Tag Archives: philippians

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, 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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