Digging Deep No. 74 Topic: That I May Know Him – Part 3

INTRODUCTION: In the two previous studies, we have been studying Philippians 3:7-14 in some details. Our desire is to know Jesus more. The question then is: How do I know that I know Him? I John 2:3-4 gives the answer (i) if I find Him I will keep His commandments, (ii) if I enjoy His words and I am guided by them, (iii) if I walk as He walked, love, compassion, purity, holiness and power; then I know Him. And what about the power of His resurrection?

1) THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION IS PRESENT WHEREVER CHRIST IS PRESENT:
a) Before the History of man, Jesus Christ lived. Some 2,000 years ago, He dies for 3 days but He arose and has been alive ever since. From eternity to eternity He is alive. He tasted death once, for you and for me, but He is above now so that we who are crucified with Him may live forever triumphant victoriously and above sin. The power of His resurrection can (i) raise the dead, (ii) give life to the dying , (iii) bestow eternal life to the believers (iv) rescue the perishing and (v) bring believers out of their grave on the resurrection morning. The power is present wherever Jesus is. Revelation 1:18, Romans 6:4-11, John 5:28-29, John 10:18, John 11:25-26.

b) YOU MUST DIE IN ORDER TO LIVE THE MORE YOUDIE, THE MORE YOU LIVE: This power to permeated the body of Jesus Christ that even though He spent 3 days in the grave His body did not rot. That same power is given to those who are baptized in the Spirit. But for this power it would have been worthless being a Christ. This is because our present body is death-bound and we must not put our trust in it. In fact we must die daily to the flesh so that resurrection power of Christ might be made more abundantly manifest in our lives. Acts 2:31-39, I Cor. 15:16-20, II Cor. 1:9-10, II Cor. 4:10-15.

2) IF YOU WANT TO SHARE IN HIS POWER AND GLORY, YOU MUST SHARE IN HIS SUFFERINGS TOO:
a) When Christ surrendered Himself to death on the cross, He was mocked as a weakling; but when He rose triumphantly, seasoned soldiers fainted at the sight of His glory. You can share in this powerful glory if you are prepared to share in the mocking too. To share in His power and glory, it is only fair that you share in His trials, persecutions, death and burial. You must die in order to live; the cross must precede the crown, II Corinthians 13:4, Ephesians 1:19-21, Matthew 20:20-23, Col. 2:13, Romans 6:3-5.
b) JOINT – PRINVILAGES IMPLY JOINT – RESPONSIBILITIES: If we are to be joint-heirs of the unthinkable riches of God, we have to be joint-hears in the sufferings for the building of the kingdom. If we are to live with Him, we must die with Him; if we are to reign with Him, we must suffer for His sake. If we deny Him, we are the losers since He has nothing to loose now. Therefore, the more you suffer for Him, the happier you should be because this is your evidence that the “Spirit and glory of God resteth on you” Romans 8:17, 29, II Tim.2:11-13, Col. 1:23-27, II Cor. 1:5, I Pet.4:13-14.

3) THOSE WHO HAVE THE RESURRECTION POWER IN THEM HAVE A LINK WITH HEAVEN: The rapture is coming even as it is written. Those of us who are living or dying who belong to Him have an unimaginable blessing waiting for us when our Lord shall come again. Of course, it is because He rose from the dead that he can come again. And the beauty of it all is that those of us who truly have Christ in us, have this power in us and hence we have a “telephone” link with heaven. Hence when the trump shall sound, we shall hear and off to glory we go, I Thess 4:13-17, Col. 3:1-4, I Pet.1:3-6, Romans 8:9-11.