Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-24
THE TIMES-DISPATCH
SUNDAY SERMON
by j. u, IfunIey,
Pastor hanover chrIstinn chnr,

iaStor Hanover Christian Church
ieA' That may know Him."-phil 2IO
>oted characters in history have been domin-
ateu by some passion. In Caesar il was am
"!''oh' IN Nero. the applause Of the multitude;
''aPoicon and the Kaiser were mad for con-
quest columbus led on by desire for dig
co'eES' washington and Garritaldi loved lib
for union
r"presscd in his own words. Pauls passion
was That may know Him" This one all.
aosorblng passion dominated his entire life
hy IL his thoughts were governed and brought
to the obedience of Christ 1t mastered his
ieeihgs' and nil his emotions were made to
pay ABOUT the divine personality. II deter
mined ms words and actions. and whatever he
uio III word or deed was done to the glory of
i'iih whose he was and whom he served.
knowledge OF tic Historic Christ.
"hat sort of knowledge was 1t that he thus
assiduously sought? Was 1t knowledge of the
earthly life of Jesus? When he expressed
h's passion In the Philippan letter he pos
Sessed all available facts concerning Christ's
sojourn in the flesh. lie had this wealth of
information from cye-witnesses Paul treas
ured all this knowledge, and yet he said Even
thouSh we have known Christ after the flesh
yet now we know him more" Knowl-
edge OF the historic Christ was the founda-
ton OF his faith. but he looked beyond to the
supcrstructurc
Was 1t further intellectual knowledge which
moved him to such fervid zeal? Trained in
the school OF Gamaliel. Pauls mind had been
stee9ed in Pharasaic philosophy. He was well
acquainted with the various schools of Greek
ana Roman thought. The intellectual syst ems
Oh MS day were not foreign to him. He had
Sra?pled with Them mastered them, and like
another saul. stood head and shoulders above
ms tribe. All this he considered but re
fuse" in view of his commissioning passion.
That the intellectual side OF Christianity was
regarded by Paul as far superior to any sys-
tenn he had known and that it fully satisfied
his mind ia evident. But 1t was not mental
salts faction he sought
The error continua''y made by multitudes
OF people is just here Men read and accept
The story of Jesus confess Him and even go
out TO serve Him withou, the knowledge which
Paul sought They know about Christ, hut
they do not know Christ. Are you very sure
that you know Him?
knowledge OF a Personal Reality.
The knowledge which Paul sought was
that OF daily experience from union with the
living. abiding Christ. Knowledge of Christ
rs II personal presence now and here. and not
an influence merely, from a distant country
and Il by-gonc age. Is supreme privilege
That the most marvellous influence from any
personality in the worlds history does reach
us from that far away time and place. no
one can question. But the glory Of the Chris
tian life is the indwelling presence OF Him who
is alive forevcrmore and who brings the full
est o. His character into the souls Of His peo
pie.
The knowledge that Paul sought the
knowledge Of a present REALTY. He did know
Christ as, perhaps, no living person knew Him.
but there To lie no limitations upon his
knowledge. Il know him whom have be-
.icved,' ne could say with assurance but the
fullpcss was AS the ocean, and another phrase
Upon his lips was. From glory to glory His
whole being went out to Christ with adoring
love. The quest of this knowledge was TO him
the noblest endeavor and the very romance
of his life. Man never woocd beautiful wo-
with ardor more intense than the zeal OF
Paul in seeking the face OF his adorable Lord
Is this the passion OF your life? Is this TO
YOU the nohleSt quest?