The Excellence of the Knowledge of Jesus Christ Philippians 3:8

Knowing Christ is “Excellence” Once Paul came to know who Jesus Christ really was, all power, all prestige, all position of influence that he once had meant nothing Philippians 3:7-8 ▫“Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ…”

Personal Knowledge We cannot come to know Jesus solely through another person’s acquaintance with Him We must come to know Him for ourselves “…that I may know Him” (Phil. 3:10) The “faith of our fathers” must become OUR faith, for God does not have any “grandchildren”

Intelligent Knowledge Jesus does not expect us to commit “intellectual suicide” to know Him He desires us to use our minds (Mt. 22:37) We should desire to know all things about Him: ▫His nature, both divine and human ▫His offices, prophet, priest, king savior, shepherd ▫His works, both then and now ▫His past shame and suffering, His present and future glory and exaltation

Affectionate Knowledge If I know Him at all, I must love Him Romans 5:6-8 I am accursed if I do not (1 Cor. 16:22) As with our minds, so we must love the Lord with all our hearts (Mt. 22:37)

Satisfying Knowledge It will satisfy where other things do not Paul was willing to forego the advantages he had in Judaism It will be the “bread” that fills our hunger, and the “water” that quenches our thirst (Jn. 6:35)

Exciting Knowledge The more we know of the “Beloved”, the more we will want to know (Heb. 2:9-18) We will come to realize that in Him “are hidden all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3) We will realize that “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9) We are “complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:10)

Happy Knowledge For in Him is the key to joy despite all our circumstances (Phil. 4:4) We may have tribulation, but in Christ we can have joy (Jn. 16:33) Such is the “excellence” (surpassing value) of this knowledge of Jesus Christ! Is it worth having? More than anything in the world!

Growing In The Knowledge of Christ The Word of God is Essential The only accurate source for learning about Jesus is the Word of God We should not limit our search for knowledge about Jesus to the four gospels… If you wish to truly learn of Jesus, you must commit yourself to a study of the Word of God

Growing In The Knowledge of Christ But So Is Obedience It is not enough to just have “head knowledge” concerning Jesus Christ “True Knowledge” of Jesus comes only as we obey Him (1 Jn. 2:1-6) And as we develop the qualities He displayed, which is the goal of all His commandments (2Pet. 1:5-8)

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk.13:3) Confess Christ (Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (I Pet. 3:21) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)