[0:00] Take your Bibles and turn to the book of Philippians in chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3, we're going to read the first 11 verses. Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.
[0:16] It is no trouble for me to write the same thing to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.
[0:30] For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh. Though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
[0:43] If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more. Circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, in regard to the law, a Pharisee.
[1:03] As for zeal, persecuting the church. As for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
[1:18] What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
[1:28] I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.
[1:41] The righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of in the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
[1:58] And so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead. I want to know Christ.
[2:09] Suppose you were home alone in the middle of the night, sleeping. Your house starts on fire.
[2:22] And the smoke eventually wakes you, but then soon chokes you and you slip into unconsciousness inside the burning house. And a man driving by sees the fire, runs into the burning house and finds you, drags you outside, where he himself then collapses due to smoke and the burns that he's received.
[2:46] You two were burned, but the medics tell you you'll survive, and it was that man who saved your life. But the fire took everything. Burning the house to the ground, total loss, no insurance, no savings.
[3:01] But days later, an envelope without a return address comes to you, and it's the same man with enough cash to rebuild your house and to furnish it.
[3:13] And while you're waiting, he's reserved a room in the local hotel and area restaurants will be bringing you meals. The following week, another envelope with money to pay off all your debts and with a note that he's praying for your full recovery from your burns and the trauma.
[3:37] Now, at some point, you tell me, I want to know that man. This unknown benefactor who saved my life and has heaped such blessing upon me.
[3:49] And I say, well, why would you want to know him? Isn't it enough just knowing that you're saved? You're out of danger now, man. You can get on with your life. And besides, you've got everything that you need.
[4:01] All these gifts. Enough to satisfy any man. And you say, no, John. It's those things that only make me want to know him more.
[4:16] It's because of those things that I want to know him. And it's in our text this morning, Philippians 3.10, that we hear Paul saying, I want to know Christ.
[4:28] Now, that wasn't always Paul's great desire. He was a religious man on the fast track to hell. And if you would have asked him then, what do you want, Paul?
[4:39] He would have said, I want to silence and kill all followers of Jesus the Nazarene. I want to rid the earth of the memory of that false prophet, that dead man who claimed to be our Messiah and deceived so many.
[4:55] Who even now still claim that he rose from the dead. That was Paul's passion. That's what he wanted in life. And he was pursuing it with all his might.
[5:07] And thinking all the while that God was pleased with him for ridding the earth of another cult. And then on his way to the foreign city of Damascus, Syria, to there, round up some Christians and haul him back to Jerusalem for punishment.
[5:25] Suddenly, a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, knocks him to the ground in a voice from heaven. He said, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?
[5:40] And he cried, who are you, Lord? I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.
[5:51] And in that moment, Paul learned that Jesus was not dead, but risen and very much alive. That he was not a false prophet, but he was indeed God's one and only saving Messiah.
[6:06] And that he, Paul, was in a heap of trouble because in persecuting his followers, he was persecuting him.
[6:18] Oh, but he also learned that Jesus had come and arrested him not to kill him, but to save him. To save him. That though he was a great sinner, Jesus was a greater savior.
[6:32] And that salvation is not by our works, but by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And that in receiving Christ, he received his robe of righteousness that made him right with God forever and ever.
[6:52] And from that day on, Paul's cry was, I want to know Christ. I want to know Christ. Well, why so, Paul?
[7:05] Isn't it enough to satisfy you just knowing you're now saved? You're out of danger. You're on your way to heaven. Isn't it enough just knowing he loves you, he prays for you, and daily loads you with benefits?
[7:20] Aren't his gifts enough for you? And he says, no, John. No. These things only make me all the more want to know him.
[7:32] I want to know Christ. I want to know the one who rescued me from everlasting torments in hell where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth forever. I want to know him.
[7:43] Who was it that rescued me? I want to know him. I want to know him. I want to know him who loved me and gave himself for me. Who forgave me all my sins and clothed me in his own robe of righteousness.
[7:55] I want to know him. I want to know the one who became a man for me. That he might die for me. The one who became sin for me.
[8:06] That he might make me righteous. The one who became a curse for me. That I might be blessed forever. The one who became poor for me.
[8:17] That I might be made rich eternally. I want to know Christ. You see his benefits alone are not enough to satisfy me.
