Philippians 3:17-21

From 2:19 through 3:16 Paul has used I 27 times, me 9 times. Just prior to this passage where he tells the Philippians to follow his example, he puts himself up as a model for them. Let’s look back over those verses and see what example behavior Paul is asking them to follow.

2:20-21 He seeks after the interests of others before his own.

2:24 He plans what he will do next.

2:25 He sent Epaphroditus to them because Epap wanted to go.

2:29 He encouraged others to hold men who deserve it in high regard.

3:1 and other places. He rejoices.

3:3-7 He counted his own efforts toward righteousness as loss

3:9 He trusted in the righteousness of Christ

3:12 He realized he is not perfect.

3:13 He presses on.

3:13 He forgets what is in the past.

3:16 He is living by the Standard of Christ

How can we observe those who walk according to the pattern we see in Paul? Does this mean to simply watch them? How close do you need to get to really see if someone is worth emulating?

Abraham Lincoln said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”

V18 – Paul says he is weeping over enemies of the cross of Christ.

Three characteristics mark these people. First, they give free rein to the satisfaction of their sensual appetites and do not restrain the flesh. Second, they find satisfaction and take pride in things that they do that should cause them shame. Third, they involve themselves almost totally in physical and material things, things pertaining to the present enjoyment of life, to the exclusion of spiritual matters.

Do we see these kinds of people today? What is our reaction?

Our Citizenship is in Heaven. Does that fact impact our daily lives? How?