Untitled Sermon (2)

Stand Firm

I. Intro

i. This morning we will be finishing chapter 3, and beginning chapter 4

1. From chapter three we have

i. Seen Paul command the Philippians to beware of the Judiazers

a. Who were relying on themselves for their righteousness

b. When saving righteousness is of God, and from God alone.

ii. Seen how Paul

a. Counted the things he once held very dear as nothing more than rubbish.

iii. Last week

1. We looked at how Paul lived single mindedly

a. Just as a runner runs to reach their goal, so they may win a prize.

i. Paul writes to the Philippians believers how he runs to reach his goal.

b. Even though it is unattainable on this side of eternity

i. Perfection

c. He runs, to achieve this goal until he receives the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

b. So far through this Chapter

i. How saving righteousness

a. Is of God alone

b. Comes through God, Jesus Christ, alone

1. There is no other source.

ii. How because of Christ

i. Who He is

ii. What He has done on behalf of the believer

b. Believers will see His incomparable, His greatest value, His surpassing value

i. And count all other things as rubbish

1. As they desire to

a. Gain Him

b. Be found in Him

c. Know Him

d. Conformed to Him

e. Be in fellowship with Him

iii. We have seen how the Christian

1. Will desire to press on towards the goal.

a. Never giving up any ground that has been gained.

iv.

II. On the Job Training

i. Probationary Firefighter

a. Welder

b. Plumber

i. Almost any kind of trade

ii. When a new employee is hired

1. They are often times placed with a person who will train them

1. Person is ideally

a. Someone who knows the job

b. Someone who knows how the company or organization desires it to be completed

c. Someone who the company would like to duplicate as

i. They have a strong work ethic

ii. They have a working knowledge of the company

iii. Overall they are a great employee

b. It is during this time, the new hire is evaluated on

i. Their work ethic, whether or not they will show up

ii. They are expected to learn the job, and to carry out the job that is to be expected.

iii. Ultimately

1. The new hire is expected

a. To not only learn from the long time employee

b. But they are to also imitate the long time employee

2. This is so

a. That not only will they be profitable for the company

b. But often times, so they can remain safe, return home to their families after a shift.

iv. New hire is

1. To learn the trade from their teacher

2. But, to also imitate their teacher

b. The only place this expectation is not had in America

i. Is in its version of Christianity

1. That believers

a. Do not believe they must

III. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.