Topic: PRICELESS VALUE OF KNOWING CHRIST [Church of God Mission International] CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – DATE: SUNDAY 19th June,2022
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE: SUNDAY 19th June,2022
(HYMN: S S & S 473 “JUST AS I AM WITHOUT ONE PLEA”)
TOPIC: PRICELESS VALUE OF KNOWING CHRIST
TEXT: Philippians 3:1-21
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
OUR BEST ACHIEVEMENTS DO NOT COMPARE WITH EXCELLENCY OF KNOWING CHRIST
INTRODUCTION
At the the of writing the Epistle, the church in Philippi appeared to be a faithful and flourishing one but was often disturbed and confused by the influence of itinerant teachers who erroneously propagated the supremacy of circumcision over and above the cross of Christ. It was on this note that the church was cautioned by Apostle Paul to be weary of such teachers. They were reminded that the true christian faith teaches us to worship God in spirit, as opposed to advocates of rituals and outward observance of the old testament.
Paul had seen both sides of the divide. He was a privileged Jew and a Pharisee. He was an influential associate of the Sanhedrin and we’ll tutored in the law under notable teachers. He also had the singular privilege of partaking in the light of the gospel of Christ. He had decided to follow Christ and to forego all the privileges he enjoyed in Judaism.
This study is intended to explore how treasurable it is to know Christ from an inward personal experience as opposed to the observance of outward religious ordinances.
Also Read: Open Heaven 19 June 2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye –Topic: FATHER, WHERE ARE YOU? I
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this lesson are to:
- Discuss Apostle Paul’s warning about entangling teachings
- Discuss Paul’s attitude to earthly credentials and privileges
- Explain what the ideal goal of the believer should be
- Identify the internal enemy of the cross
- Examine the hope and expectations of every believer
BIBLE TRUTH
QUESTION 1.
READ PHIL 3:1-3 AND COMMENT ON PAUL’S WARNING TO THE CHURCH
The warning of Paul in this passage is presented in three statements: (i) Beware of dogs (ii) Beware of evil workers (iii). Beware of the concision.
Together they represent those who hold malice against faithful believers, barking and sometimes biting. They oppose the faith in Christ and instead plead good works only. They boast of the covenant of circumcision whereas in actual fact their emphasis is on the mark of the knife on the flesh and not on the regeneration of the spirit. True Christianity teaches us to first establish inward peace with God so that our sacrifice of faith may be acceptable before Him. The implication of this the confidence and contentment f a believer must be deprived from a personal experience of inner salvation rather than just outward identity.
QUESTION 2.
HOW DID PAUL REGARDS HIS EARTHLY CREDENTIALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ? Phil 3:4-11
Paul was an original Jew to the core, a Pharasee, a zealot and religious nationalist for the cause of Israel. He studied under the best teacher of his time and had access to the ruling council called the Sahendrin.
Paul expressed readiness to do away with all these credentials if ever any was in conflict with his goal of knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection. His talent and privileges would count nothing if not if not for the advancement of his faith in Christ. Our earthly credentials and achievements should be seen as endowment from God to help us fulfill divine mandate. Otherwise they are nothing but dungs
QUESTION 3
WHAT SHOULD BE THE IDEAL GOAL OF THE BELIEVER ? Phil 3:10-14
The ambition of any believer should be to know Christ, the power of His resurrection and be made conformable to His death. It is to be sanctified and justified, so as to partake in the joyful and glorious resurrection of the saints. This is a worthy cause for which many have laid down their lives
QUESTION 4.
WHO ARE THE INTERNAL ENEMIES OF THE CROSS, AND HOW ARE WE TO RELATE WITH THEM ? Phil 3:18-19
The internal enemies of the cross of Christ are professing believers whose ministries and activities are counter productive and negates the dispensation of grace.
Such one’s will exploit the grace of God for their selfish advantage or they undermine the grace of God through undue emphasis on the letter of the law but ignored the spirit of such. They burden and enslave others with rituals and outward ceremonial ordinances that entangle both the body and the soul. Anyone who devalues the worth of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and those who are lured by material benefits into ministerial service are all enemies of the cross. Those who operate in the church with patronage of strange spirits are also enemies of the cross. Together, they deny the existence of Christ repudiate the work of grace and set up evil kingdoms for themselves
QUESTION 5
WHAT IS THE HOPE AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE BELIEVER AND HOW DO WE LIVE IN ANTICIPATION OF CHRIST RETURN ? 2Pt 3:11-14; 1Jn 3:2-3
The hope of the believer is the full manifestation of glory pertaining to sonship and adoption. It is to be accepted into the kingdom of God and to be adequately rewarded for all the labour of love. It is to share in the glory God as given to Christ, and to reign with Him in eternity. It is to experience immortality and celestial transformation.
We are to pursue this hope with gravity and seriousness of purpose, making the best use of the opportunity available to us. It is to live in purity and holiness and never to be “at ease in zion”. It is to maintain a lifestyle that cannot easily be faulted or ignored.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATIONApostle Paul made it very clear that his greatest goal in life was to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and to be made conformable to His death. To accomplish this, he was ready to forego all human and earthly benefits and credentials for the excellency (priceless value) of knowing Christ. Our best accomplishments and privileges on earth are nothing but dungs and garbage when compared to the hope we have in Christ and in His saving grace.
MEMORY VERSE
Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death”
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