[8:28] As great as they are. I want to know him. I want to know him. Now that's the same Christ that he once hated. And what do we say about this?
[8:40] Other than. What a glorious change true conversion is. It's not a small thing that God does when he saves a man, a woman, or boy, or a girl.
[8:54] And their desire then becomes. I want to know Christ. Now when Paul said this he wasn't a newly converted man.
[9:08] He wasn't just plucked right out of the fire. No, this is Paul 30 years after Christ met him and saved him on the Damascus Road.
[9:21] 30 years of walking and talking with Christ. 30 years in the yoke with Jesus. Learning from him. Serving him.
[9:33] Suffering for him. Getting to know him. And it's then that he writes. Philippians 3.8. I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
[9:50] For whom I've suffered the loss of all things. And count them. But rubbish. Paul's 30 years in.
[10:04] And his panting heart still beats with this cry. I want to know him. I want to know him. Is that you? Is that you? I'm asking every single one of us here.
[10:15] Young or old. Is that what you want? Do you want to know Christ? Now some of you say. But I already know him. Well let's try that out on Paul.
[10:27] Paul. Why do you say you want to know Christ? If you already know him. Oh yes. I do know him. But that's just it.
[10:37] You see. Because the more that I know him. The more I want to know him. It's like walking ankle deep in an ocean that has no bottom.
[10:49] Knowing Christ is like mountain climbing. The higher you climb. The more you see that there is to climb. And the more you want to climb.
[11:02] As each step invites you higher. You see to know Christ is to love him. Find anybody that knows Christ.
[11:14] And I assure you. You will find that they loved Christ. If they don't love him. You know they don't know him. To know him. Is to love him.
[11:26] And so to know Christ. Is to want to know him more. Now that's not true of everyone. Is it? Some people.
[11:37] The more you know of them. The less you want to know. Maybe you can remember somebody. That you saw from a distance. That impressed you. And you thought. I'd like to know them. And so you began to get closer.
[11:50] And the closer you got. The more you saw of the real them. And you saw their faults. And their arrogance. And their selfishness. And you saw all that. And you backed up again.
[12:07] Because the more you got to know them. The less you wanted to know them. That is never the case. It has never been the case. With Jesus Christ.
[12:17] He's altogether lovely. There are no imperfections. In his character. In his heart. His behavior. Not the slightest.
[12:30] Taint of sin. In fact. The closer you inspect him. And know him. And look at him. The more impressed. You are. The more amazed.
[12:41] That you are. The more filled with wonder. There is nothing. Put offish. About him. At all. Nothing. That repels. Everything.
[12:53] That attracts. And draws you in. Further. And that's why. 30 years in. Paul's crying. I want to know Christ. Christ. So getting to know Christ.
[13:05] Is both a satisfying experience. And one. That leaves you longing. To know him better. Do you know him? Do you find.
[13:16] Getting to know him. Is satisfying. But at the same time. Leaves you hungry. To know him. More. More. So you've been working all day.
[13:27] You're starving. Man. And you come in. And sit down for supper. And. And it's a juicy steak. Right off the grill. And you take a big bite. And you're just savoring it.
[13:40] And you're telling your wife. How wonderful it is. And she says. Well good. I'm glad you like it. And she immediately takes it off the plate. And puts it in the fridge. No.
[13:53] One bite. Does not satisfy you. It only makes you. Long. For more. And so with Jesus Christ. Every experience with him. Every experience.
[14:04] In getting to know him. Leaves us hungry. For more of the same. And Christian. That's why. You keep coming back to this book. The Bible.
[14:17] It's why you keep pouring over. The scriptures. Because. They testify about him. This is where Christ.
[14:28] Reveals himself. And is made known to you. And that's where you meet him. And have fellowship. With him. As Christ.
[14:39] In his word. Draws near. It's here. That the good shepherd's voice. Is heard. And his sheep. Hear his voice.
[14:50] And follow them. Follow him. They hear his voice here. And that's why they keep coming back. This is the voice of the one who's rescued me. The one who daily cares for me.
[15:01] And helps me. And the good shepherd says. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep. And my sheep. And my sheep. Know. Know. Me.
[15:13] But they keep listening. That they might. Know me. Better. This is why the Christian's never done reading his Bible. Other books.
