Greetings Church in the gracious name of the Lord Jesus Christ, those visiting us today, you are most welcome to this family fellowship. Sunrise is a family of believers, we come together to share God’s love, we are open to new people coming along.
Seeking to know Christ is actually one of the key activities that bring us together as a family at Sunrise. Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Philippians 3:10 is a significant verse in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, where he expresses his deep desire to know Christ intimately and to experience the power of His resurrection. This verse reads as follows in many translations: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
To fully grasp the meaning of Philippians 3:10, it is essential to understand its context within the letter written by Paul to the church in Philippi. The letter is often characterized by themes of joy, perseverance, and unity among believers. Paul writes this epistle while imprisoned, yet he emphasizes rejoicing in Christ despite circumstances. In Chapter 3, Paul contrasts true righteousness through faith in Christ with a false sense of righteousness based on adherence to the law.
The phrase “I want to know Christ” indicates Paul’s profound yearning for a personal relationship with Jesus. This knowledge goes beyond intellectual understanding; it encompasses experiential knowledge that comes from living out one’s faith. For Paul, knowing Christ means engaging deeply with His life and teachings, which reflects a transformative relationship rather than mere acquaintance, it is the desire for intimacy with Christ.
The second part of the verse speaks about “the power of his resurrection.” This refers not only to the historical event of Jesus rising from the dead but also that very power working within the life of believers. The resurrection signifies victory over sin and death, offering hope and new life. Paul desires this same power to be active in his own life—a transformative force that enables him to live righteously and boldly proclaim the Gospel.
Finally, when Paul states “becoming like him in his death,” he alludes to a complete surrender and alignment with Christ’s will. This echoes themes found throughout Paul’s writings regarding dying to oneself (Galatians 2:20) and embracing a lifestyle that reflects Jesus’ humility and obedience even unto death.
Philippians 3:10 encapsulates Paul’s earnest desire for an intimate relationship with Christ characterized by knowledge, empowerment through resurrection, shared suffering, and transformation into His likeness. This verse serves as an invitation for all believers to pursue a deeper connection with Jesus that transcends mere belief or ritual practice. In this verse Paul is reminding us think of our lives, quite often people seek knowledge of the things of this world more than the knowledge of Christ and His power, today may I remind us all, that every effort you put in seeking Christ is counted and worthwile than anything else we can spend time on.
Let’s rise up and seek Him as He can still be found!
Amen!
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