CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES

This Month's Theme: 

“Excellence of the Knowledge of Christ”

Philippians 3:4-9 “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;”

Saul of Tarsus had advanced in Judaism far beyond his contemporaries. There were few as zealous for the traditions of the Jewish fathers, as he ( Galatians 1:14 ). He studied under one of the most renowned Rabbis, and was educated in the strictness of the Law of Moses ( Acts 22:3 ).

However, when confronted with the truth that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, he forsook all that his life choices had to offer, to follow Jesus (they meant nothing to him in comparison to what Christ had to offer).

The only previous disposition that the chosen Apostle to the Gentiles brought with him into his new life was the zealous attitude, by which he served the Lord.

What mattered most to him did not have anything to do with position, power, wealth, or prestige; only to know Jesus Christ and His will!

So, what is there about the knowledge of Christ that makes it so desirable for someone like Paul and countless others? Should we desire this knowledge? How do we obtain it?

Knowledge is simply , to recognize ; to come to know ; to learn to understand !

The knowledge of Jesus Christ that is excellent:

 I. Must be a personal knowledge.

We cannot come to know Jesus solely through another's acquaintance with Him. While we can initially learn about Jesus from others ( I Corinthians 1:21 ), we must come to know him ourselves. Like Paul, we must be able to speak of Him in the first person, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection” .

 II. Must be an intelligent knowledge.

Jesus does not expect us to commit intellectual suicide to know Him, His desire is that we think and reason in order to truly know Him.

Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil .” 2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth .”

Thus we should desire to know all that the word of God reveals concerning Him. His divine nature; His offices as King and High Priest; Savior and Shepherd. His great work of salvation through the power of His resurrection ( I Peter 3:21 ). That we, like Paul, might be able to say, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” .

 III. Must be an affectionate knowledge.

To know Him, is to comprehend His love for us and the high price that was paid that we may have access to God through Him. However, there seems to be a great deal of confusion today about just how to express our affection for His great love! Consider the teaching of the Apostle John, who would reveal the teaching of our Lord concerning how we should express our love for Him, note:

1 John 2:3-6 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

He didn't just command this of us, He displayed it for us Himself, note:

Hebrews 5:8-9 “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,”

 IV. Will be a satisfying knowledge.

The knowledge of Jesus Christ will satisfy where other things, especially temporal things will not. No one of sane thought would deny that this life is only temporary at best (a friend of mine often states, “ no one is getting out of this alive !”). So, all knowledge, affection, and stores based on the temporary things of this life are short lived. Remember how much Paul gave up and even counted them as, “rubbish”. He knew that they did not hold in store the hope that those who gain knowledge of Jesus have in the resurrection from the dead; “if, by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” .

 V. Will be an exciting knowledge.

The more we know of the Son of God and all He has done and provided on our behalf, the more we will want to know. We will realize that in Him are all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and that we may be complete in Him.

Colossians 2:3 “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

9-10 “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

2 Peter 1:3 “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,”

 VI. Will be a joyful knowledge.

In Christ Jesus is the key to joy despite all our circumstances. Every person who has displayed the will to overcome has always stated as their inspiration; “that they never gave up hope!” Likewise, in Christ Jesus, we always have hope, regardless of the sufferings and tribulations this life throws at us. Victory over this life lies within Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord .”

As simple as it is, such is the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ! Paul was able to determine the value above all else in his life, from the beginning of his service to the Lord until the very end (through more persecution than you and I will ever know!), note:

Philippians 3:8 “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”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing .”

Excellence is knowing Him !

We invite you to worship with us:

Sunday Morning Bible Study – 10 A.M. (Classes for all ages)

Sunday Morning Worship – 10:50 A.M. (Communion, Prayer, Singing, and a Sermon)

Sunday Evening Worship – 5 P.M. (Singing, Prayer, and another practical lesson)

Wednesday Evening Service – 7 P.M. (Singing, Prayer, and Bible Classes)

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