MORE of Christ

Hook & Connection

Last week, we cast a powerful vision for MORE in 2026. We talked about how God wants to give us more this year - more breakthrough, more blessing, more of His presence.

But here's what I want you to understand today: all of that "more" begins with one foundational truth - we must want MORE OF CHRIST.

You see, every other "more" we desire flows from this primary relationship. More peace comes from knowing the Prince of Peace more deeply.

More strength comes from connecting with the source of all strength.

More love comes from abiding in the One who is love itself.

If you want to change how your day to day operations are, how you perceive things, how you handle certain situations, today’s message if you if will apply it will drastically make those things different.

Your relationships,

Your finances,

Your Spiritual health and growth.

It’s time to step into MORE, and that begins with MORE of Christ.

Scripture Foundation

Turn with me to Philippians 3:10

Philippians 3:10 MEV

to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

This is the Apostle Paul writing from prison, and he is sharing the deepest cry of his heart.

Now, this wasn't Paul the new convert speaking. This was Paul the seasoned apostle, the church planter, the man who had seen Jesus on the Damascus road, who had been caught up to the third heaven.

Yet even Paul said, "That I MAY know Him" - future tense, ongoing pursuit.

It is not enough to know about Christ, it is knowing Christ Himself that alone saves the soul! Knowing And Believing, Volume 58, Sermon #3331 - 2 Timothy 1:12

Charles Spurgeon

Paul understood something that many of us miss: knowing Christ isn't a one-time event - it's a lifelong journey of going deeper and deeper into relationship with Him.

And notice Paul doesn't just say "know about Him" - he says "know HIM." There's a difference between knowing facts about someone and actually knowing them intimately.

Oh, let that be my heart’s cry, to KNOW Him, I want to Know Him more, I want to be intimately involved with Christ. I want there to be so much of Him in me, that I have no choice but to Mirror Christ.

There is a song by Kari Jobe that is titled

The More I seek You.

Listen to the lyrics:

The more I seek you The more I find you The more I find you, the more I love youI wanna sit at your feet

Drink from the cup in your hand Lay back against you and breath, feel your heart beat This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming

This is the heart’s cry of someone who wants to know Christ More!

This is Paul’s Cry we seen in philippians 3:10

The Tony Evans Bible Commentary V. Knowing Christ (3:1–11)

Christianity is not merely a religion; it is driven by a relationship. That’s why Paul says his goal is to know him (3:10). Our passion, too, must be knowing Jesus. All the religious stuff we do only becomes valid if knowing Christ is the goal.

Paul identifies three dimensions of knowing Christ more deeply, and these three dimensions are actually the roadmap for spiritual growth that your soul has been longing for. Let's explore each one.

The Power of His Resurrection

The first dimension is "the power of His resurrection."

Now, let me help you recognize what this looks like in your spiritual growth. How do you know if you're experiencing more of Christ's resurrection power?

What does this mean?

I read an article and this is what it said about Resurrection Power

The phrase “Resurrection power” can sound so unearthly and unattainable, but it’s easier to understand when we know that Christ was resurrected by the Spirit of God.

Romans 6:10-11 says, “The Spirit of God, who raised Christ Jesus from the dead lives in you.”

The Bible says that you and I have the same power that raised Christ from the dead available to us. That power has been passed onto us from Christ because we are children of God. This power isn’t something you have to earn. It’s not something you have to muster up. It’s inside of you. It’s your inheritance. It’s God at work in you through the Holy Spirit. 

First, you'll see new life in dead situations. That marriage that felt hopeless - suddenly there's breakthrough.

That addiction that had you bound - suddenly there's freedom.

That dream that died - suddenly it's breathing again.

Resurrection power specializes in bringing life where there was death.

Second, you'll experience supernatural strength in your weakness. You know those moments when you should be falling apart, but instead you have peace that passes understanding?

That's resurrection power.

When you're facing something bigger than your natural ability, but you find strength you didn't know you had - that's Christ's power working in you.

Third, you'll have hope in hopeless situations. The world looks at your circumstances and says "it's over," but something inside you says "God's not finished yet."

That's resurrection power giving you the ability to see beyond what your natural eyes can see.

But here's the key - how does this power actually work in the process of spiritual growth? It requires daily surrender.

