There was once a story about someone who traded a paper clip all the way up to a house. Paper clip → pen → camera → laptop → car → more trades → finally a house. That’s a fun example of “trading up.” But the apostle Paul understood that the ultimate trade isn’t about possessions — it’s about what we stake our eternity on.
On November 1, 2020, we continued our study in Philippians with a message titled “Trading Up.” Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7-11 form the heart of this sermon: “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.”
The message centers on one question: What is more valuable than anything this world has to offer?
Knowing Christ Is Better Than Human Accomplishment
Paul writes in verse 8a: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
The Greek word for “know” here isn’t just head knowledge — it’s relational, intimate knowing. It’s the same word used in John 10:14 where Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, and I know my own and my own know me.” It’s also the word in John 17:3 where Jesus defines eternal life: “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
— Philippians 3:8
Paul had impressive credentials. He was circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee — and according to the law, blameless. But when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, everything changed. He didn’t just gain information about Jesus. He knew Him.
And here’s the application for us: Paul valued his relationship with Christ above everything in his past. Do you? The world tells us to pursue accomplishments, recognition, security. But Paul says there’s something infinitely more valuable — knowing Jesus personally.
Knowing God’s Plan Is Better Than Knowing Election Results
One of the most convicting moments in this sermon comes during election week 2020. The pastor reminds us that Ephesians 1:11 says we have obtained an inheritance, “having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.”
“What happens on Tuesday will be in accordance with the counsel of God’s will. And I don’t know who’s going to win — but I do know that I have an inheritance, and nothing is going to happen that is outside of God’s will. And knowing that is better than knowing who’s going to win the election on Tuesday.”
— Message, November 1, 2020
Think about that. Whatever happens in the world — elections, pandemics, uncertainty — God’s plan is on schedule. We don’t need to panic or fear because nothing can change what God has planned for us. That’s the peace that passes understanding.
Christ’s Righteousness Is Better Than Our Own
Paul continues in verse 8b-11: knowing Christ is better than self-righteousness. The Jews thought they could earn God’s righteousness by following the law. But the law was a burden no one could carry.
In Acts 15, when some were teaching that believers must be circumcised to be saved, Peter stood up and said: “Why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” No one can become righteous by following the law.
“None is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside together; they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
— Romans 3:10-12
Then Paul makes his stunning reversal. He thought he could be justified through his own works — until he met Jesus. And when the light bulb went off, he realized his righteousness was worthless. In Isaiah 64:6, he calls them “filthy rags.” But Christ’s righteousness is offered to all of us as a free gift.
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law… the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 3:21-24
So What?
This week, remember there is nothing in this life more valuable than knowing Jesus. When we know Jesus, we know the truth — that we don’t have to try to earn God’s favor. Jesus already did. He offers to exchange His righteousness for our sins, and it only takes faith.
No election result, no crisis, no uncertainty can change God’s plan. He is on schedule. And He invites us to trade in our worthless self-righteousness for the righteousness of Christ — freely given, eternally valuable.
That’s a trade worth making.
Scripture References
- Philippians 3:7-11 — Paul’s declaration of knowing Christ above all else
- John 10:14 — Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep
- John 17:3 — Eternal life defined as knowing God
- Ephesians 1:11 — God’s sovereignty over all events
- Romans 3:9-24 — No one is righteous; righteousness comes through faith
- Acts 15:10 — The law as a yoke no one could bear
- Romans 10:1-4 — Israel’s ignorance of God’s righteousness