Jesus plus nothing equals everything. Jesus plus everything equals nothing.

Notes And Next Steps

Philippians 3:7-11  + Part 4 of the series “Be Happy."

What is the gospel? (Romans 1:16, Isaiah 12:2)

People don’t climb up to God. God comes down to us.

I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ. (Philippians 3:8-9)

Your everything is nothing compared to Jesus.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10,11)

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever thrown away good things? Could you ever throw away good things? If so, what’s the greater good or purpose?
2. In what way do you relate to the man in the introduction of today’s message, or to Martin Luther, or to John Wooden?
3. What is the difference between the gospel and salvation?
4. In Philippians 3:7-11 the apostle Paul eagerly states that he wants to know Christ. What do you want to know (more) about Christ? How do you want to grow in your relationship with him? Where do you want to find him in your life?
5. Hillsong United’s song “Lead Me to the Cross” uses some of the exact words of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. What are they? Give it a listen. https://youtu.be/StW6ZKHRCFo.