EXHORTATIONS FOR HOPE
Philippians 3:17-21
I. Example for the Church (17)
A. An appeal for imitation (17)
B. Heb. 13:7, "Remember them which have the rule
over you, who have spoken unto you the word of
God: whose faith follow, considering the end of
their conversation."
II. Enemies of the Cross (18-19)
A. Goal of the enemies (18-19) - Destruction
B. God of the enemies (19b) - Belly
C. Glory of the enemies (19c) - Shame
III. Entrance of Christ (20-21)
A. Anticipation of the believer (20)
1. Living expectantly as citizens of Heaven (20a)
a. Conversation – lifestyle, manner or living
b. Conversation - speech
2. Looking eagerly for Christ from Heaven (20b)
a. 1 Cor. 15:51-52, "Behold, I show you a
mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we
shall all be changed, In a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for
the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed."
B. Transformation of the body (21)
1. A great change (21a)
2. A glorious change (21b)
a. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, "So also is the
resurrection of the dead. It is sown in
corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory:
it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a
spiritual body"
3. A guaranteed change (21c)
a. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, "So when this
corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass
the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory. O death, where is
thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength
of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ."
