To Know Jesus

Sunday morning's sermon (June 22, 2008) that speaks to suffering - and, especially to knowing Jesus! As I mention in the sermon, last week's message really helps inform this one. You can hear it on our website: www.graceccnc.org, or, you can e-mail me and ask for a written copy: btalley5@embarqmail.com God bless you!


To Know Jesus!
Philippians 3:10-16

Do you like stories? Everybody likes stories, I think! Now, granted, we have different tastes and so we find ourselves more interested in some stories than others. But, at some level, almost all of us like stories. If you say that you don’t particularly like fiction, you probably do and just don’t know it. For instance, do you enjoy the fictitious stories that Jesus told? “Well,” you say, “He was making a point.” I think, in fact, that is the goal of most fiction – to make a point. We all like stories.

In our day, most of us enjoy the life stories of other people. Hey, we all like telling our own stories to someone else, and a lot of us like hearing other people’s stories. If you find yourself always wanting to tell your personal story but rarely wanting to hear someone else’s story, that could be a problem – pray about that, would you? Ask God to give you are curious heart about others so that you can minister to them by letting them know how interested you are in their lives.

Sometimes stories have real purpose, and then there is Jerry Seinfeld. Does your story – or testimony, if you prefer – have purpose at the end? Is your life heading somewhere?

Last week, we read part of the Apostle Paul’s story in Philippians 3:1-9. I will not take too much time in review, but if you were not here last week then let me tell you up front that today’s message will be far more meaningful if you go back and listen to last week’s message. There are CD’s in the lobby, or you can listen online at our church website. Last week we read that Paul was committed to Jesus over the OT Law in spite of his extremely impressive Jewish bloodlines and religious commitment. He concluded that all his accomplishments were rubbish, and gladly traded everything for Jesus. He was getting somewhere with his story, and this morning in our very first verse we will come to a primary reason Paul told his story in the first place. In fact, Paul’s life purpose is clearly articulated Philippians 3, 7-14, and his central focus is to know Jesus Christ at a very high intimate level. It is a good time to read our text. We will read from verse 1 through verse 16 because of the importance of the big picture. Would you please stand for the reading of God’s Word?

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and it is safe for you.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh –
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence, I have more:
5 circumcised on the eight day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness under the law, blameless.
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith –
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death,
11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

The theme of the book of Philippians, as you know, is Partnership in the Gospel, which refers to the many ways Paul connected with the Philippian Church to share the gospel all over the Roman Empire. Last week’s text, Philippians 3:1-9, gave us a clear presentation of the gospel message – that our only hope for salvation is to be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. This morning we will learn just how very relevant the gospel message is to us who already know Jesus. All of Scripture points to the ultimate conclusion about our lives that Jesus is everything and we are nothing apart from Him.

Paul begins verse 10 with those words that many of us have uttered for years, “That I may know Him.” What did he mean? Since Paul had been a believer for 30 years, we know he was not saying that he wanted to meet Jesus for the first time, trusting Him as Savior. He meant, as you would expect, that he wanted to know Jesus better. Paul had just finished saying in verses 7-9 that Jesus was everything to him – he had no confidence in his own goodness as a means of his salvation – all depended on Jesus. But at this stage of Paul’s life, he was consumed with a desire to know Jesus intimately.

A lot of us begin our Christian lives with that kind of burning desire, don’t we? Our hearts are thrilled with this new life and we are fully aware that our wonderful new life exists because of Jesus. We can’t get enough Scripture or Christian fellowship or prayer in the early days. Gradually, though, so many of us slip into the routine of the Christian life and the burning desire to get to know Jesus at deeper levels subsides. As I have said before, the more we know about the Lord the easier it is to live without Him. We know what to say and what not to say, how to act, how to play our role, and we just settle in. The problem is, we are just settling. So, before we go any further in this text, let’s stop and pray silently. Would you ask the Lord to put this desire in your heart? Just say the words, “Jesus, I want to know You more!” OK.

We probably should have talked about the rest of the verse before praying that prayer, but I am sure you knew what you were getting into when you prayed it! Paul said, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.” You may think that a desire to know the power of Christ’s resurrection in his life was a common theme for Paul, but there is nowhere else in the apostle’s letters that he speaks of the resurrection in this way, although you could make a case for it in Romans 6. He usually speaks of the power that is available to Christ-followers as coming from the Father or the Spirit. What a vivid picture of God’s power: to live the life to which we are called because of resurrection power! It is the power to overcome sin, to share Jesus, to – no, wait. It is the power to share in Jesus’ sufferings. That is what Philippians 3:10 says, is it not?

It is interesting that Paul lists the power of the resurrection before speaking of sharing Jesus’ suffering. To share in Jesus’ suffering is, in fact, a desire of Paul’s, and he was able to suffer well because of resurrection power. Not that he would have chosen to be in prison or to suffer all that he had endured, but he knew there was a special communion with Jesus in suffering for the gospel, so he welcomed it.
I recently ran across the following reflection by Mehdi Dibaj, an Iranian pastor imprisoned for eight years because of his faith. It was excerpted from the book Bound to Be Free.

"These days there are celebrations everywhere. People outside celebrate the day of Revolution and you, my son, are celebrating your birthday today (17 years old). Inside my prison cell I am celebrating my forty-third year of becoming a Christian and today I am celebrating the entering of the eighth year of the test of my faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. There is a celebration and joy within my heart. I thank my loving God ever so much that He accounted me worthy to be here in prison for more than seven years now because of my love and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my Christian brothers and sisters who have supported me with their prayers and love, so that the victory should belong to the Lord. Victory is Yours, risen Jesus, Son of the Creator, our Redeemer."

