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Lesson 15: The Value of knowing Christ, Phil. 3:8-11
April 21, 2020
Lesson 15: The Value of knowing Christ
Read Phil. 3: 8-11. Paul had shared in the previous lesson his own accomplishments in serving God. He had a pretty good resume'. He was a "Hebrew of Hebrews", he was Pharisaical in his approach to the Law. He was zealous about serving God. He was righteous in how he kept the Law. When this new sect known as Christianity emerged; he saw it as a threat against God's way and persecuted those who belonged to Christ. Yet, his conclusion concerning his works and righteousness in verse 7? "But what things were gain to me I have counted loss for Christ."
Paul realized all his good works did not merit God's salvation revealed to him through Christ. Now as he springboards from this statement, Paul reveals his true testimony, his desire to grow even greater in Christ.
He has gained the "knowledge of Christ Jesus." This does not mean that he knew about Christ. Instead of this word "knowledge" being a verb, it is a "substantive" statement of his relationship with Christ. He knows Christ in a deeper, more relational way. It's not so much knowing Jesus' history, as it is knowing Jesus intimately as having shared common experiences with Jesus.
An "exchange" had taken place in Paul's life. Paul had given up his life, his desires, his dreams and his identity in exchange for being like Christ. It's really the whole basis of being a "christian"; to become like Christ!
This "exchange" is necessary if one is to be saved. Paul in Col. 3:3, states, "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." In short Paul tells them, "You are now like Christ, He is your new identity." In Mt. 16:25,26, Jesus tells us, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" You can't keep your old life. You must "put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27).
Read the story of "The Rich young Ruler" in Mt. 19:16-22. This young man wanted to follow Jesus just like a lot of people. Jesus tells him, "If you want treasure in heaven, you need to give all your wealth away." The young man couldn't do it. He couldn't give up "who he was" and become "who Christ insisted he must be." Paul could and Paul did, he "counted all things loss" for knowing Christ. Paul wanted to gain Christ and be found in Him. We must too.
There are four realities that occur in the life of a believer when he "knows" Christ. The first is best described in (Jn. 10:2-5) in the Good Shepherd's relationship with His sheep. They follow Him. The reason why they follow Him is because they know His voice and trust Him. So they accept His will for their lives.
Jesus told those who heard His teachings in Lu. 6:46, "Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord and not do the things which I say?" Surely if you call Him Lord you will do what Jesus says, right? That's what His sheep do. They follow. But yet when Jesus spoke of Judgment day in Mt. 7:21-23, he said, "Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." He then speaks of "many" who thought He was their Lord, who had done good works in His name. But they were told by the Lord, "I NEVER KNEW YOU." Why? Because they did not do the "will of the Father".
What part of the Father's will did they NOT do? Jesus does not give a specific reason, but maybe it had to do with their entry through the wrong gate. Read Mt. 7:13,14. There is a specific way that we become a Christian. Jesus says, "Most assuredly unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (Jn. 3:5) Have you put on Christ? (Gal. 3:27) (Acts 2:38) If not, then Christ likely does not know you.
The second reality for those who know Christ is that they have Christ's righteousness. (Phil. 3:9) As we learned in Lesson 14 our righteousness is insufficient to save us. But here Paul tells us that we need the "righteousness which is through faith in Christ."
Read Rom. 3:21-26. Here Paul reveals to us that those in Christ are "justified freely by the grace of God, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Jesus kept the Law perfectly. He never sinned. (Heb. 4:15) In essence Jesus Christ lived the righteous life required of us. Then He died the death which was the penalty for our sins. Now His righteousness is "imputed" to us upon our faith and obedience to the Gospel. (Rom. 4:23-25)
The third reality is that those who know Christ will "know the power of His resurrection." (Phil. 3:10) Everyone who ever lived will one day be resurrected from the grave. But not everyone will "know Christ's resurrection. The difference is revealed by Christ Himself in Jn. 5:28,29, "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth- those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation."
Those who know Christ not only are in heaven for eternity, they are also given a body that will be "like Christ's glorious body." (Phil. 3:20,21) Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15:50-55 that this body will be incorruptible; it does not age, it feels no pain, it never breaks down. He also tells us that it is immortal; it will not die because we will not die there. (Rev. 20:14)
Finally, those who know Christ will not mind having fellowship in the "sufferings of Christ." (Phil. 3:10) No human being desires suffering or persecution. Yet it is a guarantee for "those who desire to live godly in Christ." (2 Tim. 3:12) Paul knew suffering and persecution well. At the time of this writing the Apostle had already been imprisoned for about five years total. He was stoned at Lystra. (Acts 14:19,20) He was beaten with rods at Philippi. (Acts 16:22,23) He had this in "common" (fellowship) with Christ.
Those who know Christ should expect persecution. The Philippians were already being persecuted. They had "adversaries who terrified them". (Phil. 1:28) What's more, Paul tells them, "it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." (Phil. 1:29) Jesus promised us in Jn. 15:18, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." It's the price of "knowing Christ". It's one of four realities that those who know Christ will experience.
Study Questions
1. "For you ________ and your life is hidden with ___________ in __________."
2. True or False, The "exchange" we must make to follow Christ involves us taking on Christ's identity.
3. What did Paul now consider all the things he lost for Christ's sake to be?
4. Whose righteousness is "imputed" to the one who believes in Christ Jesus?
5. Can we refuse to do what Christ asks of us and still have Him as our Lord?
6. "That I may ________ Him and the power of His ________________."
7. Why did Jesus say that the world would hate His disciples?