THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION
Text: Phil. 3:7-14 040508
4 May 2008
(I) THE CONTEXT OF SPEAKING OF GOD WORKING IN OUR LIVES
1. Tracing the idea to the Biblical Source
“The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8
2. Applied in the Philippian Context
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
(II) THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PAUL’S FOCUS ON THE POWER OF GOD
1. Dealing with a lack of power in his life previously – in times past.
“…If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gained to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” Philippians 3:4-7
2. Desiring to know how the power of the Lord worked.
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” Philippians 3:10
3. Determining to fulfil a personal destiny of life
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Philippians 3:12
(III) PAUL’S QUEST TO DISCOVER THE POWER OF THE LORD IN HIS LIFE
1. Through a growing knowledge of Christ
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” Philippians 3:10
“…for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…” Philippians 3:8
2. Through fellowshipping with Christ in suffering
“…and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
3. Through focusing on pressing forward
“But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press on toward the goal…” Philippians 3:13-14
(IV) THE CONFIDENCE OF GOD COMPLETING HIS WORK IN US
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6
1. Being confident of God’s power working in our life
2. Being confident at the day of Jesus Christ