That I may Know Him (Mid-Week Bible Study)
Topic: In Pursuit of Christ
Text Outline:
➢ Safeguarding Your Faith – Phil. 3:1-3
➢ Boasting in Worthlessness and Garbage – Phil. 3:4-6
➢ The Infinite Value of Knowing Christ Jesus – Phil. 3:7-9
➢ That I May Know Christ – Phil. 3:10-11
Question: What does it mean to safeguard our faith and how do we do it? Ph. 3:1-11:
Safeguarding Your Faith
Philippians 3:1-3 NLT
Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.
- Rejoice in the Lord, not circumstances (Rom. 12:12, Lk. 12:15, Ph.4:11-23)
- Beware of dogs, evil doers and mutilators. ‘Dogs’ here refers to those who believe you must do certain things outside of what Christ has done to be saved. (Acts 4:12, Gal.1:6-7, 3:1-4).
- Understand your identity. You are complete in Christ (Col. 2:8-10, Eph. 4:14-15)
- Worship God by the Spirit of God (Jn. 4:24).
- Rely on what Jesus Christ has done for you (Eph. 2:5-6, 8-10.)
- Put NO confidence in human effort (Rom. 4:18-22)
Boasting in Worthlessness and Garbage
Philippians 3:4-6 NLT
Though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days
old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin-a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
- How ignorant! Don’t compare yourself to others (2 Cor. 10:12).
- Whatever you have was given to you. Why boast? (I Cor. 4:7, Pr. 31:30)
- The zeal (anger) of man cannot produce God’s righteousness (James 1:19-20).
- Humble yourself – the Lord knows the thought of the wise; they are worthless (1 Cor. 18-20).
- Don’t boast in your wisdom, power or riches (Jer. 9:23-24).
Question: How do we properly estimate our achievements without boasting about them?
The Infinite Value of Knowing Jesus
Philippians 3:7-9 NLT
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because
of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the
infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
- Gaining Christ: Is Jesus your treasure and pearl? (Matt. 13:44-45)
- Before and After – A growing believer constantly evaluates their faith and walk with Christ (2 Cor. 13:5, 2 Pt. 1:10).
- “We have forsaken all.” It is either all or nothing (Mt. 19:16- 21; 27-29, 6:24, I Cor. 7:19-21)
- Whose Righteousness? (Is.64:6, Gal.2:12, Rom3:20, 2 Cor.5:22)
- God’s way of making us righteous (Rom.3:19-25)
Questions:
How do we properly view or talk about our achievements without boasting about them?
How do you know you are righteous?
That I May Know Christ
Philippians 3:10-11 NLT
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
- Knowing Christ is more than head knowledge. It is a knowledge that births an experience and results in fruit.
- Knowing Christ is the essence of our faith
- We must want Christ and desire Him. It must be the cry of your heart (Ps. 27:4)
- Knowing Christ requires time, effort and commitment.
- Paul’s desire to know Christ was not just to have good feelings or things. He wanted everything including experiencing His suffering and death (Rom 12:2, Rom 6:5-11).
Conclusion
- And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3
- The Christian life is not a calling to just know Christ intellectually. We are called to know Him personally, intimately and experientially.
- That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life. 1 John 1:1
- We will not know Christ accidentally. He is only revealed to those who seek Him with their whole hearts.
- You cannot approach Christ or know Him relying on your own righteousness.
Thank you for Participating!