"5 Requirements To Leading By Example"

Title: 5 Requirements for Leading By Example Script: Phil. 3:15-21

Type: Expos. Series Where: GNBC 8-6-23

Intro: Leading by example. A priest and a pastor from local parishes were standing by the side of the road holding up signs. The priest’s read, "The End is Near!" The pastor, on the other side of the road, held up a sign which read, "Turn before it’s too late!" They planned to hold up their signs to each passing car. "Get a job." The first driver yelled. The second, immediately behind the first, yelled, "Leave us alone, you religious freaks"! Shortly, from around the curve, they heard screeching tires and a splash followed by more screeching tires and another splash. The priest looked over at his companion and said, "Do you think we should try a different sign"? The pastor responded, "Perhaps, ’Bridge Out’ might be better"? They were leading, maybe not by example.

Prop: In Phil. 3:15-21 we’ll notice 5 actions every Xstian should employ to lead by example in following Christ.

BG: 1. Phil is a “Prison Epistle”. Along with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.

2. Paul ministered at Philippi during his second missionary journey, spending about three months in the city. The ministry at Philippi marked Paul’s entrance into Macedonia, which came about as a result of a vision he had in the city of Troas.

3. Paul likely wrote Philippians last of Prison Epistles, near the end of his Roman imprisonment in AD 61 or 62. Very concerned that believers would encourage each other in faithful Christian living.

Prop: Looking at Phil. 3:15ff we’ll see 5 actions every Christian should employ so as to lead by example.

I. 1st Action: Have the Right Attitude v. 15

A. Paul Calls Mature and Growing Philippian Believers to adopt a Specific Attitude.

1. What is the Attitude that Paul calls for?

a. “as many as are perfect” – A lot of error has been adapted into the Church as a result of not properly reading this text. “Perfect” means mature, full grown, complete. It is not an admission of moral or spiritual perfection. Rather it is a statement on the spiritual growth, interest and development of the individual. Illust: Am I a “mature” Christian? Yes. Am I a perfect Christian? No!

b. “attitude” – phronomen – “should be of mind” – verb, (Present Active Subjunctive). n English, the present subjunctive functions independently of time. Often used for a suggestion, to offer advice, or declare something of necessity. That’s exactly what we see here. This usage of the word is its only occurrence in the NT. Paul is strongly suggesting that to lead as a Christian, we must have a certain attitude.

1. What type of Attitude Should We Have?

a. Illust: “Watch your attitude young man/lady!”, was a warning employed in our home when the children were growing up. Why do we use that phrase? You literally cannot “watch” your attitude. Rather, you need to keep track of why you are responding with such emotions in such a situation. Usually, a bad attitude implies resentment, bitterness, anger, entitlement, etc. Christians need to always check those attitudes at the door spiritually speaking.

B. We are Called to Have the Same Attitude as Believers, today.

1. In verses 12-16, Paul conveyed the Christian’s perspective and practice regarding the past, the present, and the future. When he comes to Christ, the Christian has not arrived. He must forget the past (bad and good) and press on to that for which he was called in Christ. He must press on toward the upward call. One’s conversion is the starting line, and one’s death (or the rapture) is the finish line. We dare not slack up in our striving toward the finish line, until we have reached the goal. No Christian has “arrived,” and thus they must continue to strive. Our attitude is an attitude of focused concentration on who we are in Christ and what we are doing for Christ.

2. Illust: Harry Emerson Fosdick once told how as a child, his mother sent him to pick a quart of raspberries. Reluctantly he dragged himself to the berry patch. His afternoon was ruined for sure. Then a thought hit him. He would surprise his mother and pick two quarts of raspberries instead of one. Rather than drudgery his work now became a challenge. He enjoyed picking those raspberries so much that fifty years later that incident was still fresh in his mind. The job hadn't changed. His attitude had, though, and attitude is everything. (Dynamic Preaching, June, 1990)

C. Applic: Want to be a Christian leader? Have the right attitude.

II. 2nd Action: Use the Right Standard v. 16

A. Paul Informs the Philippians that there is a Correct Standard to Imitate.

1. What is this Standard that Paul calls his listeners to follow?