Knowing Jesus Series

Philippians – Complete Joy

Knowing Jesus

October 27, 2019

We hear the story of Jesus healing a blind man, and we know him as a healer.

We hear the story of Jesus with a homemade whip in the temple and we know him as an angry prophet.

We hear the story of Jesus forgiving and not fighting back and we know him as a passive activist.

Philippians 3:7-11 NIV

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul was a scholar, a thinker and fluent in multiple languages. He never met Jesus personally. He did know Peter, James and John. Paul was heard the stories about Jesus, just as we are hearing them today.

How do we know Jesus?

1. We make Jesus a priority.

v.7-8 - But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Knowing Jesus isn’t about getting something.

Knowing Jesus is about becoming someone.

Ephesians 1:17 NIV

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

2. We believe Jesus, plus nothing else, is enough.

v.9 - not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

To know Jesus is to be introduced to extravagant grace.

Ephesians 2:4-9 NIV

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Trying to know Jesus without receiving grace is like trying to swim without getting wet.

3. We believe Jesus is alive, powerful and present with us.

v.10 - I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection …”

Paul was not just talking about an event in a tomb.

Literally – “I want to know the power of his resurrection, right now!!”

We should not give up on ourselves because God has not given up on us!

Do you believe Jesus can bring us back to life?

Every broken part of our lives can be healed.