Sermon Recap: “Found in the Cornfield” (Philippians 3:1-9)
This sermon was delivered by Philip Vierling.
When Philip’s grandson, Cal, got lost in a Minnesota cornfield, it created confusion, fear, and disorientation until he was finally found. This real-life moment mirrors the spiritual reality Paul describes in Philippians 3:1-9—we are all spiritually lost until we are found in Jesus.
Paul contrasts two approaches to being found by God: relying on personal accomplishments versus receiving righteousness through faith in Christ.
Paul had an impressive religious resume—he was circumcised on the eighth day, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, and zealous in his religious pursuits. Yet, he calls all these achievements skubala (garbage, dung) compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.
Being physically lost creates fear, isolation, and helplessness, but being spiritually lost can be harder to recognize. It may manifest as: feeling distant from God, believing personal sins make one unforgivable, struggling with purpose and meaning. wrestling with inner conflict, experiencing alienation from others or longing for redemption.
Many people try to build a spiritual resume to be accepted by God, listing their heritage, good works, or moral efforts. But Paul makes it clear—none of these count. True righteousness comes only through faith in Christ, not personal merit.
Paul shifts the focus from human achievement to a personal and intimate relationship with Christ. To be found in Christ means to have a personal and intimate relationship with Christ Jesus, our Lord.
He emphasizes knowing Jesus rather than merely knowing about Him. This means:
Engaging in a real, relational faith through prayer and spiritual disciplines.
Recognizing that Jesus is not just the Lord, but my Lord.
Understanding that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus, not by personal merit.
Paul contrasts worldly resumes with the “resume” of Jesus—His perfect righteousness given to us by grace. He urges believers to abandon their attempts to earn salvation and accept Christ's righteousness as a gift.
Paul’s use of “Christ Jesus, my Lord” is significant—he personally submits to Jesus as his authority, much like Roman citizens would declare allegiance to Caesar.
Being found by Jesus leads to a transformed life—one that serves God by his Spirit (Philippians 3:3). This service has both a personal dimension (obedience to God) and a communal one (worshiping and serving together). Just as Moses told Pharaoh, “Let my people go, so they may serve me” (Exodus 8:1), true freedom in Christ results in a life dedicated to God’s purposes.
Consider: Who in your life is still lost in the cornfield? Who needs to hear the good news that they can be found by Jesus? True righteousness is not earned—it is a gift through faith in Christ.
May we, as those who have been found, serve God with all our heart and soul.