Message from the Pastor

Thursday, October 29, 2015

More About Jesus 
Phil. 3:7-10 
      Intro: This message comes from the Bible and the hymn book: More About Jesus! Notice these phrases in the text passage: “The excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus...” “That I may Win Christ...” “And be found IN Him...” “That I may KNOW Him” All of these statements of Paul are summed up in the hymn, More About Jesus.
     This hymn was written by Eliza Hewitt who was born in June of 1851 in Philadelphia. She graduated from high school as the valedictorian of her class and became a public school teacher in Philadelphia. One day a student became angry at her and hit her with his slate (the small personal black board they used for writing their lessons). She was hit in the back and was injured so severely that she was confined to her bed and could no longer teach. While she was in this difficult and painful condition she refused to become bitter and waste her life. She began a serious study of the Promises of God in the Bible. She began writing for the first time in her life and wrote these words: “Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing his mercy and his grace; In the mansions bright and blessed he’s prepared for us a place.” (When We All Get to Heaven) She also wrote “There is Sunshine in my Soul Today;” “Will there Be any Stars in my Crown?” and hundreds more that are not as well known. Of course, one her best known hymns is “More About Jesus.” Later on, Eliza was able to walk, and though she still suffered crippling back pain she became involved in Sunday School Work. She supervised Sunday School for the Northern Home for Friendless Children and later oversaw a similar work in the Calvin Presbyterian Church; at one point she had a class of 200 children! She was asked at times to speak at churches and give her testimony but she refused to do so on Sunday, saying her Sunday School ministry came first. What an example of faithfulness in spite of afflictions that could have easily caused bitterness and backsliding!
     Eliza Hewitt yearned to know More About Jesus. Paul yearned to know More About Jesus. You and I need to have that same strong desire; we also need to know More About Jesus.
     I. We Need to Know Jesus as Savior. 
Vs. 1- More about Jesus would I know; more of his grace to others show; more of his saving fulness see, more of his love who died for me. If you do not Know Jesus as Savior you are LOST; wandering thru life with no Direction; no purpose; no satisfaction. We must know about Jesus as Savior; we must know about his Grace; about his Saving Fulness; about his Love that cause him to die for us. I wonder sometimes if some who call themselves Christians have forgotten how great his grace is; how wonderful salvation is; how amazing his love is; how incredible it is that Jesus died for us that we might be SAVED- delivered from Sin; from Satan; from Hell.
     II. We Need to Know Jesus as Lord.
Vs. 2- More about Jesus let me learn; more of HIS holy will discern; Spirit of God my teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me. Knowing Jesus as Savior is Vital and it is Thrilling. BUT we must also know Jesus as our LORD. He does not just save us from sin and then send us back out into life to do our own thing; to make our own way; to live our life as we see fit; He saved us, yes! But salvation is a Purchase- he Bought us with his blood; when he shed his blood for sin he paid for us; he redeemed us; Paul said, You are Not Your Own; you are bought with a Price; therefore Glorify God in your body and your spirit which are God’s. Three times in the NT we are reminded that the Lord bought us; we belong to him; he is in charge of our lives. Do you really know Jesus as LORD? Are you submitted to his authority? Are you obeying his Word and his Will?
     III. We Need to Know Jesus as Friend.
Vs.3- More about Jesus, in his Word; Holding communion with my Lord; Hearing his voice in every line, making each faithful saying mine. “Holding communion with my Lord..” Communion- fellowship- friendship- Relationship! It is at This Point that the Christian life DEEPENS. To know Jesus as Savior and Lord is wonderful, for it means you have passed from death unto life and from an eternity in hell to an eternity in heaven. BUT to have communion with the Lord; that’s a different matter. To have a personal relationship with the Lord; that’s a different matter.
     [I want you to think right now about who you would classify as your 5 closest friends in earthly life; what kind of relationship do you have with them; in regard to the feelings you have toward them; in regard to time spent together; in regard to communication with them; in regard to how well you know them]
     NOW how about your relationship with Jesus? What kind of feelings do you have for Jesus? What about time spent with Him? What about your communication with him? How well do you know him as a friend?           IV. We Need to Know Jesus as King. 
Vs. 4 More about Jesus on his throne; riches in glory all his own; More of his kingdom’s sure increase; more of his coming, Prince of Peace. Do you realize that Jesus is not just the Savior of the World but also the Sovereign of the World? He really will sit on his throne and rule over all the earth; First he will rule for 1000 years in the time known as the Millennium; all nations that still exist and all people who are still alive will be under his Rule and Authority. When that time comes to an end, his kingdom will become an Eternal and Everlasting One. Do you know Jesus as King? Are you really a subject of his kingdom? Will you be one who rules and reigns with him in eternity? More About Jesus! Savior; Lord; Friend; King! More About Jesus!