"LIVING OUT YOUR FAITH PART V"
Twin Peaks Bible Camp JH 24 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (NASB95)
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Proposition - The true Christian life will be drastically different than the unbeliever’s life. We are going to examine the different characteristics of both the committed follower of Christ and the unbeliever.
Ask yourself this question – What is your life characterized by right now?
Philippians 3:17–21 (NASB95)
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
1. Characteristics of a Godly Life - vs. 17a
1. Characteristics of a Godly Life - vs. 17a
Lives a life that is worthy of imitation -
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
“Brethren”- fellow believer
“Join in following my example” – imitate me
Paul told the Philippian church to imitate him.
Do you think that Paul was getting prideful?
Paul was able to say watch what I do and follow exactly what I do. The reason that he was able to say that was because he new that he was living his life totally for Christ.
Paul makes this claim elsewhere
16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.
1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,
12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
How many of you could say imitate me? (Knowing that your life style is one that is pleasing to the Lord)
As we continue on in verse 17 we see the next thing that characterizes the believer.
Learns from Mature Believers -
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
“Observe” – look at, contemplate
Walk – Does this literally mean walk? - behave
How many of you want to be like someone? Who do you want to be like -
Do you do things that imitate or are very similar to that persons character? A true believer is someone who will watch and observe other believers so that they can learn and grow in maturity in their relationship with Christ.
Vs. that have the similar meanings as verse 17 –
17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.
Paul continues on by challenging the people to watch and learn from the believers who are walking faithfully with the Lord. How often do you and I watch and strive to learn from those who are mature in their faith?
Now, we are going to discuss just a few characteristics of the unbeliever, which brings us to verse 18.
18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
2. Characteristics of an unbeliever - vs. 18-19
2. Characteristics of an unbeliever - vs. 18-19
Enemies of the cross of Christ
“Many walk as enemies” – behave in hatred toward Christ and the cross
Verses that have similar meanings as “many walk as enemies of the cross”
10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,
11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
The phrase her means that many people are walking in an undisciplined manner. The have no intention of living for Christ rather; all they have in mind is their thoughts and their desires.
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;
7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
In other words when it says that they are enemies of the cross of Christ it means that they could have cared less about the word of God, it was foolishness to them.
End is destruction
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
“End is destruction” – eternal misery in hell
It is making reference to eternal separation from Christ in hell.
Vs. about “end is destruction”
41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
god is their appetite
Whose god – likened unto God or resembles him
Is their appetite – innermost part
Vs. about “whose god is their appetite”
19 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.
18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
The person who continually seeks after there own interests is a clear indication of someone who does not know Christ as their Lord and Savior. That individual is consumed with himself and what he desires rather that what the Lord wants for his life.
Glory in your shame
whose glory – opinion
In their shame – dishonor
Vs. on “glory in your shame”
16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,
Someone who does not have a personal relationship with the Father will find their splendor in their sinfulness.
Set their minds on earthly things
“who set their minds” – strive form
Earthly things – existing upon the earth
Vs. on “setting your minds on earthly things”
3 “And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?
5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
Bear with me for a minute I want us to bounce back and talking about a couple of more godly characteristics.
Stores up treasures in heaven
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
“For our citizenship” – commonwealth
Heaven – region above the sidereal heavens
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Patiently wait for the Lord’s return
21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
“From which also we eagerly wait” – patiently wait
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
“Who will transform” – change us
It is going to be a glorious day when Christ comes back to take us home! Especially for those who have a personal relationship with the Lord. We have talked about several different characteristics of both the believer, and the unbeliever. You must contemplate and determine where you are at with the Lord right now. I encourage you to discuss in your groups tonight what characteristics best describe you right now.
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
SO WHAT?
What characteristics describe your life right now?
This day evaluate your life and determine where you are at with the Lord. (are you on your terms or are you on God’s terms)