1. The Surpassing Knowledge of Knowing Christ
In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that no knowledge in this world can be compared to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Indeed, there are countless forms of knowledge in this world—philosophy, science, literature, and the vast amounts of information we encounter every day. If we try to envision all the academic disciplines and data accumulated around the globe, we quickly realize it’s so immense that it’s almost overwhelming to contain in just one corner of the earth. As the old Western proverb goes, “Knowledge is power,” and knowledge can indeed be a form of strength. However, the supreme and most noble knowledge that Paul speaks of is precisely “the knowledge of the Lord, the gospel.” This is a spiritual knowledge—something that cannot be reduced to mere intellect or academic discovery—radiating from the truth God has granted us.
Pastor David Jang has repeatedly emphasized the reason why the knowledge of Christ is so “noble,” reflecting deeply on Paul’s confession. According to him, its nobility lies in the fact that it transcends all worldly values, academic achievements, or intellectual curiosity, and is instead connected to eternal life. Worldly knowledge can benefit a person while living on this earth, and sometimes it can bring fame or wealth. However, worldly knowledge cannot surpass death. In contrast, the knowledge of Christ carries the power to overcome the dominion of sin and death and enables us to participate in the resurrection.
When writing to the church in Philippi, Paul explains that he possessed an impressive background and reputation by worldly standards. He was a member of the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day in accordance with Jewish custom, and zealously observed the law to the point of being blameless. Paul refers to this by saying, “I myself have reasons for such confidence in the flesh,” implying that from a secular or external point of view, he had more than enough to boast about in his day.
Pastor David Jang offers context by illustrating how praiseworthy Paul’s credentials and background would have been in Jewish society at the time. The tribe of Benjamin was renowned for its prowess in warfare; the designation “a Hebrew of Hebrews” was one of the highest honors bestowed on those who maintained pure lineage and strictly upheld the traditions of the law. Regarding zeal for the law, Paul was a Pharisee, part of a distinguished group that reportedly numbered around 6,000 at the time. But despite these external credentials, Paul boldly declares, “What I have gained is Christ.” He even goes on to say, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,” likening all his previous accomplishments to mere “garbage” or “rubbish.”
This confession stirred significant interest, both inside and outside the early church. From an outside perspective, it seemed strange and difficult to understand why Paul would abandon the social and religious privileges he once had, all because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Yet Paul insists he has no regrets and willingly regards them all as losses to attain a higher level of knowledge. That is because the knowledge of Christ is incomparably noble.
Taking this a step further, Pastor David Jang often cites examples from church history. He recounts the stories of missionaries who went to faraway lands—be it the continent of Africa, parts of Asia, or islands in the South Pacific—to spread the gospel during eras unfamiliar to Western colonial powers. These missionaries had access to the best education, they might have been financially secure, and they lived stable lives. Yet they abandoned all these advantages, boarded ships, crossed dangerous oceans, and adapted to foreign cultures. Why did they go to such lengths? Because they believed that the marvelous knowledge they found in Christ—the truth of the gospel—was worth forsaking every other thing.
People who have personally encountered Jesus Christ and fully grasped His value experience this paradox: it’s not that they “can” discard what they have, but rather they do so “because they have gained something far greater.” Pastor David Jang underscores the confession of Peter and John, who declared, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.” He stresses that we, too, have “Christ,” the most noble and eternal gift of all. When we truly hold onto the gospel, we gain the freedom and power to abandon everything else without being swayed by worldly views or evaluations.
Here, we must pause and reflect on what exactly Paul means by “the knowledge of Christ” and why it is considered of the highest value. Before Paul encountered Jesus, he considered obedience to the law to be the loftiest standard of righteousness, and he even referred to himself as “faultless.” But after meeting the Lord, he confesses that all his former efforts under the law and his external background suddenly felt meaningless. Why? Because the law’s righteousness does not go beyond the moral and ethical sphere, whereas the righteousness of the gospel is the righteousness that comes from God. Through faith, God declares us righteous—His love and grace transcend all attempts at legalistic righteousness, offering something far more profound and eternal.
