[Biblemat] S> The Value of Knowing Christ

[ZekeFlores1 at cs.com]

Here's a lesson that actually stems from a recent study I had with a fellow 
who's been wrestling with the commitment required to follow Christ. Hope you 
can use it.

Zeke Flores
Kiber Street church of Christ
Angleton, TX
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The Value of Knowing Christ
Phil 3:7-11

Intro: Christianity requires commitment
       A. Commitment to Learn - 2 Tim 2:15
       B. Commitment to work together - Eph 4:11-16
       C. Commitment to regular attendance - Heb 10:25
       D. Commitment to continued growth - 2 Pet 1:5-7, 3:17-18
       E. Not to mention the commitment to put away sinful habits
       F. All of this commitment can be somewhat overwhelming 
             for the new Christian or even the "veteran."
       G. How does one put it all into proper perspective?
             1. By ascribing value/benefit to the Christian life!
             2. Phil 3:7-11
             3. Paul recognized the important fact that knowing 
             Christ was worth ANYTHING he had to endure.
       H. The value in knowing Christ is wrapped up with the value 
       that God places on you. Consider that...

I. God's concern for you is personal
       A. God wants your needs to be met
             1. Matt 6:25-33
             2. The knowledge that "God will provide" doesn't 
             loosen us from our obligation to work, rather it 
             frees us from worrying needlessly about 
             necessities.
II. God wants to give you good things
       A. He desires that you enjoy full and abundant life, not only 
             in the "hereafter," but in the "here and now!" (John 10:10)
             1. Eph 1:13-14, 2:1-7, Phil 3:20-21
             2. Too often Christians are unaware of the blessings 
             they can enjoy in this life. They go through life with 
             sour attitudes and some actually feel that God is 
              "holding back" on them.
             3. Waylon Prendergast, 37, of Tampa, Florida, 
             committed a spur-of-the-moment robbery while on his 
             way home from a late-night drinking session. A very 
             inebriated Mr. Prendergast forced his way into the house 
             through an open upstairs window, filling a suitcase with 
             cash and valuables before setting the living room on fire 
             to cover his tracks. He then escaped through the back 
             door and made his way home, chuckling all the way. 
             Only as he turned the corner into his own street, however, 
             and discovered three fire engines outside his house, did he 
             realize that in his drunkenness he had, in fact, burgled and 
             ignited his own property. His comment: "I had no idea I had 
             so many valuable possessions."While we may not do 
             anything quite that stupid (at least nothing that makes 
             the national newspapers), there are times when 
             Christians need to stop and reflect, coming to the same 
             conclusion as did Mr. Prendergast: "I had no idea I had 
             so many valuable possessions." (From Alan Smith) 
III. God wants you to have real purpose in life
       A. A Christian shouldn't float through life like a raft on the 
       ocean. You ought to be the most purposeful person 
       on earth!
             1. 2 Cor 5:17, Eph 4:17-24, Rom 12:1-2
             2. The program committee for a cosmetology school 
             came up with a startling means of demonstrating the 
             effectiveness of their profession. They found an old man, 
             a social derelict on skid row, with long, dirty hair. His 
             face was unshaven, and his clothes were ragged and 
             filthy. His body reeked with odors of cheap liquor and filth. 
             The barbers cleaned him up, gave him a bath, shampoo, 
             shave, haircut, and manicure. They liberally sprinkled 
             talcum powder on him and added spicy cologne. He was 
             dressed in a new suit and was presented before the 
             convention as a changed man. He certainly looked the 
             part. However, within a week the man was back on skid 
             row, back in the gutter, and back in his former pattern of 
             life. The barbers altered his outward appearance, but their 
             services had not changed his inward nature. Anyone who 
             has money can put an old man in a new suit, but only 
             Christ can put a new man in an old suit.
             3. Remember the essentials for mental health?
                   a. Someone to love 
                   b. Something to do 
                   c. Something to look forward to
IV. God makes it all possible by showing you how much He 
       loves you – He gave you His Son.
       A. Rom 5:6-11
       B. The realization of God's unspeakable gift will fill the right 
             heart with a gratitude so profound, you will spend your 
             life showing God your gratitude by your complete, 
             unwavering devotion to Him.

Conc: Following Jesus does require commitment and is not easy.
       A. But then, neither is anything that is worth having.
             1. However, for the one who really sees the value in 
             following Christ, who sees the significance in His 
             sacrifice, the work will pale compared to the riches 
             to be gained.
             2. 2 Tim 4:7-8
       B. INV    
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