June 11, 2006
"How Should I Then Live?"
God's Not Finished With You Yet—Part 8
Philippians 3:17-21
1. Bask in what we have.
A. God is alive and doing great things.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
—Philippians 1:12-14
B. Christ leads the way with the right attitude.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
—Philippians 2:5-8
C. How should we then live....Let go and let God!
- Follow good examples.
- Watch out for enemies
- Be expectant
2. Follow good examples.
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
—Philippians 3:17
A. Join with others.
B. Follow my example.
C. Live the pattern we gave you.
Application: The Christian should live...
3. Watch out for Enemies.
For, as I have often told you before and now say 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 on earthly things.
—Philippians 3:18,19
A. Live as enemies
B. Destiny is destruction
C. God is their stomach
D. Mind is on earthly things
Application: The Christian should live...
4. Be expectant.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.
—Philippians 3:20, 21
A. Our Citizenship is in heaven
B. Await a Savior
C. Transform our...bodies
Application: The Christian should live...
5. How should we then live?
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere.
—Philippians 3:17-21 (NLT)