Seminary
Philippians 3


Philippians 3

“I Have Suffered the Loss of All Things … That I May Win Christ”

1st illustration: A warm loving image of Christ, eyes looking out towards the reader. 2nd illustration: stars and the galaxy

What are you willing to sacrifice to follow Jesus Christ and become His disciple? The Apostle Paul gave up much when he chose to follow the Savior, including his influential standing in Jewish society as a Pharisee (see Philippians 3:5). This lesson can help you understand the importance of making sacrifices to come to know Jesus Christ.

What would you give?

Read or watch the following account by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency about a young man who shared with President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) the sacrifices he was willing to make to become a member of the Church.

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Sacrifice

Official Portrait of President Dallin H. Oaks taken March 2018.

Many years ago this conference heard of a young man who found the restored gospel while he was studying in the United States. As this man was about to return to his native land, President Gordon B. Hinckley asked him what would happen to him when he returned home as a Christian. “My family will be disappointed,” the young man answered. “They may cast me out and regard me as dead. As for my future and my career, all opportunity may be foreclosed against me.”“Are you willing to pay so great a price for the gospel?” President Hinckley asked.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrifice,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 21)

  • How do you think the young man responded? Why?

  • What might motivate a person to give up so much to follow Jesus Christ?

As you study Philippians 3, consider what you have sacrificed for the gospel of Jesus Christ and how you have been blessed for doing so. On the other hand, sacrificing to be closer to the Savior may be an unfamiliar concept to you. Whatever your circumstances, the Savior is anxious to help you progress. Throughout the lesson, pay attention to thoughts and feelings from the Holy Ghost that can help you understand the role that sacrifice should play in your life.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is worth every sacrifice

Recall that prior to Paul’s conversion to Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9), he was a Pharisee, a person of high religious and social standing among the Jews (see Philippians 3:5). Because he chose to follow Jesus Christ and spend his life preaching the gospel, Paul experienced severe persecution, tribulation, physical pain, and emotional stress (see 2 Corinthians 11:23–28). We read in Philippians 3:7–17 how Paul felt about giving up his former life to follow Jesus Christ and the blessings that came as a result.

Read Philippians 3:7–14, looking for what Paul was willing to give up to know and follow Jesus Christ. Note that the word conformable in verse 10 means agreeable, the phrase “follow after” in verse 12 means to press forward, and the word apprehend in verse 12 means to obtain.

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 1. Complete the following in your study journal:

Choose two passages or phrases from Philippians 3:7–14 and rewrite Paul’s message in your own words. For example, one way to restate the message of Philippians 3:7 is “Things that were important to me before, now mean nothing to me because of Jesus Christ.” When you are finished, answer the following questions.

  • What were some of the blessings Paul received because he sacrificed for the Lord?

  • What were some of the blessings he was still striving to obtain through his sacrifices?

  • What principles can we learn from Paul’s example of sacrifice?

One principle we can learn from Paul’s example is that if we give up all that may be required of us to follow Jesus Christ and press forward in faith, we can come to know Him and obtain eternal life. Consider writing this principle in your scriptures or study journal.

Take a moment to ponder how this principle may relate to you.

  • What thoughts, questions, or feelings do you have?

Personal sacrifice

Recall the question posed by President Hinckley at the beginning of the lesson concerning the young man’s willingness to sacrifice so much for the gospel. Read the rest of the account shared by President Dallin H. Oaks.

Official Portrait of President Dallin H. Oaks taken March 2018.

Tearfully the young man answered, “It’s true, isn’t it?” When that was affirmed, he replied, “Then what else matters?” That is the spirit of sacrifice among many of our new members.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrifice,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 21)

  • What impresses you about this young man?

  • How are the Savior’s life, ministry, and Atonement the ultimate example of sacrifice?

  • What thoughts or feelings do you have when you ponder what Jesus Christ was willing to sacrifice for you?

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 2. Complete the following in your study journal:

Think about the next five years of your life and write a letter to your future self. Include in your letter the following details:

  1. Things you may need to sacrifice in the next five years to come to know the Lord better and prepare for eternal life.

  2. Obstacles you might encounter as you make sacrifices and “press toward … the prize” (Philippians 3:14).

  3. What you have learned about the importance of sacrifice and the blessings that can come as a result.

  4. How sacrifice can help you become more like the Savior.

Optional: Want to learn more?

Philippians 3:14. What did Paul mean when he said, “I press toward the mark”?

Elder Edward Dube of the Seventy taught the following.

Official Portrait of Elder Edward Dube. Photographed March 2017.

To press toward the mark is to faithfully continue on the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life” [2 Nephi 31:18] with our Savior and our Father in Heaven. Paul viewed his sufferings as “not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” [Romans 8:18; see also 2 Corinthians 1:3–7]. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which he wrote when he was bound in prison, is a letter of overwhelming joy and rejoicing and encouragement to all of us, particularly in this difficult time of uncertainty. …

Interestingly, Paul is exhorting us to press forward while calling us to forget that which is behind—our past fears, our past focus, our past failures, and our past sadness.

(Edward Dube, “Pressing toward the Mark,” Liahona, May 2021, 90, 91)

How can I know what sacrifices I need to make to draw closer to Jesus Christ?

Elder Larry R. Lawrence of the Seventy taught that an ideal time to reverently consider what sacrifices we can make for the Lord is during the ordinance of the sacrament.

Official Portrait of Elder Larry R. Lawrence. Photographed March 2017.

In this reverent atmosphere, as our thoughts are turned heavenward, the Lord can gently tell us what we need to work on next. Like you, I have received many messages from the Spirit over the years showing me how I could improve. …

Perhaps the Spirit will tell you that you need to forgive someone. Or you may receive a message to be more selective about the movies you watch or the music you listen to. You may feel impressed to be more honest in your business dealings or more generous in your fast offerings. The possibilities are endless.

(Larry R. Lawrence, “What Lack I Yet?Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 34–35)

What are some sacrifices members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make to follow the Savior?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency listed many sacrifices members of the Lord’s restored Church make. You can read his talk “Sacrifice,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 19–22, or watch the video “Sacrifice” (16:30), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

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Sacrifice