Enemy of the CrossBible Reading: Philippians 3:14-21I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Paul examines two distinct lifestyles in these verses. There are two ways to walk: a. The walk of one who is "a citizen of heaven" b. The walk of one who is "an enemy of the cross of Christ" Perhaps there are some of us this morning who do not know where they stand here. Hopefully by the end of today’s service there will be no doubt Today we will also examine how a person could possibly be both. We will see how somebody could be a saved Christian but at the same time hinder the message of Jesus. Paul is exhorting the Phillipians to follow his example. He is asking them to emulate His character. He is asking these people to “mark” or imitate the lives of others who are “walking so”. This could be where the phrase “a Christian walk” comes from. Paul is asking these Phillipians pattern their lives either after him or after those who act like Paul. How is that? Let’s turn back a little to Philippians 3:14-16 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Philippians 4:9: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Paul is not talking about the sinful nature which he still possesses. Ouch Do as I do. That is one reason our children have tempers - why they are the way they are - they see us and act like what they see. Paul is not asking that these guys act like he does when he has sinned. He is asking these citizens of Phillipi to imitate Jesus. As I was growing up I discovered that I had a talent for doing impersonations. I practiced all the time, constantly trying to perfect my rendition of the person’s voice I was trying to sound like. At one time I had a list of over 100 voices that I could do. I even did stand-up comedy using these voices and won a presidential impersonation contest that a radio station was conducting. Of course I learned to imitate Elvis at an early age. Somehow we had a record of Elvis singing One Broken Heart for Sale. It was made in 1963, so I know I did not buy it. Anyway I listened to this record over and over trying to learn how to sing like Elvis. I believe I actually wore the record out playing it for hours at a time. I regret, however that that time was not spent reading about Jesus over and over until my Bible wore out. All the while I could have been trying to imitate Jesus. Paul is commending the Phillipians because they had been living a Christian life. The reason Paul shows this sincere and strong concern for the Phillipains is his desire that they remain steadfast. He is trying to prevent them from being led astray by false teachers among the roaming Jews. For at that time many Jews went about with the intent of perverting Paul's converts – pretending they taught something far better; while they drew the people away from Christ and back to the Law. Unfortunately these people were trying to destroy the early church. Paul is using his life as an example. 1Corinthians 4:16: Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 1Corinthians 11:1: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. So Paul is really saying follow my lead and follow Christ Jesus. Not be like Paul the sinner but Paul the disciple of Jesus. The Bible tells us that it is beneficial to look for and follow the correct example of others. Psalms 37:37: Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Hebrews 13:7: Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God Phillipians 3:17: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. Pretending is Not enough - It is not enough to just imitate Jesus a. Imitation is just pretending b. Imitation leather never turns into leather c. Cubit zirconium will not cut glass d. Imitation sugar is ok – but not the real thing e. So is margarine f. There is imitation bacon and eggs g. Thank God they have never invented any imitation T-bones steaks! We should emulate Jesus. a. We must adapt to the lifestyle of a true Christian b. We must live and teach by example c. We are supposed to live our lives for Jesus d. We should search for those who follow Christ and learn by their example 1 Timothy 4:12: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Titus 2:7: In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity. Phillipians 3:17-18: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample, (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Enemies of the Cross Of whom I have told you often.... a. Paul found repetition to be valuable. b. He realized the value of doing something over and over or hearing something many times. Philippians 3:1: Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. c. Practice makes perfect d. Get into the habit of exalting Christ e. Make that a focal point of your life. And now tell you even weeping a. Emotion makes imitation emulation b. One must feel the part not just play the part c. God knows our hearts. d. When I preach to you sometimes there are some tough things I have to say but I always try to do it with compassion not frustration. 2Corinthians 2:4: For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. e. How often do we allow our emotions to cloud our intentions and our motivations? The Enemies Exodus 32:6: Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. a. We must decide whether we are on God’s side or ours. b. Often a Christian does more damage to a potential Christian than a sinner does. c. If our talk is all talk and our walk is actually backsliding then our witness is without belief. We know they are MANY people For many walk Matthew 7:13-14: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 2 Thessalonians 1:7: And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. We will either live eternal glory or everlasting destruction. Have we seriously considered the outcome of their conduct? 3. We know who is their GOD a. "whose god is their belly" b. those who are set on satisfying only their fleshly appetites We know wherein is their GLORY a. "whose glory is in their shame" b. They take pride in things that are actually shameful We know upon what they set their MINDS a. "who set their mind on earthly things" b. Contrast this with where Christians are to set their minds Philippians 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Colossians 3:1: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ a. Our lives should not only focus but begin and end an Jesus - We often hear the phrase “I am trying to find myself” and “ I need my space”. Why are we trying to find a worthless sinner? Why don’t we either discover or rediscover Jesus. Close the distance between our lives and the Blessed Savior Jesus Christ and we will not care about finding ourselves or needing space. We will take up the cross and die to our old self and become a new creature in Jesus! b. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. For our conversation is in Heaven 1. Our true loyalty is to that above, not that on earth! 2. It is there where our "inheritance" is reserved 1 Peter 1:3-4: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 3. Therefore, we have special responsibilities. 1 Peter 2:9-12: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. We eagerly wait for the Savior…who will transform our lowly body 1. Though now in heaven, our Savior is coming again one day! Acts 1:9-11: And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 2. When He does, what glory there will be for those who are "citizens of heaven"! a. He will "transform our lowly body"! b. It will be "conformed to His glorious body"! c. A glorified body that will never be tired never hurt never suffer as described in 1 Corinthians 15 3. This He will do by the same POWER by which He subdues all things to Himself Matthew 28:18: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Transformation of the body 1. A great change 2. A glorious change 1Corinthians 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. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 7. A guaranteed change 1 Corinthians 15:54-57: Behold, I shew 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 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. CONCLUSION 1. Are not these good reasons to walk like Paul? How are we walking in this life? As "citizens of heaven"? Or "enemies of the cross of Christ"? The answer depends upon where we have set our MINDS: If on EARTHLY things...we are "enemies of the cross of Christ"! We make our bellies to be our god, we glory in that which is shameful and our end will be destruction But if on HEAVENLY things...we are "citizens of heaven"! We eagerly await Christ's coming, we eagerly await our transformation. Have you become... a. A "citizen of heaven"? If not, why not become one today? John 3:5 Are you an "enemy of the cross"? If so, why not "defect" today? - 1 Peter 4:1-3 Hebrews 13:7-8: 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. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Back to Hope Chapel
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