[15:25] We read them. We get to the end. We set them aside. And we get another book. Don't we? But we don't treat this book that way. Why not? Because it's here that Jesus meets us.
[15:37] It's here that we enjoy communion. With our Savior. As he comes near. To fellowship. With us. When I met Francis Schaeffer.
[15:49] Back in 76. He had read through his Bible 40 times. Said it's the best theological education he's ever had. And he was still reading it with hunger.
[16:01] You're never done reading the Bible. At the very end of his life. The Apostle Paul was in prison. He's there now.
[16:12] He's writing Philippians. This is a later imprisonment. And he's awaiting his upcoming execution. It's the last word we have from Paul. Second Timothy. And in chapter 4.
[16:24] He says. The time of my departure is at hand. I'm like a ship. Just waiting to. To have the. The ropes. Loosed. And thrown out. And I'll be off.
[16:35] To that haven of rest. So he knows. Death is at his door. And yet. As he's writing to Timothy. He asks him to come quickly.
[16:46] And bring the cloak. It's getting to be winter. And it's cold here. So bring the cloak. And the scrolls. And especially the parchments. Most commentators believe that.
[16:59] These parchments had something of the scriptures written on them. And so here's Paul. He's just. He's soon to be. Loosen to meet Jesus face to face again.
[17:11] The one he met face to face on the road to Damascus. And he's soon to see him face to face. And yet. He's wanting. The book. The books. The parchments.
[17:22] The scriptures. I want to know Christ. And it's here. That he's made known. And hence his unquenchable thirst for the scriptures.
[17:35] You're never too old to be studying the scriptures with an aim to know Christ better. The children.
[17:46] You're never too young. To start making serious study of this book. In order to know Christ. As well. Timothy.
[17:58] From infancy was taught the holy scriptures. Which were able to make him wise for salvation. Through faith in Jesus Christ. Through the word of God.
[18:09] We come to know Christ. And we come to know him better. And better. Now what would you say. Or think. If I said to you.
[18:21] I'd like to get to know you. Could we. Could we spend some time together. I'd like to get to know you. But then every time.
[18:34] You opened your mouth to speak to me. I started fidgeting with something. Eventually walked away. And left you talking to yourself. Every time you started talking to me. I'm out of here.
[18:47] What would you think of my interest in getting to know you? Well. Not that much. It's all talk. Be careful. About saying.
[18:58] I want to know Christ. I want to know Christ. If you're not listening. To him. Because he is speaking. He's speaking to you here.
[19:10] And if you really want to know. And you will walk away. While he's speaking. You will pay attention. And seek to know his heart. And mind. And will.
[19:28] Are you reading the Bible. In order to get to know Christ better. Well. It's also why. Why you're found praying. Often. And talking to him. Throughout your day.
[19:39] Pouring out your heart to him. As he. Then comforts you. And encourages you. And the things that you bring. Before him. You're getting to know him. Better.
[19:50] It's why you keep coming back. To worship. Week by week. You want to know Christ. Christ. And he has said. That his presence. Especially with his church. Where two or three of his church.
[20:02] Gather together. In his name. He is there. In a special sense. He has come. Christ has come. To meet with his bridegroom. His blood. Or his bride. His blood bought bride.
[20:13] The bridegroom's here. To have a meeting with us. He's walking among. The golden candlesticks. He comes. And makes his walks. Among us. As his golden candlesticks.
[20:25] Revelation 2. And 3. Are you here? Because you want to know him. I want to know him.
[20:39] You're not satisfied. To simply go through the rituals. The motions of worship. You want to know Christ. You want. You want a meeting. With the risen. Living. Christ. Christ. And you would say.
[20:50] With those Greeks. Who came. To Philip. One day. When Jesus was. Preaching. And out ministering. And the Greeks. Said to Philip. Sir. We would see Jesus.
[21:01] We're here. Because we want. We want a meeting. With Jesus. Is that why you come? You want Jesus. To speak to your heart. You want to. Worship him. You want to have.
[21:13] Dealings. With him. The living. Christ. He stands. And knocks at the door. And any time. You open the door. What does he do? He promises to come in.
[21:24] And have table fellowship. With you. That's. That's the warmest. Kind of friendship. To sit down. And have a meal. With you. To reveal his heart. To you. To listen to you. Fellowship.
