WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.040 The following sermon is made available by Lakeside Bible Church in Cornelius, North Carolina. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:19.160 For more information about our church or to find more recorded sermons, 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:22.719 please visit us online at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:25.719 We'd also love to connect with you on social media. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:30.679 You can find us by searching Lakeside Bible NC on Facebook and Instagram. 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:37.920 For specific questions about the Bible or our church, please email us at info at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:40.479 --> 00:00:41.859 Philippians chapter 3. 00:00:42.439 --> 00:00:44.039 Let's start reading at verse 17. 00:00:44.179 --> 00:00:44.859 That's where we pick up. 00:00:47.320 --> 00:00:54.960 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an example. 00:00:55.719 --> 00:01:00.500 For many walk of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, 00:01:01.339 --> 00:01:03.659 that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, 00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:07.739 whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.219 and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:17.900 For our conversation, or citizenship is how we'll describe that here in a little bit, 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:20.160 for our conversation is in heaven. 00:01:20.160 --> 00:01:24.140 From whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:26.960 who shall change our vile body, 00:01:27.300 --> 00:01:30.800 that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, 00:01:31.380 --> 00:01:36.600 according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 00:01:36.599 --> 00:01:41.519 Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:48.379 my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 00:01:49.119 --> 00:01:52.819 And that's the phrase that we use as the title of our thoughts today, 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:54.599 and that is stand firm. 00:01:55.280 --> 00:01:56.359 Stand fast. 00:01:56.359 --> 00:02:04.500 Building on his personal testimony throughout the chapter 3 of Philippians, 00:02:05.039 --> 00:02:09.419 Paul is now moving towards his conclusion of this section at least. 00:02:09.539 --> 00:02:11.759 We'll get into his conclusion of the whole letter in chapter 4, 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:14.579 but now he's moving into the conclusion of this section 00:02:14.579 --> 00:02:18.319 that really kind of acts independently within the book. 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:24.060 It's a general discussion of salvation and what true Christianity is set against 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:26.939 and contrasted with false Christianity. 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:29.500 And as he moves into this conclusion, 00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:34.000 what he's dealing with is the Christian's perseverance. 00:02:35.299 --> 00:02:39.060 He's encouraging them now, after he's discussed the truth of salvation, 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:42.740 that these believers in Philippi would continue in the faith, 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:47.740 that they would persevere in this truth that they have acknowledged and have professed. 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:52.680 And the scriptures warn of, and many of us have witnessed of, 00:02:52.799 --> 00:02:56.239 people that make a profession of faith in Christ, 00:02:56.280 --> 00:02:58.799 but at some point along the way in their life, 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:04.419 they deny that faith and fall away from what they had once professed. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:06.840 And it's hard for us to imagine that. 00:03:07.359 --> 00:03:09.539 What goes on in a person's heart and mind 00:03:09.539 --> 00:03:12.439 that they would be confronted with the gospel of Christ 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:14.459 and see, at least on the surface, 00:03:14.460 --> 00:03:19.520 the value that comes from a relationship with God through Jesus. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:22.420 And then at some point, they completely abandon 00:03:22.420 --> 00:03:26.340 what at one time they professed to follow in faith. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:30.020 And this becomes a continual theme throughout the New Testament. 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:32.159 As the writers of the New Testament books 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:33.540 and these pastors and these apostles, 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:37.040 they continually encourage these believers to persevere. 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:39.040 Continue in the faith. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:41.340 Continue in what you have acknowledged. 00:03:41.699 --> 00:03:44.239 Continue in your faith. 00:03:45.139 --> 00:03:49.199 And these believers in Philippi were facing both hardship and temptation. 00:03:50.199 --> 00:03:54.180 Their hardship was related to the continued persecution of the church 00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:56.139 by both the Jews and by Rome. 00:03:57.079 --> 00:03:58.579 And Paul was even writing to them, 00:03:58.680 --> 00:04:01.879 as you understand, toward the end of a four-year imprisonment, 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:03.120 he's writing this. 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:05.659 And there would be great temptation to fall away 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:07.340 in the midst of that kind of hardship. 00:04:07.460 --> 00:04:08.020 Paul knows that. 00:04:08.200 --> 00:04:10.280 And he's encouraging them to continue in the faith 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:11.900 despite the persecution. 00:04:13.140 --> 00:04:15.780 Their temptation came at the hand of the false teachers 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:17.220 that we've studied in this book. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:20.699 That we're trying to draw them away from the faith. 00:04:21.160 --> 00:04:24.459 And there's really two statements in the verses that we just read 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:25.980 that I think points toward the fact 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:28.100 that Paul is actually dealing with perseverance 00:04:28.100 --> 00:04:30.699 as he addresses these people as true believers. 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:32.379 The first one's in verse 17. 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:33.620 Look at the very first word. 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:36.360 He refers to them once again as brethren. 00:04:37.300 --> 00:04:38.379 And we've talked about before, 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:40.600 this word for brethren in the New Testament 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:42.899 is a reference to true believers. 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:48.420 So Paul writes to them assuming that they are the good seed, 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:50.339 assuming that they are true believers 00:04:50.339 --> 00:04:51.600 that have truly followed Christ. 00:04:51.699 --> 00:04:54.199 And he's encouraging them to persevere in that faith 00:04:54.199 --> 00:04:58.180 rather than writing to them as if they are not true believers 00:04:58.180 --> 00:05:01.740 and trying to encourage them evangelistically in that sort. 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:04.060 So we see now how his mind is really shifting. 00:05:04.220 --> 00:05:06.980 It's not that he's trying to call them to salvation. 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:08.379 He's calling them to persevere. 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:11.000 Brethren, he believes these people to be true Christians 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:14.040 and he's encouraging them to persevere in that. 00:05:14.400 --> 00:05:16.480 And then look at verse 1 in chapter 4. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:17.980 He says, 00:05:18.340 --> 00:05:19.860 therefore, because of all of these things 00:05:19.860 --> 00:05:21.879 that I have just written to you in chapter 3 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:24.019 but especially because of these last few verses, 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:25.379 therefore, he says, 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:27.420 stand fast in the Lord. 00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:28.759 Stand firm. 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:30.819 Don't waver. 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:35.560 There was a serious concern for Paul. 00:05:36.620 --> 00:05:38.920 He wasn't writing to them as a leader 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:41.300 that was concerned about losing his following. 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:45.259 He was writing these things out of a deep love 00:05:45.259 --> 00:05:47.139 that he had for these Christians. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:50.439 Look at the endearing terms that he writes 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:51.980 in verse 1 of chapter 4. 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:53.039 Look at all of this. 00:05:53.139 --> 00:05:55.659 Six different times he expresses his love. 00:05:55.660 --> 00:05:59.620 Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved, 00:06:00.640 --> 00:06:04.300 longed for, my joy, my crown, 00:06:04.700 --> 00:06:07.640 and then again, my dearly beloved. 00:06:08.140 --> 00:06:10.780 There's a deep love and concern for these people. 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:13.120 There's a deep concern for their soul. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:15.780 And so he writes to them in this love 00:06:15.780 --> 00:06:17.200 and he speaks this truth in love 00:06:17.200 --> 00:06:19.840 as Ephesians 4 tells us that we're supposed to do. 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:22.640 But he speaks truth to them in these verses. 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:25.019 He doesn't mince his words 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:26.399 and he doesn't sugarcoat anything, 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:28.079 but we see that all of this is coming 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:31.879 actually from the depths of his love for these people. 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:35.579 And it's indicative of a true servant of God 00:06:35.579 --> 00:06:36.699 to have that kind of heart. 00:06:37.899 --> 00:06:39.579 Paul essentially in these verses 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:44.339 becomes the typical effective influencer 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:48.000 as he coaches them to continue in the grace of God. 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:50.099 In fact, coach probably would be 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:53.000 the most appropriate title to give him in these passages. 00:06:54.140 --> 00:06:57.420 They describe as he instructs and warns 00:06:57.420 --> 00:07:00.000 and encourages them just like any leader 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:02.840 that wants to see the best for his or her followers. 00:07:03.780 --> 00:07:05.740 Think about the teachers and the coaches 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:08.780 and the Christians and pastors that you've had in your life 00:07:08.780 --> 00:07:10.260 that did this for you, 00:07:10.980 --> 00:07:12.700 that they led you in this way. 00:07:13.260 --> 00:07:14.540 They instructed you. 00:07:14.640 --> 00:07:16.200 They told you what you needed to do 00:07:16.200 --> 00:07:17.540 and whatever it was you were pursuing. 