Every morning, you have to make a choice: "Am I going to try to live this day in my own strength, or am I going to surrender to let His power work through me?"

Let me give you a practical example. Maybe you're dealing with a difficult person at work. Your flesh wants to respond with anger or gossip. But when you surrender that situation to Christ, His resurrection power gives you the ability to respond with love and grace instead. That's not natural - that's supernatural. That's the power that raised Jesus from the dead working in your daily life.

Church, stop trying to live the Christian life in your own strength! The same power that rolled away the stone from Jesus' tomb is available to roll away every obstacle in your spiritual growth. But you have to surrender daily and let His power work through you.

The Fellowship of His Sufferings

The second dimension Paul mentions is "the fellowship of His sufferings." Now, I know what some of you are thinking - "Pastor, I thought knowing Christ more was supposed to make life easier, not harder!"

But here's what you need to understand: suffering is actually one of God's primary tools for spiritual growth. How do you recognize when you're growing through the fellowship of His sufferings?

The problem with most Christians they think erroneously, that God is going to take all of the pain and sufferings away the moment that they accept Christ as Savior. That is not the case, He makes these things that you’re going through more easily bearable. Because you know that the Rock never slips.

I’m reminded of the Scripture that tells us to build our house on the rock and not he sand, because when the rain comes of the sufferings and issues of the world it will wipe away your foundation, but if your foundation securely planted on the Rock that is Christ, there’s nothing that can sweep you away!

Imagine a caterpillar that finds itself in a cocoon, stuck and uncomfortable. It could complain about the confinement, but instead, it endures the transformation. This is similar to how we conform to Christ's death; we might feel restricted by our self-denial, yet through this process, we emerge as new creations, just like the butterfly. It's a crucial part of becoming who God wants us to be—not just a different version of ourselves, but entirely new!

First, you'll notice that trials no longer devastate you the way they used to.

Instead, they develop you. You start to see hardships as opportunities rather than just obstacles.

You begin to understand that God uses pressure to create diamonds and heat to refine gold.

Second, you'll develop deeper compassion for others who are hurting. When you've walked through your own valley, you can genuinely comfort others in their valleys.

Your pain becomes your platform for ministry.

Your mess becomes your message.

Your Test your Testimony.

Third, you'll experience spiritual maturity that can only come through hardship. There are some lessons that can only be learned in the dark.

There are some aspects of God's character that can only be discovered in the storm.

There are some depths of faith that can only be reached through difficulty.

But here's the process: you have to choose to embrace difficulties as opportunities to know Christ's heart more deeply.

Instead of asking "God, why is this happening to me?" start asking "God, what do you want to teach me through this?

How can this draw me closer to you?"

Jesus suffered not because He had to, but because He chose to - for love.

When we suffer with the right perspective, we enter into fellowship with His heart of love for others. We begin to understand what it cost Him to save us. We start to feel what He feels for a lost and hurting world

Church, don't waste your pain! Let it drive you deeper into fellowship with Jesus.

Let it teach you things about His character that you could never learn in comfort.

Let it develop in you the compassion and maturity that can only come through walking with Him through difficult seasons.

Being Conformed to His Death

The third dimension is "being conformed to His death." This might sound morbid, but it's actually the most liberating aspect of knowing Christ more deeply.

How do you recognize when you're being conformed to His death?

First, you'll notice yourself dying to selfishness and living more sacrificially. Your first thought stops being "what's in it for me?" and starts being "how can I serve?"

You find joy in putting others' needs before your own comfort.

Second, you'll see yourself putting others first in your relationships. Instead of always needing to be right, you choose peace.

Instead of demanding your way, you look for ways to bless others.

Instead of holding grudges, you choose forgiveness.

Third, you'll start living for God's glory rather than your own recognition. You'll do good things without needing credit.

You'll serve behind the scenes without needing applause.

You'll find your identity in being God's child rather than in what others think about you.

But here's the process: this happens through daily choices to crucify your flesh and live for God's glory. Every day, you'll face moments where you have to choose between what your flesh wants and what God wants. Every time you choose God's way over your way, you're being conformed to Christ's death.

Romans 12:1–2 MEV

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

WE must be willing to let our minds be transformed to resemble more like Christ. Looking like the world gets you no where, Strive to look like Christ.

