Preaching From Philippians #11

The reason it is ranked so high is because this passage deals with the example we set before our FAMILY and FRIENDS. Every one of us has influence for GOOD or BAD!

Illus: Even Jesse James had a gang that followed him around, and so do we. We have people under our influence.

When we speak about being under the influence, many of us think about those who are under the influence of alcohol.

Illus: A police officer pulls over this guy who was under the influence of alcohol. He had been weaving in and out of his lane.

• He goes up to the guy's window and says "Sir, I need you to blow into this breathalyzer tube." The man says, "Sorry officer I can't do that. I am an asthmatic. If I do that I'll have a really bad asthma attack."

• "Okay, fine. I need you to come down to the station to give a blood sample." "I can't do that either. I am a hemophiliac. If I do that, I'll bleed to death."

• "Alright, then I need you to come out here and walk this white line." "I can't do that, officer."

• "Why not?" "Because I'm too drunk to do that."

We all have people influencing us for GOOD or BAD!

Illus: Sometimes we hear some of the athletes being interviewed on television. Because they are on drugs or alcohol, they are asked, “Don’t you feel a responsibility to be a better role model to the children of this world?” Many of these athletes will say, “I AM NOT A ROLE MODEL!”

We may not want to be an example for others to follow, but LIKE IT OR NOT, WE ARE ALL ROLE MODELS!

Illus: One of the most ridiculous things we ever heard was during the scandal of former president Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinski. We were told that what people do in privacy will not affect the youth of this nation. THAT’S RIDICULOUS!!!

For example, in the Old Testament we read about the BAD KINGS Israel had. It mentions over and over again how it caused the nation to become as wicked as these Kings. What the Kings were, the people became.

It even causes some (the young and immature) to think that, since we did it and still got along fairly well, they can do it and get along fairly well, too.

The life we live sets a pattern for others to follow. Others are going to follow us no matter what we do. We influence people by how we live and by what we do.

• If we follow good and do good, it encourages others to do good.

• If we follow evil and do evil, it encourages others to do evil.

This says something to us, something of critical importance:

• We must live lives on the highest level possible

• We must set the most dynamic example possible

• We must set the most perfect pattern possible

But it also says something else. We must follow after those who live on the highest level of life. We must seek out those who walk as GOOD EXAMPLES, and follow after them.

This is the subject of this passage. We need to consider that:

I. SOME ARE GOOD EXAMPLES

Look at verse 17, we read, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”

Look at the word “brethren”. Paul is addressing Christians and he is telling them to follow him.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? Because many times we expect people to act like Christians when they are not Christians.

Illus: A Christian mother was talking to her pastor about her rebellious son. She said he was not acting like a Christian. The Pastor said, “It is probably because he is not one!” Just because a child is raised up in a church most of their life does not make them a Christian.

We have churches all over this country that are trying to teach people how to live and talk like Christians. Listen, if they have never been born again, it is a waste of time.

Notice, when Paul was here and was trying to influence people to live AS CHRISTIANS and talk AS CHRISTIANS, he was dealing with the brethren.

Also, note the word "example". This is the word, “tupos” (pronounced as too'-pos) fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern. We are to let those who are good examples make an impact on our life.

Notice, Paul said in verse 17, “Brethren, be followers together of me…”

As we read throughout the scriptures, we see that Paul really believed in using his influence for the Lord. Look at:

• 1 Cor. 4:16, we read, "Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me"