5. I Thought I Had It All… Until I Met the One Thing Infinitely Better
Philippians 3:1–12 • Word count: 2,843
Paul had the perfect résumé: Elite education. Spotless morality. Zealous religion. Social status. Power. And he looked at all of it and said, “I count it as rubbish compared to knowing Jesus.”
This is the most personal, passionate section of the entire letter. Pastor Andrew called it “Paul’s spiritual autobiography” — the moment everything changed for him, and the moment everything can change for you.
Here is exactly how he preached it, straight from the transcript.
The Opening Illustration That Everyone Felt
Pastor Andrew told the story of the time he thought he’d “had it all” as a new Christian:
- Dating the girl he wanted
- Starting a band that was getting gigs
- Feeling on fire for God
Then one phone call: the girl broke up with him, the band fell apart, and he was left with nothing but Jesus. He laughed on stage: “Turns out Jesus was the only thing I actually had — and it was more than enough.”
That’s Philippians 3 in a nutshell.
1. Beware of the Dogs — Religious Confidence Is Dangerous (vv. 1–3)
Paul suddenly shifts tone: “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.”
He’s talking about the Judaizers — people teaching that you need Jesus + circumcision + keeping the law to be right with God. Pastor Andrew said, “Paul doesn’t mince words. He calls religious performance ‘dogs’ and ‘mutilation.’”
Then he flips it: “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.”
Real Christianity = zero confidence in your performance, 100 % confidence in Christ’s performance.
2. Paul’s Impressive Résumé… Counted as Rubbish (vv. 4–6)
Paul says, “If anyone has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more.” Then he lists seven credentials:
- Circumcised on the eighth day (born a Jew, not a convert)
- Of the people of Israel (pure bloodline)
- Of the tribe of Benjamin (elite tribe — first king, only tribe that stayed loyal)
- A Hebrew of Hebrews (never assimilated, kept language and customs)
- As to the law, a Pharisee (the strictest sect)
- As to zeal, a persecutor of the church (so zealous he killed Christians)
- As to righteousness under the law, blameless
Pastor Andrew paused here: “Paul had the ancient equivalent of an Ivy League degree, perfect attendance at synagogue, and a corner office in religious power. If salvation by résumé, he had already arrived.”
3. The Great Exchange: Everything Became Rubbish (vv. 7–11)
Then comes the most important verse in Paul’s life:
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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…”
The word “rubbish” (skybalon) is actually a vulgar word in Greek — closer to “dung” or “crap.” Paul is saying, “All my trophies, all my status, all my goodness — I flushed it down the toilet compared to knowing Jesus.”
Why? Because he wants three things:
- To be found in Christ, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ (v. 9)
- To know Him and the power of His resurrection (v. 10)
- To share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death (v. 10)
Pastor Andrew slowed down here: “Paul doesn’t just want to know about Jesus. He wants to know Him — intimately, experientially, even if it costs everything.”
The Damascus Road Moment That Changed Everything
Pastor Andrew walked through Acts 9: Saul breathing threats, letters from the high priest, heading to Damascus to arrest Christians. Suddenly a light from heaven, Jesus: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul: “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
In that moment, Paul’s entire identity collapsed. Everything he thought made him right with God was exposed as rebellion against God. He was blinded for three days — physically and spiritually broken — until Ananias laid hands on him and he was filled with the Spirit.
From that day on, Paul’s résumé was worthless. Only Jesus mattered.
Illustrations That Landed
- The billionaire who jumps off a building because money didn’t satisfy
- Trading a pile of Monopoly money for the actual U.S. Treasury
- Pastor Andrew’s own story of realizing ministry success felt empty until he just wanted Jesus
Reflection Questions from the Sermon
- What part of your résumé are you still tempted to trust in?
- If Jesus took everything else away, would He be enough?
- When was the last time you were brought low so you could see Jesus clearly?
- Are you trying to be “good enough” or resting in Christ’s enough-ness?
Practical Steps This Week
- Write your own résumé of “confidence in the flesh” — then cross it out and write “JESUS” over it.
- Memorize Philippians 3:8 — say it when pride creeps in.
- Share your “Damascus Road” moment with someone this week.
- Pray daily: “Jesus, I want to know You more than anything else.”