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:19.420 They warned you about the things 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:20.879 that would derail your progress 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:22.360 and then they would encourage you. 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:23.600 They cheer you on, right? 00:07:23.740 --> 00:07:26.120 That's essentially what Paul becomes in these verses. 00:07:26.340 --> 00:07:27.660 He instructs them first, 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:28.980 this is what you need to do. 00:07:29.140 --> 00:07:31.060 Then he warns them about the potential things 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:32.280 that would take away from that. 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:34.280 And then he spends those last couple of verses 00:07:34.280 --> 00:07:35.939 in chapter three encouraging them, 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:38.560 which is the awesome part of this passage 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:40.140 that we study today. 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:42.720 In these verses, 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:44.520 Paul reduces the likelihood 00:07:44.520 --> 00:07:47.180 of our perseverance to two things. 00:07:48.300 --> 00:07:50.680 He says that we're to follow the right people 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:54.180 and we are to focus on our heavenly citizenship. 00:07:55.140 --> 00:07:56.660 That if we are to persevere, 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:59.480 it will be because we've followed the right people 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:04.000 and we have focused, set our minds on heaven. 00:08:04.260 --> 00:08:06.900 Let's first look at the instruction 00:08:06.900 --> 00:08:08.460 to follow the right people. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:10.000 Look with me at verse 17. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:14.899 He says, brethren, be followers together of me. 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:18.139 The word translated as followers here, 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:21.079 it means to imitate or to be an imitator of others. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:24.180 And there is a sense in which imitation 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:27.060 can be merely external 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:30.459 and really of no benefit to us in our Christian faith. 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:33.159 But what Paul is calling them to in this passage 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:35.539 and by extension calling us to in this passage 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:36.940 is emulation. 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:39.800 Now, what I mean by that is to say 00:08:39.800 --> 00:08:42.740 that imitation could be simple mimicry. 00:08:43.260 --> 00:08:44.420 We could find a Christian 00:08:44.420 --> 00:08:45.460 or we could find somebody 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:47.180 that we're impressed by in some way 00:08:47.180 --> 00:08:49.380 and we could pattern our methodology 00:08:49.380 --> 00:08:51.540 and we could pattern our actions 00:08:51.540 --> 00:08:54.580 purely externally after this person. 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:56.500 But that's not exactly what Paul's calling 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:57.260 these people to do. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:59.120 He's calling them to emulate him, 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:02.400 which means to match or even surpass someone 00:09:02.400 --> 00:09:03.880 by means of imitation. 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:06.379 So what he really wants for them to do 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:07.860 is take what he just wrote 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:09.840 about his passion in following Christ. 00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:11.620 And it wasn't that he was concerned 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:13.659 about them behaving like he behaved, 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:16.159 but that they would believe like he believes. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:20.200 And so he's saying, be followers of me, church. 00:09:20.299 --> 00:09:23.820 Be followers of me as I pursue Christ 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:27.059 as the singular lifelong focus of my life. 00:09:27.419 --> 00:09:29.299 Follow me in doing that. 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:32.480 He wasn't trying to build his following further. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:36.080 There wasn't an egotistical means 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:37.259 of writing these verses. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.680 It was directly related to the previous verses. 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:43.420 In fact, look with me at verse 13 and 14. 00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:46.300 He said, brethren, I count not myself 00:09:46.300 --> 00:09:48.000 to have apprehended, I'm not perfect, 00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:50.019 but this is the one thing that I do. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:53.100 Forgetting those things which are behind me, 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:54.940 that is all of those accolades 00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:56.539 that he had listed earlier in the passage, 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:58.700 forgetting all the things that I once thought 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:01.320 as valuable and necessary in my life, 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:04.300 and pressing forward, reaching forth 00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:06.080 unto those things which are before. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:08.840 And he says, I press toward the mark 00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:12.140 for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:14.780 Now, at first glance, it may seem 00:10:14.780 --> 00:10:17.700 that Paul is being a bit egotistical. 00:10:18.260 --> 00:10:19.660 Well, that's not at all what he's being. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:22.240 He already mentioned in chapter one, 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:25.720 if you remember back in his writings from prison, 00:10:26.180 --> 00:10:27.420 he mentioned that he didn't care 00:10:27.420 --> 00:10:29.000 that people followed other preachers, 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:32.059 so long as those preachers were directing them to Christ. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:35.399 He was only concerned that the Philippians 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:39.899 emulate him insofar as he emulated Christ. 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:42.639 And he set the premier example for this. 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:44.659 Think about the Philippians 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:46.960 as they would go through this persecution and hardship. 00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:49.759 When they would have the Romans that, 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:54.059 in Philippi, that would try to devastate their beliefs, 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:55.519 or when they would have the Judaizers 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:57.259 that were plaguing the church at this point 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:58.700 to come in and try to devastate, 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:01.220 when they would be threatened with physical harm 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.319 because of their faith, 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:04.600 who would they then look to as an example? 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:07.559 How about the man that spent the last four years 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:09.919 in a prison chained to a Roman guard, 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:12.620 but all throughout that stayed faithful to the Lord? 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:14.779 It's not that he's building a following. 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:16.779 He's saying, look, when you go through hardship, 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:19.240 follow me as I have followed Christ. 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:21.399 When things get difficult, don't give up. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.720 Don't abandon the faith. 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:23.539 Follow me. 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:25.379 Follow the example I have set for you. 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:27.879 What about when the false teachers 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.120 really began to bear down, 00:11:30.179 --> 00:11:31.840 and with their eloquence of speech, 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:35.100 they tried to use their words to deceive us 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:37.080 and to trick us and to turn us away, 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.679 and he says, do what I have done. 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:41.240 Stay passionately faithful to the gospel, 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:43.299 the simplicity and effectiveness 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:44.799 of the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:45.820 that you have come to believe 00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:48.340 and that you have seen God use in your life. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:50.600 He says, follow me. 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:53.059 And we come to a passage like that, 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:54.619 and we immediately have to ask ourselves, 00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:55.799 who are we following? 00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:00.000 Are we emulating people that emulate Christ? 00:12:00.599 --> 00:12:02.179 And then we immediately have to ask ourselves 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:03.299 the question after that, 00:12:03.739 --> 00:12:06.559 is my life worth following? 00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:11.439 Could I look at my kids and say, 00:12:11.579 --> 00:12:14.479 Ashlyn, Harper, follow me. 00:12:15.619 --> 00:12:17.179 Follow me as I follow Christ. 00:12:17.339 --> 00:12:19.359 In the way that I pursue Christ with my life, 00:12:19.459 --> 00:12:20.879 that's the way you need to do it. 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.860 I wonder how we could answer that question. 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:24.720 It's a convicting thought, isn't it? 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:28.480 What if everybody in our church decided this week 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:30.580 that you were gonna be the example 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:31.759 that they followed in the way 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:32.879 that they lived out their faith, 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:35.139 in the way that they dealt with hardship, 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:37.759 in the way that they dealt with temptation, 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:40.460 in the way that they dealt with false teaching, 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:42.899 in the way that they studied their Bibles, 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:44.439 in the way that they prayed? 