Sermon 120196

Phi. 3:15-21                          Your Lifestyle Reveals What You Believe                          12/1/96

ABCC

I.   Introduction and Review                                                                                    548

      Paul is basically instructing the Philippians & us in living a balanced Christian life in the liberty

      of the gospel - avoid or resist the temptation toward religious extremes!

     A. Avoid the extremes of Judaism (v. 1-11) - There is no righteousness in human effort!

·        Leads to vain & fruitless hard work & sacrifice

     B. Avoid the extremes of Perfectionism (v. 12-14)

·        Put no confidence in past successes or failures

·        Leads to laziness & indifference toward the believer’s responsibility to sanctification

II.  A Mature Christian Must Have a Godly Attitude or Mindset

     A. Concentrate on the essentials of the Christian faith & our goal daily (v. 15)

      Justification by faith in Christ alone (v. 8-9),experiential relationship with Christ (v. 10),

      vigorous pursuit of the heavenly prize (v. 11-14)

     B. Consistently obey what you know to be truth in your daily lifestyle (v. 16)

     We are fully aware of areas where we are falling short in clear principles (commands to love God

      & neighbors, pray, give, honor parents,, etc.….”), so we don’t need to get bogged down with

      uncertainties.  Mature Christians can disagree on non-essentials & maintain unity/harmony.

III. A Mature Christian Should Follow Godly Examples (1Th. 1:6)

     A. Pattern your life after other humble Christians - genuine relationship with Christ (v. 17)

·        free from the love of money, materialism, pleasure - display a real love for Christ!

Your Lifestyle Reveals What You Believe, pg. 2

     B. Avoid & resist the lifestyle of worldly & materialist professing Christians (v. 18-19)

·        “whose god is their appetite”, “who set their minds on earthly things”

·        “enemies of the cross of Christ”, “whose end is destruction”

IV. A Mature Christian Must Live Daily With Heaven in View

¨       The Mature Christian has a mindset that integrates the present & the future!

     A. Heaven is home for the Christian (v. 20a) “citizenship = homeland”

Þ     Our treasures, prayers, rewards, heritage, other saints, hopes, desires, joy, pleasure, our lovely Lord & King, the heavenly host & everything meaningful is in heaven!

     B. Jesus Christ is in heaven & will return from heaven (v. 20b; 1Th. 4:16)

Þ     Christians eagerly wait for the return of our Savior!  - Are you yearning, longing to see Him?

     C. Christ will take every believer home to heaven (v. 21; 1Th. 4:17)

Our lifestyles speak loud & clear!  Regardless of what our lips may profess, our lifestyles reveal what’s truly in our hearts.  What is your lifestyle revealing about you my brother or my sister?  Are you sensitive to what the Lord is showing - how loudly does God need to speak before He gets your attention?  What are you eagerly waiting for - things to get better in your home, little bit more money on the job, to gain victory over that besetting sin, for the children to get a little older, health to improve, lose weight, etc.?  Are you eagerly waiting for these things to change before you press on & get involved in the work of the kingdom for the glory of Christ?