Phil. 3:10-14   Fellowship and Conforming

3:10 I may know him, - tou gnwnai auton - Aor Act Inf – to actually learn to know, perceive or sense the power of His resurrection.

and the power of his resurrection, - kai thn dunamin thV anastasewV autou - the inherent strength, power or might of His resurrection.

And the fellowship of His sufferings - koinwnian twn paqhatwn - fellowship is partnership or understanding the suffering personally that Paul was willing to experience. Paul says, A...for whom I have suffered the loss of all things" (3:8) That I may participate in the same kind of sufferings that he endured; that is, that I may in all things be identified with him.

Not many of us are called upon to suffer seriously for Christ. Few will actually die for Christ. But I wonder how many would be loyal to Christ even unto death?

Should we have to face the supreme test, how would we respond?  This is an important question because it sets a precedent for our lives.

Many in evangelical churches today are religious spectators. Most do not intend to go to any extraordinary extent to live for Christ. It seems that many Christians do not take their Christianity seriously.   However, when the tide seems to turn in favor of the enemy, I believe that most will step up the plate.

In Paul and Peter’s day it was not unusual to suffer the sake of Christ.  Peter wrote, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy" (I Pet. 4:12,13).

Many seem to be willing to reign with Christ, but how many are willing to suffer with him

Many seem willing to wear a crown of glory, but not the crown of thorns

Many would be willing to wear the robe of splendor, heaven, but not the scarlet robe

Many would share the triumph of redemption, but not poverty, and persecution.

When Jesus went to the cross he went with an attitude of service and sacrifice.

What was his attitude? He went to the cross knowing he was to die for the sins of the world. He went knowingly. He understood fully the dreadfulness and terror of the cross. He wanted the will of God, nothing less. That is why we are challenged in 2:5 to "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

 "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame...For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Heb. 12:2,3).

Being made conformable unto His death@ - sumorfoumenoV Pres Pass Ptc - take on the same form as his death.   The trust is to have the same mental attitude Jesus did when he went to the cross. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane he said, "...take this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt...@

Jesus understood fully what he was about to face. He knew the horrendous implications of the cross. Yet he still went to the cross. "No man taketh my life, I give it freely!"  I come to do thy will O God!  

 What epitaph will they place on our tombstone? What will people say about us?

 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:  2 Tim 2:11-12

 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.  1 Peter 4:13-14

 Yet, we often put other things first, relegating the things that count for eternity to our spare time. We need to live with eternal values in view.  Everything will be brought into proper perspective in eternity.   Paul put the Lord at the head of his list.

 "That in all things He might have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18).

 Everything we have belongs to him.  In Romans 8:29 Paul set forth Jesus as the model to which we should be conformed, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son."

 God predestines us to be conformed to the image of his son. He determines that every child of God shall be ultimately like the Lord Jesus.

 To God, it is inconsequential whether we live twenty years or ninety years. It is not how long we live that matters, but how well.

 How can we be conformable unto His death?

 *Realization of personal need for growth and maturity:

3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:  3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

 *A teachable spirit and love for Christ: 3:12  but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

*Living in the present greatness of Christ, and not in the past life of sin and immaturity: 3:13  but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

*Strive daily to walk in the power and presence of Christ: 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 3:14   *Olympic athlete, training, pursuit of the prize, focusing on the end of years of hard work and sacrifice, chasing after a worldly reward that brings fame, spending thousands of dollars, an entire life=s ambition.  The apostle tells of this same kind of ambition, but from an eternal perspective. 

 I press toward the mark / diwkw / Lit. to pursue from behind the One who is in the lead, to speed on earnestly,  run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, seek after eagerly.