"THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST"

  1. Introduction Phil. 3:7-10
    Phil. 3.7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
    Phil. 3.8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
    Phil. 3.9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
    Phil. 3.10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
  2. Examples
    1. Apostle Paul II Cor. 11:23-28
      II Cor. 11.23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
      II Cor. 11.24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
      II Cor. 11.25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
      II Cor. 11.26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
      II Cor. 11.27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
      II Cor. 11.28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
    2. The Widow's Two Mites Luke 21:1-4
      Luke 21.1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
      Luke 21.2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
      Luke 21.3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
      Luke 21.4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
    3. Stephen Stoned to Death Acts 7:54-60
      Acts 7.54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
      Acts 7.55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
      Acts 7.56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
      Acts 7.57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
      Acts 7.58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
      Acts 7.59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
      Acts 7.60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
    4. The Apostles Are Called
      1. Simon Peter and Andrew Matt. 4:18-20
        Matt. 4.18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
        Matt. 4.19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
        Matt. 4.20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
      2. James and John Matt. 4:21-22
        Matt. 4.21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
        Matt. 4.22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
      3. Twelve Apostles Listed Matt. 10:2
        Matt. 10.2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
        Matt. 10.3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
        Matt. 10.4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
      4. Matthias Acts 1.26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
    5. The Apostles Persecuted
      1. Peter and John Arrested Acts 4:1
        Acts 4.1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
        Acts 4.2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
        Acts 4.3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
      2. Apostles Imprisoned Acts 5:17-18
        Acts 5.17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
        Acts 5.18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
      3. James is Killed and Peter is Imprisoned Acts 12:1-4
        Acts 12.1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
        Acts 12.2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
        Acts 12.3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
        Acts 12.4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
      4. Paul and Silas Are Imprisoned Acts 16:16-24
        Acts 16.16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
        Acts 16.17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
        Acts 16.18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
        Acts 16.19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
        Acts 16.20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
        Acts 16.21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
        Acts 16.22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
        Acts 16.23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
        Acts 16.24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
      5. Paul is Arrested Acts 21:27-36
        Acts 21.27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
        Acts 21.28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
        Acts 21.29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
        Acts 21.30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
        Acts 21.31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
        Acts 21.32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
        Acts 21.33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
        Acts 21.34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
        Acts 21.35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
        Acts 21.36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
  3. Sacrifice
    1. Sacrifice - an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy:
    2. Rom. 12:1-2
      Rom. 12.1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
      Rom. 12.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
    3. 1Pet. 2.5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
    4. Matt. 19:16-26
      Matt. 19.16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
      Matt. 19.17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
      Matt. 19.18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
      Matt. 19.19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
      Matt. 19.20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
      Matt. 19.21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
      Matt. 19.22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
      Matt. 19.23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
      Matt. 19.24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
      Matt. 19.25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
      Matt. 19.26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
    5. Matt. 10:32-39
      Matt. 10.32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
      Matt. 10.33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
      Matt. 10.34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
      Matt. 10.35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
      Matt. 10.36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
      Matt. 10.37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
      Matt. 10.38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
      Matt. 10.39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
  4. Conclusion

Gospel