Don’t Lose the Treasure

This morning’s text from Scripture is:

• Philippians 3:1-9

Sermon Outline:

1. Guard Your Joy — vv. 1–3
   The danger of “Jesus plus anything.” Good things become thieves when we ask them to do what only Christ can do. Pasted markdown

2. Drop the Résumé — vv. 4–6
   Paul possesses extraordinary religious credentials, yet refuses to place his confidence in them. Obedience and good works matter, but “good works make wonderful fruit; they make terrible roots.” Pasted markdown

3. Gain Christ — vv. 7–9
   Paul moves everything he once counted as gain into the loss column because he has discovered the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ.

Comprehension Questions

(These will help you open the Scriptures and understand the text.)

1. Why does Paul use such strong language in Philippians 3:2 to warn the church about those insisting on circumcision and obedience to the law?

2. What credentials and accomplishments does Paul list in Philippians 3:4–6, and why would these have been impressive to his original audience?

3. According to Philippians 3:7–9, what causes Paul to reconsider everything he previously counted as “gain,” and where does his righteousness now come from?

Life Application

1. How would you finish the sentence: “I can have joy in Christ as long as ________”? What does your answer reveal?

2. What good thing in your life—family, career, reputation, ministry, morality, financial security, spiritual discipline—are you tempted to turn into a “Jesus plus”? Pasted markdown

3. What accomplishment, identity, or credential are you asking to prove that you are enough?

4. What would it look like practically this week to stop trying to establish your own worth and instead rest in being “found in Christ”?

5. As a church, how can we celebrate growth, baptisms, new members, ministries, and healthy finances without allowing those things to become our congregational résumé?

If you have questions about this sermon, please don't hesitate to reach out to David.