“Christianity is Christ” Philippians 3: /11/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles

“Christianity is Christ” As Christians we need to have both compassion and total commitment. Jesus wants us to commit our lives to him – to sacrifice our wants in order to give ourselves to His work.

“Christianity is Christ” 26 Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- (Matt 20:26-27, NIV)

“Christianity is Christ” Perhaps the best way to answer the question is to realize that it’s about knowing God. We come to know God by a Person. “Christianity is nothing less and can be nothing more than relationship to Christ...” (W. Griffith Thomas)

“Christianity is Christ”  Christians and Christ In Judaism, the focus is on Jehovah.  In the Beginning God (Elohim) (Gen 1:1, NIV) Noah, Abraham, Moses, David.  Elohim, Yahweh, El Shaddai who spoke through the prophets.

“Christianity is Christ” 13 … the Alpha and the omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Rev 22:13, NIV) In Christianity, the focus is on Jesus Christ. 1 In the Beginning was the WORD (John 1:1, NIV)

“Christianity is Christ” The first 4 books of the New Testament are accounts of Jesus’ life. Acts tells how Jesus’ disciples went everywhere preaching Jesus. The Epistles teach Christians how to live with Jesus as Lord.  It’s not easy to be a Christian.  What kind of footsteps are we talking about?

“Christianity is Christ” 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24, NIV)

“Christianity is Christ” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:23, NIV)

“Christianity is Christ”  Don’t let anyone tell you Christianity is easy!  An easy Christianity is not real Christianity. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15:20, NIV)

“Christianity is Christ” Revelation tells of Christ’s victory over Satan. 11 …is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. (Rev 19:11)

“Christianity is Christ” 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. (Rev 19:12- 13)

“Christianity is Christ” 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations…He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. (Rev 19:15)

“Christianity is Christ” 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev 19:16, NIV)  This is a cosmic battle!  Its’ not just what we can see.  This cosmic war is going on all around us.

“Christianity is Christ”  Our Enemies and Christ. The focus of their attack is on Jesus.  From is birth to his resurrection.  His morals and his character are questioned.

“Christianity is Christ” Satan knows what he is doing.  Destroy the church’s beliefs about Jesus …destroy the church.  Take away the hunger to know Jesus and you take away the very fuel of a Christian’s life.

“Christianity is Christ” Christianity IS Christ. There is NO OTHER NAME under heaven by which you must be saved (Acts 4:12).

“Christianity is Christ”  You can be moral and not know Christ.  You can be honest in business and not believe in Christ.  You can even be religious and not have anything to do with Christ.  But you cannot be a Christian without Christ!

“Christianity is Christ”  Paul & Christ Paul in Philippians was an old man made much older by the years of abuse from those who persecuted him for his faith in Christ  He was a follower for over 30 years.  He had to deal with the earliest heresies.

“Christianity is Christ”  He had written beautiful letters about God in Christ. Under arrest, facing a trial for his life because of his faith, what did he write?  Did he delve into deep theology?  Did he discuss great moral dilemmas?

“Christianity is Christ”  Did he utter questions of philosophy?  No, He described what meant the most to him:

“Christianity is Christ” 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Phil 3:8, NIV)

“Christianity is 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 and is by faith. (Phil 3:9, NIV)

“Christianity is Christ” 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11, NIV)

“Christianity is Christ”  Us & Christ Are we consumed with knowing Jesus Christ?  Knowing Christ as Lord— telling us what to do?  Knowing Christ as Model—showing us how to do it?  Knowing Christ as Power—giving us strength to do it?

“Christianity is Christ”  Conclusion The Pearl of Great Price. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matt 13:45-46, NIV) What is HE worth to you?

“Christianity is Christ” Philippians 3: /11/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles