Divine Apprehension: Transformative Encounter with Christ
Summary
In Paul's epistle to the Philippians, particularly in the third chapter and the twelfth verse, we find a profound insight into the Christian journey. Paul speaks of his pursuit to apprehend that for which Christ Jesus has apprehended him. This notion of being "apprehended" by Christ is a powerful metaphor for the Christian experience. It suggests that becoming a Christian is not merely a personal decision or a philosophical conclusion but an encounter with the divine that arrests and transforms us.
Paul's journey to Damascus is a vivid illustration of this divine apprehension. He was not seeking Christ; rather, he was actively opposing Him. Yet, Christ intervened, arresting Paul in his tracks and redirecting his life. This encounter underscores the principle that becoming a Christian is not the result of human effort or reasoning but a divine intervention that disrupts our self-willed paths and aligns us with God's purpose.
The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding our natural state before this divine intervention. By nature, we are self-willed, trusting in our own ideas and opinions, often in rebellion against God. This self-reliance leads us astray, making us lawbreakers in the eyes of God. The arresting hand of Christ brings us face to face with our true condition, compelling us to confront our misconceptions about God and our relationship with Him.
The charge against us is personal and direct, focusing on our relationship with Jesus Christ. It challenges us to reconsider our views about His person and work. Are we, like Saul, wrong about who Christ is and what He has done? The charge demands a response, leading to a moment of surrender where we acknowledge our need for Christ's mercy and grace.
Ultimately, the Christian life is about knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection. It is about being conformed to His image and living in the reality of His presence. This transformation begins with the divine arrest, where we are apprehended by Christ and brought into a new life of faith and obedience.
Key Takeaways:
- Divine Intervention: Becoming a Christian is not a result of human effort or philosophical reasoning but a divine intervention that arrests and transforms us. This encounter with Christ disrupts our self-willed paths and aligns us with God's purpose. [11:56]
- Self-Will and Rebellion: By nature, we are self-willed, trusting in our own ideas and opinions, often in rebellion against God. This self-reliance leads us astray, making us lawbreakers in the eyes of God. The arresting hand of Christ brings us face to face with our true condition. [15:27]
- Personal Conviction: The charge against us is personal and direct, focusing on our relationship with Jesus Christ. It challenges us to reconsider our views about His person and work, demanding a response that leads to a moment of surrender. [36:54]
- Transformation Through Surrender: The Christian life begins with a moment of surrender where we acknowledge our need for Christ's mercy and grace. This transformation involves knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection, being conformed to His image. [48:31]
- Living in Christ's Reality: Ultimately, the Christian journey is about living in the reality of Christ's presence, being apprehended by Him, and pursuing the knowledge of Him and the power of His resurrection. This new life is marked by faith and obedience. [50:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Philippians 3:12
- [00:35] - The Apostle's Pursuit
- [01:29] - Definitions of a Christian
- [02:01] - The Safety in Christ
- [03:12] - The Danger of False Teachings
- [04:56] - The Only Place of Safety
- [06:17] - Becoming a Christian
- [08:21] - Paul's Unique Conversion
- [11:56] - Divine Apprehension
- [14:08] - Self-Will and Rebellion
- [19:56] - The Law and Sin
- [25:02] - The Arrest by Christ
- [34:19] - The Personal Charge
- [41:16] - The Question of Christ's Identity
- [48:04] - Surrender and Transformation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 3:12
- Acts 26:12-18
- John 3:16-19
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Observation Questions:
1. In Philippians 3:12, what does Paul mean when he says he is trying to "apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus"? How does this relate to his personal journey? [00:35]
2. How does the sermon describe Paul's journey to Damascus and his encounter with Christ? What was significant about this event? [09:19]
3. According to the sermon, what is the natural state of humanity before divine intervention? How does this state lead us astray? [15:27]
4. What is the personal charge brought against individuals in their relationship with Jesus Christ, as discussed in the sermon? [36:54]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "apprehended" by Christ challenge the idea that becoming a Christian is solely a personal decision? [11:56]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that self-will and rebellion manifest in our lives, and how does this affect our relationship with God? [15:27]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the transformation that occurs through surrender to Christ? What does this transformation involve? [48:31]
4. What does it mean to live in the reality of Christ's presence, as described in the sermon? How does this impact a believer's daily life? [50:57]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt "apprehended" by Christ. How did this experience change your perspective or direction in life? [11:56]
2. Identify an area in your life where self-will might be leading you astray. What steps can you take to align this area with God's purpose? [15:27]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of personal conviction in our relationship with Jesus. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of who Christ is and what He has done for you? [36:54]
4. Consider a moment of surrender in your spiritual journey. How did acknowledging your need for Christ's mercy and grace transform your life? [48:31]
5. What practical steps can you take to live more fully in the reality of Christ's presence this week? How can this awareness influence your interactions with others? [50:57]
6. How can you ensure that your understanding of God is based on His revelation rather than personal or cultural opinions? What resources or practices can help you in this pursuit? [21:26]
7. Think of someone in your life who may be on a self-willed path. How can you lovingly share the message of divine intervention and transformation with them? [15:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Encounter: The Arresting Hand of Christ
Becoming a Christian is not a result of human effort or philosophical reasoning but a divine intervention that arrests and transforms us. This encounter with Christ disrupts our self-willed paths and aligns us with God's purpose. The story of Paul's journey to Damascus is a vivid illustration of this divine apprehension. Paul was not seeking Christ; rather, he was actively opposing Him. Yet, Christ intervened, arresting Paul in his tracks and redirecting his life. This encounter underscores the principle that becoming a Christian is not the result of human effort or reasoning but a divine intervention that disrupts our self-willed paths and aligns us with God's purpose. [11:56]
Acts 9:3-6 (ESV): "Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.'"
