All Things as Loss (Philippians 3:1-1; Genesis 17:9-14)

All Things as Loss

PHILIPPIANS 3:1-11

GENESIS 17:9-14

Everything we esteem precious in this life pale in comparison to knowing Jesus Christ.

I. LOSING THE FLESH (3:1-6)

A. Looking Out (3:1-2; cf. Philippians 3:18-19, 1 Corinthians 7:17-19)

B. No Confidence in the Flesh (3:3-6; cf. Romans 2:29, Deuteronomy 10:16, Jeremiah 9:25-26, Genesis 17:10-14)

II. GAINING THE CHRIST (3:7-11)

A. Christ’s Surpassing Worth (3:8; cf. Philippians 2:6)

B. Righteousness from God (3:9; cf. Philippians 2:7, Romans 4:9-12)

C. Fellowship in Christ’s Death and Resurrection (3:10-11; cf. 1 Peter 4:13-14)

D. The Fellowship Meal

DISCUSSION STARTERS

1. Monday—Who does Paul say to look out for? Discuss the significance of the way Paul describes them. Why was Paul so concerned for the Philippians to look out for such people? What was Paul’s rule for the churches?

2. Tuesday—What does Paul mean when he says, “We are the circumcision” (v. 3)? What does circumcision signify? Was Paul saying that his Jewish credentials bad?

3. Wednesday—In what way was Paul reflecting Jesus in putting aside his privileges as a Jewish believer? Discuss how we might use our Christian privileges to undermine the Gospel.

4. Thursday—What does it look like to practically count all things as loss? How different is that from the way the world operates?

5. Friday—What’s the road we have to take to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection? Why is there no other way? How does suffering allow us to know Christ more intimately and look more like him?