By Garry Knighton
Church of Christ/North - Shreveport, La.
THREE DESIRES OF PAUL
INTRODUCTION:
Desire for a certain thing is what makes people do what they do in life.
For food and shelter - makes a man work.
For more business - makes the businessman work at it.
For better crops - makes the farmer work harder.
For a trophy - makes the athlete push harder.
For God's will - makes the Christian stay with his mission.
For God's Word - makes the student study and apply.
In this lesson, let's look at Paul's desires and see how they relate to us.
TO BE FOUND IN HIM - Phil. 3:8-9.
The cost of Paul's desire - v. 4-7.
If any had confidence in the flesh - he did - v. 4.
Nevertheless, I count them as loss.
All things as loss:
To know Him - GNOSIS - knowledge with understanding.
Know what He did for him.
Receive righteousness - from God because of His love.
DESIRE TO MAGNIFY CHRIST - Phil. 1:20.
Magnify - MEGALUNO - to make great, to enlarge.
The purpose of every child of God.
Called by name of Christian - Christ-like.
The reason for living a Godly life.
We confess Jesus as Lord - must follow Him.
The reason a Christian does not "quibble" about:
Modest dress.
Conforming to authority.
Setting the right example.
The Christian always wants to be a shining light - Matthew 5:14-16.
Positive attitude in the present situation.
Paul said, "To live is Christ, to die is gain."
DESIRE TO BE WITH CHRIST - Phil. 1:21.
Paul had assurance of salvation.
Without assurance, desire is void.
II Timothy 4:7-8 - Paul had assurance.
Paul preached assurance.
Colossians 1:3-4 - Faith and love because of hope.
John preached assurance - I John 5:13.
Peter preached assurance - I Peter 1:3-5.
Paul desired to be with Christ so much that he was willing to magnify Him daily.
CONCLUSION:
Do you desire to be found "IN CHRIST"?
Does your life "MAGNIFY" your Lord each day?
Do you desire to "BE WITH CHRIST"?
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