Monthly Archives: May 2025

Bible, Excellence, Jesus, Scripture, Superior, Value

SURPASSING VALUE

PHILIPPIANS 3:8

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ,”

I remember my dad telling me two things to never skimp on – tools and shoes. I know, that sounds kind of weird. Dad believed if you bought a mediocre tool, it wouldn’t be long until you had to buy it again. But if you spent the extra money to get a good one, it would last you a lifetime. Same with shoes. My dad had an extra wide shoe and couldn’t just walk in and buy a pair in most places. So, he spent the extra money to order his from a shoe company (this was in the days long before Amazon). He knew those shoes would last.

Paul isn’t talking about tools or shoes in today’s verse, but he is talking about something worth so much more. He is talking about “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus.” The Greek word for “surpassing value” is huperechó. We only see this word used five times in the New Testament, three of those in Philippians. The word comes from hyper (beyond, above) and exo (have). It has the idea of excellence or superiority.

APPLICATION

Back in Philippians 2:3, Paul uses this word to tell us to consider one another as more important than ourselves. The phrase “as more important” is huperechó. That’s hard for us to do. We never want to put someone above us, do we? But if there is one thing I have learned through my years is to be humble costs you nothing. Haughtiness, however, can cost you everything.

And in one of my favorite verses (Philippians 4:7), Paul tells us the peace of God surpasses all understanding. There we see huperechó again. Of course, this peace comes in the midst of trying circumstances. He tells us not to be anxious. His peace is superior to our anxiety. His peace far outweighs any trouble we are facing.

What do you value today? Knowing Christ is priceless. Knowing Christ is superior. Knowing Christ is above all. That’s what we should all value. His worth will never fade. The cost of not knowing Him is far too high. And as is true about most things, we don’t value what cost us nothing. Knowing Christ will cost you everything – your whole life. But the payoff is literally out of this world.

I cannot begin to explain how much knowing You means to me, O Lord. Knowing You know me blows me away.

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Bible, Jesus, Loss, Position, Scripture

WHAT HAVE YOU LOST?

PHILIPPIANS 3:7

“But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ.”

I grew up in Southwest Georgia which is farming country. Most of the businesses in my small town depended on the surrounding farming communities in one way or the other. Farming is hard work and full of risk. I can remember more than one summer when the drought caused massive losses for some farmers. Depending on the crop and the timing of the rains, a farmer could reap a bounty or go bankrupt. These farmers knew the meaning of a loss.

In the last few verses, Paul has been touting his earthly position. If he had wanted to, he could have used that to become very successful in the Jewish world. But today’s verse is his true claim to success. The only thing Paul wanted was Jesus. He said everything else would be “counted as loss.” What did Paul mean by that?

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “loss” is zemia which is only used four times in the New Testament. Two times it is seen in today’s verse and tomorrow’s verse (3:8). The other two times it is found in Acts 27:10 and 21 where Paul is warning the ship’s crew they will suffer loss if he is not listened to. It’s interesting all four occurrences are tied to Paul. Paul knew about loss.

Zemia is a mercantile term that means a bad deal or unsuccessful business transaction which results in a fine or penalty (HELPS Word studies). Paul knew his past life as a Pharisee and all his claims of his Jewish heritage were indeed a bad deal in comparison of knowing Christ as his Savior. Nothing could compare. Christ was worth so much more than this world could offer.

What are you banking on? What are you willing to count as loss? What will you let go as you follow Jesus? There is nothing this world offers that comes close to what we have in Christ Jesus. No amount of wealth or prestige, no worldly success or praise! Only Jesus! Can you say that today? If you lost everything, if you are believer and follow Jesus, you are wealthy in the eyes of God. Live like that.

Father, I am thankful that my significance is not wrapped up in who I think I am. All that matters is who You know I am in Christ.

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Bible, Eagerness, Enthusiasm, Scripture, Zealous

ARE YOU A ZEALOT?

PHILIPPIANS 3:6

“as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.”

