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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