[21:35] Communion. Friend to friend. He's more anxious. To meet with you. Than you are. To meet with him. This is knowing Christ. Christ.
[21:46] And something is wrong. With a person. Who claims to know Christ. But has no desire. To know him. More. In the ways. Of his appointments. The worship. Prayer.
[21:57] The reading of scripture. The sacraments. The Lord's table. Baptism. Fellowship. With his people. All means.
[22:08] You see. And. And. And. And. There's nothing. Easier. To do. Than. To just. Be satisfied. With the means. Without meeting Christ.
[22:19] And I say that. As a humble confession. Of my own heart. That it's easy. To come to church. And to go through it all. And not to have had. Dealings with Christ. It's.
[22:30] It's too easy. To read my Bible. And not to have. Had dealings with Jesus. Jesus. And so. We must press. Through.
[22:40] And use the means. As a means. To getting to know Christ. To lead us to him. These are channels. By which. He would funnel his. Love. And grace.
[22:51] And instruction. To us. We'll make sure. That we are receiving. These means of grace. As. Coming from our Lord. To us. The person.
[23:02] The real person. Of Jesus Christ. Something's wrong. If we're satisfied. With just a little bit. Of religion. Just one bite of steak.
[23:12] Thank you. That's all I needed. Enough. To know. Heaven's secure. I have eternal life. Really not. Interested in going.
[23:23] Any further. But what is. Eternal life. Do you know. What Jesus said. Eternal life is. John 17. Three.
[23:33] As he's talking. And praying. To the father. He says. Father. This is eternal life. To know you. The living. The only. True God. And Jesus Christ.
[23:44] Whom you've sent. That's eternal life. It's knowing. Jesus. And through him. Knowing. The father. Eternal life.
[23:56] Is not just some. Endless. Duration. Of existence. And I feel like. People see. Eternal. Life. Okay. That just means. That forever. And ever. We're going to exist. That is not.
[24:08] Eternal life. Sinners in hell. Will experience that. Endless. Duration. Of existence. But never.
[24:19] In the bible. Is that called. Eternal life. No. Eternal life. Is. Is a quality. Of life. It's. Knowing. Christ.
[24:30] It's knowing. The father. It's knowing. The holy spirit. It's having. It's having this. Living relationship. With him. That begins. Here and now. The moment. You trust. In Jesus. And continues.
[24:41] Throughout your life. And then. Throughout the endless. Ages. That's eternal life. It's knowing. Christ. So how long.
[24:53] Have you known him? A year? Five? Ten? Thirty? Fifty? No matter how long.
[25:05] There's more to know. And so Paul prays. For the believers at Ephesus. I keep asking that. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ. The glorious father. May give you the spirit of wisdom.
[25:16] And revelation. So that you may know him better. Yes. You know Christ. But I'm praying that. The father will give the spirit to you. In increasing measures.
[25:28] To open your eyes. And to teach you. That you might know. This Christ better. I want you to know his love. I want you to grasp.
[25:39] How wide. And long. And high. And deep. Is the love of Christ. And to know this love. That surpasses knowledge. And he prays for the Colossian believers. That they may be growing.
[25:49] In the knowledge of God. Growing. I want to know Christ. Christ. What do you want?
[26:03] Have you stopped and thought about that? What do you want? Out of life? What are you after? What are you seeking? Here's something worth seeking after.
[26:17] He's a someone. He's a person. He's alive. And Paul counted everything a loss. Compared to the surpassing greatness. Of knowing Christ Jesus.
[26:28] His Lord. Just knowing him. Was more than enough reward. To compensate for the loss of all things. Gladly.
[26:39] Paul traded it all in. To know Jesus. Now here's something important. Paul's not satisfied. Simply to know about Christ.
[26:51] He wants to know Christ. Now you can't know Christ. Without knowing about him. That's why we come to the scriptures. We must know about him.
[27:02] In order to know him. But do you realize. Those two are not the same thing. Knowing about Christ. You can. You cannot know Christ. Without knowing about him.
[27:13] But you can know all about Christ. And not know him. You might. Have read all the biographies. That you can get your hands on.
[27:25] About Abraham Lincoln. So that you know lots of facts about him. When he was born. Where he was born. His parents.
[27:35] Things that he said. You could quote him. Verbatim. What he did. His friends. His enemies. How he died. Where he's buried.
