“Observing a Holy Lent: Living Our Faith”
March 13, 2022 Pastor: Pastor John King
Scripture: Philippians 3:17– 4:1
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Sermon Notes
I. Observing a Holy Lent: Living Our Faith Philippians 3:17-4:1
A. Living Examples
1. Having already declared that he has not “already obtained all this” or “already arrived at my goal” (3:12), Paul, nevertheless, calls the Philippian believers to model their lives after him and his colleagues.
2. Paul does not point the church in this direction out of arrogance and sinful pride in himself or his mission partners, but from a sense of humility and conviction which is clear in this letter and in Paul’s other letters and ministries.
3. For whom have you been a living example?
a. Did this come about unknowingly or purposefully?
B. A tale of two cities.
1. Verses 18, 19 – Citizens of the earthly kingdom.
a. “Their destiny is destruction” – eternal separation from God.
a1. Self-indulgent – “Their god is their stomach.”
a2. Degeneration of moral standards – “Their glory is in their shame.”
a3. Set on conforming to the culture – “their mind is set on earthly things.”
b. They have become “enemies of the cross of Christ.”
2. Verses 20, 21 – Citizens of the heavenly kingdom.
a. “we eagerly await a Savior” from heaven – not destruction.
a1. Instead of indulging bodily appetites, we await the One who “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
a2. Instead of settling for deteriorating moral standards, we focus on our Savior’s “power that enables him to bring everything under his control” so that we will share in his glory.
a3. Instead of conforming to the culture, we seek to be counter-cultural, knowing that “our citizenship is in heaven.”
C. So…. “stand firm in the Lord” (4:1).
1. “In this way” – i.e., according to our example, like citizens of the heavenly kingdom.
2. Know that “I love and long for” you.
a. You are “my joy”
b. You are “my crown”.
b1. “Crown” is used as a metaphor for a source of tender love and affection.
b2. “Crown” also refers to a reward for the victor and a symbol of celebration.