Good Morning “Participants in the Suffering of Christ”. Wait, what? Who wants that? Paul for one. He understood what a blessing it is to suffer for the cause of Christ. Today we are in Philippians 3.
Paul starts by explaining he has no confidence in the flesh or any of his past deeds. Remember, Paul had much he could boast about.
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, 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—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”
Philippians 3:8-10 NIV
Paul gave up everything that the world around him might deem valuable, for the sake of serving Jesus. He wasn’t salty or resentful about it, he realized their lack of real value - considered them garbage. He understood that aspects of Gods strength and enduring faith are only experienced during suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Anyone who has ever attempted to manufacture “happiness”, “peace”” “contentment” or even experience “real love,” apart from the REAL source, Jesus - knows it simply doesn’t work (1 John 4:7-12). We’re always left empty and wanting.
This is by design. We have a God shaped hole that can only be filled with Jesus. He by His Holy Spirit living in us blesses with the Fruit of The Spirit. It’s the only way to truly experience lasting: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Anything else is a cheap counterfeit producing temporary moments of satisfaction at best! He is the source of ALL that is good (James 1:17)!
We understand that in order to get a drink of water we must go to the well - the source. Water straight from the well is available to us… why drink from the mud puddle?
John 4:14 “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Paul understood it was all garbage compared to knowing Jesus. Still thirsty? Why not go to the well?
Love you all? Dig in and live it out!
Paul starts by explaining he has no confidence in the flesh or any of his past deeds. Remember, Paul had much he could boast about.
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, 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—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”
Philippians 3:8-10 NIV
Paul gave up everything that the world around him might deem valuable, for the sake of serving Jesus. He wasn’t salty or resentful about it, he realized their lack of real value - considered them garbage. He understood that aspects of Gods strength and enduring faith are only experienced during suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Anyone who has ever attempted to manufacture “happiness”, “peace”” “contentment” or even experience “real love,” apart from the REAL source, Jesus - knows it simply doesn’t work (1 John 4:7-12). We’re always left empty and wanting.
This is by design. We have a God shaped hole that can only be filled with Jesus. He by His Holy Spirit living in us blesses with the Fruit of The Spirit. It’s the only way to truly experience lasting: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Anything else is a cheap counterfeit producing temporary moments of satisfaction at best! He is the source of ALL that is good (James 1:17)!
We understand that in order to get a drink of water we must go to the well - the source. Water straight from the well is available to us… why drink from the mud puddle?
John 4:14 “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Paul understood it was all garbage compared to knowing Jesus. Still thirsty? Why not go to the well?
Love you all? Dig in and live it out!
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