Don’t Run With the Locals!Philippians 3:17-4:1

By David Turnerwww.BibleStudies-Online.com

Introduction

Much of our learning is through modeling others.

Children Model their parentsAthletes Model their coaches and other athletesStudents Model their teachersGangsters Model other gangsters

Introduction

As Christians, we need to know who to model. Coach Paul tells us who to model in our Christian Race. We will see in Philippians 3:17-4:1 that we should:

Model Godly PeopleNot Model Ourselves After the LocalsKnow Where Home is and behave accordingly

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.

Model Godly People

Skilled people have emulated skilled people

To be a great golfer emulate a great golfer.To be a great baseball player emulate a great baseball player.To be a great pianist emulate a great pianist.Emulate their talent, not their life or character.

Mickey MantleTiger Woods

Imitate Runners of the Faith17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

• 1 Cor. 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

• “Walk” – Christian behavior, How we should live the faith.

Who Should We Imitate?

• Christ• Apostles and the disciples• People that have consistently run the race of

faith: – Positive Bible Characters– Those we know– Historical figures: Agustin, Luther, Judson, Carey,

Ten Boom, Robert E. Lee, Daniel Webster,

Even the best have flaws

• Peter, Paul, David, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, etc.

• Emulate the positive and learn from their weaknesses.

• Look for positive moral and faith attributes.• In every race we pull muscles, fall down, get

distracted, but we must get up and finish our race.

Don’t Model Yourself After the Locals

The Locals Will Trip You18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

• Types of enemies:– Antagonists to the Cross

• Atheist, agnostics, other religions, etc.

• They outwardly oppose Christianity

– Non-Christians whose values influence us away from the cross.

– Those in the church that place obstacles in the path of the runners.

Enemies – Citizens of the Earth19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

• Their finish line – destruction.

• Their god – “belly”: appetite: pleasure, possessions, position.

• They brag about doing things disgraceful to God.

• Thoughts are on things of the earth.

Know Where Home is and Behave Accordingly

We are citizens of heaven20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

• “Citizenship” πολίτευμα• Finish line – heaven• The Lord Jesus Christ is

coming from heaven to save us from the destruction of this world the people of this world make their god.

We will be the perfect athlete21 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.

• Our present body is inadequate for the race.

• But Christ will transform it to be a body that endures the race.

• By the same power that he uses to transform all things to himself.

What is the trophy for running?1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

• “Crown” στέφανος – a wreath, victors crown. The saved, those in the race are Paul’s crown.

• “Stand firm in the Lord” – Let no one shake you from the faith. Let nothing in this world distract you from the race.

1 Thess. 2:19–20 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Challenge

• Consider Who Your Models Are– Do you emulate Hollywood celebrities? The Rich?

The Powerful? – Find New Models: Godly Biblical Characters, People

in Your Church that live a Godly Life, Godly People From History.

• Focus on the Finish Line and the Savior.• Pour your life into People. They are your Crown.• Become a Model For Someone Else.