Intro: One Sunday morning in 1865, a black man entered a fashionable church in Richmond, Virginia. When Communion was served, he walked down the aisle and knelt at the altar. A rustle of resentment swept the congregation. How dare he! After all, believers in that church used the common cup. Suddenly a distinguished layman stood up, stepped forward to the altar, and knelt beside the black man. With Robert E. Lee setting the example, the rest of the congregation soon followed his lead.
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Philippians 3:17-21 “The Proper Pattern”
Intro: One Sunday morning in 1865, a black man entered a fashionable church in Richmond, Virginia. When Communion was served, he walked down the aisle and knelt at the altar. A rustle of resentment swept the congregation. How dare he! After all, believers in that church used the common cup. Suddenly a distinguished layman stood up, stepped forward to the altar, and knelt beside the black man. With Robert E. Lee setting the example, the rest of the congregation soon followed his lead.
Intro: One Sunday morning in 1865, a black man entered a fashionable church in Richmond, Virginia. When Communion was served, he walked down the aisle and knelt at the altar. A rustle of resentment swept the congregation. How dare he! After all, believers in that church used the common cup. Suddenly a distinguished layman stood up, stepped forward to the altar, and knelt beside the black man. With Robert E. Lee setting the example, the rest of the congregation soon followed his lead.
In Christian life it is important to have the proper pattern to imitate. Here in our text the apostle makes this clear when he says “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” {NASB Vs 17}
In Christian life it is important to have the proper pattern to imitate. Here in our text the apostle makes this clear when he says “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” {NASB Vs 17}
“ensample’ (KJV) “pattern” (NASB) GK: tupŏs, too´-pos = a model (for imitation)
CPS: We have a model set before us in the apostle Paul and those who followed his teachings that gives us a blueprint to follow in our Christian life.
Live according to the proper example….. Vs. 17-19
(The apostle Paul places two patterns before us, one positive and one negative. One is proper and the other will lead you astray.)
Key words: “be followers all together of me” (KJV) GK: summimētēs, soom-mim-ay-tace = fellow imitator. It is the idea of being an imitator of me just as I am an imitator of Christ. This word is used only 1 time in the NT. (3:17). The same root is found in 1st Cor. 11:1
“mark” (KJV) *observe (NASB) GK: skŏpĕō, skop-eh´-o = take heed, look out for, notice, KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME. The idea is to notice those who live according to Paul’s teachings in contrast to those who profess to be Christian but live according to the Law instead of grace.
Those who walk according to faith based righteousness (a continuance from 3:1-12)
Paul
He lives for Christ (1:21)
He conducts himself in a manner worthy of the Gospel (1:27)
He knows Christ (3:10)
He chases after Christ (3:12)
He imitates Christ (1 cor. 11:1)
Timothy (2:19-24)
Epaphroditus (2:24-30)
Those who walk according to work based righteousness
The Judizers (Paul Weeps for them) because of the harm they have done in the church, turning many away from the simplicity of faith in Christ Jesus. They have perverted the Gospel. They are slaves of their own appetites not of Christ Jesus. (Romans 16:18)
They are enemies of the cross
Their end is destruction = waste
Their god is their belly = If indeed Judaizers “Dietary Laws” they believed they were set apart and holy as God is holy by holding fast to the dietary Law’s given through Moses. Clean or unclean.
Their glory is in their shame = circumcision (They boast in something they should be ashamed of.)
Their mind is set only on the earthly things
No one is good enough to make it to heaven because goodness is not the requirement, the requirement is perfection. Only Jesus is perfect and believers by faith go to heaven based on His perfection.
Live according to the proper citizenship….. Vs. 20-21
Key words: “Conversation” (KJV) pŏlitĕuma, pol-it´-yoo-mah = Citizenship. The idea is a concept the Philippians would understand. They live in Philippi but have Roman citizenship, Paul lives on earth for the time being but his heart is in heaven.
“Look for” (KJV) “eagerly await” (NASB) = look forward eagerly, hope for a Savior who will save us by removing the flesh and giving us a glorious resurrected body like Jesus has. See 1 John 3:2 also
The Comparison between us (Those whose end is destruction and the Citizen of heaven)
The Hope we have in us (not our fleshly glory but perfection that we will receive when He returns for us)
The Proper order
Subdue means to arrange in ranks
Our values are twisted but the Christian must live with eternity’s values in view
Conclusion: I remember in High School I took home economics and loved the baking part but then one day we had to make an apron. A Pattern was set before us. I thought this will be easy and began cutting and stitching and when I was done had something but it certainly wasn’t an apron.