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The knowledge of knowing Jesus is the highest

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[Philippians 3:8-9]

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 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. 

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It is only through faith in Jesus that we are saved.

The apostle Paul traveled all over the world for a lifetime to tell this truth correctly.

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However, there were Jews who disturbed the church while searching for the churches where Paul preached the gospel. They took circumcision, the Jewish tradition they received, very seriously. Non-Jews also preached false information that they must be circumcised to be saved.

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They tempted people, asking what kind of effort should I do to be saved.

They were falsely saying that salvation, a gift from God's chosen people,

could only be obtained through circumcision and effort.

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Paul was determined against anyone who violated this truth.

In his letter to the church in Philippi, he spoke steadfastly to them as "wicked people."

They even made the harsh words that they were like dogs,

which distracted believers from true faith.

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Paul told the believers that he was a thorough Jewish life.

Paul was circumcised, a Jewish tradition, eight days after birth.

And he lived more strictly by the Mosaic Law than any other Jews.

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At one time, he even tried to get rid of all those who believed in Jesus who did not live according to the Mosaic Law. That is why I went to Damascus to capture those who believed in Jesus. At that time, for Paul, being circumcised and keeping the law was the most valuable thing in all of his life.

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But he met Jesus on his way to Damascus.

Upon meeting Jesus, Paul learns the amazing mystery of salvation.

He pointed out that only faith in Jesus, the Messiah, can be saved,

and that nothing other than faith in Jesus can be a condition for salvation.

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At that moment, Paul realized that what he thought was the most valuable so far was 100% wrong. Paul confesses: “At that time, all these things were so precious and valuable to me.

But since I met Jesus Christ, I knew that all of that was useless.”

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Paul confessed that only the knowledge of knowing Jesus is the highest.

“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)

Paul showed throughout his life how true this confession was..

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He gave up everything he enjoyed. In addition, he has thrown away all the good things of the world that he can enjoy in the future. He dedicated his entire life only to preach the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again three days later.

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Most people like to brag about what they do after they've done it.

We live with a goal to be recognized by people.

If you don't know what you've done, you may feel disappointed.

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But Paul lived the exact opposite.

Paul tried to forget rather than boast of the things that had built up many

churches and produced great fruits of the gospel. Paul confessed,

"I have forgotten what was in the past, and I am running hard toward the goal ahead.“

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Paul's goal is to fully accomplish the work that Jesus entrusted to him.

His goal was to receive the reward that he did well on the mission of preaching Jesus when

he stood before God on the last day.

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward

in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:14)

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Salvation is a gift from God to us. This gift was not obtained by my efforts or hard work.

This gift, obtained only through faith in Jesus, is the most valuable thing in the world..

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Now, we must do all of our heart to live like Paul.

He gave us the same mission of evangelism as Paul.

As much as I can, I must deliver this good news to those I meet with faith in Jesus that

leads to salvation.

Like Paul, we, too, will have to forget everything I have already accomplished and run for the reward of my calling in the last days.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)