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:48.060 Would you feel comfortable enough 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:51.240 to be like Paul and say, follow me? 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:54.480 Not because you want a following of your own, 00:12:54.540 --> 00:12:56.820 but because you know your eyes are set first on Christ. 00:12:57.540 --> 00:13:00.000 And anybody that comes and follows you as an example 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:02.020 is actually gonna wind up following Christ 00:13:02.020 --> 00:13:03.460 as their example. 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:04.940 That's what Paul's saying. 00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:06.280 Look at this next phrase. 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:09.180 He says, mark them which walk so, 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:11.500 as you have us for an example. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:13.559 Now this is a further proof, I think, 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.440 that Paul wasn't trying to preserve 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:16.840 his own personal following. 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:20.960 Mark here is the same word used in verse 14 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:22.200 that we read just a moment ago. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.679 Paul said, I'm pressing toward the mark. 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:27.379 It means to set one's gaze. 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:30.340 And as we understand Paul's testimony there, 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:32.159 he was saying, I have set my gaze 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:33.899 in this race of the Christian life. 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:35.899 I have set my gaze on Christ. 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:38.220 I've set my gaze firmly fixed on him. 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:40.379 I'll turn neither to the right hand nor to the left. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:42.980 I will pursue Christ as the singular, 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:45.039 passionate focus of my life. 00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:47.539 And then he turns and he uses the same exact word 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:49.340 for the way that we're to view others 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:50.759 and follow others by example. 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:54.580 He says, set your gaze on other believers 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:58.879 that are passionately setting their gaze on Jesus Christ. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.000 Same word. 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.659 Mark them. 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:02.960 Mark them. 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:05.700 Take notice of the people in your life 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:08.200 that are truly following Christ. 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:10.800 Ultimately, our gaze is to be set on Christ. 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:14.600 But here we're told that a means of getting focused on Christ 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:17.220 is actually by setting our gaze on others 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:20.100 who are passionately pursuing the Lord. 00:14:21.020 --> 00:14:21.860 And the truth is, 00:14:23.020 --> 00:14:25.280 godly examples are a gift from God. 00:14:25.920 --> 00:14:27.240 And we need to seek them out. 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:31.140 And we need to follow them and set our gaze upon them. 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:34.319 Well, who exactly is it that we're supposed to mark? 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:39.299 How can we find such people to emulate in following Christ? 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:42.559 And the clear direction here is found in the word walk. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.939 Look with me again at 17. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.340 Brethren, be followers together of me 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:48.840 and mark them which walk. 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:52.019 This refers to outward behavior 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:55.200 that reflects an inward belief. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:58.780 In fact, lifestyle reflects the authenticity 00:14:58.780 --> 00:15:00.879 of professed belief. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.500 Jesus said you will know them 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:05.560 by the fruit of their life, 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:09.200 which is another way of saying talk is cheap. 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:11.379 Talk is cheap. 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:15.020 It doesn't matter what a person says 00:15:15.020 --> 00:15:17.560 if their example in their life 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:20.759 does not follow what it is that they profess. 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.039 Yes. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.879 Identifying godly examples 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:25.840 is not just a matter of how they talk, 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:27.179 but how they live. 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.759 In chapter one in verse 28, 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:33.019 if you'll look back at it just real quickly, 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:35.039 I said I wasn't gonna review and this is why 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:36.379 because it all gets sprinkled in anyways. 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:40.179 Remember what Paul said in verse 28 of chapter one. 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:43.779 In nothing, be terrified by your adversaries. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:46.240 Now their adversaries were severe. 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:50.299 Their adversaries meant potential death. 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:52.460 And torment for the faith. 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:55.100 Now imagine if Paul had said that, 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.019 but what everybody knew 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:57.460 to be indicative of Paul's character 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:59.240 was that when he actually faced 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.519 that kind of persecution, 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:01.899 he typically cowered away 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:05.279 and softened up on his stance on the gospel. 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.759 You ever known anybody like that? 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:09.179 They talk real big 00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:10.139 when they're around other Christians, 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.319 but when they actually come 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:13.039 to confront an unbeliever 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:15.059 that's contesting their faith, 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:17.100 it's easy for them to kind of cower back 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:20.000 and maybe soften their stance on the gospel. 00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.519 And Paul's saying, 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:23.159 no, that's not what we're following. 00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:24.299 We're following people 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:26.419 whose walk matches their talk. 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:28.580 Their behavior is actually a reflection 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:30.439 of what they're saying, 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:31.939 of the inward faith. 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.059 And so essentially, 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:34.179 he's not saying again, 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:36.039 mark them because of what they say. 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.860 Mark them because they live out 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:39.679 the truth of the gospel. 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:44.559 And so when Paul said 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:46.559 that the Philippians had us for an example 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:48.159 in verse 17, 00:16:48.739 --> 00:16:50.199 we think that this certainly 00:16:50.199 --> 00:16:51.419 would have included Timothy 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:52.359 and Epaphroditus, 00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:53.779 which we met in chapter two, 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:56.939 which tells us something specific 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:58.059 about who we can follow. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.679 Paul was an apostle 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:01.839 that they were to emulate. 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:05.019 Timothy was a pastoral figure 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:06.259 that they were to emulate. 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.200 But do you remember 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.400 who Epaphroditus was? 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.259 Epaphroditus was just a church member. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.379 He was their messenger 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:15.779 to send Paul this gift, 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:18.379 to send Paul these words of encouragement, 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.759 to check up on Paul. 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.700 Epaphroditus, as far as we can tell, 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.920 maybe he was an elder in the church, 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.819 but as far as we can tell, 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.539 there's no other description of him. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.559 Guess who he is? 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.579 He's just a Christian. 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.359 He's just a faithful believer. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:32.059 So how do we find people to follow? 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.839 We don't just look at leadership 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:35.119 or people that have a title 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.279 or people that have a position. 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:39.159 We find people who walk the talk, 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.919 who not only proclaim the gospel, 00:17:41.179 --> 00:17:42.439 but they live the gospel, 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.980 and then we're immediately encouraged 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:45.980 by the fact that we don't have to be 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:47.659 in a position to be one of those people. 