Stand Firm Series

Stand Firm in Christ

Philippians 3:17–4:1

Introduction

Fuel for Your Faith has been our theme now for several weeks. Focus on the Finish Line. Advance through the Challenges. To Live is Christ. The Manual for the Mindset . Shine Like Stars. Press toward the Prize!

In every challenge that Christians face, we must have the determination to stand firm in the Lord. The Christian life is a battle zone. We face challenges from the Enemy, the world, our friends, even from ourselves. We need the Lord’s help so we don’t crumble under pressure!

1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Ephesians 6:11,13 NIV Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…. so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Tom Holladay says that the Christian life is like going up the down escalator. You have to keep moving up so you don’t get taken down! Everything in our world is pulling us down, but we are to go up to a stronger life of faith.

Philippians 3:16 NLT "But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”

How do we stand firm when we are being pulled down by the world around us?

1. Follow Godly Examples (3:17)?

Philippians 3:17 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.

Paul offers up his example as an encouragement for standing firm in Christ. Holladay offers three thoughts here:

-You will follow examples, whether they are good or bad. Jesus said that everyone is eventually going to become like his teacher. This is the way human beings are wired.

-You must choose to imitate the good qualities to imitate and not the bad! It’s easier to imitate bad qualities in someone’s life than the good ones! Be intentional about imitating the good.

-Human examples will fail you because they’re not Jesus. Don’t expect the examples you follow to be perfect.

Swindoll: “So choose your spiritual heroes carefully, study their lives, and follow only those who truly sought or are seeking to be like Christ.”

2. Know Your Enemy (3:18-19)?

Philippians 3:18-19 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. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

The Example that should not be followed. Characteristics:

-Their destiny is destruction.

-Their god is their stomach - they serve their lustful appetites (Merida) They are not controlled by the Holy Spirit, but by the appetites of the flesh.

-Their glory is in their shame . “They enjoy and celebrate what offends God and should be avoided.” (Merida) Jeremiah 6:15a NLT “Are they ashamed of their disgusting actions? Not at all—they don’t even know how to blush!”

These do not seem to be just people in the world - but people in the church who have adopted the world’s ways and can lead others down dangerous paths while still claiming to be Christian. We need to beware of them as enemies.

“Notice Paul doesn’t despise these enemies of the cross. He sheds ‘tears’ over them…. Should lead us to tears in prayer for them.” (Merida)

3. Worship Your King (3:20-21) You are a Citizen of His Kingdom!

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

-Your Allegiance is to Jesus Above All! Philippi is a Roman colony and the idea of citizenship resonates deeply with the people there. “It means giving allegiance to Jesus, rather than to Caesar, as the true Lord. … to trust that Jesus would in due time bring the life and rule of heaven to bear on the whole world, themselves included.” (Wright)

-You Serve as His Ambassadors here. This world is not our final home. Christ will take us home, and we will be with him forever (1 Thess 4:17). We take joy in believing that our home in glory will remove us from the tears of this life (see Rev 21:4). Swindoll: “Our homeland isn’t here; our place of residence is in another realm entirely. That makes us expatriates - ‘a colony of foreigners.’ … ambassadors, emissaries, and representatives of the next world as we live in the present one.”

-You are going to be transformed to be like Him (3:21 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.) Christ will make our current bodies like his glorious body. What a remarkable promise for our future! The limitations of our fragile, earthly bodies will be set aside. Reminding ourselves of this daily helps keep our focus off of “earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).? Christ will bring everything under his control.