Being zealous about something can be either good or bad. Being zealous means you are very enthusiastic and eager about something. Some people are football zealots. They live and breathe their favorite team. Others are zealous for the outdoors and spend every free moment doing something that will take them there – hiking, biking, rock climbing. As we look at today’s verse, think about what you are zealous about.

Paul continues his pedigree that he began in the previous verse. He claims how zealous he was before Christ in persecuting the earlier believers. Why? Because Jesus’ followers threatened the very fabric of his Jewish laws and traditions. He couldn’t allow that to happen. Then he claims his own righteousness is found in keeping the law. Seriously? No one could do that. But Paul said he was “blameless” in keeping the law.

APPLICATION

You have to remember, Paul knew all these things he has just mentioned in verses 5 and 6 did nothing to make him worthy of anything. He knew no one was capable of saving themselves through these. He is showing the futility of it all. But let’s look at the first thing he said in today’s verse – zeal. I love how HELPS Word studies describes this Greek word. “zḗlos (an omamopoeic term that mimics the sound of water bubbling over from heat and perhaps derived from zéō, “to boil”) – properly, burning emotion (inner feeling boiling over, ‘boiling from heat,’ J. Thayer); (figuratively) something very fervent (‘red-hot’) as with Spirit-fueled zeal to serve the Lord. This root (zē-) is used both negatively (‘jealousy’) and positively (‘zeal’) depending on the context.”

In Romans 10:2, Paul is speaking about the Israelites and their futility of following the law and he says, “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” In James 3:14 and 16 James uses the word to describe bitter jealousy and ties it with lying and evil things.

But you can be zealous for God, which is a good thing. I have become zealous about discipling other men to make them into disciple makers. I lead groups or individuals through our Every Man A Warrior study to give them the zeal they need to memorize God’s Word and spend time daily with Him. That will give them the desire, the enthusiasm, the eagerness to go and make disciples. So, I ask you again, what are you zealous about and how does it line up with what God wants in your life?

Give me the zeal of the Holy Spirit to equip others for the work of the Gospel.

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Arrogance, Bible, Defense, Heaven, Pride, Scripture

LOOK AT ME!

PHILIPPIANS 3:5

“circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;”

Have you ever known someone who had to be the center of attention? They wanted everyone to watch them. They wanted everyone to give them praise. My ten-month-old grandson wants his Nana’s and my attention if we are both in the same room. For instance, if she is reading him a book and I am in the room, he will make sure I am watching him by making this little sound that means, “Hey, look at me.” No one taught him that. It’s just part of his little nature.

If you took this verse (and the next one) out of context, you would think Paul was bragging on himself. What he is doing is showing the Philippians if anyone had a reason to brag on their earthly pedigree, he did. Paul knows none of these things really mean much. His true pedigree is in Christ. But let’s take a look at some of these things Paul mentions here.

APPLICATION

Being “circumcised the eighth day” meant his parents had followed the law perfectly. This was the requirement (Genesis 17:12). He belonged to “the nation of Israel.” He was able to trace his lineage back as far as anyone. (I have traced my lineage back to 1555 in England. I think that’s pretty cool.) He is also “of the tribe of Benjamin.” In other words, his tribe has always been loyal to Israel, remaining with Judah when the nation split. Then Paul says he is “a Hebrew of Hebrews” which meant he was a pure Jew by blood. Finally, he says he was “a Pharisee.” He had kept the law exactly.

All of Paul’s accomplishments mentioned above would not get him into heaven. He knew that. He is laying out his argument much like a lawyer would. Don’t you love watching crime shows where the lawyer finally nails the bad guy with the evidence of their crime? Paul is laying out all the reasons why he should be declared righteous. We’ll see more of these tomorrow.

In verse 7 he will nail the coffin shut on all his achievements. We should do the same. Nothing we do will ever give us a heavenly home. Only Jesus’ shed blood on Calvary can open the doors to heaven for us once we accept Him as our Savior and Lord. Don’t stand up and say, “Look at me!” Instead, point to Jesus.

