Nevertheless, Let Us Walk Together
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Intro: This past week I had the privilege to preach Revival services at Fair Haven Baptist Church. My focus was on one word “VIVAL”. It came from my morning devotion by Vance Havner.
NOT REVIVAL BUT “VIVAL”
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18.
Everywhere we see signs advertising “Revivals.” Preachers speak of “holding” revivals … somebody ought to turn one loose! But actually God never intended that revival should be the norm—periodic backsliding and repenting. The Christian life was meant to be perennial, not seasonal with spring and summer followed by fall and winter. We have come to think of revivals as necessary and they are as things now stand, but they were never meant to be. Normal New Testament Christianity is “vival” that does not need constant rekindling. The “malarial” brand—fever followed by chills—is subnormal and abnormal.
Havner, V. (1976). All the Days (p. 62). Fleming H. Revell Company.
For the church to stay in “The State of Vival” then the church has to be more like Christ!
This morning I want to talk about “Nevertheless, Let Us Walk Together”
Text; Phil. 3:15-21
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
1. Pursue Perfection; 15-16
1. Pursue Perfection; 15-16
• Paul is reminding mature Christians in the church to walk by the same rule and
be of the same mind. The Scriptures/Bible must be our guide!
Attained- arrived, degree of achievement and maturity in grace
Paul is telling us to practice what we already know and continue to grow.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We will never ascend to an excellent life if we’re constantly hanging out with get-by people who are thinking in a mediocre way. We can’t be excellent if we follow the world’s ways. Excellent people—spiritually minded people who want to excel in their walk with God—hang around excellent people. They spend time with others sharing that same goal.
Evans, T. (2019). The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Php 3:15–17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Walk- moving forward at a regular pace [People walk at different paces but when they walk they’re always moving forward]
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
• Are these scriptures a command or a suggestion? Command! We are either
growing closer to God or moving away.
Most Christians know a lot about the Bible; the problem is they aren’t living the Bible they already know!
To Pursue Perfection we must walk together with Jesus in His Word!
2. Be a Example; 17
2. Be a Example; 17
Paul tells us to look at other believers that are godly examples and follow their lead.
Example- [tupon] it means to leave a mark
Turn to [John 20:19-28] Thomas wouldn’t believe unless he saw the marks in the Master.
Many people don’t believe in Jesus today because they don’t see His marks in our life! They don’t see His example in our lives!!
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
Many people don’t believe in Jesus today because they don’t see His marks in our life! They don’t see His example in our lives!!
The life we live sets a pattern for others to follow.
Are we like Caleb in the Old Testament “who wholly followed the Lord?”
3. Be Aware; 18-19
3. Be Aware; 18-19
Paul here warns of those in the church who are enemies of the Cross of Christ.
There are a lot of thoughts on who Paul is referring to here. It could be Gnostics, Judaizers, backsliders or lost religious people?
We don’t know for sure who they were but we know they were HYPOCRITES!
People who claimed to be Christian, yet they contradict their profession by their lives.
Whose god is their belly- they are led by their appetites, physical/sensual pleasures
12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
Whose glory is in their shame- they boast in their pride and sin instead of in God
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!
2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.
Set their mind on earthly things- focusing your mind, energy and effort upon temporal things. Since we need things in this world to meet our needs, we must get them and use them. But to worship them is what Paul is talking about.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
These people satisfied their own desires instead of thinking about the needs of others. And their end is destruction!
Paul wept for these people!
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Be Aware of these hypocrites, but never quit praying and pleading for their soul!
4. Live looking to Leave; 20-21
4. Live looking to Leave; 20-21
• If we could ever grasp this truth that heaven is our home it would change the
way we live here and now.
• Eagerly waiting- expecting, confidently looking with anticipation
• If we invested in heaven [eternal] like we do in our earthly possessions
[temporary], we would be more like Christ.
• If we lived each day looking for Jesus to return that day, our motivation to be
more Like Christ would increase 100 fold!
• If we had a fear of Christ finding us lacking when the Rapture takes place, we
would live more biblically and be better examples. Bearing much fruit!
Let me give you God’s sole purpose for your life
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
I believe the best way to do that is found in the Book of Titus
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Close;
Philippi was a city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Citizens of a Roman colony were expected to promote the interests of Rome and maintain the dignity of the city. In the same way, citizens of heaven ought to promote heaven’s interests on earth and lead lives worthy of heavenly citizenship. Too many Christians have failed to transfer their citizenship to heaven. They still seek earthly pleasures and treasures instead of heavenly ones. Paul told the Philippians to “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.”
Nevertheless, for this to happen we must learn to walk together!
Pursuing Perfection, Being a Godly Example, Forsaking Hypocrisy, Living to Leave
Where are your loyalties placed this morning? God or self