Mehdi Dibaj was released from prison shortly after he wrote the gentle testimony quoted above. Six months later he was murdered by anti-Christian extremists. Do we really know much of suffering for Christ? Probably not. Does suffering in other ways count? I think so. I do believe that Paul is talking first and foremost about tangible suffering that comes because of our affiliation with and stand for Jesus, but it also seems to me that Job reminds us that we don’t have any idea about the cause for the other types of suffering we endure, such as sickness, broken relationships, lost jobs and the like. If we suffer well, then we are drawn into fellowship with Jesus. That’s what the word “sharing” in our text means. In fact, it is the Greek word koinonea, which in some places is translated “fellowship” and in some places translated “partnership.” Do you see the significance of the word and the truth, here? In the same way Paul and the Philippians were partners in sharing the Good News of Jesus, those who suffer for Jesus are literally “partners” with Him. As we grow closer to Jesus, we will die to our own desires and goals to be one with Him, according to the end of verse 10.

Verse 11 is not as complicated as it seems. Paul is not saying that his own salvation is in question. He is simply saying that he does not know whether he will be alive when Jesus returns or if he will die and await the resurrection of his body at such time when Jesus does return. But Paul’s thought, here, leads to a very important point that he will make in verse 12 that has major significance in Christendom today. Look at verse 12 and the first part of verse 13: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.”

Paul begins by saying I have not obtained this. Obtained what? Well, there are two possibilities. Paul could be simply saying that he had not obtained this intimate knowledge of Jesus for which he longs. It is also possible, though, that Paul was saying that he had not obtained the life that will be possible only after the final resurrection – that is, a life of perfection. If that is what Paul is saying, and I think it probably is, then his words contain irony and sarcasm. Remember, Paul had been a Christian for some 30 years. I think most of us would agree that he was probably the greatest Christian who ever lived. So, when he says, in essence, that I have not arrived, it means something! If the Apostle Paul had not reached the point of sinless perfection, the implication was that no one else had.

With these words, Paul was fighting one heresy and he was also fighting one badly misguided belief of some first-century Christians. First, he was putting to rest the idea of attaining heaven through the Law. Also, though, Paul was combating the prevalent idea that just as Jesus had been resurrected, so have we, thus no sickness, no sin, no troubles will plague our days any more. That is very much akin to the idea today that all we have to do is claim victory in Jesus, and all of our troubles are over – spiritual, financial, emotional, relational – it will all be OK if we just believe. But, if you will recall in verse 10, Paul had connected the power of the resurrection with suffering and death to self! Do you see how very foolish such theology is that proclaims that because we are children of the king, we will always live like princes and princesses with Jesus paving the way to happiness and spiritual perfection? Absurd! I am confident that we can conclude from these verses that we will struggle with sin until the day we die! But, as the second half of verse 13 and verse 14 show us, that is no excuse for sin: “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul once again employs an athletic metaphor. He sees himself as a runner that is straining for the finish line. Before we break this down, it is important to note that Paul is not saying “I want to beat all other Christians and finish first.” He is the only person in the race, but he is racing against himself. It is not that personal reward awaits him at the finish line, but, rather, Jesus. You may be tempted to look at this text and say, “Oh, yeah, Paul was looking to hear Jesus say ‘Well done,’” but Paul is simply wanting to do his very best up to the very end where he will find the one for Whom he has given up everything and thrown it on the garbage heap.

How does Paul run? For starters, he doesn’t look back. That is the first rule for runners in the lead, is it not? When you look back, you will only find trouble. Without question, Paul is saying that he is not looking back on any accomplishments, but he is looking ahead to Jesus. For most of us, it is not our accomplishments that turn our heads – it is our failures. Take a cue from Paul and fugettaboudit. One of the best ways to put the past behind you is to strain forward, leaning toward the finish line when you will meet Jesus, whether it be at His return or at the end of your life.

What do you most anticipate about heaven? I have to tell you that one of the most appealing aspects of heaven to me is that I will be through with my sinful self. That is not the best focus, though, is it? As much as I want to see my precious wife and my godly mother and so many others that have gone before me, my primary desire for heaven needs to be Jesus! That is the desire in Paul’s heart that has every nerve strained in anticipation. It is the ultimate life to which God has called us. Throughout eternity, though we will engage in all the good that this life offers and much, much more, our focus will return again and again to the one Who made life possible – Jesus! Let that sink in for a moment. Now, look back at Paul’s intense focus and ask God to make it your own.

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

To conclude his thoughts about all he has said in this chapter, Paul urges his followers to make sure that their passion for Christ is the same as his. Verses 15-16:

15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

This is one of those subtle shifts in Scripture that we so often miss. Paul switches from first person singular to first person plural. No longer does Paul say, “This is my story,” but he now says, “Let’s make sure this is the story for all of us.” Paul recognizes the Philippians as mature Christ-followers. Even though he had received direct revelation from God for truth, Paul was confident that God would lead the Philippians into truth, also, though they would receive it by reading Scripture that God had led Paul to write. God’s Spirit, of course, would have to open their eyes to any areas of deficiency in their theological understanding. At any rate, Paul says in verse 16, “Let’s hold on to and act on what we already know.” That is such an important principle in the Christian life – obey what you know. Pursue Jesus at the point of maturity to which He has brought you in your relationship with Him. Always keep your eyes on Jesus.

Let’s read this passage one more time – together. Read with me, please, Philippians 3:10-16:

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death,
11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.