From Philippians 3, Pastor Justin Kendrick explored the question, “What matters most?” He revealed how our exhausting attempts to prove ourselves—whether through achievement or religious rule-following—leave us empty. Through Paul’s journey, we understand that true passion ignites when we stop trying to earn God's love and instead receive Christ's righteousness as a gift. This transformative insight moves Jesus from being just another "box" in our lives to the center that redefines everything. He concluded by urging listeners to seek God, because God called us to know Him and knowing Him is what ignites the fire within.

What hobby or interest have you become obsessive about?

• What is the context of this passage? Why is Paul writing these words?

• Why does Paul say he has more reason to boast than anyone else? Put these reasons in modern day context.

• Why does Paul count these “as loss”? How does Paul describe his current desire?

• Paul explains how the revelation of the gospel changed everything for him. From this passage, outline the gospel message and its impact on Paul’s life.

• The Great Problem: What examples of relativism or moralism have you seen playing out in society or even with the church?

• The Great Solution: What aspects of your identity have been most difficult to 'count as loss' for the sake of knowing Christ more deeply?

• The Great Purpose: How do you respond to this question posed in the sermon? “Do I have an aspect of my faith that is beyond words?”

• In what areas of your spiritual life do you still feel like you're trying to earn God's approval rather than receiving His grace? How will you address this with Him this week?

• What specific activities in your life fuel your experiential knowledge of God and therefore your spiritual passion? How will you make more room for these in your life this week?

• What detracts from your experiential knowledge of God and therefore your spiritual passion? What steps will you take to guard against these?

• Pray for the renewal of your spiritual zeal, that you may experience that fire for God.

• Seek God's presence to fill any emptiness or areas of life that may feel beige or monotonous.

• Thank God for the gift of grace and the love He showed through Jesus.

This text points to the concept of propitiation – that Christ took on the punishment for our sin, that Christ Himself was “a sacrifice that bears God wrath to the end and in doing so changes God's wrath toward us into favor.” Explore these texts: Romans 3:21-26, Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2 and 4:10

• From these texts, explain the concept of propitiation in your own words.

• How has his atoning sacrifice changed you?

• How does this impact you in your life currently?