Knowing Christ (Php. 3:1-11)

Michiana Covenant Presbyterian Church

What does it mean to -rejoice in the Lord-----Think of all that Paul has said so far about joy and rejoicing---- He thanked God for the Philippians in 1-3-4, making his prayer with joy, because of their partnership in the gospel.--- He rejoices that Christ is preached - whether in pretense or in truth -1-18---- He rejoices in his ultimate salvation through the prayers of the Philippians and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ -1-19-20---- He sees his continued work in the flesh as necessary for their -progress and joy in the faith- -1-25---- He calls them to -complete my joy by being of the same mind -2-2---- He rejoices with them that he may be poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial liturgy of their faith -2-17- and calls them to rejoice with him in this as well -2-18---- And he calls the Philippians to rejoice in the return of Epaphroditus -2-28-29-.--What themes do you see there-- Rejoicing in the Lord has very little to do with what we today call -happiness.- Rejoicing in the Lord is all about the gospel - and therefore joy comes in the midst of suffering, death, and the cross.- -Or to put it another way, rejoicing in the Lord is all about having the mind of Christ - a mindset that sees that the only path to glory-is the path of the cross---That's why Paul says -to write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.-- -In other words, I'm now going to repeat myself - and give you one more example of what it means to have the mind of Christ.--Philippians 3 is one of the clearest statements of Christian theology - and one of the most powerful statements of Christian piety - ever penned...