Prize, 19 October 2025
19 10 25 Filed in: Sermons | Philippians
Prize
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
October 19, 2025
Philippians 3:1-16
Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.
Big Idea: In a world full of attractions, knowing Jesus is the ultimate prize.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12-14
One of my favorite lines when people learn I’m a pastor is when I tell them I hate organized religion. Usually, they are quite surprised. I sometimes joke that I like disorganized religion! Technically, I love “true” religion described by Jesus’ half-brother, James
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
But tragically, countless people—including so-called Christians—have emphasized religion—organized religion—over the way of Jesus best described as a relationship with God.
Before we get into today’s text, I must define what I mean by religion. I’ve often looked at religion as the human quest to win God’s favor, His approval. For thousands of years people have engaged in religious practices such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimages, giving, and even self-harm to appease the god or gods, whether it’s to benefit them in this life or the next…with most being unsure of their ultimate status.
The message of Jesus was radically different. For starters, he taught his followers to call God Abba, Father, Papa, Daddy. It was shocking for Jesus’ audience to hear such an intimate word used to describe the Almighty.
Many have made comparisons between religion and the relationship of Christianity. They usually look like this:
Religion – our pursuit of God
Christianity - God’s pursuit of us
Religion – strive and achieve
Christianity – surrender and abide
Religion – what we do
Christianity – what Jesus has done
The context for our text today in Paul’s letter to a church in modern day Greece is the early days of Christianity. Jesus did not come to start a new religion, but as a Jewish rabbi, his mission was to seek and save…both Jew and Gentile. Jews have followed the 613 laws of Moses, known as the Torah. This includes everything from dietary restrictions (eating kosher) to worship rituals to male circumcision. Today, churches debate things like the role of women in ministry, the mode of baptism, and whether any spiritual gifts have ceased. In the early church, the role of Jewish laws and traditions were hotly debated.
Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. (Philippians 3:1)
Paul’s in prison rejoicing—not in his circumstances, but in the LORD!
Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. (Philippians 3:2-4a)
Paul uses strong language to warn about the enemies of the gospel, enemies of the good news. There are at least eighteen different theories on who these enemies were, but it seems like they were relying upon their religion to earn God’s favor rather than trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul himself was a very religious, law-abiding Jew before he encountered the risen Christ.
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 3:4b-6)
He was a model Jew. Prior to his conversion to follow Jesus, I’m sure he would’ve been asked to speak at all the conferences, write best-selling books, and influence countless on social media. He was among the Jewish elite, but neither his ancestry and heritage nor his achievements were enough to earn God’s favor.
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:7)
Christ is better than any religion.
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. (Philippians 3:8a)
Paul’s in prison for following and proclaiming Jesus. He has lost his status among the Jews, who now are his enemies. Everything he worked for he considers a loss…but knowing Jesus is worth it.
I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 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 3:8b-9)
His religious efforts he now considers rubbish. He actually uses a vulgar term in Greek (think feces). That’s what his religion means to him! I love the next sentence. It’s the centerpiece of today’s text.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)
Everyone wants to go to heaven…but nobody wants to die. Once again, we see how following Jesus is the opposite of the American Dream. To save our life, we must lose it. To experience resurrection, we must die to our selfish ways. I don’t like to suffer any more than you do, but we grow through trials. We are shaped by life’s storms. Growth and comfort cannot co-exist (Craig Groeschel).
Do you want to know Jesus…or just know about him? Do you want a relationship with God…or just religion, keeping him at arm’s length? Do you want God for what he can do for you—like a cosmic vending machine—or do you truly want to know Him?
The Greek word for “know,”ginosko, is intimate knowledge of another person, like a husband and wife. It’s not information, but the deepest connection.
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing Jesus. I admit it’s different knowing God than knowing someone you can see, hear, and hug. It takes time to recognize His voice, though we have 66 books to get us started!
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
Playwright Oscar Wilde famously said, “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” Paul can relate. This great man of faith was once public enemy number one among Christians, overseeing their persecution and death! If you have stuff in your past, imagine the blood of martyrs on his? He could’ve wallowed in the guilt and shame, but instead he is looking ahead.
It's ok to look in the rear view mirror to see how far we’ve come, but if we stare at the past, we’ll crash into what’s ahead. Because of Jesus—not our goodness—the sins of Christ-followers have been forgiven. We can experience new life in Christ. He has a mission for us…to love God and to love others as ourselves.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
Paul is pressing on, he’s striving…not to be perfect, but to know Christ. Jesus is the prize, the reward, the greatest thing about the next life. He’s not shuffling to mediocrity. He’s running for Christ.
All of us, then, 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. (Philippians 3:15-16)
He trusts God will guide the Philippians, even in their differences. They are a faithful church he deeply loves.
So What?
In a world full of attractions, knowing Jesus is the ultimate prize. There is no greater thing.
Do you know Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? It begins with saying, “Jesus, I give you my life. I believe you died and rose from the dead. I trust you to forgive my sins—past, present, and future. I repent of my selfish ways and surrender to you and your will. I want to follow you, into death and resurrection. Speak to me. Draw me close. Give me a hunger to pray and read the Bible. Fill me, Holy Spirit, with your power, gifts, and fruit. I owe you everything. Amen.” If you pray this for the first time today, please let me know. I have some gifts I’d like to give you.
If you are a follower of Jesus, how’s it going? Are you hearing his voice? Are you obeying? Are you sharing the good news with others? Are you making enough time for prayer? Are you pursuing intimacy with Christ?
Jesus is better than any religion. He’s better than money, power, or pleasure. In a world full of attractions, knowing Jesus is the ultimate prize. There is no greater thing.