Pastor David Jang frequently references Philippians 3:9—“that I may be found in him”—as the fundamental attitude that every believer today should adopt. It is not we who discover God; rather, it is God who discovers us within His grace. We do not build up our own righteousness or boast of our own accomplishments. Our identity is only truly found “in Christ.” This perspective fundamentally humbles us and leads us into a life filled with joy.
Ultimately, for Paul, attaining “the knowledge of Christ” became his greatest pursuit, and possessing that knowledge allowed him to give up everything else that once brought him worldly benefit without regret. Pastor David Jang, in many sermons and lectures, emphasizes that we too should share in Paul’s confession. Citing Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:26—“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”—he affirms that Christ and the gospel alone bring true life and joy.
From all this, we can see that the nobility of knowing Christ completely overturns our system of values. The things we used to boast about by human standards lose their significance, and instead, abiding in the eternal kingdom of God and His presence becomes our true satisfaction. In essence, this is the core of the gospel that Paul experienced and that Pastor David Jang tirelessly reminds believers of in his sermons and ministry. Indeed, even in our modern era, this gospel remains the greatest source of hope, comfort, and purpose in life.
2. The Life of the Apostle Paul, Righteousness from the Law
A close reading of Philippians 3:4 and onward makes it clear who the Apostle Paul was and what kind of life trajectory he had. Paul does not hide the fact that he had many reasons to boast in his human, fleshly, worldly achievements. He says, “I myself have reasons for such confidence in the flesh,” suggesting that he had every right to be proud of his character and accomplishments, more so than anyone else.
In the Jewish society of that time, to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth was the quintessential mark of an orthodox Jew. Moreover, being from the tribe of Benjamin was especially significant. The tribe of Benjamin was symbolized by a “wolf,” renowned for its courage in battle and tenacity in warfare. King Saul also came from this tribe. Indeed, Paul’s original name was “Saul,” so we can infer how illustrious his traditional background must have been. Additionally, Paul was a “Hebrew of Hebrews,” someone who had preserved the Hebrew language, traditions, and culture without compromise.
Pastor David Jang sometimes translates Paul’s background into modern terms. Imagine someone who graduated from an elite university in today’s society, studied under a world-renowned mentor, held numerous professional qualifications, and lacked nothing financially. On top of that, suppose this person was a strictly devout religious leader, respected for impeccable conduct. Such a person would certainly receive public admiration. Paul was just such a figure. His teacher was Gamaliel, who, in modern terms, would be equivalent to a mentor with worldwide acclaim and prestige.
Nevertheless, Paul bluntly states that he considers his past achievements and background to be “rubbish.” In Philippians 3:7-8, he declares, “Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” In other words, Paul came to realize that after he discovered the righteousness of faith, all his previous measures of worth—his adherence to the law and his worldly credentials—felt utterly meaningless.
Righteousness based on the law and righteousness based on the gospel fundamentally differ in their very nature. Under the law, one’s worth is judged by how well one observes the commandments and meets moral and ethical norms. In trying repeatedly to live without fault, a person inevitably confronts their inherent sinfulness, falling short of true perfection. On the other hand, gospel righteousness is not “my achievement” but rather something given “through the grace and love of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.”
Pastor David Jang likens this shift from legalistic righteousness to gospel righteousness to a “dimensional move.” Going from the realm of law to the realm of the gospel is not just switching from one set of rules to another. It is an invitation into the realm of grace—a heavenly dimension that humans, by their natural abilities, can never ascend to on their own. Thus Paul can say, “and be found in him,” using a passive rather than an active voice. He didn’t climb up by his own power; rather, he confesses that the Lord drew him in.
Moreover, Paul emphasizes that in his zeal to keep the law, he once persecuted followers of Jesus Christ. He genuinely thought this was the correct zeal to preserve the traditions of the law. Before encountering Jesus, he wholeheartedly pursued what he believed to be right. But everything changed when he met the resurrected Lord on the road to Damascus. Philippians 3:12 says, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me,” describing the arduous apostolic path he embarked on after that life-changing encounter.
