The Excellence of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Text: Philippians 3:1-11
I. Saul was an outstanding member of the Jewish religion during his time
A. He had all the right qualities - Philippians 3:4-6
B. He was advancing faster than his peers - Galatians 1:13-14
C. But he changed when he came to know who Jesus really was - Philippians 3:7-8
1. He changed his views, his beliefs, and even his name
2. His past no longer mattered.
II. The characteristics of the knowledge of Christ
A. It is personal. Notice that Paul speaks in the first person - Philippians 3:10
1. We cannot come to fully know Jesus through another person’s relationship with Christ
2. Your parent’s relationship with Christ doesn’t mean you personally know Him
3. That faith of our fathers must become our faith.
4. You cannot enter the covenant without knowing Him - Jeremiah 31:34
B. It is real
1. So many think that in belief, Christians suspend all logical thinking
2. But we love the Lord with all our mind - Matthew 22:37
3. We should desire to know about
a. His nature – both divine and human
b. His offices: priest and king, savior and shepherd
c. His works
d. His sufferings
e. His glory
C. It is affectionate
1. You are accursed if you do not love the Lord - I Corinthians 16:22
D. It is satisfying
1. Jesus described himself as the bread of life and the water that quenches our thirst - John 6:35
2. In Him, we are made complete - Colossians 2:10
E. It is exciting
1. In Christ is all the hidden treasure - Colossians 2:1-3
2. Finding treasure - Matthew 13:45-46
F. It is joyful
1. When you find something of this value, it fills your heart - Matthew 13:44
2. Rejoice in the Lord - Philippians 4:4
III. How is it gained?
A. Read! - Romans 10:16-17
1. The only accurate source is the Bible.
a. Movie adaptations, books, articles, etc. can be entertaining and sometimes instructive, but they are written by men who make mistakes at times.
b. Thus, we need to know the gospels
2. But the knowledge of Jesus is not limited to the gospels
a. The Old Testament contains prophecies of Christ that tell us about him and his nature - Isaiah 9:6-7
b. The Book of Acts tells us about the church that Jesus built
c. The letters reveal more about who Christ is
(1) A merciful and faithful High Priest - Hebrews 2:17-18
(2) One who can sympathize with us - Hebrews 4:14-16
(3) One who suffered for us - I Peter 2:21-25
(4) One who loved us - Revelation 1:5-6
3. To know Christ, you must be committed to studying His book - II Timothy 2:15
B. But knowledge without application is useless
1. Without work, it is easily forgotten - James 1:21-25
2. We know him when we obey him - I John 2:3-6
3. We develop his character, as a child imitates his parent - II Peter 1:5-8
4. We see things more clearly - Hebrews 5:13-14
IV. Have you come to know your Lord?
A. What he has for you is not difficult - Matthew 11:28-30
B. You can come to Jesus by heeding the gospel message - Mark 16:15-16
based on a lesson by Mark Copeland
