Technicolor JOY: Philippians 3:18-4:1
Pastor Jefferson M. Williams
Chenoa Baptist Church
08-27-2023
Can I See Your Passport?
I’ve spent the last week getting my passport renewed for the trip to the Dominican Republic in January. It’s always good to have a valid passport because you never know when God might open a door of opportunity overseas.
I was standing in line to get some chips at a retreat and Eric Elder was standing behind me. He said, “Do you have a passport?” When I said that I did, he replied, “Do you want to go to Trinidad with me and speak at a Pastor’s Conference?” Several months later, I found myself in Trinidad ministering to a group of pastors.
You can’t just walk into another country. You have to go through customs and they will ask for your passport. A passport identifies me as a citizen of the United States.
Some people have dual citizenship. Alistair Begg, a pastor whom I greatly respect, is a citizen of the US and a citizen of his homeland, Scotland.
Did you know that if you are a Christian, you have dual citizenship? Yes, we are US citizens but Paul tells us today that our real citizenship is in heaven.
Review
Last week, in response to false teachers who were claiming that it was possible to be spiritually perfect, Paul made clear that he had not “already obtained all this or arrived at my goal.”
He is saying that he hadn’t arrived spiritually. He is confident that he will experience resurrection and glorification but, after walking with Christ for 30 years, he’s not there yet.
Paul had a holy dissatisfaction. He wasn’t content with where he was spiritually. After 30 years, he was just scratching the surface.
It takes humility to admit that you aren’t there yet. If you think you have already arrived, then you will stop growing.
We will never reach perfection here, but our discontent with our imperfections can drive us toward the goal. Perfection is to be pursued but it will never be attained in this life.
He writes:
"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
The writer of Hebrews encourages this kind of concentrated effort as we run the race of faith:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Heb 12:1-2)
Paul’s heartbeat is to passionately pursue Christ. He forgets what is behind. He doesn’t let past sins or circumstances hold him back. He strains, stretching with every fiber of his being, toward the prize.
What is the prize? That’s actually the wrong question. Who is the prize? The prize is Jesus! It is full and complete knowledge of our Savior.
Each of us that has been born again is called onward and upwards!
Let’s turn to our verses for this morning Philippians 3:17-4:1.
Prayer
Imitate me
“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” (v. 17)
Isn’t Paul being arrogant encouraging these believers to imitate, literally co-mimic, him?
No, Paul has made it clear that he wants them to have the same passion and desire to pursue their relationship with Jesus that he had but he also wanted them to live it out in their homes, schools, jobs, and culture.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (I Cor 11:1)
Later, in chapter four of Philippians, Paul writes
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” (Phil 4:9)
Whether by reading his letters, listening to his preaching, or watching his life, the Philippians were to walk the walk of faith.
It’s been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. That is how we learn. Babies will watch others and then mimic their behaviors.
Doctors learn how to operate by watching experienced surgeons.
Plumbers learn how to fix pipes by watching people like Les, who has been at it for over fifty years.
People walking the 12 steps have a sponsor to show them the way.
Artists, dancers, and musicians learn by watching others, especially Barry Manilow.
Last weekend, a group of ladies learned to meal prep by watching Maxine.
Most things are better caught than taught.
And we grow spiritually by imitating those people around us who are walking in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
A student sat at our counter and asked me, “Do you know why I came over to your house?” I said, “To eat all our food?” She laughed and said, “I come over here to watch you and Max be a loving couple and watch you guys be a family. I don’t have that at home. I need to learn it from someone.”
In chapter two, Paul put forth Timothy and Epaphroditus as Christian examples to follow. Timothy showed “genuine concern for their welfare” (Phil 2:20) and Epaphroditus was willing to give his life for the sake of the Gospel. (Phil 2:30)
But the three of them were just following the best example of them all - Jesus.
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Phil 2:5-8)
Paul commands them to "keep their eyes on those who live as we do”. The means to make their habit to scope out people who walk as Jesus did and could be Godly examples.
The Greek means “to make an impression on something.”
Who has made an impression on you spiritually?
In the Bible study on Wednesday, I asked this question and the responses were amazing. Moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, Sunday school teachers, pastors, friends, bosses, and coworkers have all made spiritual impressions in their lives.
Christian discipleship begins by watching those around us and finding examples to follow.
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Heb 13:7)
Chuck Swindoll gives three steps to choosing a mentor:
Chose them slowly & carefully
Study their lives privately
Follow those most worthy of your personal admiration.
God blessed me with Milt Hanson. For over 20 years, I’ve watched him love his wife and family, serve his church, and love Jesus passionately.
He taught me so much that it would take hours to convey it all so I’ll tell just one story that really does say it all.
We were at a music festival and one of the students came to me and said, “There’s a girl over there with like 30 piercings on her face. That’s crazy, Jeff. Why would anyone do that?”
I asked her where she had seen her and went over to the big tent to see if I could find her. I found her. She was sitting on a stool, having a pop, talking to…Milt!