00:17:48.699 --> 00:17:50.279 Just because you're not in a position 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.399 of authority or have a title 00:17:52.399 --> 00:17:53.480 that indicates leadership 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:55.539 doesn't mean you can't be a spiritual leader. 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:58.339 Seek out people to emulate 00:17:58.339 --> 00:18:02.480 and then commit to be a person worth emulating. 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:05.759 As Kent Hughes says in relation to this, 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:07.940 the apostle is calling the Philippians 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:10.680 to join together in imitating both himself 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:13.900 and the collective pattern of his fellow soldiers, 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:17.440 including the men and women in the Philippian church 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:19.440 who walked according to the example 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:21.480 of those who indeed pursued Christ. 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.720 And so Paul gives this instruction. 00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:25.539 Follow the right people. 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.039 But then comes the warning. 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.440 Look at verse 18. 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:31.120 For many walk 00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:33.860 who are actually the enemies 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:36.059 of the cross of Christ. 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.860 As often is the case, 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.140 Paul's instruction is set 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:42.440 within the context of a warning. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:46.240 It's necessary for us to set our gaze 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:48.580 on those who are passionately pursuing Christ 00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:52.420 because our paths will inevitably cross those 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:55.259 who are actually enemies of Christ 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.500 and the gospel. 00:18:57.820 --> 00:18:59.920 Sometimes those enemies are obvious. 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:03.320 They come in the form of atheism 00:19:03.320 --> 00:19:07.200 and agnosticism and other forms of religion. 00:19:08.320 --> 00:19:09.900 Sometimes they're not so obvious. 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:13.259 They come with the label of Christianity. 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:19.220 And they claim that Jesus is the one that they follow. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:22.819 The warning that Paul gives here 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:26.960 indicates that our vigilance is absolutely necessary. 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:31.240 It implies that this is a constant danger for us. 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:31.519 Why? 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.360 Look at the verse. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:34.660 For many walk. 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:36.240 Many people walk. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.860 This isn't something that's gonna come up 00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:39.799 once or twice in the course of your Christian life. 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:42.380 This is something you might deal with every single day. 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:46.120 People who take on the name of Christ, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:48.779 people who take on the label of Christianity, 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:51.799 but they're far from friends and followers of Christ. 00:19:51.899 --> 00:19:54.500 They're actually enemies of the cross. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:58.559 And as we have come to understand in recent days, 00:19:58.599 --> 00:20:01.119 many of you that have watched that documentary 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:03.299 that I recommended to you a couple of weeks ago, 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:05.279 American Gospel, shows this clearly. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:07.960 How easy it is to be deceived by those 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.980 who take on the name of Christ 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:11.379 who are actually enemies of the cross. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:13.319 So be vigilant, Paul says. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:16.960 Set your gaze on those who are truly following Christ 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:19.500 so that it's not easy for you to be turned away 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:21.980 to those people that are not following Christ, 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:24.799 that are actually enemies of the cross. 00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:27.600 What makes someone an enemy of the cross? 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:32.259 Any belief that takes away from the sufficiency of Christ 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:34.960 in salvation is an enemy of the cross. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:39.799 Any belief that minimizes the significance of sin 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:41.500 is an enemy of the cross. 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:46.160 Any lifestyle that does not reflect the truth of the gospel 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:48.299 is an enemy of the cross. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:52.660 And I believe here Paul's warning these Philippians again 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:54.319 about the Judaizers. 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:57.920 Remember, it's not that they denied Christ completely. 00:20:58.400 --> 00:21:01.380 They claim to be followers of Christ. 00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:05.160 They just didn't believe that Jesus was enough. 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:09.940 They thought that it took morality and adherence to the law 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:11.640 in order to truly be saved. 00:21:12.020 --> 00:21:13.700 Jesus is a part of that for them, 00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:16.840 but he's not all of that for them. 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:20.060 Look at this next phrase that Paul says in verse 18. 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:20.700 He says, 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:23.180 Many walk, of whom I have told you often, 00:21:23.260 --> 00:21:24.840 this is a continual warning in the scriptures, 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:26.140 and then he says this, 00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:28.940 And I now tell you even weeping. 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:33.200 He stirred emotionally in this moment. 00:21:34.320 --> 00:21:34.700 Why? 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:37.660 Because he loves these people. 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:42.460 He's concerned that they continue in the faith. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:44.779 Think about who he may be referencing here. 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.140 He says, I've told you often, 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:49.100 perhaps the Judaizers that were plaguing the church, 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:51.360 perhaps the false teachers that were leading them away, 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:53.240 were actually people that at one time 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:55.539 were professing Christians in the Philippian church. 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.899 And then to magnify that warning, 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.539 he says in the very next verse, 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:05.019 whose end is what? 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.539 Destruction. 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:11.619 Contributing to the seriousness of the warning 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:13.159 is the shocking proclamation 00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:16.240 of the eventual demise of those 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:19.319 who deny and abandon the gospel. 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:23.259 rather than eternal life, 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:26.439 the path of these enemies of the cross 00:22:26.439 --> 00:22:28.339 actually leads to eternal destruction. 00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:31.819 And anyone that will follow their path 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:33.839 will face that same devastating end. 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:37.240 This phrase is so important 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:39.659 because it speaks to the reality of eternal hell. 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:43.740 And it reminds us that there's no such thing 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:46.240 as close enough when it comes to salvation. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:50.460 Jesus can't be a part of your belief. 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:53.200 He must be your belief. 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:57.099 True salvation only comes to those 00:22:57.099 --> 00:23:01.559 who will forsake all and follow Christ as Lord. 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:03.859 There's no goodness in us. 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:06.180 There's no religious work so effective 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:08.279 that we could ever earn salvation. 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:10.039 It only comes to those 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:13.799 who will abandon every work of morality and religion 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:16.559 and trust in the death and resurrection of Christ 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:18.019 alone for their salvation. 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:19.759 As C.H. Spurgeon said, 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.259 if Christ be anything, 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.980 he must be everything. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:26.240 If there is anything of value in Christ, 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.839 if he is who he said he was, 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:30.680 he must be everything to us in salvation. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:33.259 He cannot be just a part of it. 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:37.659 He cannot be just a form of obtaining salvation. 00:23:37.659 --> 00:23:39.940 He must be our salvation. 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:42.840 And our culture of tolerance 00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:46.320 would say that these people are perfectly fine 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:48.580 because they have Jesus as a part of the equation. 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:50.600 But the Bible says unequivocally 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:52.820 that their end is destruction. 