Moving Forward

Everyone is moving forward.

Surrounded by people on a road heading somewhere.

Philippians 3:17–4:1 ESV

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

As we move forward… You need to know that...

There are two different types of people who walk on two different paths that are heading towards two different destinations.

What sets these two types of people apart is their two different responses to Jesus.

One submits to and acknowledges Jesus as God.

The other rejects Him and acts as if they are god.

It’s not about “good” and “bad” people.

All people are bad. Period.

But there are some Paul says are worth imitating and some not worth imitating.

Lets talk about that first...

Two Different Types of People

1. Paul and others like Paul

Philippians 3:17 (ESV)

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

The Few

Philippians 2:19–20 (ESV)

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

These are not perfect people.

2. Everyone Else

Philippians 3:18 (ESV)

18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

The Many

Philippians 2:21 (ESV)

21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Notice that Paul doesn’t say “good riddance!” or speak harshly about them.

He is literally crying about them. It grieves Him.

While we are talking about “everyone else” we can also see Paul’s example. He is heartbroken of hell-bound sinners. He wants them to know and surrender to Christ.

The Reality

You will encounter more people influencing you for satan than you will people influencing you for Christ!

What You Should Do About It

Intentionally place yourself around those who you know are really wanting to follow Jesus!

The relationships you are forming here are more important than the ones you are forming outside of here.

Two Different Paths

1. The Path of Treasuring Christ

Philippians 3:17 (ESV)

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Philippians 3:7–9 (ESV)

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

2. The Path of Treasuring Earthly Things

Philippians 3:18–19 (ESV)

18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Earthly things aren’t just the “big bad” things

Earthly things isn’t just smoking, drinking, doing drugs, having sex before marriage, or homosexuality. “The big bads”.

Earthly things are also self-righteous religious things

Philippians 3:2–3 (ESV)

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

Just as there will be more people influencing you for satan,

The Reality

The path of treasuring Christ is narrow while the path of treasuring earthly things is wide.

One side of the wide path consists of giving into every impulse of craving for sin that you have.

The other side of the wide path consists of being proud that you don’t walk on the craving side because you’re super good and a great rule follower.

What You Should Do About It

Daily confess your weakness and pride to God and ask Him to help you treasure Christ above earthly things.

Confess that weakness and pride to the people in your life who you know want to follow Jesus, ask them for prayer, and ask them to help you set your eyes on Jesus.

Two Different Destinations

1. Heaven

Philippians 3:20a (ESV)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven,

Don’t be tempted to think you deserve praise for your destination

Jesus is the hero of heaven.

Philippians 3:20b(ESV)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Jesus is making and will make us fit for heaven.

Philippians 3:21a (ESV)

21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body

Jesus can do this because He has the power and authority to do it.

Philippians 3:21 (ESV)

by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

2. Destruction

Philippians 3:18–19 (ESV)

18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

The Reality

Heaven’s hero, Jesus, earned heaven for humanity even though every human has earned death by their sin.

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What You Should Do About It

Believe Jesus and receive God’s free gift of eternal life.