He came back from talking to her so excited about what God was doing in her life. I saw him do this time and time again and he would remind me, “Never judge a book by its cover.”
Do you know why that was so important to him? Do you know who he learned that from?
The first time he walked into a church he looked like a serial killer! But they had just become Christians and wanted to find a church. He pulled up on his Harley, in his leathers, looking like Charles Manson, and Jon Dewald met him and Michelle at the door and said come on and sit with me.
I want to trust God like Milt does. I want to be able to completely chill out like Milt does. I want to love people like Milt does.
In other words, I want to be like Milt when I grow up spiritually.
You don’t have to be perfect. Milt would never claim to be.
Who is your Milt? Who are you being a Milt to right now?
If we identify as Christians, people are watching us. Are you worthy of imitation?
Enemies of the Cross
“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”
(v. 18)
Paul continues by reminding them of something he has told them again and again. As he dictated these words, he stopped and his voice cracked. The scribe that was taking down the words looked over at Paul who had his head in his hands and noticed tears running down his face. What he is about to say breaks his heart.
Paul finally says, through tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
There were many false teachers in Philippi. We’ve met the Judiazers. They were legalists who believed that they could earn God’s approval by following Old Testament rules, especially circumcision.
But there was another group - the Antinomians. These were people who said, “We are saved by grace alone. God will forgive us of all our sins so let’s sin all we want! Let’s party!”
Paul says that there are many of these people in Philippi and their attitude brings shame upon Christ.
But these are not pagans but professing Christians!
They are not outside the church but inside her walls.
They have a deep-seated hatred for Christ, even though they claim to follow Him.
Jesus talked about this kind of people:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matt 7:21-23)
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul give two examples of this:
“…some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.” (I Tim 1:19-20)
Jesus said that there would be teachers who looked like believers but were enemies of the cross.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit, you will recognize them.” (Matt 7:15)
What Paul is about to say is hard and would offend the people listening but it doesn’t stop him from speaking the truth in love.
He described them in four ways:
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. (v. 19)
Their god is their stomach
For these people, their appetites, their lustful desires, are the most important thing. Their motto is “If it feels good, do it!”
At the end of the letter to the Romans, Paul writes of these fake citizens:
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.” (Rom 16:17-18)
their glory is in their shame
False gods always demand glory due only to the true God. These people celebrate publicly things that should bring them shame.
Last year, researcher Paul Brian asked this survey question,
“Would you cheat on your partner if you knew for a fact you would never get caught?”
According to his statistics, 74% of men and 68% of women said yes.
Isaiah wrote:
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” (Isaiah 5:20)
In Romans:
“Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” (Rom 1:30)
their mind is set on earthly things
These people’s passports say Earth because that is what their minds are obsessed with.
Their attitude is YOLO and living their best lives now. God isn’t there to be worshiped but to be used to get what they want from Him.
Now I’m sure that some of you are thinking, “Yep, this describes our culture perfectly!”
But, remember, Paul is not talking about the culture. His words, written 2,000 years ago, are directed to the church and they still ring true today.
The church is full of people who claim to be Christians but whose lives prove that they don’t know Jesus at all.
To Titus, Paul wrote:
"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:16)
Gospel and roots musician Flamy Grant, is a gay, non-binary, “shame slaying” drag queen, whose real name is Matthew Blake, and who goes by they/them pronouns.
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Even though Flamy is described as a “Godless sheathen,” his first project, entitled “Bible Belt Baby” was released as a Christian album.
It went number one on the iTunes Christian music charts and stayed there seven days before being knocked out of first place by Lauren Daigle.
We could make fun of this situation, we could rant about it on social media, or we could boycott those who support Flamy Grant.
Laurie Ann Carleton, of Lake Arrow, California, had a pride flag flying outside her clothing store. Travis Ikeguchi, approached Laurie’s shop and attempted to take down the flag and she confronted him. He then pulled out a gun and shot the mother of nine, dead.
He later was killed by police. According to his Facebook page, he identified himself as a Christian.
Is that Paul's reaction to these people's behavior? Paul wept over their sins and wrote that their “destiny is destruction.” They are headed to a Christless eternity in what the Bible calls hell.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matt 7:13)
Dane Ortlund wrote:
We tend to think that the default destiny of all people is heaven, and hell is reserved for the particularly wicked. But in truth our default destiny is hell, and heaven is reserved for those who have the honesty to admit it and look to Christ. —Dane Ortlund
We need to be aware of what is happening to our culture, but we also need to weep for what’s happening in the church.
Yes, we are swimming upstream in the culture. But if we preach the Gospel, more and more we will be swimming upstream in the church as well.
And instead of making us angry or judgmental, O God may it break our hearts and drive us to our knees.
Heavenly Minded
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (v. 20-21)
Philippi had been founded by Philip of Macedon in 386 B.C. It was located at a strategic and military crossroads in what is now northern Greece. It was located literally where the East (Asia) met the West (Europe).
