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. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:8-14

A. The CONSUMING PASSION of the Apostle Paul

Philippians 3:7-14; Psalm 63:1-2; Philippians 1:21

1.      The surpassing worth of knowing Christ

Philippians 3:8, 10

– Knowing Him defined

John 17:3; Galatians 4:9; John 10:14-15

– Knowing Him compared

Philippians 3:4-8; Isaiah 33:17

2. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ experienced

Philippians 3:8; Matthew 13:45-46

– Surpassing worth in Christ’s love

John 13:1; Galatians 2:20

– Surpassing worth in Christ’s mercy

1 Timothy 1:15-16; Ephesians 2:4-5

– Surpassing worth in Christ’s righteousness

Romans 3:21-26

– Surpassing worth in Christ’s presence

Psalm 16:11, Psalm 21:6; Psalm 73:25; John 17:24