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

1. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ

Philippians 3:8

– Knowing Him defined

– Knowing Him compared

2. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ experienced

Matthew 13:45-46

– Surpassing worth in Christ’s love (personal love): Galatians 2:20

– Surpassing worth in Christ’s mercy: 1 Timothy 1:15-16

– Surpassing worth in Christ’s righteousness: Romans 3:21-23

– Surpassing worth in Christ’s presence: Psalm 16:11

3. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ pursued

a. The pursuit of knowing Christ consumes our entire being

Philippians 3:7-8, 10; Philippians 1:20-23; Psalm 73:25

b. The pursuit of knowing Christ is life’s chief passion and pursuit

Philippians 3:7-8, 10; 1 Peter 2:7

c. The pursuit of knowing Christ requires our greatest efforts

Philippians 3:12, 14; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Luke 9:23-24

d. The pursuit of knowing Christ knows no rivals

Philippians 3:13; Luke 14:25-33

e. The pursuit of knowing Christ is a life-long pursuit

Philippians 3:12-13; Psalm 27:4; Luke 10:38-42