In this passage, the apostle Paul had suffered the loss of all things and counted them but dung. How do you view suffering and Christianity? What has your Christianity cost you? This passage breaks down into questions
How much does it cost for a man to know Christ? (3:7-8) Why would anybody pay such a cost? (3:9-11) What does it look like to pay such a cost in our lives? (3:12-16)
If we are willing to lose, we will have great gain. If we are not will to lose, we will have no reward
1. the cost (3:7-8) The cost is everything. We can make no bargain with God to lower the rate. If you find your life you will loose it (Matthew 10:39). You have to loose to gain and find Christ and life. The things Paul talks about are his family and national heritage. He was a Pharisee and was in line to be in a very powerful in his nation. Yet he counted it all as something to be forever lost.
2. the answer (3:9-11) Christ is worth so much that Paul was willing to loose everything. What value do you put on the Lord Jesus? The value you find will be measured by what you are willing to give up. The reward far exceeds the loss. What did Paul see in the Lord Jesus that was worth so much? He saw the gift of righteousness which was of God by faith in Christ. He saw a resurrection to a newness of life. There is a resurrection of the soul through a new birth and the hope of the resurrection of the body
3. the application (3:12-16) Press forward to attain what Chrsit has apprehended you for Forget the things which are behind What is most important for our children? getting a college education? a stable career? are we raising professionals? Or are we raising missionaries?
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