Lord God, I have no way of entering glory except through Jesus. Thank You for the assurance of my salvation.

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Bible, Boasting, Flesh, Jesus, Old Self, Scripture

REASON TO BOAST

PHILIPPIANS 3:4

“although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason:”

I have my wife, two children, two in-laws, and five beautiful grandchildren. I have reason to boast. Three grandchildren came instantly when my son married his wife who had three children from a previous marriage. Then they had a daughter together. My daughter had a son about a year ago. Man, I am a proud husband, father, Poppy and Papa. I certainly have reason to boast, don’t I?

In today’s verse, Paul sets up the next two verses where he lists his earthly credentials and reasons for boasting in himself, if he chose to do so. He says, “I have more reason” to boast in himself. Remember, Paul had a religious legacy before coming to Christ. Many of those with similar pedigrees flaunted their status. Even when some of them came to Christ, they still boasted in their privileged position, not understanding how Christ negates all that earthly pride.

APPLICATION

Paul tells us we cannot put our confidence in “the flesh.” What does he mean by that? HELPS Word studies gives this definition of the Greek word, sarx (flesh). “…what is ‘of the flesh (carnal)’ is by definition displeasing to the Lord – even things that seem ‘respectable!’ In short, flesh generally relates to unaided human effort, i.e. decisions (actions) that originate from self or are empowered by self. This is carnal (‘of the flesh’) and proceeds out of the untouched (unchanged) part of us – i.e. what is not transformed by God.”

Did you get all of that? Flesh = bad, God = good. It really is that simple. Now, we are all stuck in this flesh while we live in these mortal bodies, but we do not have to be controlled by the desires of the flesh. My life verse is Galatians 2:20. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives within me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” My flesh died with Christ on that cross. It needs to stay dead.

We have to choose daily to not boast in our flesh. Sure, we can boast in our families and even in some of our own achievements. But we cannot be lured into the trap of boasting in our flesh and our own abilities. Boast only in Jesus. He has the power to sustain and strengthen you.

Remind me daily, O God, of the stench of my flesh so that I will not allow it to raise its ugly head.

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Bible, Boasting, Glory, Jesus, Pride, Rejoicing, Scripture

TAKE PRIDE IN JESUS

PHILIPPIANS 3:3

“for we are the true  circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh,”

I recently got a notification on my phone that I would have an IOS update (operating system). I normally look at what the latest update is supposed to do. Low and behold, one of the updates was for a new wallpaper theme for my phone, you know, those themed backgrounds. But this was one I was not interested in receiving. It was for Pride Month, a celebration of alternative lifestyles that I cannot condone. I will not be using that update.

Paul tells us clearly what we should take pride in – Christ Jesus. He tells the Philippian church that as followers of Christ we are the “true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus.” He goes on to say we “put no confidence in the flesh.” I don’t know how you could say it better than that. Jeremy Camp has a song I listen to a lot that has a line that says, “Holy Fire, burn away my desire, for anything that is not of You and that is of me, I want more of You and less of me.” That is Paul’s desire for you and me today.

APPLICATION

Taking pride in the right thing is a good thing. We often equate pride with being stuck up or arrogant. The quite opposite is true when we take pride in Jesus. The Greek word used here for “take pride” can also be translated “rejoice, boast, glory.” We see all of those in various translations of this verse. The word is used 38 times in the New Testament. But get this – it is used 26 times in 1 and 2 Corinthians. If I was a betting man, I would guess that church had a pride issue. Some were boasting in themselves or the wrong things. Paul kept pointing them back to boasting in the right thing – God alone.

You should really read 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 to get a full picture of the danger of pride in ourselves. Paul says it best in verse 17 there when he says, “But THE ONE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.” Paul may have had Jeremiah 9:23-24 in his thoughts as he penned this. Those verses say this, “23 This is what the LORD says: ‘Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.”

So, let me ask you today – what are you taking pride in? Your wisdom, your might, your riches, yourself? As Jeremy Camp said, “I want more of You and less of me.” I choose today to rejoice, to boast, to glory in Christ Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He and He alone is worthy of all our praise. Take pride in Him.