Pastor David Jang calls Paul’s transformation a “decisive discovery.” Previously, Paul had clung to the absolute authority of the Jewish law and tradition, despised Gentiles, and believed the persecution of the church was justified. But upon meeting Jesus, he realized that all the law and the prophets in the Old Testament were fulfilled in Christ. He decided to cling not to legalistic righteousness but to gospel righteousness. He also reversed his course entirely, becoming a builder of the very church he had once persecuted, preaching the gospel everywhere he went. Thus Paul’s life is a perfect “reversal drama.”
Yet this dramatic reversal brought a great deal of suffering. The path of gospel proclamation was fraught with beatings, imprisonment, stoning, and near-death situations. Throughout his second and third missionary journeys, Paul dedicated his life to spreading the gospel across the Roman Empire. Amid hardships, he planted churches such as those in Philippi, Ephesus, and Corinth, instructing and encouraging them through letters.
Pastor David Jang stresses that Paul’s tribulations are not merely historical anecdotes; they still speak to those who labor for the gospel today. True comprehension of the gospel leads a person not to elevate themselves through legalistic righteousness, but to lean humbly on grace, seeking only to be used by God. And when sharing the gospel, one may face misunderstanding or persecution from the world and sometimes even from people nearby. However, as Paul’s life demonstrates, confessing “Not that I have already obtained all this … but I press on” clarifies our calling, ultimately leading us to the reward God has prepared.
In the end, even though Paul was blameless under the law, once he discovered Christ’s way, he counted all other gains as losses and served the gospel as a servant. This attitude pervades the Book of Philippians, and Pastor David Jang continually urges modern churches and believers to adopt it. For those trapped in the confines of legalistic righteousness and unable to see beyond, revealing that true righteousness is “the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” is precisely the mission of gospel workers.
3. Pressing On Toward the Prize
In Philippians 3:10, Paul speaks of sharing in Christ’s sufferings and knowing the power of His resurrection, ultimately desiring to participate in the resurrection of the Lord. His words—“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings”—encapsulate the essence of Paul’s faith. His goal was not merely to fulfill the standards of the law; he sought to emulate Christ’s death and resurrection, enduring suffering while looking forward to the glory of resurrection.
Pastor David Jang, when preaching on this passage, frequently points out that “the path of suffering is by no means sweet, but the power of resurrection is promised.” Following Christ’s path sometimes appears like failure or loss from a worldly standpoint, accompanied by moments of hardship. Yet at the end of that road, we receive the eternal crown of life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul uses the metaphor of an athlete in a stadium, running to win the prize. Just as competitors exercise discipline and strive for victory, Christians are to run their own race toward the crown of life.
Philippians 3:12-14 makes this more concrete: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Then he adds, “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.” This shows that Paul does not settle for his present state of faith or cling to his past accomplishments; he fixes his eyes on the glory that lies ahead, continually moving forward.
According to Pastor David Jang, it is at this point that churches and believers face their most crucial challenge. If one remains trapped by the glories or scars of the past, the momentum to move forward is lost. If a church takes pride in its outward growth and becomes complacent, it risks stagnation. Likewise, if individual believers think they have reached a satisfactory level of faith and stop seeking further maturity, their faith will no longer advance. Paul’s resolve to “forget what is behind” was precisely to overcome this sense of complacency or stagnation.
Here, the “goal” or “mark” is “the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” This prize is not human praise, worldly honor, or material rewards. It is the eternal life and glory given solely by and in Christ. James 1:12 teaches that “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial … that person will receive the crown of life.” And in Revelation 2:10, the Lord promises the church in Smyrna: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”
While pressing on toward this prize, Paul also took the position of a servant to others. In 1 Corinthians 9:19, he states, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” This is not an easy choice, but it illustrates the necessity of voluntary sacrifice and dedication for the sake of God’s kingdom.
