Title Philippians 3:1~9 (2011.2.20)
Contents
Title: To Be Found in Christ
Text: (Philippians 3:1~9)
Hymns: 325. is jesus with you
Date: February 20, 2011 (Sunday) 5:00 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
People love to brag. So some boast of knowledge, some boast of power or wealth, and some boast of appearance. But things like this are vain things that will disappear with time. We should brag about what we know, understand, and discover the truth that is not perishable.
1. To know Christ (v. 8)
The nobleness of the knowledge of Christ draws us to Christ and encourages us to lay aside everything but Him. If we find wonderful value in Christ, we will be happy to see the Internet, TV, games, our ideas, our culture, and even our traditions as harm. It is the nobleness of the knowledge of Christ that leads us to forsake all but Christ in order to gain Christ and be recognized in Him. Knowledge here is experiential knowledge. Paul first knew the nobleness of the knowledge of Christ, paid the price to obtain Christ, and to be found in Him, and came to know more by experience. Without a higher knowledge of Christ, we cannot have a higher experience of Christ. That is why we should not be limited by our past knowledge of Christ.
2. Gaining Christ (v. 8)
Paul was circumcised on the eighth day after he was born. He was of the tribe of Benjamin of the house of Israel, a Hebrew of Hebrews and a Pharisee who kept the law. He persecuted the church and was blameless as to the righteousness in the law. But he now regards the past as filthy excrement. Paul gained Christ because he was a man who served by the Spirit of God, boasted in Christ Jesus, and had no confidence in the flesh. Seeing and getting the jeweler's valuables are two different things. Let us not be those who only see Christ. A true saint not only has knowledge of Him, but also possesses His person. So, I hope you enjoy the abundant grace that God has given you.
3. Recognition in Christ (v. 9)
The way he lives tells what kind of person he is. You may say a lot about Christ, but you are not really in Christ. On the contrary, it may still be within one's own notion or culture. We need the mercy of the Lord. Without the knowledge of Christ, there would be no recognition in Christ. We gain the ennoblement of the knowledge of Christ, we regard all worldly things as dung, we are acknowledged in it, and we come to know Christ. Therefore, the saints must be awake. When we are not awake, we will turn away from Christ and seek other things. Are we really recognized in Him? Are you living a life of experiencing Christ?
Saints should not live with their heart set on the things of the world. The only thing that believers can boast about is the gospel. Already, we possessed something more precious than the pride of the world. Please remember that sharing in Christ's suffering and tasting the power of resurrection is the greatest pride and happiness.
<Prayer>
1. Worship with the Spirit of God, and let the anointing overflow in your worship!
2. For church events
- Saebom Word Festival: 22nd (Tuesday)-23rd (Wednesday) evening 7:30, Grand Worship Room
- Weaving Seminar: 27th (week) at 2pm, the Grand Worship Room
3. For the weak fellows