I glory in Jesus today, O Lord, and give Him all praise for what He has done for me.

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Beware, Bible, Enemies, Evil, Gospel, Scripture, Warnings

BEWARE!

PHILIPPIANS 3:2

“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;”

Contrary to what some of my UGA Dawg haters claim, this verse is NOT talking about my beloved Dawgs, lol. Seriously though, this verse is a warning verse. Being aware of your surroundings is important, especially on the highway. My Uncle always warns me before I leave on a road trip to “watch out for those fools on the road.” In other words, drive defensively.

Paul tells us to beware of three things – dogs, evil workers and the false circumcision. We’ll take a look at what he meant by all three. But first, why did he tell us to “beware”? That’s the Greek word blépō which means “to see, be observant (watchful).  Blépō) suggests ‘to see something physical, with spiritual results (perception).’ That is, it carries what is seen into the non-physical (immaterial) realm so a person can take the needed action (respond, beware, be alert).” (HELPS Word studies). Paul tells them to put on their spiritual eyes.

APPLICATION

Paul says to “beware of dogs.” The word for “dogs” was used to describe a spiritual predator who feeds off others. Dogs were not like they are today. Back then most dogs were scavengers. In fact, one term they were called was “mooch pooch” because they ran around mooching off anything they could find. Spiritual dogs look for weaknesses in others and pounce on them to try to bring them down.

“Evil workers” are those “Judaizing teachers, who,..pretend to be strenuous advocates for good works, are, in fact, evil workers; sowing the seeds of discord, strife, contention, and division, among the…members of Christ.” (Benson commentary). There is nothing much worse than someone pretending to be one thing but turning out to be something totally different. You might call these individuals a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Lastly, Paul “beware of the false circumcision.” These were the people who insisted that circumcision was required of the Gentiles for salvation. Paul seemed to battle this group wherever he went. But Paul insisted that adding anything to what Christ did on the cross for us was, in fact, adding to the Gospel.

Now, let me warn you. These people are still out there. All three still exist in some form or the other. Sadly, many of them are in our churches trying to tear down the purpose of the church and its mission. Keep your spiritual eyes on. Look past the physical into the spiritual motives of people. Our only purpose should be to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and glorify the Father in heaven.

O Lord, give me Your eyesight to perceive and recognize those who would do me or others harm spiritually.

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Bible, Joy, Rejoicing, Repetition, Scripture, Skills

REPEATING YOURSELF

PHILIPPIANS 3:1

“Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.”

My wife and I are constantly repeating what we say to each other. One of us can’t hear well. Okay, to be honest, both of us are struggling a little with our hearing. But have you priced hearing aids? Ouch! I know if I get her attention before I start speaking, I don’t have to repeat myself as much. Even then though sometimes it is something worth repeating. Right?

Paul says something in today’s verse about repeating yourself. He has told the Philippian church to rejoice in previous verses, but he repeats himself here. He says, “To write the same things again is no trouble for me,…” The Greek word for “trouble” is okneros. It is only used two other times in the New Testament. In Matthew 25:26 it is translated “lazy” or “slothful.” In Romans 12:11, the NASB translates it as “not lagging behind.” So, when Paul uses this word in today’s verse, he is saying it is not a waste of time to repeat himself. Remember that.

APPLICATION

When is it good to repeat yourself? To make certain your words are understood completely. Many preachers will tell the congregation what he is going to say, then he will say it and finally he will tell them what he said. Repetition is a great skill. In the ministry I am a part of (Every Man A Warrior), we use skills to teach our men how to walk with God, succeed in life and how to make disciples. One of those skills is repetition. Doing something over and over will train those spiritual muscles we need.

Repetition is how body builders build muscle. Why do you think they use the term “reps” for the number of times they lift a weight in an exercise? Repetition of those weights build physical muscle. And if you want to build bigger muscles, you have to increase the weight you lift. Repetition is a good thing.

