TO KNOW THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION

Passage: Philippians 3:10-16

Key verse: 10

NIV

10 I want to know(A) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,(B) becoming like him in his death,(C) 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection(D) from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,(E) but I press on to take hold(F) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.(G) 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind(H) and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on(I) toward the goal to win the prize(J) for which God has called(K) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

15 All of us, then, who are mature(L) should take such a view of things.(M) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.(N) 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

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ESV

10 (A)that I may know him and (B)the power of his resurrection, and (C)may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may (D)attain the resurrection from the dead.

Straining Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already (E)obtained this or (F)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: (G)forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for (H)the prize of the upward (I)call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are (J)mature think this way, and if in anything (K)you think otherwise, (L)God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only (M)let us hold true to what we have attained.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. I want to know Christ (1

-11)

Surely Paul knew Christ. But who can know the depths of Christ's love and power? We can know the power of Christ's resurrection when we share in the fellowship of his sufferings, and become like him in his death. Christ suffered because of the sins of the world. The sinful imaginations of the hearts of men grieved God in Genesis 6. The unresponsive and unrepentant people of Jerusalem made Jesus weep (Lk 19:41). Jesus died on the cross because of my sins. When I repent, lay my sins on his cross, and die to my sinful nature, I can die with Jesus and live with him (Ro 6:5). When I accept his mission for a lost world, I can share in his sufferings.

2. I press on toward the goal (12-16)

A mature Christian is a growing Christian. The race of life is not over until we cross the finish line of heaven. If we don't keep on growing, we slip backward.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to hate the sins that grieve you. Help me to die to myself daily and receive your grace of forgiveness so that I may know you better.

One Word: That I may know Christ