Pastor David Jang describes this “dual nature” of Paul as “living a paradoxical life—enjoying spiritual freedom while becoming a servant for the sake of love.” And he emphasizes that this paradox is a calling every Christian must embrace. We are those who have been “taken hold of” by Christ, yet we actively pursue Christ. We are already saved by grace, yet we continue to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow a path of self-sacrifice in response to that grace.
When Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians, urging them to “press on toward the goal,” it was partly to refocus them on that eternal objective amidst internal conflicts and strife. Churches invariably contain people of varying perspectives, spiritual maturity, and depths of faith. Paul acknowledges that “all of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” He recognizes not everyone is at the same level, but he insists that they must not forget they are running toward the same ultimate prize.
Pastor David Jang draws attention to verse 16—“Only let us live up to what we have already attained”—as a key principle for practicing faith within the church community. Each person’s faith may be at a different stage, but the crucial point is not to remain complacent at any stage but to take a step forward. If someone has no faith at all, they should seek faith. If faith is budding, they should strive to apply it in real life and grow. In any case, no one should claim to have “arrived,” but instead should continue the process.
This message applies directly to modern churches as well. Throughout history, churches have experienced growth and decline, conflicts and reconciliation. Nevertheless, the true standard we must fix our eyes upon is “the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Losing sight of this leads to human quarrels or self-aggrandizement, causing the church to drift away from the essence of the gospel.
Thus, just as Paul said, “I press on,” we too must recover a faith that “runs.” This is precisely what Pastor David Jang repeatedly underscores to today’s churches. The moment we think we have achieved enough and settle, we begin to lag behind spiritually. When faith is reduced to “habit” or “tradition,” we lose the vitality of the gospel. The gospel is a present, ongoing power. Even while imprisoned, Paul continually proclaimed the gospel through letters, and his influence did not wane.
In our day, we also face various crises in our personal faith journeys and in the church—business failures, interpersonal conflicts, illnesses, and so forth. Sometimes we question why we must go through these trials. Yet looking at Paul’s life, we see that despite having Roman citizenship, he was persecuted, and although he was a Jewish religious leader, he was rejected by his own people. On his missionary journeys, he faced countless dangers, betrayals, and life-threatening situations. Even so, he pressed on for the “greater prize” without regret.
This is the essence of “pressing on toward the prize of God’s calling.” Pastor David Jang, in explaining this journey, reminds us that everyone has their own calling. A calling is not reserved for pastors or missionaries alone; every Christian has a specific sphere—home, workplace, church ministry, or community service—where they can shine the light of the gospel. This is each individual’s “racecourse.” And as we run, we may grow weary or stumble, but what truly matters is the “crown of life” awarded to those who persevere to the end.
Ultimately, Philippians chapter 3 represents both a personal confession from Paul and an ongoing gospel exhortation relevant to churches in every age and place. Pastor David Jang believes that this message can serve as a spiritual catalyst to awaken complacent faith. Like Paul’s statement, “Not that I have already obtained all this,” our faith, too, is always in a state of learning and growth. If we “forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead,” we will surely encounter God’s extraordinary grace and reward.
This is both Paul’s testimony to and defense of the truth, and also the message Pastor David Jang has consistently proclaimed to the modern church. No scholar or intellectual could fully articulate the profound nature of the gospel as Paul did through his life’s example. By inheriting that life’s spirit, the church today can remain “runners pursuing the Lord until He finds us.” In so doing, no matter how long or arduous the journey, we will not grow weary, and the radiant light of the gospel will shine across the entire world.
Pastor David Jang tirelessly reminds us never to forget this principle. The true driving force within us is Christ Jesus, and the target we must cling to is “the prize of the upward call of God.” We should neither dwell on past failures or wounds nor become complacent with our past successes or privileges. Even if the church is beset by disputes, misunderstandings, or conflicts, if we do not lose this focus and “walk together with one heart toward one direction,” then surely the day will come when we witness the glory of Christ. This is the path Paul walked, and it is also the sincere exhortation Pastor David Jang extends to today’s church.