Philippians 3:4-11
Sunday, June 2, 2002
To get us thinking this morning, I want to ask you a question.
What are your assets and what are your liabilities?
You say "pastor, that’s easy. Here’s what I own - those are my assets. Here’s what I owe - those are my liabilities."
That’s not what I’m talking about this morning. I’m asking you "When you have an experience in your life, how do you know whether it is an asset or a liability?"
Let me give you an example from my own life to help you see what I’m asking.
The other week we were having a deacons meeting. - the sign. What should we put on the sign. Someone made the crack about whether they should put all the letters after my name. I cracked back, well I’ve always been partial to the title Reverend Doctor Todd.
Now overall I consider my education an asset. However, If I truly had the attitude that demanded that you all call me the Reverend Doctor - then my education would be a liability.
So how do you tell whether your education, your job, your position, your hobby, your home, whatever is an asset or a liability.
Well let’s turn to Philippians 3
Context verses 2-3
Jewish people are coming in to the church and telling gentile Christians that to be truly saved they need to follow the Jewish rules. Paul says they are the dogs - you are the true believers.
1. A Summary of Paul’s Assets 3:4-6
Paul lists all of the things that these Jewish Christians would count in the asset column of the ledger. And in their list of rules Paul would rank higher than any of them.
Look at the list one by one.
2. Paul’s Evaluation of his assets 3:7-8a
All of the things he used to consider assets - all the things that the Judaizers consider assets - are really liabilities when it comes to knowing Christ and being found in his righteousness.
The implication - all the things that the Judaizers are trying to get you to do are loss not gain.
3. Paul’s real asset 3:8b-11
v 8b-9 his asset - salvation apart from the Law
vv- 10-11 the passion that arises from Paul’s true asset
So how do you distinguish between your assets and liabilities?
asset - that which helps me know Christ better - all else is a loss.
Use these parables as illustration:
Rich young ruler
Pearl of great price.