[27:46] Much, much more. But if I ask you. Do you know Abraham Lincoln? Do you know him? Well you might say. Oh I'm a renowned scholar.
[27:57] On all things Lincoln. Have you ever talked to him? Ever visited him. In his home. Or had him over to yours. Does he count you as his friend?
[28:10] You count him. And treat him as your friend. Does he unveil his heart to you. And you to him. You'd have to confess. No. I guess I don't know.
[28:22] Abraham Lincoln. I just know. A lot of things about. Lincoln. And that's right. And that's a huge difference. And an important difference.
[28:34] To know. The difference. Between. With relation. To Christ. To know Christ. Is to know him personally.
[28:46] Is to have a relationship with him. It's more than just knowing facts about him. Is to have this. This relationship with him. In which. You know him. And he knows you.
[28:57] In a committed relationship. So you don't know Abraham Lincoln. But you who are married. You do know your spouse. You know them.
[29:11] You do life together. You share everything. You talk a lot. You reveal yourself. Your longings. Your joys.
[29:21] Your sorrows. Your burdens. You listen. A lot. And you rejoice in each other's joys. And you weep. And with each other's sorrows. And. You truly know each other.
[29:35] And that's the idea. Behind knowing Christ. You see. It's a committed relationship. With him. And he's as real. As your spouse is real. He's as alive. As your spouse is alive.
[29:46] And your relationship with him. Is no less real. You listen to him. As he speaks to you. In his word. And he listens to you. Whenever you cry out to him.
[29:57] In prayer. And you share life with him. Not only living for Christ. But living with Christ. Who by his spirit. Dwells in you. There's this interesting verse.
[30:12] In 1st Corinthians chapter 1. In verse 9. It's. It's really in one sense. Just a sentence of three words. God is faithful. And that in itself. Is an amazing truth.
[30:23] But it's what comes in between. The God. And the is faithful. That I want to draw your attention to. 1st Corinthians. 1. 9. God.
[30:34] Who has called you into fellowship. With his son. Jesus Christ. Our Lord. Is faithful. What's in between.
[30:46] God is faithful. Who called you into fellowship. With his son. Jesus Christ. That's salvation. That's conversion. That's the Christian life.
[30:58] What's it all about? This is what God has brought us into. Into fellowship. Communion. Relationship. With his own son. That he's enjoyed.
[31:09] Relationship with for all eternity. Which we're studying in the. The Sunday school class. And now he's invited you. He's called you. He's brought you into. Fellowship with his son.
[31:25] Fellowship. Koinonia. Shared life. He's called you into a shared life.
[31:37] With Jesus Christ. United you to him. So. So you share the whole of life. Joint participation in everything. So that nothing is alone. All is related to him. That's knowing Christ.
[31:48] An intimate. Personal fellowship. Communion. That's eternal life. To know him. Now there are a lot of religious people. Who know a lot about Christ.
[32:00] Who do not actually know him. They know he's the son of God. The creator of the world. They know he was born of a virgin. And lived a sinless life. They know all about his miracles.
[32:11] His teachings. And his perfect example. They know he was betrayed. Crucified. Buried. Risen. Ascended into heaven. And is coming back. To judge the living and the dead. They can quote the apostles.
[32:21] Creed. That salvation is found. Not only in him. They know all about Christ. And more. But him. They do not know. They do not know.
[32:32] Christ. And the difference. Between the two. Is the difference. Between hell. And heaven. Christ is more than a set of facts.
[32:45] To memorize. He's more than a doctrine. To believe in. He's a living person. To know. And to have a personal relationship. Just as you do.
[32:55] With many other people. In your life. Only this is the most unique. And the best relationship. He's a living person.
[33:06] To relate to. By faith. He's the one. To trust. And obey. He's the one. To love. And to worship. To talk to.
[33:16] And listen to. And the reason I say. That there are a lot of people. Who know a lot about Jesus. But don't really know him. Is because that's what Jesus says.
[33:27] In Matthew chapter 7. And he's talking about. The judgment. And he says. In that day. There will be many. Many. Who will say to me.
[33:37] Lord. Lord. Remember me. I went to church. You came. And you spoke. In our town. And I even worked. Miracles in your name.
[33:48] Some of them will say. I preached in your name. I've done. Cast out demons in your name. They will. Claim many things. And you know. How the passage reads. And then the Lord says. I will say to them.
