Introduction
Focusing on Verses 7-11. To know Christ personally and fully far surpasses the value of all other things in life. It is of more value than all the silver and gold in the world. To lose all and gain Him is to gain everything.
We are justified by faith. The only thing that counts for righteousness is Christs righteousness.
“That I may know Him (v10)”
The work of sanctification and justification. The fellowship of His sufferings. Paul wanted to know Christ more.
1 – the power of His resurrection (v10)
Resurrection was the proof of Christs power.
Romans 4:24-25 (NKJV) 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
When Christ rose he proved that He defeated death. Jesus justifies the ungodly because He has the authority and power to do that. His resurrection revealed that He has divine power. Rom 1:3
We can walk in victory
Eph 1:19-22, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Pet 3:21, Rom 6:4, Act 4:33, Rom 8:11
The power to transform us into the image of Himself. V21
Even when Paul was weak, he was strong;
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 – Wants to know the fellowship of His suffering
Paul wants to know Him (v10) and the fellowship of His sufferings. Our deserved punishment was put on Christ. Paul wants to suffer with Him. We do not suffer to atone for our sins. We suffer to know Him more. We can suffer for the truth of God and we shouldn’t avoid it. We are honored to suffer for Him. Acts 5:41, Acts 16, 2 Thes 1:4, 1 Pet 4:13, John 15:18
The world rejected Christ they will reject us too. 2 Corinth 1:5,7
Acts 5:41 (NKJV) So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
Next time we suffer for the gospel recognize Christ is suffering with us. Jesus said to Paul “why are you persecuting me.”
3- Being conformed to His death.
(Sanctification) – putting to death the deeds of the flesh. Put off anger, malice, etc.. Put on the armor of light. He suffered in all ways yet without sin. V10 – The goal of knowing Christ will come to fullness when we die. Roman 1:16, 2 Tim 1:12, we have confidence.
Philippians 3:1-21 (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. 12 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. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do,] forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end [is] destruction, whose god [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame–who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.