The Greatest Treasure

*Paul had every religious credential available to him, yet he counted all of it as loss compared to knowing Christ personally (Philippians 3:4-9).

*There is a significant difference between knowing about Jesus, knowing what Jesus can do for us, and actually knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior.

*Our accomplishments and our failures are both things we must release. We cannot live on the spiritual laurels of yesterday, and we cannot carry the guilt of forgiven sin into today.

*Paul's response to the tension between where he was and where he wanted to be was twofold: forget what is behind, and press on toward the goal (Philippians 3:12-14).

*Knowing Jesus does not eliminate struggle or suffering. Paul specifically said he wanted to know Christ in the power of his resurrection and in the fellowship of his sufferings. Real relationship includes both.