Philippians: Playing Follow the Leader
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. THE GOOD EXAMPLE OF A PERFECT MAN
A. EXAMPLE OF MATURITY
1.DESIRE TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE
Phil 3:15a “[Therefore] all of us who are mature should take such a view of things.
2.DESIRE TO THINK LIKE CHRIST
Phil 3:15b “And if on some point you think differently, God will make that clear to you.”
3.DESIRE TO HOLD ON TO WHAT WE’VE ATTAINED
Phil 3:16 “Only let us live up to what we’ve already attained.”
B. EXAMPLE OF GODLINESS
1. EXHORTATION TO FOLLOW A GODLY PASTOR
Phil 3:17a “Join together in following my example, brothers” (also I Cor 11:1)
2. EXHORTATION TO FOLLOW OTHER GODLY MEN
Phil 3:17b “and consider those who live following our established pattern.”
So, WATCH for behavior conforming to the pattern Paul gave; JOIN TOGETHER in imitating this way; leading to TAKE NOTE of those who walk otherwise
II. THE BAD EXAMPLE OF A CARNAL MAN
A. EXAMPLE OF IMMATURITY
Phil 3:18 “For, as I have often told you before and now repeat even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”
1.DENIERS OF THE CROSS (also Gal 6:14; I Cor 6:12-20; Rom 6; Mt 16:24-26)
2.DESCRIBE THESE PEOPLE (also I Cor 1:18-25)
What a man believes will ultimately determine what he practices. Paul gives a four-fold indictment against these BAD EXAMPLES
B. EXAMPLE OF WORLDLINESS
1. HORRIBLE JUDGMENT
Phil 3:19a “Their destiny is destruction,”
2. HORRIBLE CARNALITY
Phil 3:19b “their god is their appetite,” (also Romans 16:17-18)
3. HORRIBLE ATTITUDE
Phil 3:19c “they glory in their shame,” (also Jer 17:9)
4. HORRIBLE WORLD-VIEW
Phil 3:19d “and their mind is on earthly things.” (also Luke 12:16-21; II Cor 6:17)