27. The G.O.A.T

Faith Questions with Chris & Lanny

IRecently I had the opportunity to speak at Wesleyan Christian School for their Jr/Sr High Chapel service. It was a blessing and a privilege to bring the message

Message notes.

The Greatest Of All Time

Text: Philippians 3:4-13

Word association:

- Candy Bar- Reese’s Peanut butter cups/ payday

-Pizza Chain- Cici’s Pizza

- Soda/Pop/ Carbinated

Beverage- Ginger Ale/ Root beer

-Mathmatician- Elbert Einstein

Scientists are still working off his theories from almost 100 years ago

-Basketball player- Michael Jordan

His records for scoring and championships are still unmatched when you consider his age and the amount of time he spent in the NBA

-Boxer- Muhammad Ali

Self proclaimed “I am the Greatest” and he proved that in his prime he was one of the best boxers of his day

-Paul- Apostle

Attributed to writing 2/3 of the New Testament

Philippians 3:4-6 we see him lay out this amazing resume of success. All the reasons why he is the ultimate Pharisee and follower of God. Why he is the GOAT.

• If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 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; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.”
• Philippians 3:4-6 NIV

Quite a resume. Then he says this in verse 7.

• “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”
• Philippians 3:7 NIV

Why does he say this? Is he tired of other people puffing him up? Does he not like the limelight? Does he not want to be famous? Are his actions of self-denial some part of his own righteousness? No, he found something greater than anything this life could offer.

• “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ”
• Philippians 3:8 NIV

Anything this world has to offer is complete garbage compared to what he gains by being associated with and following Jesus.

Study moment:

• I consider them garbage
• Garbage- general Greek word to mean rubbish, dung, and waste
• Only appears once in the Bible…in this verse
• Why use this word?
• Paul is trying to get us to understand that whatever we want to lift up as important is waste compared to having a relationship with Jesus.
• And not just a relationship where we say we follow Jesus, but a relationship where we are willing to throw everything else away so Jesus can be exalted in our lives.

Back to the scripture

• “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 on the basis of faith.”
• Philippians 3:9 NIV
• Do we love Jesus more than everything else in this world we hold dear? Does our life reflect that love for Jesus? Would the world know we were followers of Jesus based on the things we pursue?

One bit of scripture that isn’t taught enough is what’s called the “Shema”. It comes from Deuteronomy 6. Every Israelite little boy by the time he was 5 would be able to resite this:

Hear oh Israel, the Lord is God the lord is one. Love the Lord with all your heart with all your mind and with all your soul.

When we love God like this, there is nothing left out of balance. Every bit of us is living for God. We are no longer a divided follower. All loyalty is focused on the creator of the universe.

Paul’s confession

• Paul had it all. Power, fame,...