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.140 It's destruction. 00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:58.880 And that reminds us that we need to be careful 00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:01.640 not to affirm an individual's salvation 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:04.120 when the scriptures clearly deny it. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:08.599 Again, Paul's saying this with love, 00:24:09.239 --> 00:24:11.459 but he's saying it with boldness too. 00:24:13.199 --> 00:24:15.679 Perhaps the shock that came to these Philippian believers 00:24:15.679 --> 00:24:17.099 as the letter was read to them, 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.679 as they pictured the people 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:20.719 who had now mingled the truth of Christ 00:24:20.719 --> 00:24:22.759 with the false way of the Judaizers, 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:23.459 and they're thinking, 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:25.579 really, the destruction? 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:27.439 I thought that maybe they'd be okay 00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:30.359 because they said they're followers of Christ. 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:33.279 But they weren't true followers of Christ. 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:35.799 And Paul says their end is destruction, 00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:37.099 and if you're deceived by them, 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:40.119 your end will be destruction as well. 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:45.139 It wouldn't lead to a lesser Christian experience. 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:47.119 It would lead, ultimately, 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:50.479 to a denial of the faith and the true gospel. 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.979 Well, how do we identify who these are? 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:54.259 Paul helps us here, and quickly, 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:56.319 we'll just contrast and compare 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:59.079 the walk of an enemy of the cross 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:01.659 with the walk of a follower of Christ. 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:03.620 Look again at verse 19. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:05.440 The first thing he says is indicative 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.620 of the enemy of the cross 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:08.560 is that their God is their belly. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.840 In other words, they are consumed 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:12.660 with their own satisfaction and pleasure. 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:14.100 When it really comes down to it, 00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:14.960 what they're looking for, 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:16.960 what they're even looking for in Christ 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.759 and in the church 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:20.560 is pleasure and satisfaction, fulfillment. 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:23.360 Well, what does the follower of Christ do? 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.400 Verse number 10. 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:37.940 In other words, the follower of Christ comes 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:39.640 and says, even if it means suffering, 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:43.880 I will consume my life with pursuing Christ. 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:46.140 The enemies of the cross are concerned 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:47.100 with their own fulfillment. 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:49.320 The followers of Christ will sacrifice 00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:50.780 every pleasure that they have 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:53.279 in order to know him and to follow him 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:55.319 and to conform their lives to him. 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.879 The second thing Paul says 00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:58.720 is indicative of an enemy 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:00.619 is that they glory in their shame. 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:02.579 They take pride in their goodness 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.599 and self-righteousness. 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:05.639 They're proud of their religious works. 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:07.240 They're proud of the morality 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.079 that they've developed. 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.839 But what does the follower of Christ do? 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.879 Look back at verse three. 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:13.579 That rejoice in Christ Jesus 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:16.359 and have no confidence in the flesh. 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:19.399 The true followers only boast 00:26:19.399 --> 00:26:20.799 is in the cross of Christ. 00:26:20.979 --> 00:26:22.799 They recognize there's nothing good in them. 00:26:22.919 --> 00:26:24.079 They are Mephibosheth 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:26.119 that comes to Christ and says, 00:26:26.459 --> 00:26:28.919 who am I as an unworthy dog 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:30.559 to receive your kindness? 00:26:31.659 --> 00:26:34.419 Not a look at what I've done 00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:37.559 to earn what Christ is giving. 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.779 Finally, Paul says, 00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:41.579 they mind earthly things. 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:44.779 Their focus is on the pleasure 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:46.299 and concerns of this life. 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:50.119 They're looking for their best life now. 00:26:51.399 --> 00:26:52.879 When the scripture says 00:26:52.879 --> 00:26:54.399 that this life is awful, 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:57.619 anything that good comes to us now 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.719 is of God's grace. 00:26:58.879 --> 00:27:00.039 Our best life isn't now. 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.839 Our best life is to come 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:03.259 as he gets to here 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.159 in just a few moments 00:27:04.159 --> 00:27:05.339 in these next verses 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:06.919 as he begins to talk about heaven. 00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:08.859 But the people that are enemies of the cross 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:10.659 may have Jesus as a part of their equation, 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:12.159 but what they're really concerned with 00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:13.359 is earthly things. 00:27:13.459 --> 00:27:14.099 They're wrapped up 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:15.859 in everything that's happening in this life 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:18.179 when the true follower of Christ does what? 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.839 Verse seven. 00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:21.019 What things were gained to me, 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:23.699 I counted loss for Christ. 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:26.099 They leave the cares and the concerns 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:27.119 of this life behind 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:29.439 in order to know and follow Christ. 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:31.079 You see the difference in these two people? 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:33.839 One is completely consumed with self, 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:35.799 while the other is completely consumed 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.839 with Christ Jesus. 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:40.500 That's the difference between a follower of Christ 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:42.339 and an enemy of the cross. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:44.519 So set your gaze, church, 00:27:44.699 --> 00:27:46.139 on the followers of Christ. 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:49.720 Pursue Christ and set your example 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:51.759 as other Christians in this room 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:53.359 that sit around you every week 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:55.419 that are worth emulating in their life, 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.659 the way they walk with Christ, 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.980 the way that they follow the Lord. 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.319 Emulate them. 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:02.740 Stay off the social media if you got to. 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:05.659 Avoid the clickbait if you have to. 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:08.560 Stay off of YouTube and the Christian radio 00:28:08.560 --> 00:28:09.400 if you have to. 00:28:09.560 --> 00:28:11.220 And look out people that you can see 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.620 the evidence of the fruit of their life 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:14.800 in your local church and emulate them. 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:17.500 Follow Christ as you pattern your life 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.720 after other Christians 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:20.220 that are faithfully following the Lord. 00:28:20.580 --> 00:28:21.620 Well, that's a little bit about 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.640 his instruction and warning. 00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:23.800 Look at verse 20. 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.340 I love this. 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.440 This is so encouraging. 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:29.080 For our conversation or our citizenship 00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:30.100 is in heaven, 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:33.360 from whence also we look for the Savior, 00:28:34.040 --> 00:28:35.300 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.540 Like any great coach, 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:40.320 Paul has given his instruction 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.779 and he's issued his warning. 00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:45.220 Now he endeavors to cheer them on 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:47.940 and encourage them as they persevere. 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:52.019 Have you ever had someone truly encourage you 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:53.800 in something that you are ready to give up on? 00:28:55.300 --> 00:28:56.700 Bob, perhaps you dealt with this 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:58.160 in your basic training for the Navy. 00:28:58.279 --> 00:29:00.259 Maybe somebody would tear you down real hard 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.340 and then they'd try to build you up 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:02.560 right when you're ready to give up, right? 