Counting It All Loss — Timothy's Mission, True Righteousness, and the Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ

In Lesson 8, we examine Paul's purposeful plan to send Timothy to the church at Philippi as a model of Christ-centered, humble mission work—a servant of proven character who sought the things of Christ rather than personal gain. We explore the role of Epaphroditus, the courageous messenger who risked his life in service to Paul, and Paul's urgent instruction to receive him with joy and high esteem. The lesson then shifts into chapter three, where Paul issues a bold warning against religious bondage—any system of man-made rules that pulls believers away from the freedom found in Christ and the sufficiency of God's Word alone. Paul's own astonishing credentials—a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, blameless under the law—are laid on the table, only to be counted as rubbish for the surpassing excellence of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord. At the heart of this lesson is a convicting call: true righteousness is not self-achieved but God-given, received through faith in Christ, and it is this righteousness—and this righteousness alone—that leads to resurrection and eternal life.

by The Schrader Lane Church of Christ

Facilitated by Jon Pinkerton