The Person Who Enjoys the Gospel (Philippians 3:8-9)
 
1)What is the Gospel?
-What is the core the Gospel? The cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the essential core of the Gospel. Shortly, we can consider the Gospel as the good news of Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 15:3-4  “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,”
2)What is the reason why I must have the gospel?
-Why do you need this gospel? All human beings are sinners before God.
Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—”
-Sin by disobedience and unbelief toward God's Word made sinners separated from the source of life, that is, God. People as sinners became the slaves of Satan. Under this bondage, there are no true peace, rest, and happiness.
Hebrews 2:14-15 “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
-The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ made people who believe in Him receive eternal life.
3)Why cannot you enjoy the Gospel?
-It is because many are caught up by their own incorrect imprints, roots, and natures. Because of those, they don't have their personal system to enjoy the Gospel. Instead, they pursue worldly pleasures, success, fame, self-centered interest, moralistic or legalistic life, unhealthy mystical experience, and self-oriented religious life. They don't and cannot concentrate on the gospel: Who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. Also, they don't see the opposite side of their problems and situations. However, the person who has the Gospel and in whom the gospel become their own worldview can see the different things that people cannot see.
-Who is the person who enjoys the Gospel? What should we restore or focus on in order to enjoy the Gospel?
 
1.Find the true value of the Gospel!
1)Experience the uniqueness of the Gospel (v.9)
-There is no way for sinners to become the righteous. The one and only way to become the just is to receive the righteousness of God by faith in Jesus Christ (v.9).
Romans 1:17 “For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
-Therefore, religions, good works, charities, philosophy, and other human efforts cannot make the way to God. The person who has and enjoys the Gospel is the one who actually realize and take hold of firmly the uniqueness of the gospel for our salvation.
Acts 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
2)Take hold of the excellence of the Gospel (v.8)
-Furthermore, people who find the excellence of the Gospel are those who enjoy the Gospel. Paul is one of representative figures for the person of the Gospel. Although he has great social, academic, family, and tribal background (Philippians 3:1-6), Paul considered all things as rubbish, compared to the knowledge of Christ Jesus (v.8). Paul found the true value of the Gospel. It led him to the place of a martyr. 
-Check up your state. Is the Gospel everything to you? Is Jesus Christ enough for you? Is the Gospel sufficient for you?
Psalm 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
 
2.Live according to the Gospel-oriented lifestyle
1)the Gospel as your standard
-God calls you as the remnant missionary and evangelist to save this world. Therefore, our standard must be the Gospel to save people.
1 Corinthians 1:18  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
-Therefore, the person who enjoys the Gospel is the one whose standard and worldview are the Gospel. If so, theirs duty, commission, and priority are to save others through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2)Find God's plan and will within problems
-People who enjoy the Gospel are people who find God's will and plan within their difficulties and bad situation. Therefore, they do not avenge themselves on others. It is because they know the good and pleasing will of God for a problem, a difficulty, or a bad situation. Joseph found God's plan and will within his slavery, prison life, and governor life.
Genesis 50:19-20 “Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
-Accordingly, Joseph lived to save and help others according to God's word and promise for the Messiah.
 
Conclusion
1)Have a personal system to imprint the Gospel
-Finally, we should set up our personal system to instill the Gospel in our heart, mind, and soul. What is your joy and delight? You have personal system to enjoy these thing. Until the Gospel and the Word become your joy and delight, we challenge ourselves to have the time to concentrate on the Word of God and the Gospel. Therefore, meditation on the Way of Salvation and the Word of God is the best system to imprint the Gospel in us.
Psalms 1:2 “But his (the blessed's) delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”