DIGGING DEEP | THAT I MAY KNOW HIM- PART 1 | BRO JAMES OMOFIA

DATE - 16TH MAY 2024
TOPIC - THAT I MAY KNOW HIM- PART 1 - BRO JAMES OMOFIA
INTRODUCTION: Many people believe that Paul the Apostle was the greatest of the Apostles of old. Definitely, he did much for Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:5.
But one of the most profound of his statements in our opinion is Philippians 3:7-14. It is our prayer that by the time we finish this series, we shall know Christ the more.
-What does it mean to know Christ?
Having experiential experience of Him, not just knowledge of Him. When you know someone, it means you become acquainted with them through regular communion.
1 Samuel 17:37, when someone said something to cause doubt, David had a reference of who God is to go back to.
-How can we know Christ?
To start a relationship, we need to communicate with our mouths, Romans 10:9
We need to be in constant communication with God, 1 Thessalonians 5:17. To maintain your relationship, you have to continue talking.
It involves praising Him for what He's done and confessing your sins. Philippians 4:6. The more you spend time with God, the more like God you will be over time, John 15:4. As we remain connected, the desires of our hearts will change over time, we will develop godly habits; we'll start to love what God loves and hates what God hates. Prayer transforms you.
-Knowing Jesus means sharing in His suffering:
Suffering is like the refining fire, it makes us more and more like Christ. It gives us an identification point with Him, as Christ suffered.
Because we are branches of the true vine, we will be pruned so there will be more branches. It is not a comfortable experience but it will make us more better in our mission. Suffering strengthens the bond between us and Christ, as well as believers.
-Knowing Jesus means recognising His voice:
Knowing His voice means we know His likes and dislikes, we can identify His voice in a "crowd'. The more you obey His voice, the more you will hear it, John 10:27.
-Knowing the power of His resurrection:
The more you know Him, you get to know the power of His resurrection
1) TO REIGN IN THE NEXT WORLD, YOU MUST FORSAKE THIS ONE:
Since this world is going to perish with all its wealth and admirers, those who will reign in the next world are those are those who are prepared to forsake all. Matthew 13:44-46, Luke 14:26. And if all you have in this world and all the world can offer you can be forfeited in exchange for the kingdom of God, it will be a good bargain indeed. If it costs you the loss of friends and relations too, it is still a very light loss. However, if you prefer this world to the next then you better enjoy as much as you can now, because there is no enjoyment in hell. And without a doubt, if you cling to this world and its deceitful riches, you are doomed forever.
YOUR SOUL IS TOO PRECIOUS: DO NOT JOKE WITH IT
We should not have a well kept body at the expense of a neglected soul. Matthew 16:26. Jesus considers your soul more precious than the whole world. He should know, because it cost him His own life to redeem your soul. Surprisingly, even the devil knows that your life is more precious than your possessions. Matthew 6:19-20, Proverbs 23: 23, Job 2:4.
2) TO KNOW CHRIST IS TO HAVE THE WISDOM OF GOD, PHILOSOPHIES
The best thing that you can pass on to your children is the knowledge of God. Jeremiah 9:23-24, Malachi 2:15, Proverbs 22:6.
There is no glory in human wisdom; your children cannot inherit your certificates. There is no glory in human might or riches: they do not last forever. But it is glorious to know Christ. Moreover, many of the wise men of this world do not know the only person they should know in order to become truly wise. And those of us who know Him did so through grace and mercy of God and not by our own wisdom or cleverness, Jeremiah 9:23-24.
TO KNOW CHRIST IS TO LIVE FOREVER, BECAUSE IT IS GOD WHO REVEALS HIM TO PEOPLE
What is eternal life? It is to know the true God and Jesus Christ Him son. Those who do not believe are blinded by the devil and those of us who believe must rejoice and glorify God because it is God who commanded His light to shine in our hearts. It is through the mercy of God, who had known us before we were born that we know Jesus Christ today as our Saviour and Lord. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6
God uses the foolish and despised things to put the wise to shame, 1 Corinthians 1:20, Psalm 9:20. To know Christ is a precious thing, Psalms 63:3.
BLESSED ARE THOSE THAT MOURN NOW: THEY SHALL LAUGH LAST, AND SOON TOO:
We may suffer some hardships because of our determination to follow Christ completely, but then the glory to come is just incomparable with sufferings of now. Psalm 126:5-6, Ecclesiastes 7:8
Crossing the finish line always feels better than starting, but we must finish.
Run your race with patience, Matthew 24:13.
May God grant us the grace to know Him in Jesus' name, amen