[34:00] Depart from me. You evil doers. I never what? I never knew you. Oh. So. So. So you did a lot of things. And you.
[34:11] Knew a lot of facts. But. We didn't know each other. We didn't have a relationship. I wasn't. I wasn't. Your savior. And Lord. Away from me.
[34:28] I never knew you. Be sure you know Christ. And not just some facts. About him. However true. And. Important. Those facts are.
[34:41] It's not enough to know. Jesus has power. To cleanse. From every sin. Have you been cleansed. In his blood. Have you. Come to that fountain.
[34:52] Open for sin. And uncleanness. And cast yourself in. And had Christ. Cleanse you. It's not enough to say. I know Jesus. Is the door to heaven. Have you.
[35:03] Entered. By faith. Into Christ. Not enough to say. I know he's the way. The way to the father. Are you walking. Him.
[35:14] I know he's the truth. Are you believing. Him. I know he's the life. Are you coming. To him. For life. It's not enough to say. I know he's the good shepherd.
[35:25] Are you following him. He's the bread of life. Are you feeding. Upon him. By faith. Drawing. Spiritual nourishment. From. I know he's the vine. Are you abiding.
[35:36] In him. I know he's the great physician. Have you come to him. And been healed. By his wounds. It's all the difference.
[35:47] In the world. Between knowing about Christ. And knowing him. Be sure. Be sure. You know him. Paul wants to know him.
[36:00] And he says. I want to know Christ. And. Two experiences. I want to know Christ. And the power. Of his resurrection. What is the power.
[36:13] Of Christ. What is his resurrection power. Rays from death. And his heart. Starts to beat. And the blood. Starts to circulate.
[36:24] And his lungs. Start to breathe. And he's alive. And he's seated. In the heavenly realms. On the father's throne. Where he has all authority. And power. And now with that power.
[36:35] Where he's reigning. That's the resurrection. Power of Christ. And Paul says. That's what I want to know. In my life. You see.
[36:47] Paul says. That. There are many. Who have a mere form. Of godliness. But lack its power. And Paul wants. Nothing of it. He wants to. So know Christ. As to experience.
[36:59] In him. The power. Of his resurrection. Cut loose. In his heart. Energizing him. It takes. The power of Christ. To live the Christian life. To put sins to death.
[37:11] To not fear man. To say no. To ungodly. It. I can't do that. We never were designed. To do that. We were always designed. To be a branch. In the vine.
[37:22] Drawing. Resurrection. Power. From Christ. And Paul says. That's what I want. I want to know him. And that power. Of his resurrection. And I want to know. The fellowship.
[37:33] Of sharing in his. His sufferings. And being made. Conformable. To his death. For Paul. That was a privilege. This Christ.
[37:44] Who had saved him. At the cost. Of his own life. And laid it down. For him. Suffering for him. Is a cause. For. Rejoicing. He wore it.
[37:55] As an honor. I want to know that. And when the world. Sneers at me. And laughs at me. I want to know. That fellowship. With Christ.
[38:05] In his sufferings. And I want to be. Conformable. To him. In his death. What was it. In Gethsemane. In Golgotha. It was. It was not my will. But yours. Be done. And I want to know.
[38:16] That. That conformity. To Christ. Death. And be willing. To die. To myself. That I might. Really live. And. It's only.
[38:27] Through death. That life. Comes. And I want to know. That death. And be conformed. To Christ. In that principle. Of death. To self. That there might be.
[38:37] Eternal life. And so. Somehow. To attain. To the resurrection. From the dead. That final day. When. Christ will come. And give such a shout. That all the saints.
[38:48] Rise to meet him. He wants to know Christ. And more than just. Word. He wants. The power. The reality. Of it. To. To sweeten his sufferings.
[38:59] Something that the Philippians. Were going through as well. Chapter one. Verse 30. And following. Do you know Christ? Do you know the power. Of his resurrection?
[39:12] Do you have a heart. That says. I want. I want to know. This principle. Of dying. That I might live. A life. That is truly life. There is power.
[39:27] And. And. I've got to head down. To Owensboro today. Or I'd be here tonight. To hear these testimonies. There is power. In converting grace. It's resurrection power.
