Synopsis of the Armenian Message

Philippians 3:3-11

Loss or Gain

A young stockbroker was opening the door of his new Lexus when a truck passed by and ripped off the door of the car. “My car,” the man screamed, “my new Lexus.” A policeman approached him and heard the cry. “Forget about your Lexus,” he said, “your left arm isn’t there.” The young man looked and screamed, “My watch, my Rolex watch!”

A bomber that was hit over Tokyo in World War II. To get back to base safely, the Colonel had the crew throwing all that was not essential. After getting rid of lots of things, including ammunition and armor, they survived.

As we prepared to move to the US a few months ago, we had to go through all our belongings and select whichever was most essential to be shipped. Anyone who has lost a home to fire knows that everything we own could suddenly be lost. One can wonder what is it most important thing for you?

Where do you start from?

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while he was in the prison. In Chapter 3, he gives a very interesting description of himself: “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 legalistic righteousness, faultless.” (vs 5,6)

Paul describes himself as being the elite of the Jewish society. He had many things to be proud of. His family, his education, his religious status ….

Yet, he put aside all of those wonderful credentials.

He is moving a step further by changing the understanding of circumcision. “It is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus.” (vs 3) Christ is his only focus, his only “gain”, his only glory.

He is writing this letter from prison, most likely in Rome. He was waiting for his trial by Nero. He was chained to a guard in Nero’s palace. You expect in this kind of a situation that one will lose his temper and direction. No, Paul was most likely witnessing to this guard, the Caesar’s guard. We read in Philp. 4:22 that he has greetings from the Christians who belong to Caesar’s household. Who? Christians in the Caesar’s household? Who told them about Christ?

Paul had put his priorities in order. He had given up many of the past life wonderful credentials to gain Christ, his ultimate concern.

Paul Tillich said about Paul: “Paul’s ultimate concern was to be like Jesus.”

Where do you stand today?