I. REJECTING ALL CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH

A. PAUL WAS ENTITLED TO ALL THE PRIVILEGES OF THE JEWS

B. HE REJECTED IT ALL

C. WE MAY BE ENTITLED TO VARIOUS PRIVILEGES

D. WE MUST REJECT OUR CLAIM TO THEM

II. WHAT TO SEARCH FOR; HUNGER FOR; LONG FOR

A. THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST:

1. A PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE

a. In the heart more than in the intellect

b. Realizing the Savior’s nearness

c. Imitating Him

2. IT IS EXCELLENT; THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO COMPARE TO IT

3. ONE WHO KNOWS CHRIST, WINS CHRIST TO BE THEIR OWN

a. Their own most loving Savior

b. Their own most gracious Friend

c. His very life. “He that hath the Son hath life.”

4. THE ONE FOUND IN CHRIST, INCORPORATED INTO HIM, IS A LIVING MEMBER OF HIS BODY

B. THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST WE ARE RIGHTEOUS

III. THE RESULTS OF REJECTING THE FLESH, THE EVER-DEEPENING KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. FOR THIS WE NEED TO KNOW:

A. THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION

1. THIS IS THE POWER THAT LIFTS US UP TO BE HID IN CHRIST

2. POWER TO MAKE OUR SPIRITS LIKE THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST

3. THE POWER THAT HAS BEEN DELEGATED TO THE CHURCH TO ACT ON BEHALF OF CHRIST

B. TO KNOW THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION WE MUST KNOW THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERING

1. SORROWING FOR THE SINS OF OTHERS

2. SORROWING FOR THE OPPRESSION AND AFFLICTIONS OF THE CHURCH

a. Understanding that it IS the BODY of Christ

3. SUFFERING FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM, EXPERIENCING THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY AS WE LABOR FOR THE MASTER

C. LITTLE BY LITTLE, WE BECOME CONFORMED UNTO HIS DEATH

1. IT IS THE ACT OF MORTIFYING, CRUCIFYING THE OLD MAN

2. AS DEATH UPON THE CROSS, IT IS A LONG PAINFUL DEATH

IV. THE END TO ALL OF THIS

A. SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION HERE

B. THE RESURRECTION TO THE GLORIOUS LIFE

LESSONS:

1. PAUL BROKE COMPLETELY AWAY FROM HIS UNCONVERTED LIFE, SO MUST WE

2. AS PAUL, WE MUST EXPERIENCE A COMPLETE CHANGE OF THOUGHT, MOTIVE, AIM

3. IT IS THE CONSTRAINING LOVE OF CHRIST THAT WILL DRAW US FROM OUR OLD LIFE

4. AS WE SUFFER WITH CHRIST, WE WILL FEEL THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION

Knowing Jesus