Philippians 3:7-11
Sermon
Title: What Is It to Have a Relationship with God?
Text: Philippians 3:7–11
Introduction
Every generation asks: What does it really mean to be a Christian? Or How can man be right with God?
- For some, it is a matter of following rules, and being religious.
- For others, it is morality (being a good person.
- Paul says in Philippians 3, Christianity in none of the above!
- Paul begins Philippians 3 with a warning: beware of false teachers who add law-keeping to faith in Christ.
- He says that he once walked that road, yet he wasn't a Christian.
- He says if anyone could claim righteousness by means mentioned above, it was him (vv.4–6).
- Yet this did not help him attain the righteousness of God.
- He tears away every false foundation and shows us that Christianity is not about what we do for God, but about what God has given us in Christ.
- Christianity, is not gaining God by what we bring, but losing all to gain Christ alone.
Vv.1–7 answers what How we can not have a relationship with God.
So what then is true Christianity? In verses 8–11 Paul gives us the answer.
1. Treasuring Christ Above All (v.8)
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…”
- Paul does not just reject sin; he counts even his best works and privileges as loss compared to Christ.
- Paul does not merely “add” Christ to his life. He says Christ is so valuable that everything else becomes loss.
- To be a Christian is not merely to believe in Christ’s existence, but to treasure Him as supremely valuable.
- It is a reordering of the heart:
- Everything else — wealth, honor, religion, even family privileges — are counted as rubbish compared to Him.
- Illustration: A merchant finds one pearl of great price — and sells everything to have it (Matt. 13:45–46).
Application: Ask yourself — what competes with Christ in your heart? True Christianity is Christ as your greatest treasure. Christ is not one treasure among many — He is the surpassing treasure.
To be a Christian is not merely to give up bad things, but to recognize that even good things cannot compare to Christ. True faith says, “Give me Jesus, and take the world."
2. Trusting Christ' Righteousness Alone (v.9)
“…not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
- Paul once trusted in his law-keeping. But he came to see that before God, even his best righteousness was filthy rags (Isa. 64:6).
- To be a Christian is to stand before God clothed in Christ’s righteousness, not my own.
- This is justification: God declares the guilty sinner righteous because of Christ’s finished work.
- Application: A true Christian repents not only of his sins but also of his supposed goodness. He no longer boasts in self, but in Christ alone.
Application: Salvation is not “Christ plus me.” It is Christ alone. To be a Christian is to stop trusting in what I can do, and to start trusting in what Christ has already done on the cross.
3. Pursuing Christ's Power and Fellowship (vv.10–11)
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”
- To know Christ is not only to receive His righteousness but also to pursue deeper fellowship with Him. Paul longs to know:
- The power of His resurrection — new life, victory over sin, strength for service.
- The fellowship of His sufferings — sharing in Christ’s path of obedience even when it brings pain.
- Conformity to His death — dying daily to self, living for God.
- This pursuit is not gloomy; it is anchored in hope: “if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection.” Paul looks beyond present loss to eternal gain.
- . Christianity is a pilgrim path that ends in glory.
- Application: To be a Christian is to walk with Christ daily, empowered by His resurrection, conformed by His sufferings, until we are raised with Him.
Application: The Christian life is not only forgiveness of the past, but power in the present and hope for the future. It a journey marked by both joy and pain, but both are part of being united to Christ. Our hope is certain: resurrection with Him.
Conclusion
So then, what is it to be a Christian?
- It is to treasure Christ above all things.
- It is to trust Christ alone for righteousness.
- It is to pursue Christ’s power and fellowship.
Paul shows us: Christianity is not a religion of self-improvement, but a relationship of faith and union with Jesus Christ.
Christianity is not about what you give up, but whom you gain. It is not about what you achieve, but whom you receive.
And when you gain Christ, you gain everything.
Notice the flow:
- Exchange (v.8) → what I let go.
- Foundation (v.9) → what I stand on.
- Pursuit (vv.10–11) → what I live for.
Closing Piercing Questions
What do you count as gain in your life?
- Is there anything you treasure more than Christ — your reputation, possessions, religion, or self-righteousness?
Where is your confidence before God?
- Is it in your morality, your prayers, your church membership, your giving — or in Christ’s righteousness alone?
Do you truly know Christ, or do you only know about Him?
- Is He your personal Lord and Savior, or only a name you confess with your lips?
What does your life say you value most?
- Are you willing to suffer loss for Christ’s sake? Or do you cling to the world and avoid the cross?
If you were to die tonight, would you be found in Christ?
- Clothed in His righteousness — or still trusting in your own?
Are you living in the power of His resurrection now?
- Or are you still enslaved to the same sins, showing no evidence of new life?
Are you prepared to suffer with Christ in order to reign with Him?
- Or is your Christianity only comfortable and convenient?
Will you share in Christ’s resurrection glory — or will you be ashamed at His coming?
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