____ Like Jesus
“Knowing Jesus Changes Everything”
Philippians 3:1-11

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?