Explores the importance of knowing Christ deeply, remaining devoted in our faith, and persevering in our spiritual journey towards God's promised prize.
Good morning, beloved family of God. It's a beautiful day to gather together in the presence of the Lord, to worship, to pray, and to open our hearts to the transformative power of His Word. Today, we're going to open our Bibles to the book of Philippians, chapter three, verses ten through fourteen. Let me read it for you:
"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 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. Brothers and sisters, 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 to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
There is so much richness in these words from Paul. He speaks of longing to know Christ, to understand the power of His resurrection, to share in His sufferings. He admits that he hasn't yet reached that goal, but he is striving for it, pressing on, not looking back but looking forward to the prize that God has promised.
In the heart of the Apostle Paul's message, there's a yearning that resonates with us all. It's a desire to have a profound understanding of Jesus Christ. Not just a surface-level acquaintance, but a deep, intimate knowledge. This is more than just knowing about Jesus, it's about having a personal relationship with Him. It's about experiencing His love, His grace, and His mercy in our daily lives.
Not something that happens overnight: It's a process, a continual growth. It's like a seed that's planted in the soil. At first, it's just a tiny speck, barely visible. But as it's watered and nurtured, it begins to grow. It pushes through the soil, reaching towards the sunlight. It grows stronger and taller, until one day, it's a mighty tree, providing shade and shelter.
Our knowledge of Christ grows as we nurture it: As we spend time in prayer, as we read and meditate on His Word, as we fellowship with other believers, our understanding deepens. We start to see His hand in our lives, guiding us, protecting us, providing for us. We start to understand His character, His love, His sacrifice. And as we grow in this knowledge, our love for Him grows as well.
This deep knowledge of Christ isn't just about us: It's not just about our personal growth or our spiritual development. It's about how we can serve others. As we grow in our understanding of Christ, we're better equipped to share His love with those around us. We can comfort those who are hurting, encourage those who are discouraged, and share the hope of the Gospel with those who are lost. This is the power of knowing Christ deeply. It transforms us from the inside out. It changes our perspective, our priorities, our purpose. It gives us a hope that is steadfast and sure, a peace that surpasses all understanding, a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory.
Our knowledge will always be incomplete: We'll never fully comprehend the depth of His love, the breadth of His mercy, the height of His grace. But that's okay. Because the beauty of knowing Christ is that there's always more to learn, always more to discover. It's a lifelong pursuit, a never-ending adventure.
As we strive to know Christ deeply, our hearts naturally bend in reverence, our knees metaphorically touch the ground in a posture of humility and surrender ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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