The Rock Church

Hi family,

Key thought this week:

“Truly knowing Jesus intimately is the master key to unlock the abundant resurrection life found in Him.”

A great example in God's word of someone coming into this intimate knowledge of Christ and the impact this has on their life is of the apostle Paul in Philippians 3:1-11...

³ For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. ⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Here are some questions to ask ourselves in relation to this passage:

1. What is the difference between "knowing about Jesus" and truly "knowing Jesus"?
2. How can we tell which of these positions we are mainly living from?
3. Why is knowing Jesus intimately so important to us becoming mature disciples?
4. What difference should an intimate knowledge of Jesus make in our lives?
5. Are you experiencing this difference in your life? If so what testimony are you able to share of this?

Please feel free to respond with any thoughts that you have on this passage and questions in comment section below.

Have a favoured week,
Greg