Back to today’s verse. Paul is telling the Philippians to keep being joyous. He wanted them to express joy at all times. He wanted them to learn the skill of expressing joy by doing it over and over. We should do the same. Today, choose to be joyous. Tell someone about your joy. Tell them where true joy can be found – in Jesus Christ.

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.Rejoice! Rejoice! And again I say rejoice. Rejoice! Rejoice! And again I say rejoice!

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Bible, Danger, Jesus, Risk, Sacrifice, Scripture

RISKING OUR LIVES FOR JESUS

PHILIPPIANS 2:30

“because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to compensate for your absence in your service to me.”

I have never had to risk my life for Jesus. I live in a pretty safe place here in Eastern TN. I have traveled to places that weren’t as safe (shhh, don’t tell my wife), but I was always with people who knew the area and kept me from any harm. I have always said I am safer in the will of God than anywhere else. Amen? Don’t let your fears stop you from doing something that God has called you to do just because others may think it is not safe. Trust Him.

Paul recognized Epaphroditus’ sacrifice. He had left his comfort in Philippi, made a long and dangerous journey to Rome, gotten very ill (to the point of death) and was now homesick for Philippi. Because of all of these things, Paul told them in the previous verse to honor him when he got home. After all he risked “his life to compensate for your absence in your service to me.”

APPLICATION

God may just call you to a risky situation. I know a missionary who answered God’s call to go to Somalia with his family. He went obediently, and God blessed his ministry there. He was able to establish a working community for the Somalian believers. He is now working to return and establish an Every Man A Warrior group, as soon as it is translated into Somali. That’s a risky place to go!

The Greek word used here for “risking,” parabouleuomai, only appears here in the New Testament. It literally means to disregard wise counsel. I don’t think Paul was implying that about Epaphroditus. He was sent by the church and was being sent back by Paul. Yes, this trip to and from Philippi was probably not wise in the world’s eyes, but we don’t follow the wisdom of the world, do we?

Are you being asked to risk something for Christ? Perhaps he has called you into full-time ministry out of a very lucrative occupation. He may have asked you to step out and trust Him in a new role in your church. Whatever the risk, if God has told you to take it, you are safer doing it than remaining where you are in disobedience. Take the risk. Step out. Be an Epaphroditus.

Lord, You have asked me to do some things that others thought were crazy. But each and every time You have been faithful!

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Bible, Honor, Respect, Scripture, Servant, Service

HONOR GOD’S SERVANTS

PHILIPPIANS 2:29

“Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold people like him in high regard,”

When I was growing up in Southwest Georgia in the 1960’s and 70’s, preachers and missionaries were held in high regard. I can still remember the awe I felt every time a missionary visited our church. Their dedication and sacrifice hit me hard even as a child. Little did I know that in late 1977, at 17 years of age, God would call me into full-time ministry. I had no idea what that meant, but He has guided me all these years.

Paul gave the church in Philippi some instructions regarding the return of Epaphroditus. He wanted them to “receive him…with all joy” and “hold…him in high regard.” Epaphroditus had served faithfully and was deserving of the honor and respect due any servant of the Lord. Why would Paul have to ask the church to do that? Because, as Christ said, a prophet is not honored in his own town. Right?

APPLICATION

The Greek word used here for “high regard” is only used five times in the New Testament. It’s the word entimos, which means to hold in honor or to treat with respect. In Luke 7:2, entimosis used to describe the servant of the centurion who was sick. “And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.”

But the verse I really like that uses this word is 1 Peter 2:4. “And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,…” The Topical Lexicon says this about the use of this word there. “Here, entimos highlights the intrinsic value and honor of Christ, despite human rejection, affirming His esteemed position in God’s redemptive plan.” Christ was precious to God.

Just as Christ is highly regarded and precious in the sight of God, we are to hold His servants in the same way. This week show your Pastor that kind of respect. Bless a missionary or church volunteer. Honor those who serve. Bless those who sacrifice for kingdom work.

Father, help me show honor and respect to those who are serving you sacrificially this day.

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