Sunday Service Online Stream
This page has the notes for the sermon and links for songs used during children’s music time each week. Scroll down to the bottom for the children’s info.
Come Further Up, Come Further In!
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Pastor Jojo Ma
Weekly Bulletin | Worship Lyrics
Philippians 3:10-11
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
There is a world of difference between someone knowing about Jesus and someone knowing Jesus. A lot of people in this country know about God but do they actually know God?
I. A New Priority
II. A New Power
III. A New Persecution
IV. A New Purpose
V. A New Prospect
I. A New Priority
10 that I may know him…
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Phil 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ.
Jewel the Unicorn: “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now…Come further up, come further in!”
Is this your desire? Is this your pursuit? Is this your prayer? “I want to know you Lord, to really know you.”
II. A New Power
10…and the power of his resurrection…
Eph 2:5-6 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ --- by grace you have been saved --- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
III. A New Persecution
10…and may share his sufferings…
Acts 14:22 [they strengthened] the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
1 Thes 3:3-4 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs --- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
2 Tim 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Phil 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.
Martin Luther: “They gave our Master a crown of thorns. Why do we expect a crown of roses?”
J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life by Paul Miller
We should expect a life of dying and rising regularly in this life as we imitate Jesus --- or share in his sufferings.
2 Cor 1:8-11 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
IV. A New Purpose
10…becoming like him in his death…
V. A New Prospect
11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Jn 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.
Jn 14:19 Because I live, you also will live.
Whether you are a new Christian or you’ve been a believer for 30 years like the apostle Paul was when writing this letter, may this priority be yours --- that you may know him.