ESTABLISHED: Knowing God

For the next 6-week, we as a church will rediscover the true focus of the Christian faith—to restore ourselves to God and nurture a growing relationship with Him—while learning to better hear His Word, serve His people, walk in His will, and share His Gospel.

Philippians 3:1–11 NKJV

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

When Paul met the Lord on his way to Damascus (Acts 9) his whole being was revolutionised. His eyes being opened, he discovered that in Him he had found a limitless store of spiritual wealth, for which he counted everything else as worthless (v. 7). We have here some of the experiences which his holy ambition aimed at. May our own hearts also be stirred up to seek them.

I. That I may Win Christ (v. 8).

Christ had already won him (Acts 9). But the apostle realised that although he was now in the land of promise, there was still much land to be possessed. He evidently wished to find Him as a daily prize. He was determined not to know anything among them but Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 2:2).

II. That I might Know Him (v. 10).

There are, of course, many degrees in knowledge. All Christians know Him whom to know is life eternal. But the Christ some saintly men and women know is a much greater Christ than many have ever experienced. It is the same Jesus, but they have a much deeper and more intimate knowledge of His character and capabilities. It will take all eternity to know Him as He really is. We are to “grow in grace,” but also “in the knowledge of Him.”

III. That I may be Found in Him (v. 9).

It is an abiding victory for all those whose faith and works are found in Him. If He abides in us we shall be found in Him (John 15:4), and at last, when the time of our departure is at hand, it will be a joy to us, an honour to Christ, and glory to God, when HE finds us enveloped in the worthiness of His own Son. To be found in Him will be to find us blameless and complete (Rom. 8:1).

IV. That I Might Know the Power of His Resurrection (v. 10).

There is no doubt as to the fact of Christ’s resurrection. He had seen Him, and had such exultant faith in Him, that he longed for the power that raised Jesus from the dead, that the risen life of Jesus might be manifested in his mortal flesh (2 Cor. 4:10). If we have been crucified with Christ, then are we raised together with Him. The power of His resurrection is the power of His life-giving Spirit. The vitality of the Gospel has its source in His resurrection.

V. That I may Know the Fellowship of His Sufferings (v. 10).

With the sufferings of Christ as our atoning Substitute, we can have no fellowship. He was alone, and will be for ever alone in that, but in suffering because of His holy, God-honouring devotion to His Father’s will, He hath left us an example, that we should follow His steps; for “if any man will live Godly he must suffer” (2 Tim. 3:12). We cannot know the fellowship of His sufferings unless we are possessed by the same Spirit and faithfully serving in the same cause. This fellowship demands a consecrated life, a life willing to be “made conformable unto His death.”

VI. That I Might Attain unto the Resurrection from Among the Dead (v. 11).

At the coming of our Lord the dead in Christ shall rise first (1 Cor. 15:20). This is called “the first resurrection.” “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, for they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:5, 6). Doubtless this is the truth the apostle refers to here in being raised from among the dead. (The rest of the dead lived not till the Millennial reign had closed.) He desired to attain a place of honour and service in the coming Kingdom of his Lord; and certainly he will, for he “fought the fight and finished the course,” he kept the faith and expected the crown (2 Tim. 4:7). “Seek those things which are above.”