Credits: thanks to W. Jerry Murray for ideas and input
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
October 19, 2025
Philippians 3:1-16
Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.
Big Idea: In a world full of attractions, knowing Jesus is the ultimate prize.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12-14
One of my favorite lines when people learn I’m a pastor is when I tell them I hate organized religion. Usually, they are quite surprised. I sometimes joke that I like disorganized religion! Technically, I love “true” religion described by Jesus’ half-brother, James
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
But tragically, countless people—including so-called Christians—have emphasized religion—organized religion—over the way of Jesus best described as a relationship with God.
Before we get into today’s text, I must define what I mean by religion. I’ve often looked at religion as the human quest to win God’s favor, His approval. For thousands of years people have engaged in religious practices such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimages, giving, and even self-harm to appease the god or gods, whether it’s to benefit them in this life or the next…with most being unsure of their ultimate status.
The message of Jesus was radically different. For starters, he taught his followers to call God Abba, Father, Papa, Daddy. It was shocking for Jesus’ audience to hear such an intimate word used to describe the Almighty.
Many have made comparisons between religion and the relationship of Christianity. They usually look like this:
Religion – our pursuit of God
Christianity - God’s pursuit of us
Religion – strive and achieve
Christianity – surrender and abide
Religion – what we do
Christianity – what Jesus has done
The context for our text today in Paul’s letter to a church in modern day Greece is the early days of Christianity. Jesus did not come to start a new religion, but as a Jewish rabbi, his mission was to seek and save…both Jew and Gentile. Jews have followed the 613 laws of Moses, known as the Torah. This includes everything from dietary restrictions (eating kosher) to worship rituals to male circumcision. Today, churches debate things like the role of women in ministry, the mode of baptism, and whether any spiritual gifts have ceased. In the early church, the role of Jewish laws and traditions were hotly debated.
Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. (Philippians 3:1)
Paul’s in prison rejoicing—not in his circumstances, but in the LORD!
Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. (Philippians 3:2-4a)
Paul uses strong language to warn about the enemies of the gospel, enemies of the good news. There are at least eighteen different theories on who these enemies were, but it seems like they were relying upon their religion to earn God’s favor rather than trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul himself was a very religious, law-abiding Jew before he encountered the risen Christ.
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 3:4b-6)
He was a model Jew. Prior to his conversion to follow Jesus, I’m sure he would’ve been asked to speak at all the conferences, write best-selling books, and influence countless on social media. He was among the Jewish elite, but neither his ancestry and heritage nor his achievements were enough to earn God’s favor.
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:7)
Christ is better than any religion.
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. (Philippians 3:8a)
Paul’s in prison for following and proclaiming Jesus. He has lost his status among the Jews, who now are his enemies. Everything he worked for he considers a loss…but knowing Jesus is worth it.
I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 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 3:8b-9)
His religious efforts he now considers rubbish. He actually uses a vulgar term in Greek (think feces). That’s what his religion means to him! I love the next sentence. It’s the centerpiece of today’s text.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)
Everyone wants to go to heaven…but nobody wants to die. Once again, we see how following Jesus is the opposite of the American Dream. To save our life, we must lose it. To experience resurrection, we must die to our selfish ways. I don’t like to suffer any more than you do, but we grow through trials. We are shaped by life’s storms. Growth and comfort cannot co-exist (Craig Groeschel).
Do you want to know Jesus…or just know about him? Do you want a relationship with God…or just religion, keeping him at arm’s length? Do you want God for what he can do for you—like a cosmic vending machine—or do you truly want to know Him?
The Greek word for “know,”ginosko, is intimate knowledge of another person, like a husband and wife. It’s not information, but the deepest connection.
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing Jesus. I admit it’s different knowing God than knowing someone you can see, hear, and hug. It takes time to recognize His voice, though we have 66 books to get us started!
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
Playwright Oscar Wilde famously said, “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” Paul can relate. This great man of faith was once public enemy number one among Christians, overseeing their persecution and death! If you have stuff in your past, imagine the blood of martyrs on his? He could’ve wallowed in the guilt and shame, but instead he is looking ahead.
It's ok to look in the rear view mirror to see how far we’ve come, but if we stare at the past, we’ll crash into what’s ahead. Because of Jesus—not our goodness—the sins of Christ-followers have been forgiven. We can experience new life in Christ. He has a mission for us…to love God and to love others as ourselves.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
Paul is pressing on, he’s striving…not to be perfect, but to know Christ. Jesus is the prize, the reward, the greatest thing about the next life. He’s not shuffling to mediocrity. He’s running for Christ.
All of us, then, 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. (Philippians 3:15-16)
He trusts God will guide the Philippians, even in their differences. They are a faithful church he deeply loves.
So What?
In a world full of attractions, knowing Jesus is the ultimate prize. There is no greater thing.
Do you know Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? It begins with saying, “Jesus, I give you my life. I believe you died and rose from the dead. I trust you to forgive my sins—past, present, and future. I repent of my selfish ways and surrender to you and your will. I want to follow you, into death and resurrection. Speak to me. Draw me close. Give me a hunger to pray and read the Bible. Fill me, Holy Spirit, with your power, gifts, and fruit. I owe you everything. Amen.” If you pray this for the first time today, please let me know. I have some gifts I’d like to give you.
If you are a follower of Jesus, how’s it going? Are you hearing his voice? Are you obeying? Are you sharing the good news with others? Are you making enough time for prayer? Are you pursuing intimacy with Christ?
Jesus is better than any religion. He’s better than money, power, or pleasure. In a world full of attractions, knowing Jesus is the ultimate prize. There is no greater thing.
Credits: thanks to W. Jerry Murray for ideas and input