The Fellowship of His Sufferings"

Phil.3:10,

Philippians 3:10 KJV 1900

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

this is really to encourage us as believers during our time of suffering, to put our focus back on Christ.

Heb.12:2,

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Here in the text, Paul the writer sitting in jail writing to the Church @ Philippi...His testimony...(TO KNOW CHRIST).

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Question - How did I get here? Paul’s conversion - persecutor of the Church, knocked off his beast

Can’t know Christ in your flesh...NO hope!

Legalist mindset - self accomplishments, status (renounce)

Everything (pedigree, degrees) put it all at the foot of the Cross.

...Identity (know of, difference in knowing)

Know Him...not by hearing or reading, but personally

~FAITH is knowledge~

Conversion(Salvation) intro...grow to know Him(intimacy,experience,relationship) ...Know His Grace

Suffering causes us to experience greater grace & power

Suffering is preparation for service

1 Peter 5:10b KJV 1900

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

...Paul’s salvation was secure, but he longed for more...

Freedom is Christ does not exempt us from hardships.

~No matter how faithful you are, you will experience both joy & suffering~

Suffering is not a penalty, but a privilege

2 Tim.2:12,

2 Timothy 2:12 KJV 1900

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

LEARNED OBEDIENCE COMES THROUGH SUFFERING …bearing the name of Christ

Fellowship(sharing) of His Suffering - 1st of all, we can never really suffer the way Jesus did.

The fellowship of His suffering - It’s the assurance we have knowing that Christ has already given us the VICTORY!

Glory in tribulation(rejoice in suffering)

Not being happy that you’re suffering, but going through knowing the outcome(All things work together).

His death & resurrection kills the sin in us & brings us into newness w/Him, in order to receive the benefits..