Today we're going to explore the fantastic riches of one of the Bible's great statements about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote:

I want to know Christ-yes, know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)

Paul had just finished saying that everything else in his remarkable life, all the advantages he had ever known due to his heritage, birth, upbringing, education, accomplishments and obedience, it was all absolutely unimportant compared to knowing Christ (present tense). And before you could ask Paul about how he could speak of "knowing Christ" (since Christ was crucified, dead and buried) Paul gives the answer! "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection!"

Some of us enjoy being students of dead people - their character, history and accomplishments. But since they are dead, they have no power over us. No sway, no clout, no control. But what the Apostle Paul speaks of is different - he wants intimate connection with the Lord Jesus; he wants personal communion with the Lord Jesus to such an extent that he would feel Christ's power at every point and every turn of his life.

How would that even be possible? It couldn't - if not for the resurrection! Paul's knowledge of Christ was not second hand derived knowledge - the way we know something about Winston Churchill or Lady Diana. Rather, Paul had firsthand personal knowledge because Jesus was alive! So yes, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection!"

Welcome, dear friends, to Home Church Langley!