Abiding in Christ and the Pursuit of Knowing Him.

Philippians 3:7-11

Proposition:

Introduction: This week we are continuing our study of our core values we want to be true of us here at Platte River. To keep us on the same page, and to refresh our memories, let’s remember that abiding in Christ is a function of our union with Christ. Our union with Christ is a positional truth that shows us the effect of Christ’s death and resurrection on our lives. We are ‘righteous’ because by faith in Jesus, we have been brought into an abiding relationship with him.

Consider the process we have discussed thus far:

1.) Abiding in Christ through the gathering of His people at the Lord’s Table (Communion).

2.) Abiding in Christ through the wisdom of God, a wisdom that helps us to discern properly who Jesus is, what He means for our life, and for eternity (using the woman at the well).

(John 15:1–11)

““I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,…”

In John 15, we read about Jesus instructing his disciples to abide in Him, and He in them - perfectly pictured in his relationship to the Father. In the preceding chapter of John’s gospel, he encouraged them to not be troubled, but to believe in him. In their ongoing journey of faith, He taught them and assured them that He would send the Holy Spirit to them to give them help, aid, instruction, and encouragement. 

These words of abiding are meant to convey two ideas. First, that we learn, as his disciples, to realize in real time and space the ongoing effects of our trust in Jesus as our Redeemer and Lord, meaning that we learn to take what we know to be true of our position in Christ (union) and making it practical by faith each and everyday. 

A second idea presented in this concept of abiding is that Christ abides in us. He is present with us, enabling us to live as he has called us to live. The idea of union with Christ is not just that he throws us a life line to heaven, but that he brings us into an eternal relationship with himself - a relationship he says looks like the relationship he has with the Father.

Using the idea of a vine, a gardner, and fruit, Jesus illustrates the idea of abiding as an ongoing awareness of all that He is for our life both now, and for eternity. 

So, when we say that we want disciples who are abiding in Jesus, we are saying that we want people who trust in Jesus for their salvation, but also in their everyday life they growing in what it means to view all of reality in light of all that Jesus is both now, and for eternity.. Learning to rest in Christ and to let our ‘work’ for him be in light of his redeeming grace at work in us. Our activity for Jesus flows out of relationship with Jesus. 

Transition: So, what does this look like in a day by day sense of living?

Philippians 3:7–11 gives us a picture of what it means to pursue Christ in an all of life view of reality.

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

In this text of scripture, we see a person whose life has fully counted the cost of following Jesus. Paul expresses that in human wisdom and human terms, he had status, privilege, and authority. Yet, when compared to Jesus (union with Christ), he says that all of what he had pursued became a liability rather than an asset.

For Paul, all of life finds a greater joy and delight in knowing Jesus as Lord. Even as he sits in a jail not knowing whether he will ever leave, he says that his counting all as loss has not been proven foolish. Rather than pursuing something that promises joy and contentment (thus the reason we need wisdom), he finds that knowing Jesus is far better.

1.) He wants to know Jesus by living in light of every advantage Jesus provides: ‘that I may gain Christ.’

2.) He wants to know Jesus by living in light of having all that He is as a person to be so closely identified with Jesus that people have a hard time distinguishing Paul apart from Christ.

3.) He wants to know Jesus by living in light of all that Jesus is for us both now, and for eternity: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection (foundation of hope) and may share in his sufferings (eternal perspective on all of life).