What Matters the Most?

What Matters the Most?

Pastor Terry Wilcox

Philippians 3:1-11

Chapter three begins with an abrupt change in tone.
Chapter three is Paul’s declaration of what really matters to him.
Philippians 3:7-8

Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.  -Corrie ten Boom

1. Philippians 3:2 – Paul begins with a harsh warning.
   Paul wrote 13 books of the New Testament. One of the most profound and revolutionary truths was: we are saved by grace through faith.
   Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 1:17; Romans 3:24; Romans 4:5; Romans 10:3

   “Those dogs” is better understood from a Jewish view

2. His previous plan was garbage – Philippians 3:7-8

   “We forget that we do not strive to live by the Spirit in order to be in the Spirit. It is the reverse. Because we are in the Spirit we live by the Spirit. And because we have been conferred the righteousness of God, we do deeds of righteousness. We do righteous works not to get in right relationship with God, but because He has already justified us. We are in right relationship with Him by faith. Our righteousness is that which is through faith in Christ.”  –Dr. Maxie Dunham, President Emeritus of Asbury Seminary

   The Greek word Paul uses for “knowing” is about experience

3. What does it mean to “know Christ?”
   a. The power of his resurrection.
        Galatians 2:20
        Ephesians 1:19-20
        That’s power for both the here and now.
     b. “The fellowship of sharing in his sufferings”
          Is Paul a masochist?
          Philippians 3:10 in the original Greek uses “one article” – so what?

People don’t die like Jesus without the power of the Holy Spirit.

How do we obtain a dynamic changing, progressing relationship with the Spirit of God?

By saying yes!

Personal Notes