Philippians 3:7-11 are some of the greatest things that Paul ever wrote.
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
First, he was a man, in many ways, of great stature personally and religiously, yet when He met Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9) he realized Jesus surpassed everything he could ever be, ever want, or ever have.
Second, Not only did he realize it, he literally walked away from it all. And he did so gladly, without regret. Jesus was that superior to everything else in the world.
Third, this is all summed up in the Paul’s words, “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Fourth, knowing Jesus was the quest of Paul’s life.
Fifth, the two words, “my lord” are both intimate and devotional. He says it with affection and reverence and depth.
Sixth, this is all through his faith in Jesus.
Seventh, In knowing Jesus, Paul wants to know the “power of His resurrection.” Paul knows that the same power will drive and fuel and motivate his own hatred of sin, his love and devotion to Jesus, his quest to know Jesus more and more and deeper and deeper. Paul knows the power of the resurrection is the power that drives and opens doors and changes hearts in his ministry.
Eighth, For Paul, the suffering life and the crucified life is the way of life as a disciple. He embraces it knowing that suffering and sacrifice is the way of love, the way of faith, and the way of obeying Jesus. He wants to be like Christ.
This is one the BEST commentaries on Philippians and it is only $16.00
The Men's Bible Reading Idea 