transforming!
  2. Paul gained righteousness by faith alone.
    1. Righteousness can never be earned. No good deed can wash away any sin. God alone can declare a person righteous when the blood of Christ is applied to his sinful heart.
    2. The Christian’s righteousness is solely through faith in Christ. “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Ro 4:4-5)
    3. Faith is acting on trusted information – the fact that Christ died and rose again to pay our sin debt.

(3rd Benefit) Paul Gained a Transformed Life (v.10)

  1. He was indwelt by the Spirit of God.
    1. The Holy Spirit was the power behind Christ’s resurrection. He now lives in believers. The same power that raised Christ, now lives in Christians. The Holy Spirit transforms our lives in many ways, which are evidenced by his fruits. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Ga 5:22-23)
    2. Paul was able to know the joy of a changed life because Christ had suffered for him. Christians can now fellowship with Christ because He suffered to reconcile them to God.
  2. He was being conformed to Christ’s death.
    1. Paul was being conformed to Christ’s death. This was enabling him to die to sin. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Ro 6:6) This gives believers the power to live transformed lives.
    2. We have a new life in Christ. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Co 5:17)

(4th Benefit) Paul Gained the Assurance of Resurrection (v.11)

  1. Those who depend on self-righteousness miss this.
    1. Millions of religious people today hope to go to heaven but have no assurance of it. They never know if they have done enough.
    2. Truthfully, they cannot do enough. Only Christ can pay the debt of their sin.
  2. Those who gain Christ are promised resurrection.
    1. Peter describes this for us. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1Pe 1:3-5)
    2. This is the blessed hope of the believer. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Tit 2:13) All who know Christ, will be resurrected to spend eternity with him.

Conclusion

When an unbeliever humbly turns his back on his religious credentials and places his faith entirely in Christ, by losing he gains. If you truly know Christ, you have gained the same benefits that Paul gained when he gave up his religious credentials and received Christ’s salvation. You gained Christ, his righteousness, a transformed life, and the assurance of resurrection. If you have not yet received Christ’s gift by faith, He invites you to receive it today.

Perhaps you never realized before that you gained all these benefits, or you have not pondered it for a while. Either way, it would be good for you to thank God for all he did for you.

Song: Thank You Lord – 221
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Losing to Gain
30 March 2025 AM ~ Philippians 3:1-11