146. Rock Goes The Gospel - Tom Petty "I Need To Know"

"I Need to Know" is a song written by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was released in 1978 as the first single from their second album "You're Gonna Get It! It peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1978. This song as well as "Listen to Her Heart" was already being played live in concert as early as June 14, 1977, as is evidenced in a performance on Germany's music television show, "Rockpalast".  "I need to know" is a song about the pain of not knowing.

The Tom Petty song is about "Not knowing" but the scripture passage from Philippians this morning is about "Knowing" and about "Knowing" Jesus first and then the power of the resurrection of Jesus. This is the centre of the life of the follower of Jesus to know Him first is to no nothing else.

There are four things that Paul craves for in this passage that are challenging: To know Christ.To know the power of the resurrection. To know the fellowship of sharing in his suffering. To become like him None of these things can be known simply by mental or academic assent.

To truly know these things we must know them by way of experience. Fellowship is not known apart from fellowship. The power of the resurrection is not known by studying books or giving yourself to theology. Even more so, Christ is not known with out experiencing him in relationship with him.

I wonder how many of our churches are filled with people who are simply nodding their heads to what’s being sung or said without experiencing the truth of what is being said? I wonder how many people are living the faith through others who are really living their faith?

Ask yourself these questions. I wonder how often I sacrifice knowledge about Jesus for knowing Jesus? Do I desire to have the single minded focus of Paul to know Christ. Do I settle for knowing a little or a lot about him. Do I really want to know him? Do I really want to see the power of the resurrection. What about the fellowship of his sufferings?

Now, being honest, the fellowship of sharing in his suffering is not something that any of us are readily asking for. But, if it is the process God ordains that all of us might become like Jesus, then what is our response then?

To live a larger than life faith is what Paul is driving at. Where do you, where do we stand today on this. What is it that we really desire in our lives. What direction are we heading in and are we on target? Will we hit the bullseye?