[39:38] The same power. That raised Christ. From the dead. And seated him in his right hand. That he's exercising. In the world today. Was at work. In these young people. They pass from death.
[39:49] To life. I want to know. That power. That comes from knowing Christ. 14 years ago. I was at a conference.
[40:00] In. In Arizona. Conference of churches. And. The last Sunday morning. As I came down. To the hotel. The lobby. For breakfast. It was crowded. And. Just little.
[40:12] Two foot tables. Two chairs. On either side. There's a big man there. And I asked. If I could join him. He had an Indianapolis Colts hat on. Look friendly.
[40:24] Well. We found out. We were both from Indiana. And I asked him. What he was doing there. And he said. Well. I'm visiting family. He says. What are you doing here? I said. Well. I'm at a church conference. Oh. What's it about?
[40:36] Well. It's about the glory. Of the gospel. And the power. Of God. To save sinners. Oh. That's for sure.
[40:47] And he proceeded to tell me. About the conversion. Of his own father-in-law. Accidentally shot. And killed his. Own seven-year-old daughter.
[40:59] Didn't tell me. The details of it. How it happened. Just that as she lay dying. In his arms. Her last words. As she looked up into him.
[41:10] Where daddy. You killed me. Now how do you cope with that. My friend. How do you get up.
[41:22] And go on. After that. Well he had no resources. Absolutely none. For such a trial. He didn't know Christ. And the power of his resurrection.
[41:33] So he turned to alcohol. Trying to drown out her voice. But there it was. Every evening. There it was. Every morning. Driving him crazy. And alcohol.
[41:44] Was just. Ruining. His life. And then one night. Listening to the radio. He heard a man. Preaching the gospel. Of Jesus Christ. And was powerfully. And gloriously. Converted.
[41:56] He came to know Christ. His life was transformed. By this resurrection. Power. Of Christ. He doesn't need alcohol anymore. He has Christ.
[42:08] Do you know Christ? There are trials in this life. That you will need Christ. To get you through. But even if you could somehow.
[42:20] Patch it up together. And pull yourself up. And make it through. All the trials of this life. You're going to die one day. And you're going to stand.
[42:31] Face to face. With your maker. And you're going to need. To know Christ. In that day. And you're going to need. Him knowing you. In that day. And then will he own.
[42:42] My worthless name. Before the father's face. And in the new Jerusalem. Appoint my soul. A place. As I come dressed. In the righteousness of Jesus.
[42:53] For having received Christ. In his righteousness. As I'm now. Accepted. Before God. Forever. His son. Showered upon.
[43:04] With his love. And goodness. Paul knew Christ. There's a lot of people here.
[43:15] That know Christ. As I said. You'll hear two. Testify tonight. About coming to know Christ. It was.
[43:28] Because Paul knew Christ. That he wanted. Everybody else. To know him. That's why he traveled. Thousands of miles.
[43:42] Before there was. Modern transportation. That's why he was stoned. And left for dead. That's why he suffered shipwreck. Several times. Why he was. Beaten. And still pulled himself up. And went on.
[43:54] Christ was just that real. And precious to him. And he wanted others. To know him. And we would say. The same thing. We who know him. Would say.
[44:05] To know him. Is to love him. And we want you. You all. To know him. Who don't have this relationship. With him. Hear us. He's a wonderful.
[44:16] Savior and friend. Who would not know him. What more would you want. In a savior and friend. That's not found in our Jesus. He's willing to have you.
[44:26] Whoever you are. Come to him today. Cast all your hopes for heaven. On him. And he will receive you. Come to me. All you who are weary. You're tired. You're beaten. You're broken.
[44:37] With sin. With struggle. With strife. Come to me. And I will give you. Eternal life. He never turns anyone away. What a savior.
[44:52] And then you'll say. I want to know him. I want to know him. And I'm starting. Today. That. Journey. Of getting to know him better. That will go on.
[45:04] Throughout the endless ages. For never will a finite creature. Ever come to the end. Of knowing the infinite. Glories to be found in Christ.
[45:17] To know him better. Is to draw nearer to him. Just a closer. Walk with thee. Draw me nearer. Lord.
[45:28] Nearer. To you. So. That's what we're going to sing. As we conclude. We know you Lord. We're thankful for what we know. But draw us nearer. And show us more.
[45:39] Let's stand as we sing. From the overhead.