Philippians 3:7 through Philippians 3:16
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, 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 is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.


Introduction: Last week we noted the great value that God has placed on the Gospel Ministry. He considered the salvation of our souls to be so important that he did not spare his only Son but gave him up as a sinless sacrifice on the cross to win eternal life for us. Jesus' entire life on earth was devoted and dedicated to this saving work. He put our salvation first and gave up everything so that we would be saved. He did not concern himself with food, clothing, or shelter or the things of this world but focused entirely on his mission.

Just before he ascended into heaven. Jesus commanded his disciples to carry on the work of sharing the Gospel so that the whole world would learn of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit working through that word, believe in him and have eternal life.

The disciples took this mission seriously. As we read through the book of Acts, we learn how they were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and how they boldly preached the Gospel and taught in Jesus' name in spite of persecution and hardship. Jesus had told them beforehand that they could expect such resistance. Matthew 24:9f
9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

His prediction came true. History tells us that of the twelve disciples, Judas had committed suicide. The others became apostles and spread throughout the world witnessing to Jesus Christ. All but John would die martyrs deaths. 

Why were they so willing to give up their lives? Why were they so willing to turn their backs on the wealth and honor of the world and face shameful deaths? Because they believed in the value of the Gospel ministry. Their lives meant nothing to them. They believed Jesus' promise that whoever lost their life for his sake would gain eternal life. They did not store up for themselves treasures on earth but treasures in heaven. They exchanged a temporary ease for eternal glory. They did this not just for themselves but for future generations who would also come to believe in Jesus.

Aside: Have you ever wondered what would have happened to the apostles if they hadn't believed in the value of the Gospel Ministry? I suppose Peter, Andrew, James, and John may have established a successful fishing business. Matthew perhaps would have become tax collector of the year. Judas the Zealot probably would have died fighting for the freedom of the Jews. Most likely we never would have known. Their quest for temporary comfort would have put them with the countless thousands of other men who lived at that time whose memory has been erased from history.

Lesson: We may think that the most important thing in our lives is to be in good health, live in a nice home, establish a successful business, travel extensively, or enjoy the latest inventions. But think about this. Who will remember you a hundred or two hundred years from now? My mother does a little genealogical research on our family. But aside from names and a few dates, we know almost nothing about our ancestors. What lasting value is the in the things we think are so important? Not much. All men are like grass. The grass withers and the grass dies, but the word of the Lord endures forever.

The apostles recognized this, believed, and lived their lives accordingly.

Amazingly, the most famous apostle, did not always believe in the value of the Gospel ministry. The apostle Paul, before his conversion, had his own set of values and goals in life. He believed in being right with God by his own efforts and adherence to the Law.

He describes this in Philippians 3
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

As a result persecuted Christians.


On his way to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and converted him into being a Christian. Jesus chose this person who had been so zealous in persecuting to become so zealous in the Gospel ministry. It was with that same zeal that Paul would become an active missionary.

Dedicated the remainder of his life to traveling and preaching the Gospel. In Philippians he also describes now the great value he had on his salvation. 
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, 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 is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Lesson for us: The Bible tells us that everything that was written in the past was to teach us. We are to place the same value on the Gospel ministry as Jesus and the apostles did. Paul tells us this when he writes: 
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven.

He contrasts those who only value the things of this life with those who value the Gospel ministry. Their end will be destruction. Our end will be eternal life in heaven.

So what? Let's consider the financial support of the Gospel ministry. How much do you give to church on what is hoped a weekly basis? Is it a dollar, five dollars, ten dollars, twenty dollars, fifty dollars? Our family puts $150.00 per month into a retirement plan which quite frankly is losing money right now due to the poor performance of the stock market. If this continues it is possible that all of our investments will amount to nothing. Our family also puts substantially more than $150.00 per month into the offering plate. Reason would say that this is throwing money away because the church does not reward its members financially. And yet I maintain that the money we give to church is invested in something much more valuable than retirement plans, vehicles, homes, health care etc. It is money given to promote what God tells us is the greatest cause the world has ever known-the spread of the Gospel. St. Paul recognized this and he gave his life in service to the Lord. He tells us to think like him and to follow his example. Many Christians have. Some are still somewhat reluctant and are a bit selfish when it comes to giving to the one who gave his life on the cross. All I can say is, "Consider again the value Jesus placed on your soul. Consider the value the apostles and other Christians place on sharing the gospel and its support." We all should take such a view of things. Then our offerings will be pleasing to God and will be given generously with the proper motivation. Amen.