Reflection: Can you recall a moment in your life where you felt a divine intervention redirecting your path? How did it change your perspective or actions?
Day 2: Confronting Self-Will and Rebellion
By nature, we are self-willed, trusting in our own ideas and opinions, often in rebellion against God. This self-reliance leads us astray, making us lawbreakers in the eyes of God. The arresting hand of Christ brings us face to face with our true condition. It compels us to confront our misconceptions about God and our relationship with Him. This confrontation is not comfortable, but it is necessary for transformation. It is only when we recognize our rebellion and self-will that we can begin to understand our need for Christ's intervention and guidance. [15:27]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own understanding rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you begin to surrender these areas to Him today?
Day 3: The Personal Charge: Reconsidering Christ
The charge against us is personal and direct, focusing on our relationship with Jesus Christ. It challenges us to reconsider our views about His person and work, demanding a response that leads to a moment of surrender. This charge is not just a general call to faith but a personal invitation to examine our beliefs and attitudes towards Christ. Are we, like Saul, wrong about who Christ is and what He has done? This personal charge demands a response, leading to a moment of surrender where we acknowledge our need for Christ's mercy and grace. [36:54]
Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV): "He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"
Reflection: How do your current beliefs about Jesus align with the truth of who He is? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of His person and work?
Day 4: Transformation Through Surrender
The Christian life begins with a moment of surrender where we acknowledge our need for Christ's mercy and grace. This transformation involves knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection, being conformed to His image. It is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of faith and obedience. As we surrender to Christ, we are transformed into His likeness, experiencing the power of His resurrection in our daily lives. This transformation is marked by a growing desire to know Christ more deeply and to live in accordance with His will. [48:31]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Living in Christ's Reality
Ultimately, the Christian journey is about living in the reality of Christ's presence, being apprehended by Him, and pursuing the knowledge of Him and the power of His resurrection. This new life is marked by faith and obedience. It is about being conformed to His image and living in the reality of His presence. As we live in this reality, we experience the fullness of life that Christ offers, marked by a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. This journey is not without challenges, but it is one of profound joy and peace as we walk in step with our Savior. [50:57]
Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate an awareness of Christ's presence in your daily life? What practices can help you pursue a deeper knowledge of Him and His resurrection power?
Quotes
I can't think of any better definition than this: a Christian is a man who's been arrested by the Lord Jesus Christ, apprehended, laid on hold of, crashed, taken hold of. Now, as we look at this term, let us try to work out some of the steps and stages involved in becoming a Christian. [00:13:17]
The Apostle Paul was not going down the road to Damascus delving into the mystery of Christianity. He wasn't grappling with it with his mind and trying to understand it and feom it and unravel now he was doing the exact exact opposite. [00:27:46]
No man becomes a Christian is the end of a search. You don't become a Christian by finding or discovering truth. No man has ever become a Christian at the end of a process of reasoning. Why do I emphasize that? Well, because we are living in an age which believes in philosophy. [00:26:26]
The Apostle Paul saw the Risen Christ with his Naked Eyes. That's how it happened to him. You may say then what's that got to do with us? Is that likely to happen to us? And the answer is of course certainly not. It's most unlikely to happen. [00:09:25]
The charge against us is personal and direct, focusing on our relationship with Jesus Christ. It challenges us to reconsider our views about His person and work, demanding a response that leads to a moment of surrender. [00:34:19]
The Christian life begins with a moment of surrender where we acknowledge our need for Christ's mercy and grace. This transformation involves knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection, being conformed to His image. [00:48:31]
The Apostle Paul was not going down the road to Damascus delving into the mystery of Christianity. He wasn't grappling with it with his mind and trying to understand it and feom it and unravel now he was doing the exact exact opposite. [00:27:46]
The Apostle Paul saw the Risen Christ with his Naked Eyes. That's how it happened to him. You may say then what's that got to do with us? Is that likely to happen to us? And the answer is of course certainly not. It's most unlikely to happen. [00:09:25]
The charge against us is personal and direct, focusing on our relationship with Jesus Christ. It challenges us to reconsider our views about His person and work, demanding a response that leads to a moment of surrender. [00:34:19]
The Christian life begins with a moment of surrender where we acknowledge our need for Christ's mercy and grace. This transformation involves knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection, being conformed to His image. [00:48:31]
The Apostle Paul was not going down the road to Damascus delving into the mystery of Christianity. He wasn't grappling with it with his mind and trying to understand it and feom it and unravel now he was doing the exact exact opposite. [00:27:46]
The Apostle Paul saw the Risen Christ with his Naked Eyes. That's how it happened to him. You may say then what's that got to do with us? Is that likely to happen to us? And the answer is of course certainly not. It's most unlikely to happen. [00:09:25]
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