That I may know Him (1): A Resurrection Agenda
Text Philippians 3: 8-10
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (KJV)
Paul wrote this to all the Christians at Philippi and also to believers everywhere, and for us on this resurrection Sunday, it is a call to know more of Christ. The narrative revealed the apostle’s heart of love for Christ and the whole essence of Christianity: to be in the full knowledge of Christ. Paul’s greatest longing was not to preach a new sermon, buy a new dress, a new suit, the latest car, purchase a large piece of land or earn a bigger pay. For him, all that counted was the knowledge of Christ and his glory.
To know Christ and to experience a personal fellowship and nearness to him in a more intimate way are things we should long to do. To know Christ personally, to know his ways, nature and character as revealed in the word of God should be our top priority. Our number one goal should be to be found in Christ, in order words, to have a union and fellowship in him that produces righteousness, to know the power of his resurrection and share in his suffering and self denial.
Accomplishments without the Accompaniment of the Knowledge of Christ is Useless
I don’t know what you have accomplished that is so important to you, but I am here to let you know that all these things are useless without the knowledge of the word of God. Paul carefully considered all his achievements concluded: they were worthless compared to the knowledge of knowing Christ
Paul said: Yes I had a legitimate birth, yes I was circumcised on the eighth day, yes, I am real Jew, yes I am an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin, yes I was a devout adherent of Mosaic law, yes I was a fiery defender of the purity of my religion even to the point of persecuting God’s people! But these things that everybody else holds up like it’s something special, the things I used to take credit for, the things I once thought were so important; I no longer consider them important. I count them all as dung; as rubbish!
Why? Because at that point there was a new agenda in Paul’s life, and that new agenda was Christ. Do you have a Christ agenda in your life? Paul said I count it lost: birth, heritage, inheritance, accomplishments, everything as nothing, compared to the high privilege of just knowing Christ. I gave up everything so that I could know Christ personally so that I could experience his resurrection power and be a partner in his suffering.
Paul was letting the Philippians know that it was time out for mere church membership but now was the time for the saints to start having a real relationship with Christ. He gave up everything just to follow Christ. That is the problem today: many of us are not willing to give up stuff to follow Christ and to have a real relationship with him. Many preachers are preaching Christ but they really don’t have a relationship with him, musicians are playing in the house of God but don’t have fellowship with him, singers are spreading the Gospel of Christ through music but they don’t have a personal relationship with him, we get happy, shout and clap in church but we don’t have a relationship with Christ. Pastors are pasturing the sheep but many of pastors don’t really have a relationship with Christ. You have got to make up your mind this resurrection Sunday to enter into a fresh and genuine relationship with Christ.
When you have a relationship with Christ you’ll discover that:
o Jesus is your light and your salvation
o He is your song and your savior
o The Lord is the strength of your life and that you don’t have to be afraid of anyone or anything
o The Lord is your shepherd which means you shall not want
o As you wait upon the Lord you shall be able to renew your strength
o All things will begin to work together for your good because you love the Lord
o If God be for you then no demon in hell can be against you
o In everything you are more than conquers through him that loves you
When you see yourself as more than a conqueror you’ll find out that:
o Nothing can separate you from the love of God
o Weeping may endure for a night but your joy is going to come forth
o Eyes have not seen and ears have not heard neither has it enter into the hearts of men the things that God has prepare for you because you love him
o God is able, willing, happy, ready to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ask or imagine
o God is able to keep you from falling and will present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy
o No weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that rises up against your progress you shall vehemently condemn
o When the enemy shall come like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him
We need to want to know God not only as:
o Being an alright God, but also as being excellent redeemer
o The way and way maker, but also as wheel in the middle of a wheel
o Provider but also as a protector
o Heart fixer, but also as a mind regulator
o Doctor in the sick room, but also as a father who welcomes us home after our stay in hospital
o Lawyer in the court room but also as the wonderful counselor
o Judge but also as the jury
o Banker, but also as a keeper of our possession who keeps devourers at bay
o Bridge over trouble waters, but also a lifesaver even when we are in the water
o A burden bearer but also as a company keeper when we are lonely
o Food when we are hungry, but also as water when we are thirsty
o Jehovah Jireh the provider, but also as Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner
o Jehovah Tsidkenu, the God of our righteousness but also as our Jehovah Elshaddai the almighty God, our sufficient supply, bestower of power, gifts, blessings, the breasted one that never runs dry
o Jehovah Shalom, the God that gives us peace but also as Jehovah Shammah the Lord who is always there for us
o Jehovah Rapha our healer that is able to heal our bitterness but also as Jehovah Mekkadism who sanctifies and sets us apart unto himself
o God of Grace but also as a God of Mercy
o God of Power but also as a God of Faithfulness
Many stop at wanting to know the power of his resurrection they are happy with the power, but are not glad to partake in the fellowship of his suffering
One of his chosen disciples known as Judas betrayed Jesus, the Sanhendrin condemned him, the chief priests and elders spoke against him, the crowd asked for his execution, the people called for his crucifixion, Pilate handed him over for crucifixion, the messiah was flogged like a common criminal, a crown of thorns placed on his head, he carried a heavy cross, he was denied water, he was subjected to excruciating pain. As believers, we need to partake in this suffering, as we make knowing him, the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering our agenda today. As you do so, may the Lord of hosts strengthen you.
