The Foundation of Growth; Knowing Christ Philippians 3:7-10
Good Morning
Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
"The Foundation of Growth: Knowing Christ" Philippians 3:7-10
Turn with me in your Bible to the book of Philippians chapter 3 and say, "Amen" when you are there.
Today, we’re beginning a journey through a new sermon series on "Growing in Our Relationship with Christ."
Every one of us desires to grow in some way—whether it’s in our careers, our relationships, or even our physical health. But the most important growth we can experience is in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
And the place where it all begins is knowing Him—not just knowing about Him, but truly, deeply knowing Him in the core of our being.
I want to start with a story about James, a man I met a few years ago. James had been going to church for over 20 years. He had memorized Scripture, served in ministries, and knew how to talk about Jesus in a way that seemed so natural. But one day, sitting in his car after church, he had a moment of clarity. "I know a lot about Jesus, but do I really know Him? Do I really feel His love, His power, His presence?"
It was a hard question, but it was the beginning of a life-transforming journey. James began seeking Jesus—not just in the context of church life or as a theological concept—but personally. He dug deeper into prayer, he meditated on God’s Word, and he asked God to reveal Himself in a new way.
That’s when everything began to change. For James, knowing Jesus moved from his head to his heart, and it radically altered his entire life.
Today, I want to ask you the same question:
Do you just know about Jesus, or do you truly know Him?
1: Knowing Christ through Salvation
Let's turn to Philippians 3:8-9.
Paul writes about the treasure of knowing Christ.
He says, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…”
Think about that: Paul had everything—he had status, power, respect, education—but when he encountered Christ, it was as if everything else in his life became secondary.
It wasn’t just about religion; it was about a radical relationship with the living Savior. And in that moment, Paul was changed.
I’m reminded of the story of Saul of Tarsus, who later became Paul. Saul was zealous in his faith—he was passionate about defending the Jewish law. But his passion led him to persecute Christians.
Then one day, on the road to Damascus, he encountered Jesus in a blinding light.
The voice of Jesus spoke to him and said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4).
That one moment of encounter with the living Christ turned Saul’s entire world upside down. It was the beginning of his personal relationship with Christ, and everything else in his life became meaningless in comparison.
Let me ask you, have you had that kind of encounter with Jesus?
Maybe you’ve heard about Him your whole life, but have you personally encountered Him?
Jesus is waiting for you to experience that relationship with Him, where you move from knowing about Him to knowing Him intimately and personally.
- If you’ve never received Christ as your Savior, if you’ve never encountered Him in a personal way, today is your day.
- Ask yourself: Do I know Christ?
Is He, my Savior? Or is He simply someone I’ve heard about?
2: Knowing Christ through Scripture
Next, let’s talk about knowing Christ through Scripture. The Bible is not just a book of rules or ancient stories—it’s the living Word of God, and it reveals the heart of Jesus to us. Every page of Scripture points to Him.
I want to share a story about Sarah, a young woman who had struggled with feelings of unworthiness. She had always believed in Jesus, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was somehow “too broken” to be loved by God.
Then one day, a friend encouraged her to read Psalm 139. As she read these words, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made”, something in her heart began to shift.
She realized, God had known her even before she was born. God loved her, valued her, and had a purpose for her life.
As Sarah continued to meditate on Scripture, she found herself encountering Jesus through every page. The Bible became more than a text; it became a living letter from the heart of God, full of love, promise, and purpose.
- Are you reading the Bible just for knowledge, or are you allowing it to reveal Jesus to you?
- Scripture is a gift. It’s the primary way we come to know Jesus more intimately. I encourage you to not just read to finish but read with the expectation that you will encounter Jesus.
3: Knowing Christ through Prayer
Finally, knowing Christ through prayer is essential.
Jesus didn’t just teach us how to pray—He modeled it.
In Luke 5:16, we see that Jesus often withdrew to pray in solitude.
Why? Because prayer is how we connect with God.
Prayer is the place where we not only speak, but also listen to the voice of God.
Instead of praying have you ever just listened to the Lord?
Having quiet time just listening.
I want to tell you about Mark, a man who had grown up in church but never really developed a personal relationship with Jesus. He would pray, but it always felt like he was just going through the motions. One day, he decided to make a commitment to pray every day—not with any agenda, but just to talk with Jesus.
Slowly, those times of prayer became rich and meaningful. Mark began to experience the peace and presence of Christ in ways he had never imagined. In those quiet moments of prayer, Jesus wasn’t just a concept anymore—He became a companion. And the more Mark prayed, the more he knew Jesus deeply.
- How’s your prayer life? Do you take time each day to just talk to Jesus and listen for His voice?
- Prayer is a **dialogue**, not a monologue. In prayer, we encounter the living Christ.
Make time for Him.
Church, the foundation of growth in our relationship with Christ is knowing Him. It begins with salvation—encountering Christ personally, and it grows through spending time in His Word and in prayer.
Jesus is inviting you into a deeper relationship with Him.
As we close today, I want to give you an opportunity to respond to the call on your life.
Maybe you’ve been coming to church for years, but you’ve never truly encountered Jesus in a personal way.
Maybe your relationship with Him has grown stale, and you long for a fresh, intimate connection.
- If you’ve never given your life to Jesus, I invite you to come forward today and surrender your heart to Him.
- If you’ve been distant, and you’re ready to renew your relationship with Christ, I invite you to come and ask Him to draw you closer, to help you truly know Him.
Let’s pray:
“Lord Jesus, thank You for inviting us to know You—not just from afar, but up close and personally. Thank You for Your love, Your Word, and Your presence. I pray for those today who are taking a step closer to You. Open their hearts, reveal Yourself to them, and fill them with Your grace. May today be a turning point in their journey with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
As the worship team leads us in song, I invite you to come forward if you feel led to respond and you can spend some time with the Lord in prayer in a new way that will change your life and others.
