July 12, 2026
Knowing Jesus Changes Everything
Everyone builds their identity and confidence on something.
Personal success, Reputation, Morality, Family + connections, Compassion, Wealth, Legacy + influence
If you lost everything, what would be the biggest loss?
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” – Philippians 3:8
Joy = Knowing Jesus is everything!
Philippians 3:1-11
Joy is rooted in a person. – Philippians 3:1
Rejoicing in Jesus is the way to be protected by Jesus!
Joy in performance is worthless – Philippians 3:2-6
Religious performance:
“… the dogs … evildoers …who mutilate the flesh.” – Philippians 3:2
Circumcision
A covenant sign from God that He would deal with the corruption of sin and bring renewal through the shedding of blood. – Genesis 17:11-14; Acts 15:1; Galatians 2, Galatians 5:3; Galatians 6:11-15; Colossians 2:11-13; Romans 2:29
Cursus honorum = “Race of honors”
Personal performance:
Right spiritual boxes checked
Right ethnic group
Right family
Right morality
Right education
Right theology
Right traditions
Joy is counting everything as loss compared to Jesus. – Philippians 3:7-9
“… I count everything…”
“I have suffered the loss …”
“… count them as rubbish …”
Profit
Christ’s righteousness
Received by faith
Given by grace
Perfect & sufficient
Loss
Self-righteousness
Earned through effort
Always inadequate
Produces pride or despair
Joy inspires us to pursue Jesus more deeply. – Philippians 3:10-11
“… that I may know him …” – Philippians 3:10
To know power …
Victory over sin is possible.
Spiritual growth is possible.
Hope in difficult situations is possible.
To know suffering …
Is not evidence that God has abandoned us.
Deepens our relationship with Jesus, if we allow it.
Shapes us to become more like Jesus.
To know hope …
Hardship doesn’t have the last word.
It’s forged through loss, pain, and death.
Eternity is still to come.
Is knowing Jesus everything to you?