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.700 You ever had experiences like this before? 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.460 It doesn't look like it right now, 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.639 but I do like to run 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.839 even though I'm not very disciplined 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:11.059 at doing it very much right now. 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:13.700 And Andy and I have had the opportunity 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:15.779 to run some races over the last couple years, 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:17.960 some hard races, some difficult ones. 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.839 And anytime I would do that 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:21.559 and I would get in one of these training programs, 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:24.000 I was very careful to follow the instruction 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:25.639 to do the right things 00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:26.639 and to train the right way. 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:29.860 And I was careful to heed the warnings 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:32.440 that if you're gonna run the right way, 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.640 you're gonna have to cut out some things. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.880 You're gonna have to cut out some eating 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:37.040 and some things that would derail that. 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:39.080 But when it came down to race day, 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:40.380 the big races, 00:29:40.860 --> 00:29:42.740 there's inevitably a moment in the race 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:44.900 where you're thinking, 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.460 why am I doing this? 00:29:47.320 --> 00:29:49.560 What do I possibly have to gain from this? 00:29:49.780 --> 00:29:50.460 This is hard. 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.400 I'm miserable. 00:29:51.800 --> 00:29:53.600 I don't really like to sweat all that much. 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:55.040 There's a lot of people around me 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.759 and they're getting too close. 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.980 There's just a lot of things that I don't want. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:58.059 Why am I doing this? 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.319 Why am I doing this? 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.619 And in those moments, 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.940 what would always be encouraging, 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.639 what helps get you to the finish line 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:05.759 is all of the people that line the roads 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.599 and they're cheering, right? 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:06.940 They're cheering. 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.740 They're encouraging on. 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.680 They've got their funny signs 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.200 or they're doing whatever. 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:11.819 Inevitably in those races for me in the long ones, 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:14.180 at some point along the race, 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:16.139 Julie and the girls would be waiting. 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.420 Somewhere on the course, 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.920 usually probably about halfway through. 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.659 13, 14 miles in, 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:22.240 Julie would be there and she'd be waiting. 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.019 And I would run through 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.859 and I knew she'd be there. 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:25.459 And all it took was for me to see her. 00:30:25.919 --> 00:30:26.959 I knew why she was there. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.519 She was there to remind me, 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.599 to cheer me on, 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:32.399 but to encourage me on all this work 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:33.559 that has gone into this day. 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:35.519 All of this training that has gone in. 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.839 And what she essentially does 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:38.839 is she sets my focus back on the finish line. 00:30:39.139 --> 00:30:40.079 I'm gonna finish the race. 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.279 I'm gonna finish what I'm doing. 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:43.539 That's what Paul's doing here in this passage. 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:45.059 He's instructed them. 00:30:45.439 --> 00:30:46.279 He's warned them. 00:30:46.479 --> 00:30:47.759 And now he takes two verses 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:49.279 and he just gets their mind focused 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.219 back on the finish line. 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:52.200 Think about heaven, he says. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:55.839 Keep your mind set on what is to come. 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:57.019 It's gonna get hard. 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:59.420 Things are gonna be miserable for a little while. 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.720 There's gonna be a lot of temptation, 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:03.860 but stay focused on heaven. 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.579 And look at how he does it. 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:10.700 For our citizenship is in heaven, he says. 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:12.559 This is our citizenship. 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:15.759 In contrast to the enemies of the cross 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:18.159 whose minds were set on earthly things, 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.379 he reminds these believers 00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:22.059 that their true citizenship was actually in heaven, 00:31:22.159 --> 00:31:22.700 not Rome. 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:25.819 Now what's listed as conversation here 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:28.399 is a form of the same word 00:31:28.399 --> 00:31:31.059 that's used in verse 27 of chapter one. 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.839 Just flip back a page and look at it there. 00:31:33.639 --> 00:31:34.859 Remember we talked about this 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:38.440 on living a life worthy of the gospel in verse 27. 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:41.220 He says, only let your conversation be 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:44.220 as it becometh the gospel of Christ. 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:46.900 The root of this word is the word polis. 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.720 It means city. 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:50.039 It's the same word that we get our English words, 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:52.140 police and metropolis and politician 00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:52.980 and things like that. 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.000 It's a reference to a city. 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:57.320 And what Paul is saying in verse 27 of chapter one 00:31:57.320 --> 00:32:01.519 is he's using a verb that says that our behavior 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:04.360 is to be like what we claim we are. 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.640 We are citizens of heaven, 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:07.380 therefore we are to act like Christians 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:09.420 is what he's saying in chapter one in verse 27. 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:11.820 When we get to chapter three in verse 20, 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:14.240 he's not using the verb form of this word, 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:16.460 he's using the noun form of this word, 00:32:16.820 --> 00:32:19.220 which essentially is just reminding these believers 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:21.040 that you belong to heaven. 00:32:21.580 --> 00:32:23.320 He's not telling them to do anything in that verse. 00:32:23.320 --> 00:32:26.600 He's just reminding them, hey, heaven is your home, 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:31.680 not Philippi, not Rome, not the United States. 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:34.120 It's heaven is your home. 00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:39.199 In 127, he's calling them to live like Christians. 00:32:39.899 --> 00:32:41.639 In chapter three in verse 20, 00:32:42.179 --> 00:32:47.439 he's calling them to long for home, long for home. 00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:50.399 Ashlyn can get homesick sometimes 00:32:50.399 --> 00:32:51.579 when she goes off for a few days 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:52.839 and she'll get real weepy 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:55.019 and we'll have to call her on the phone 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:56.879 and try to comfort her in those ways. 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.479 What is it that she's longing for? 00:32:58.559 --> 00:33:00.659 She's longing for home and everything that comes with it. 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:03.380 It's not that she's not enjoying her time 00:33:03.380 --> 00:33:05.140 with Papa and Nana in Gastonia. 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:07.519 It's just that where she really wants to be is home. 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.779 That's the picture Paul's painting here 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:11.980 when he says your citizenship is in heaven. 00:33:12.320 --> 00:33:13.420 He's saying it's not necessarily 00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:15.380 that you're gonna hate everything that happens on earth, 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:17.500 but remember, this is not home. 00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:19.040 This is not home. 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:20.960 Don't mind the earthly things. 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:23.460 Don't get so wrapped up in the politics. 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:26.480 Don't get so wrapped up in everything that's happening here 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:28.420 that you forget that this isn't home. 00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:32.060 Heaven is home, long for home. 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:37.340 D.A. Carson wrote a fantastic paragraph about this. 00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:38.000 Here's what he said. 