The Accomplishments of the Resurrection
Dr. Timmy R. Chavis, Lumbee
Philippians 3:7-11
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
On this day we reflect on the sacrifice that Christ paid so that we could have a right to Life. What did it cost God for humanity to obtain salvation? It cost God His death, i.e., the death of Him, so that we could live. The plan of salvation was not a last minute ditch by God to save man. It wasn’t a fourth quarter two-minute strategy to be victorious. It wasn’t a “Hail Mary” throw of the ball. No, men and women of God, the cross and the resurrection were conceived before the creation of Humanity. The cost to redeem sinful man was weighted in Eternity past; when God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit convened in the court room of heaven.
When we place our confidence in the accomplishments of our Savior we can experience some wonderful things with Him.
I. We enjoy the privilege of His reward (Phil 3:7-8)
Interpretation: In our text today we see Paul as he reflects on his sacrifice for the cross. Paul had counted up the cost and he realized that all the things that he possessed were nothing in view of the cross. Paul could see that the cross of Christ cast a holy shadow over all the things that he had once viewed as important. Paul’s desire was to know God and He soon realized that to know God meant that he had to change his view of the things that he prided the most. Paul had great pride in his accomplishments. But he knew that his accomplishment could never stand in th light of what Christ had done for him. So Paul had a change of heart about his accomplishments. Paul now could glory in the accomplishments of Christ.
The benefit of giving up what we have and what we cherish is that we can enjoy the reward of Christ. What is the thing that we can enjoy, it is the knowledge that we have passed from death unto life. Paul counted everything that he thought was gain to him as but dung, in other words just waste thrown to the dogs.
II. We experience the prize of His righteousness. (Phil 3:9) In Christ we have the righteousness is not derived from our works, deeds or actions; it is a righteousness that has been given to us by the Father.
Interpretation: Paul realized that he could not attain righteousness through the Law. He came to the realization that only through faith could he be made righteous before God. Paul’s striving to be righteous can be seen in his zeal to persecute the church. Paul felt the more that he did for God in stopping the “Nazarene Sect” the more righteous he would be. Illustration: What’s the best prize that you have ever won? If today someone told you that you had just won the lottery would that make you happy: If someone walked up to you and gave you enough money to pay off all your bills, would that make you happy? You see the point in these questions is that, money, materialism, wealth and any other thing that can make you happy can never make you righteous. [There are many things that money cannot buy. Money can buy: A bed but now sleep, books but not brains, food but not an appetite, finery but not beauty, a house but not a home, medicine but not health, pleasures but not peace, luxuries but not culture, amusements but not joy, a crucifix but not a Savior, a church building but not heaven.} And in the words of John, Paul, George, and Ring, money can’t buy you love.
Application: Today you many not be a Paul persecuting the church. Maybe you haven’t killed anyone or maybe you feel that you haven’t bee a bad person. Regardless to your circumstances of situation your are a sinner in need of salvation. You are an unrighteous person in need of a righteous standing before a Holy God. Today that standing before God can only be provided through the atoning death of Jesus Christ.
Illustration: William Randolph Hearst invested a fortune collecting art treasures from around the world. One day Mr. Hearst read the description of a valuable art item which he sent his agent abroad to find. After months of searching, that agent reported that he had finally found the treasure. To the surprise of Hearst, the priceless masterpiece was stored in none other that the warehouse of William Randolph Hearst. The multi-millionaire had been searching all over the world for a treasure he already possessed. Had he read the catalog of his treasures, he would have saved himself a lot of time and money.
Application: Friend today you don’t have to search the world over for the greatest of all treasures. The greatest of all treasures lies right at the door of your heart; it is the righteousness of Christ.
III. We expect the promise of the resurrection (Phil 3:10-11)
The resurrection of Christ was the central message of the early church. The apostles gave great witness to the resurrection according to the book.
A. We discover His strength (Phil 3:10)
B. We share His sufferings (Phil 3:10)
C. We attain His salvation (Phil 3:11)
More than nineteen hundred years ago, there was a Man born contrary to the laws of life. This Man lived in poverty and was reared on obscurity. He did not travel extensively. Only once did He cross the boundary of the country in which He lived; that was during His exile in childhood. He possessed neither wealth nor influence. His relatives were ordinary and had neither training nor formal education. In infancy He startled a king; in childhood He puzzled doctors; in manhood He ruled the course of nature, walked upon the waves as pavement, and hushed the sea to sleep. He healed the multitudes without medicine and made no charge for His service. He never wrote a book, and yet perhaps all the libraries of the world could not hold the books that have been written about Him. He never wrote a song, and yet He has furnished the theme for more songs than all the songwriters combined. He never founded a college, but all the schools put together cannot boast of having as many students. He never has marshaled an army, nor drafted a soldier, nor fired a gun; and yet no leader ever had more volunteers who have under His orders, made more rebels stack arms and surrender without a shot fired. He never practiced psychiatry, and yet He has healed more broken hearts than all the doctors far and near.
Once each week multitudes congregate at worshiping assemblies to pay homage and respect to Him. The names of the past and proud statesmen of Greece and Rome have come and gone. The names of the past scientists, philosophers, and theologians have come and gone. But the name of this Man multiplies more and more. Though time has spread nineteen hundred years between the people of this generation and the mockers at His crucifixion, He still lives. His enemies could not destroy Him, and the grave could not hold Him. He stands forth upon the highest pinnacle of heavenly glory, proclaimed of God, acknowledged by angels, adored by saints, and feared by devils, as the risen, personal Christ, our Lord and Savior.
By permission:
Thanks for ‘Taking Five’ – Gary Waddell – Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee - VMMTN.com
God bless and bless GOD
