A Man in Christ
A Sermon on Philippians 3:12-17
Originally preached June 10, 1962
Scripture
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Philippians 3:12–17 titled “A Man in Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the biblical view of Christianity—one that fills people with joy. More than just knowing facts about Jesus, Christianity is about personally knowing Jesus Himself. Part of the way this is seen is through the Holy Spirit, the helper God sent to live inside of believers to help them as they live in a world hostile to Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps to live and handle everything life throws, spiritually and otherwise. What does it mean to follow Christ in the midst of these struggles? Dr. Lloyd-Jones elaborates on the riches of the blessings that come along with pursuing Christ and choosing to follow Him instead of the fleeting pleasures of the world. Echoing the words of the Apostle Paul, he reminds that Christians are to count everything else as rubbish when compared to the glory of Christ. This, however, is not the joyless walk that some imagine it to be—rather, those who follow Christ like this are filled with the utmost joy because they are satisfied in Christ, the only one who can truly satisfy their longings.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is writing to the Philippians to remind them of the essence of the Christian faith.
- Paul wants the Philippians to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.
- Paul counts everything as loss compared to knowing Christ.
- The knowledge of Christ is the only thing that can make us safe in this world and for eternity.
- Many people don't believe in Christ because they don't truly know what Christianity is. They think it's about following rules and being miserable.
- True Christianity fills you with joy and gives you a thrilling understanding of Christ.
- The disciples were transformed after Pentecost and filled with power, fearlessness, and assurance.
- The Holy Spirit enables us to know Christ in a personal, experiential way. We can have fellowship and commune with Him.
- Paul wants to know the power of Christ's resurrection - the power that raised Christ from the dead and gives us new life.
- The power of the resurrection enables us to live the Christian life, overcome sin, understand the gospel, and endure sufferings.
- Paul wants to know the fellowship of Christ's sufferings - to feel the world's pain and sin like Christ did.
- Paul wants to be conformed to Christ's death - to die to self and live for God's glory like Christ did.
- If we die to self like Christ, we will be raised to glory and spend eternity with Him.
- True Christianity offers solid joys and lasting pleasures, not worldly pleasures that fade away.
- We must see Christ and know Him to have true faith. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the excellence of knowing Christ.
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.