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:41.759 Genuine spirituality cannot live long 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:44.759 without an attitude that is homesick for heaven, 00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:48.400 that lives with eternity's values in view, 00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:51.180 that eagerly awaits Jesus's return, 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:54.100 that anticipates the day when Christ himself 00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:56.259 will bring everything under his control 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:58.640 and will transform our lowly bodies 00:33:58.640 --> 00:34:00.819 so that we will be like his glorious body. 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.819 And he says thoughtful Christians 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:04.920 will not see themselves, first off, 00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:06.579 as citizens of Great Britain 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:08.320 or the United States or Canada. 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:10.539 We are citizens of heaven. 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:14.699 Only that citizenship has enduring significance. 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:17.179 And he says happy is the believer 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:19.360 whose epitaph was the couplet. 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:23.000 Of this blessed man let this praise be given. 00:34:23.720 --> 00:34:26.740 Heaven was in him before he was in heaven. 00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:29.000 What a great statement that is. 00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:31.280 That's what Paul's getting them to think of. 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:34.400 Our heavenly citizenship reminds us 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:36.920 that everything in this life that we have to endure 00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:38.000 is only temporary. 00:34:38.660 --> 00:34:40.039 This will come to an end. 00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:42.539 Coronavirus will end. 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:45.579 It may be through death, but it will end. 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:47.960 And if your citizenship is in heaven, 00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:49.880 what awaits you is perfection 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:52.539 and the glory of Christ. 00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:55.099 What awaits is far better 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:59.380 and is worth the struggle of persevering in the faith. 00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:01.299 You don't need your best life now. 00:35:01.799 --> 00:35:04.319 If this is the best life that we can come up with now, 00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:05.759 then what's the point of all of this? 00:35:07.779 --> 00:35:09.719 What are we following Christ for? 00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:12.460 The best life is ahead. 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:14.400 And so he reminds them, 00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:16.400 hey, long for home. 00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:17.780 This will be over soon. 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:20.079 Heaven's real and it's coming. 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:21.940 Your citizenship is there. 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:23.280 Keep your eyes focused on that. 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:25.360 Secondly, he says, we look for the Savior. 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.579 Look at verse 20 again. 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.199 Our citizenship is in home. 00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:31.599 Out of that place or is in heaven. 00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:36.119 Out of that heaven is where we look for the Savior, 00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:38.740 the Lord, Jesus Christ. 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:40.960 This name for Christ is so significant. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:42.300 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.699 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:50.019 Yahweh, Jesus, Messiah is what it is. 00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:51.260 He's everything. 00:35:51.360 --> 00:35:54.199 This is everything that he says that he is in chapter two 00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:57.260 and that great few verses there about the deity of Christ. 00:35:58.220 --> 00:36:00.460 What did Jesus tell his disciples in John 14? 00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:03.360 He said, I go to prepare a place for you. 00:36:03.360 --> 00:36:08.820 And I will come again and receive you unto myself. 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.340 Why? 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:14.680 That where I am, you'll be there also, he says. 00:36:15.180 --> 00:36:16.720 What exactly is heaven? 00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:21.120 The Bible uses the term in three different ways, actually. 00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:25.480 Sometimes when it says heaven, it's a reference to the sky that we can step out and see. 00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:29.619 Sometimes when it says heaven, it's a reference to outer space. 00:36:30.299 --> 00:36:34.199 Most of the time, it's a reference to the place where God dwells. 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:39.379 And Paul here is referring to that place where not only God dwells, 00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:43.759 but where the believer will find his ultimate and eternal dwelling as well. 00:36:43.760 --> 00:36:47.300 There's really not a lot that we know about heaven. 00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:53.160 John gives us the best description that he can in the book of the Revelation. 00:36:53.820 --> 00:36:57.500 But what he uses there is really mostly metaphorical language. 00:36:58.620 --> 00:37:03.840 Streets that are like unto gold or a river or a sea that is like crystal. 00:37:04.040 --> 00:37:07.620 And he does his best to picture for us, but really, we don't know what heaven will be like. 00:37:07.680 --> 00:37:08.580 But that's not the point. 00:37:09.239 --> 00:37:14.119 Paul doesn't say, our citizenship is in heaven from which we look for streets of gold. 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:18.519 Or our citizenship is in heaven from which we look for mansions. 00:37:18.519 --> 00:37:21.619 Or our citizenship is in heaven from which we look for pearly gates. 00:37:21.779 --> 00:37:25.099 Or our citizenship is in heaven from which we look for yada, yada, yada. 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:28.900 He says, our citizenship is in heaven from where we look for Christ. 00:37:29.259 --> 00:37:30.099 What is heaven? 00:37:30.940 --> 00:37:32.759 Heaven is where Jesus is. 00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:37.060 there's one thing that we're absolutely certain about, 00:37:37.760 --> 00:37:39.160 that we will be with him there. 00:37:40.300 --> 00:37:41.580 We long for heaven, 00:37:42.140 --> 00:37:45.280 not because of the fanciful descriptions of its beauty, 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:50.380 but because we long for Jesus, our Lord and Savior. 00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:53.020 And this makes sense, right? 00:37:53.680 --> 00:37:56.400 If our singular pursuit in the Christian life 00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:59.600 is to know and conform to the person of Jesus Christ, 00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:05.559 then it's not to experience material blessing. 00:38:06.719 --> 00:38:08.779 So then the prize of heaven then 00:38:08.779 --> 00:38:10.920 also is not material blessing. 00:38:11.619 --> 00:38:14.219 The prize of heaven is Jesus. 00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:17.339 Look again at what Paul said in verse 14. 00:38:18.279 --> 00:38:21.279 He said, I press toward the mark for the prize. 00:38:21.900 --> 00:38:23.839 I've set my gaze on the goal 00:38:23.839 --> 00:38:27.599 in order that I may receive the prize. 00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:30.940 The goal and the prize in that verse is the same thing. 00:38:31.960 --> 00:38:34.139 Jesus is the goal to know him 00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:36.159 and to conform my life to him. 00:38:36.839 --> 00:38:38.059 And he's also the prize. 00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:40.819 That when this life is over, what is heaven? 00:38:41.139 --> 00:38:41.779 It's Jesus. 00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:42.960 It's Jesus. 00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:45.759 How awesome is that? 00:38:47.839 --> 00:38:49.199 We're to look for him, 00:38:50.559 --> 00:38:52.279 to eagerly await his return. 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:56.560 What motivates us to persevere? 00:38:57.560 --> 00:39:00.580 It's this promise of being with Jesus for all of eternity. 00:39:03.260 --> 00:39:06.760 There's some people that find this description of heaven disappointing. 00:39:09.080 --> 00:39:10.740 And if that disappoints you, 00:39:11.320 --> 00:39:14.340 that heaven is really the presence of Jesus, 00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:17.320 I think it would be worth it 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:21.300 to examine your life to see if you're actually an enemy of the cross 00:39:21.300 --> 00:39:24.340 rather than a true follower of Christ. 00:39:25.160 --> 00:39:26.620 If Christ is who we follow, 00:39:27.420 --> 00:39:29.079 then he is the ultimate prize. 00:39:29.760 --> 00:39:31.460 Everything else that comes with heaven, 00:39:31.880 --> 00:39:33.000 the beauty and the significance, 00:39:33.280 --> 00:39:33.980 the blessing of it, 00:39:34.539 --> 00:39:36.680 is secondary to Christ. 00:39:37.660 --> 00:39:38.460 He's the goal. 00:39:39.039 --> 00:39:40.019 He's also the prize. 00:39:40.220 --> 00:39:41.019 Finally, we'll be done. 00:39:41.019 --> 00:39:43.759 Who will change our vile body, 00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:45.199 Paul says in verse 21. 00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:47.400 Who will change our vile body 00:39:47.400 --> 00:39:49.259 unto his glorious body. 00:39:49.559 --> 00:39:51.860 We've talked about the three tenses of salvation 00:39:51.860 --> 00:39:54.099 and how they're represented in this passage. 00:39:54.239 --> 00:39:55.059 There's past tense, 00:39:55.159 --> 00:39:56.539 that is we have been saved. 00:39:56.699 --> 00:39:57.480 That's justification, 00:39:57.780 --> 00:39:59.599 that's the moment of conversion and regeneration. 00:40:00.280 --> 00:40:01.840 Then we talk about sanctification, 00:40:02.039 --> 00:40:03.500 that is we are being saved. 00:40:03.719 --> 00:40:06.039 God is continually and progressively 00:40:06.039 --> 00:40:09.340 fashioning us into the likeness of Christ. 00:40:09.340 --> 00:40:10.800 And then there's glorification. 00:40:11.019 --> 00:40:11.900 That's verse 21. 00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:14.079 This is our future glory. 00:40:14.440 --> 00:40:15.860 This is when we will be saved, 00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:17.239 ultimately and finally, 00:40:17.599 --> 00:40:18.480 once and for all. 00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:20.559 Once we get the justification, 00:40:20.860 --> 00:40:21.840 the other two are guaranteed. 00:40:22.059 --> 00:40:23.019 That's the blessing of it. 00:40:23.840 --> 00:40:25.000 But what does he say will happen 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:25.759 in this glorification? 