Philippians 3:10
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death
There are four statements in this verse:
1. That I may know Him
2. And the power of His RESURRECTION
3. The fellowship of His suffering
4. Being made conformed to His death
Think for a moment about Paul, aged by this time, battle scarred and worn but NOTICE his prayer.
His aspiration never dies.
His vision never becomes dim.
His Spirit is never dull.
He does not pray to be released from prison.
He does not pray for a ministry.
He does not pray for healing.
Even though he could have. HE PRAYS first THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION.
The resurrection of Jesus is the standard of power in the New Testament.
It’s the miracle of miracles.
Think about PAUL and his track record.
He raised the dead.
He opened the eyes of the blind.
He cast out devils.
He wrote most of the New Testament AND YET he says, “I WANT TO KNOW HIM!”
It’s not that he doesn’t know Him, but that there is more to know.
A.W. Tozer said, “Remember this, that while you and I are on earth we are passing through enemy territory.”
The devil shoots darts at us. Opposition will come. The world does not like what we do, doesn’t like what we say, doesn’t like how we act.
It is a corrupt, sinful, wicked world. It follows its god, it’s ruled by the prince of the power of the air. But keep your head up.
You can draw day-by-day, hour-by-hour, moment-by-moment on the resurrection life, because the resurrection life is the SPIRIT of Him who raised Jesus from the dead.
The death of Jesus, the cross, proves the LOVE OF GOD.
The resurrection proves the power of God. And because HE IS RISEN:
The world
The flesh
The devil
Are under our feet.
40 days and nights He didn’t say a word to the world. For 2000 years He never bothered with the Jews.
O’ that God would not go silent on us. Let’s NOT miss our visitation.
I want to KNOW Him and the POWER of His resurrection.
When He rose, I rose. He died that we might be cleansed.
He died so we might be pure.
He died that we would live a victorious life.
The resurrection life of Jesus quickened our mortal bodies.
Up, Up, Up from the grave He arose!
Matt. 28:1-6
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
HE IS NOT HERE! O’ praise Him.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
