February 23, 2025 Preaching | Ptr Edric Mendoza
As Paul opens Philippians chapter 3, he says for the first time in his letter, “rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 3:1). Our ultimate joy is found in Jesus alone (John 15:9-11). The secret is to LOVE JESUS ABOVE ALL! Paul talks from his perspective and experiences in loving God above all (descriptive teaching). However, we are also given a prescriptive teaching (a command, not a suggestion) about our attitude and how we ought to live (Philippians 3:15-16). To experience the fullness of joy that God has for us, we are to LOVE JESUS…
1. ABOVE ALL GAIN – Philippians 3:1-7
Paul gives a warning to us about people who distort God’s truth. They show their credentials, what they have accomplished — they put their confidence in the flesh. Paul gives his credentials as well (vv:4-6):
| Paul’s “gains” | Relevance | Today’s possible “gains” |
| Circumcised 8th day | Parents followed law | Born into Christian family |
| Of nation of Israel | “Chosen nation” of God | Citizenship/national identity |
| Of tribe of Benjamin | Elite tribe of Israel (with Judah) that remained loyal to Davidic dynasty into Southern Kingdom | Family heritage/pedigree |
| Pharisee | Achieved “status” due to study, commitment, adherence to practices/lifestyle | Accolades/awards, titles, memberships |
By sharing his credentials, Paul was setting it up so he could flip it and say that all those things that were seemingly “gains”, he counted as loss for the sake of Christ (v.7). For Paul, Jesus is of far greater worth than all his “gains”. Do our interests, accomplishments, and desires get in the way of our love for Jesus and what He leads us to do?
2. ABOVE ALL THINGS – Philippians 3:8-11
Paul talked about “profit” as being “loss” compared to knowing Jesus in the previous passage. Now, he expands this idea even more by saying that “all things” are “rubbish” and considers them as of no value compared to knowing (Gk. “gnosis,” personal knowledge) Jesus as Lord; it pales in comparison to an intimate relationship with Christ (v.8). Is there any other thing that we value that’s competing with our love for Jesus? A Christian is “all-in” for Christ! Knowing Jesus is loving Him above all things.
Paul also reminds us that we cannot get to know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him by doing righteous acts to achieve righteousness (and be acceptable to God). It is only through faith in Christ that we receive the righteousness that comes from God which enables us to know Jesus personally (v.9).
We know that Paul suffered greatly as he followed Jesus. There are real costs to following Christ. Have you counted the cost, and are you committed to following Jesus? Chuck Swindoll said this: “Life isn’t learning a quick secret and then sitting in the stands, watch the game being played, secure in the knowledge of eternal life. Life is, in fact, a daily crushing. It’s an experience in the classroom of hardship. I’ve discovered that the way I grow closer to Christ in it all is by pressing on and hanging tough regardless”. When we love Jesus above all things, we get to watch God work! Does anything or anyone get in the way of our love for Jesus?
3. ABOVE OUR PAST– Philippians 3:12-21
Maybe there’s something in your past that constrains you from loving Jesus above all. It could be unforgiveness, hurt, the wounds that you need to let go of. Let God work, heal, and do amazing things in and through you. As Philip Yancey said, “Not to forgive imprisons me in the past, and it locks out all of the potential for change.” Are there other things in our past that get in the way of our love for and pursuit of Jesus? Maybe it is past guilt. Can you imagine Paul, who in his past held Stephen’s cloak as he approved and looked on as Stephen was stoned to death (as a witness for Christ)? If the guilt of the past is what’s holding you back, like Paul, “forgetting what lies behind” means that if you are in Christ Jesus, there’s no more condemnation, and you don’t have to carry that guilt and shame anymore because, in Christ Jesus, you can be healed and used by Him, and you can love Jesus above all (Romans 8:1).
Could it be that you’re stuck in the good things of the past, and you long for things to be back the way they were? God is saying to forget the former things and not dwell on them because as you watch Him work, God can do a new thing in your life (Isaiah 43:18-19). What is God asking you to do to make things right from your past?
Our message today is LOVE JESUS ABOVE ALL. We are to love Jesus above all “gain,” above all things, and above our past. So let us press on, like Paul (vv.12-14). This is an athletic term, and it’s a picture of a sprinter. Pressing on is an aggressive, energetic pursuit without any hesitation of what God wants you to do. Let the Lord know, “Jesus, I’m all yours. Use me”.