00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:28.480 He will change our vile body 00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:31.800 unto his glorious body. 00:40:31.800 --> 00:40:36.300 The same power that raised Jesus from the dead 00:40:36.300 --> 00:40:38.660 will transform us ultimately 00:40:38.660 --> 00:40:41.240 into his image and glory. 00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:43.280 That's what he says in verse 21. 00:40:43.680 --> 00:40:44.680 According to the working, 00:40:44.800 --> 00:40:45.640 that is the power, 00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:47.660 whereby he is able even to subdue 00:40:47.660 --> 00:40:48.780 all things unto himself. 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:50.560 Well, what is the ultimate fulfillment of that? 00:40:50.700 --> 00:40:53.140 He has subdued death even unto himself. 00:40:54.140 --> 00:40:55.960 So that Paul can reflect back 00:40:55.960 --> 00:40:57.460 on the earlier parts of the passage 00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:59.699 and he can say that I may know him 00:40:59.699 --> 00:41:01.220 in the power of his resurrection. 00:41:01.480 --> 00:41:01.699 Why? 00:41:01.920 --> 00:41:03.320 Because the power of his resurrection 00:41:03.320 --> 00:41:05.159 means that we will get new bodies. 00:41:05.440 --> 00:41:06.740 Because of that power, 00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:08.179 we will get to experience 00:41:08.179 --> 00:41:11.179 a complete transformation in eternity. 00:41:12.320 --> 00:41:14.099 The scriptures teach us that at death, 00:41:14.599 --> 00:41:17.820 our spirit goes to be with Christ in heaven, 00:41:17.920 --> 00:41:19.679 but our body is laid in the grave. 00:41:19.679 --> 00:41:21.519 Marty and Faye is going to a funeral today. 00:41:21.699 --> 00:41:22.639 They're gonna see this. 00:41:22.920 --> 00:41:24.679 That body, if that person was a believer, 00:41:24.960 --> 00:41:26.279 their spirit is with Christ today. 00:41:26.460 --> 00:41:27.299 Their body's here 00:41:27.299 --> 00:41:29.319 and their body's gonna go into the grave. 00:41:29.960 --> 00:41:31.920 What happens when Jesus returns, 00:41:32.219 --> 00:41:33.059 the Bible says, 00:41:33.239 --> 00:41:35.119 is that those bodies are resurrected 00:41:35.119 --> 00:41:36.579 and then are transformed, 00:41:37.099 --> 00:41:38.940 that we are given a new body. 00:41:39.199 --> 00:41:40.059 What kind of one? 00:41:40.199 --> 00:41:41.139 Like in verse 21, 00:41:41.500 --> 00:41:44.859 that's fashioned like unto his glorious body. 00:41:45.679 --> 00:41:47.199 We get one that's fit for heaven. 00:41:48.039 --> 00:41:49.460 One that has no sin. 00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:52.500 Neither does it suffer the effects of sin. 00:41:53.059 --> 00:41:53.980 There's no sickness. 00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:55.519 There's no pain. 00:41:55.819 --> 00:41:56.779 There's no more death. 00:41:56.900 --> 00:41:57.920 It's a perfect body, 00:41:58.019 --> 00:41:59.079 meaning that it will be free 00:41:59.079 --> 00:42:01.139 from the possibility of sinfulness. 00:42:01.519 --> 00:42:03.500 What a glorious future that is. 00:42:03.839 --> 00:42:05.859 What a glorious future that is. 00:42:06.279 --> 00:42:09.099 What a motivation to continue in the faith. 00:42:10.460 --> 00:42:11.420 Heaven's our home. 00:42:11.879 --> 00:42:13.039 We get to be with Jesus. 00:42:13.659 --> 00:42:14.519 And when we're there, 00:42:14.599 --> 00:42:15.739 he's gonna give us a body 00:42:15.739 --> 00:42:17.619 that is fit for heaven. 00:42:18.420 --> 00:42:20.219 There's a lot of passages we can turn to 00:42:20.219 --> 00:42:21.779 that we won't do that 00:42:21.779 --> 00:42:22.899 that talks about this. 00:42:23.299 --> 00:42:24.399 I would like to point out 00:42:24.399 --> 00:42:25.879 1 Corinthians 15 though. 00:42:26.299 --> 00:42:27.259 Here's what Paul says. 00:42:28.759 --> 00:42:29.359 He says, 00:42:29.559 --> 00:42:30.339 this I say, brethren, 00:42:30.500 --> 00:42:31.539 that flesh and blood 00:42:31.539 --> 00:42:33.259 cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 00:42:34.139 --> 00:42:35.399 Neither does corruption 00:42:35.399 --> 00:42:36.480 inherit incorruption. 00:42:37.559 --> 00:42:38.019 And then he says, 00:42:38.079 --> 00:42:39.319 behold, I show you a mystery. 00:42:39.559 --> 00:42:40.639 This is hard to understand, 00:42:40.719 --> 00:42:41.699 but this is what will happen. 00:42:42.099 --> 00:42:43.539 We shall not all sleep, 00:42:43.539 --> 00:42:45.800 but we shall all be changed. 00:42:46.440 --> 00:42:47.219 In a moment, 00:42:47.900 --> 00:42:49.320 in the twinkling of an eye, 00:42:49.739 --> 00:42:50.980 at the last trump, 00:42:51.099 --> 00:42:52.619 for the trumpet shall sound 00:42:52.619 --> 00:42:55.920 and the dead shall be raised incorruptible 00:42:55.920 --> 00:42:58.320 and we shall be changed. 00:42:58.840 --> 00:43:01.659 For this corruptible must put on incorruption 00:43:01.659 --> 00:43:04.619 and this mortal must put on immortality. 00:43:05.079 --> 00:43:06.480 So when this corruptible 00:43:06.480 --> 00:43:07.980 shall have put on incorruption 00:43:07.980 --> 00:43:10.519 and this mortal shall have put on immortality, 00:43:10.519 --> 00:43:12.380 then shall be brought to pass 00:43:12.380 --> 00:43:13.519 the saying that is written, 00:43:14.000 --> 00:43:15.920 death is swallowed up in victory. 00:43:16.500 --> 00:43:18.139 O death, where is thy sting? 00:43:18.440 --> 00:43:20.139 O grave, where is thy victory? 00:43:20.300 --> 00:43:21.639 The sting of death is sin 00:43:21.639 --> 00:43:23.599 and the strength of sin is the law. 00:43:23.920 --> 00:43:25.280 But thanks be to God, 00:43:25.340 --> 00:43:26.820 which gives us the victory 00:43:26.820 --> 00:43:28.759 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:43:28.940 --> 00:43:30.460 And then he finishes all that up. 00:43:30.500 --> 00:43:32.059 He's referencing the same glorification. 00:43:32.300 --> 00:43:33.500 He finishes all that up 00:43:33.500 --> 00:43:35.300 with another motivation to persevere. 00:43:35.519 --> 00:43:36.199 Here's what he says. 00:43:36.619 --> 00:43:38.800 Therefore, my beloved brethren, 00:43:38.800 --> 00:43:43.300 be steadfast, be unmovable, 00:43:43.920 --> 00:43:46.820 always abounding in the work of the Lord 00:43:46.820 --> 00:43:48.260 for as much as you know 00:43:48.260 --> 00:43:50.500 that your labor is not in vain. 00:43:50.700 --> 00:43:52.380 This toil of this life, 00:43:52.640 --> 00:43:54.039 the struggle of the temptation, 00:43:54.420 --> 00:43:55.740 the struggle of the hardship 00:43:55.740 --> 00:43:58.180 and the persecution is not in vain 00:43:58.180 --> 00:43:59.780 because at the end of this, 00:43:59.860 --> 00:44:01.440 God is gonna transform us all. 00:44:01.440 --> 00:44:06.360 So stand firm, Paul writes to these Philippians. 00:44:06.360 --> 00:44:09.500 A few weeks ago, 00:44:09.980 --> 00:44:11.840 I came across this hymn. 00:44:11.920 --> 00:44:13.640 I think it was actually Ravi Zacharias 00:44:13.640 --> 00:44:14.920 just before he passed away. 00:44:16.099 --> 00:44:17.620 He had posted this hymn 00:44:17.620 --> 00:44:18.800 that was one of his favorites. 00:44:18.940 --> 00:44:21.260 It was written by an English Puritan 00:44:21.260 --> 00:44:24.260 named Richard Baxter in 1681. 00:44:24.700 --> 00:44:25.420 And it's called, 00:44:25.720 --> 00:44:27.559 Lord, It Belongs Not to My Care. 00:44:27.660 --> 00:44:29.840 The entire hymn is really fantastic. 00:44:29.940 --> 00:44:31.160 I would encourage you to look it up. 00:44:31.780 --> 00:44:33.620 But here's what he says in the last stanza. 00:44:33.700 --> 00:44:35.340 And I think it's so fitting for this discussion. 00:44:35.340 --> 00:44:37.320 Baxter says, 00:44:37.539 --> 00:44:39.720 My knowledge of that life is small. 00:44:40.740 --> 00:44:42.760 The eye of faith is dim. 00:44:44.000 --> 00:44:47.559 But tis enough that Christ knows all. 00:44:48.380 --> 00:44:50.760 And I shall be with him. 00:44:51.880 --> 00:44:53.519 I don't know a lot about heaven. 00:44:55.539 --> 00:44:57.620 Eternity will tell that story for us. 00:44:57.619 --> 00:45:02.639 My eye of faith can at times be dim. 00:45:04.480 --> 00:45:06.960 And sometimes it's hard to stay the course. 00:45:08.440 --> 00:45:09.920 But for me, it's enough 00:45:09.920 --> 00:45:12.480 that Christ knows what I do not know. 00:45:13.460 --> 00:45:15.239 And all of these things are 00:45:15.239 --> 00:45:17.179 under the subjection of his power. 00:45:18.460 --> 00:45:20.259 And I'm comforted by the fact 00:45:20.259 --> 00:45:21.500 that in heaven, 00:45:22.239 --> 00:45:23.380 whatever it may be like, 00:45:23.380 --> 00:45:25.240 I'll be with him. 00:45:27.559 --> 00:45:29.500 We must first know what it is 00:45:29.500 --> 00:45:30.860 that we're to stand firm on. 00:45:31.119 --> 00:45:33.460 That's why Paul spends most of chapter 3 00:45:33.460 --> 00:45:35.380 defending the gospel, 00:45:35.619 --> 00:45:36.740 refuting the Judaizers. 00:45:38.039 --> 00:45:39.660 Once we've settled our theology, 00:45:40.360 --> 00:45:42.840 we must know how to continue in that truth. 00:45:43.840 --> 00:45:45.579 That's by following the right people. 00:45:46.539 --> 00:45:48.140 Keeping our mindset on heaven. 00:45:48.800 --> 00:45:49.720 On the future. 00:45:49.719 --> 00:45:53.099 True Christians will persevere. 00:45:54.279 --> 00:45:56.480 But this is how they will persevere. 00:45:58.199 --> 00:45:59.459 Following the right people. 00:46:00.539 --> 00:46:01.779 Keeping their focus on heaven. 00:46:02.599 --> 00:46:04.439 And I think we should examine ourselves. 00:46:06.500 --> 00:46:07.719 Who are we following? 00:46:08.459 --> 00:46:09.319 And where's our focus? 00:46:11.139 --> 00:46:12.779 I think we should rejoice 00:46:12.779 --> 00:46:14.539 in the glorious future. 00:46:14.739 --> 00:46:16.039 I don't preach on heaven enough. 00:46:17.139 --> 00:46:18.199 I told Julie the other night, 00:46:18.199 --> 00:46:20.359 I've been excited to get to this. 00:46:20.359 --> 00:46:21.839 I should have broke this up into two parts, 00:46:21.919 --> 00:46:22.960 but I didn't want to do that 00:46:22.960 --> 00:46:25.219 because I wanted to get to this today. 00:46:25.919 --> 00:46:27.859 Because there is such a glorious future 00:46:27.859 --> 00:46:28.739 that awaits us. 00:46:30.319 --> 00:46:32.099 And I can exhort you every week, 00:46:33.019 --> 00:46:34.239 but if I don't take the time 00:46:34.239 --> 00:46:35.939 to point you back to the rejoicing 00:46:35.939 --> 00:46:37.159 of heaven and of Christ, 00:46:37.960 --> 00:46:39.419 then that's not very much fun, is it? 00:46:39.439 --> 00:46:41.179 But the Bible talks about it all the time. 00:46:42.779 --> 00:46:44.619 And we should rejoice in that future. 00:46:45.419 --> 00:46:46.899 And rejoice in that glory. 00:46:46.900 --> 00:46:49.760 And then we should commit 00:46:49.760 --> 00:46:51.940 to stand firm on the gospel. 00:46:53.460 --> 00:46:55.800 And at times that will mean weeping. 00:46:57.160 --> 00:46:58.500 Weeping for those we love 00:46:58.500 --> 00:46:59.380 that have turned away. 00:47:00.260 --> 00:47:01.940 It requires vigilance 00:47:01.940 --> 00:47:05.320 to mind and guard our influence. 00:47:06.139 --> 00:47:07.180 But we should commit 00:47:07.180 --> 00:47:08.480 to standing firm on the gospel. 00:47:08.480 --> 00:47:11.000 Thank you for listening to this sermon 00:47:11.000 --> 00:47:12.980 made available by Lakeside Bible Church. 00:47:13.420 --> 00:47:15.099 Feel free to share it wherever you'd like. 00:47:15.619 --> 00:47:16.980 Please do not charge for it 00:47:16.980 --> 00:47:18.320 or alter it in any way 00:47:18.320 --> 00:47:19.980 without express written consent 00:47:19.980 --> 00:47:21.380 from Lakeside Bible Church. 00:47:21.920 --> 00:47:23.539 Don't forget to visit us online 00:47:23.539 --> 00:47:24.480 at lakesidebible.church 00:47:25.059 --> 00:47:27.300 or find us on Facebook and Instagram 00:47:27.300 --> 00:47:29.699 by searching for Lakeside Bible NC. 00:47:29.699 --> 00:47:31.579 If you live in the Charlotte 00:47:31.579 --> 00:47:32.439 or Lake Norman area, 00:47:32.579 --> 00:47:33.619 we'd love for you to attend 00:47:33.619 --> 00:47:34.799 one of our worship services. 00:47:35.199 --> 00:47:37.199 We meet every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. 00:47:37.419 --> 00:47:38.539 We'd love to meet you.