Strive to be like Christ.

Let His Will Be shone through you by your actions, and deeds.

Jesus said in Luke 9:23

Luke 9:23 MEV

Then He said to them all, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Notice that word "daily." This isn't a one-time decision - it's a daily choice to die to self and live for Christ. Let me give you a practical example. Maybe your spouse says something that hurts your feelings. Your flesh wants to retaliate, to give them a piece of your mind, to make them pay for hurting you. But being conformed to Christ's death means you choose to respond with grace instead. You choose to forgive quickly. You choose to bless instead of curse.

Or maybe you're in a situation where you could take credit for something good that happened, but you know God deserves the glory. Being conformed to His death means you deflect the praise to Him instead of soaking it up for yourself.

Church, this is where real spiritual maturity happens! When you learn to die to yourself daily, you discover the abundant life that Jesus promised. When you stop living for yourself and start living for Him, you find the fulfillment your soul has been searching for.

Practical Assessment Tool

Let us take a moment and asses ourselves with these next few questions.

I want you to honestly evaluate where you are right now.

For the Power of His Resurrection, ask yourself: Am I experiencing supernatural strength in areas where I used to struggle?

Am I seeing God bring life to dead situations in my life?

Do I have hope even when circumstances look hopeless?

If you're still trying to live the Christian life in your own strength, you need more of His resurrection power. Your own strength will always fail, I have some news for you today, Resurrection Power only comes from the power of the Holy Ghost. It only comes from Jesus Christ!

For the Fellowship of His Sufferings, ask yourself: How do I respond when trials come? Do I get bitter or do I get better?

Am I developing compassion for others through my own pain?

Am I learning lessons about God's character through difficult seasons?

If you're still running from every difficulty instead of learning from it, you need to grow in this area. Struggle is where we are able to move forward.

You can’t climb stairs without exertion, and even sometimes it will cause some pain to climb those stairs. You can’t move forward without friction, and in both of these the key idea is struggle.

Struggle propels you forward.

Struggle teaches you reliance.

Difficulties teach you dependance.

Don’t shun these things but embrace them.

James 1:2–4 MEV

My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations, knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience. But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 MEV

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in hardships, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

For Being Conformed to His Death, ask yourself: Am I becoming more selfless or am I still primarily focused on my own needs?

Do I put others first in my relationships?

Am I living for God's glory or my own recognition?

If you're still living primarily for yourself, you need to grow in dying to self.

Here's the beautiful thing - you don't have to be perfect in all three areas right now. Spiritual growth is a process, not a destination.

However, you should be able to see progress. You should be able to look back over the past year and see growth in at least one of these dimensions.

And here's what I want you to understand: these three dimensions work together. The more you experience His resurrection power, the more you're able to endure suffering with the right perspective. The more you fellowship with His sufferings, the more you're willing to die to self. The more you die to self, the more His resurrection power can flow through you. It's a beautiful cycle of spiritual growth.

Call to Action & Prayer

Church, as we close this morning, I want to challenge you with some specific next steps for experiencing MORE OF CHRIST in 2026.

First, start each day with surrender. Before you check your phone, before you think about your to-do list, before you worry about your problems - surrender your day to Christ and ask for His resurrection power to work through you.

Second, change your perspective on trials. The next time difficulty comes - and it will come - instead of asking "Why me?" ask "What do you want to teach me through this, Jesus? How can this draw me closer to your heart?"

Third, look for daily opportunities to die to self. Every day, you'll have chances to choose God's way over your way, to put others first, to live for His glory instead of your own. Take those opportunities.

Fourth, find an accountability partner who can help you grow in these areas. Ask someone you trust to regularly check in with you about your spiritual growth. Give them permission to ask you the hard questions.

Finally, make knowing Christ more deeply your primary pursuit this year. Not just knowing more about Him, but actually knowing HIM.

Spend time in His presence.

Talk to Him throughout your day.

Let Him speak to you through His Word.

Church, I believe 2026 can be the year you experience MORE OF CHRIST than ever before. But it's going to require intentionality. It's going to require surrender. It's going to require a willingness to let Him change you from the inside out.

Ephesians 3:20 MEV

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us,