It was a Roman colony and they were very proud of their Roman citizenship. The architecture was Roman, they dressed in Roman fashion, the coins were Roman, and the leadership and elite spoke Latin.
They were very proud of their Roman citizenship. But Paul reminds them that their real citizenship is in heaven.
C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity:
"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next…It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this world.”
If this rope represents eternity, your eternity, this red part is the time you will live on earth. Why would we want to lay up treasure here when we are waiting for a place there?
What does a citizen of heaven look like according to Philippians?
Joy is the theme of their spiritual journey.
They conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
They are marked by a desire for unity, a heart of humility, and putting others’ interests above their own.
Obedience isn’t a bad word to them and they do everything without grumbling or complaining.
Like Epaphoditus, they are willing to risk their lives for the Gospel.
They passionately pursue knowing Christ more and more.
They are known for their gentleness, peace, and prayer.
Their thoughts focus on what is true and noble.
They are outrageously generous.
Ruth Reed and her husband made a decision a long time ago to be hilariously generous. They buy donuts for service members and vets. And she is always looking for God to give her opportunities to help others.
She was shopping at her local WaWa convenience store when the man in front of her had his card declined. She stepped in and paid for his groceries. He promised to pay her back but she said there was no need.
In the end, after she figured out who he was, she just asked for a picture.
They aren’t ruled by their physical desires but deny themselves and take up the cross daily.
Sam Allberry is a pastor and author and has had same-sex attraction his entire life. He has chosen celibacy and has received a lot of criticism for it. When someone said that he could find a man who loves him and be happy, Sam’s response was that he had found a man who loved Him named Jesus and that He is worth denying his desires.
Do these things describe you? Are you a citizen of heaven?
William Barclay wrote,
“Just as the Roman colonists never forgot that they belong to Rome, you must never forget that you are citizens of heaven; and your conduct must match your citizenship.”
Paul continues by saying, “We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
24 out of the 27 New Testament books mention the second coming of Jesus.
Citizens of heaven long for, yearn for, with great anticipation, the return of the King.
Jesus encouraged his disciples, and us,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (Matt 14:2-3)
In 46 B.C. Julius Caesar was declared to be the universal savior of mankind.
But Paul reminds them that Jesus is the Savior and Lord and “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:11)
Some will kneel in awe, wonder, and love. Others will kneel in absolute terror.
There are a lot of different views on the second coming of Jesus but the important thing is to realize that He could come back before I finish this sentence.
I saw a shirt once that said,
“It’s been 2,000 years. Get over it. He’s not coming back.”
But we know that
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
He may be waiting for you!
Not only are we waiting for Jesus’ return but we are also anticipating an upgrade on our bodies.
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (v. 20-21)
As born-again believers, when we die our bodies are buried, and “to be absent from the body is to be present with them Lord.” (2 Cor 5:8)
At the resurrection, our spirits and bodies will be reunited and upgraded from lowly to glorious bodies like Jesus.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:1-4)
What will these bodies be like? Well, the disciples recognized Jesus and He showed them the nail holes in His wrists. So, our new bodies will look like us. But He could also walk through walls so the bodies would be different.
One pastor said, “What will our new bodies be like? Better!”
I visited with four different people this week whose bodies were just breaking down.
We will be free of this evil world that is broken by sin.
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21:4)
No more cancer, or cold sores. No more depression, dementia, or death. No more saying goodbye. No more anxiety, brain tumors, or sprained ankles. Not more shame, embarrassment, or regret. No more addiction. No more tears, sadness, or rage. No more school shootings. No more abuse. No more divorce. No more abandonment. No more tornados, typhoons, or ingrown toenails.
And no more sin! Not even the temptation to sin. Can you imagine what that would be like?
We might think that we will have a bunch of questions for God when we get there but we won’t. We will be in the presence of the answer.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (I Cor 13:12)
We will be like Jesus
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (I John 3:2)
Ben Franklin wrote his own epitaph many years before his death:
“The Body of B. Franklin, Printer; like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost; For it will, as he believ'd, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended By the Author.”
Stand Firm
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!”
Paul ends this section with an outpouring of love for his dear Philippian friends - my brothers…whom I love and long for…my joy and my crown…dear friends.
He says something similar to his friends in Thessalonica:
“Who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy? (I Thes 2:19)
And what is his command to them?
Stand firm. This verb tense means to continue to persevered and remain firm in their faith. It can describe a soldier standing fast in the midst of a battle with the enemy closing in.
He wants them and us to continue to press on toward the goal of the upward call of Jesus.
“It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going, because they were holding on to something. That there is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.”
Brian Bill summarizes these verses:
* Our home is in heaven. We are citizens of another place.
• Jesus is coming again. We need to eagerly wait for Him.
• Everything will be made right. All things will be brought under His order.
• We will be transformed. The best is yet to come.
• Believers should give us joy. We need to love and long for others.
