Be Careful Who You Run With!Philippians 3:17-4:1

Philippians 3:17–4:1 (ESV)17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Imitate Godly People

Skilled people have emulated skilled people

To be a great golfer emulate a great golfer.To be a great baseball player emulate a great baseball player.To be a great pianist emulate a great pianist.Emulate their talent, not their life or character.

Mickey MantleTiger Woods

Imitate Runners of the Faith17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

• 1 Cor. 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

• “Walk” – Christian behavior, How they live the faith.

Who Should We Imitate?

• Christ• Apostles and the disciples• People that have consistently run the race of

faith: – Positive Bible Characters– Those we know– Historical figures: Agustin, Luther, Judson, Carey,

Ten Boom, Robert E. Lee, Daniel Webster,

Even the best have flaws

• Peter, Paul, David, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, etc.

• Emulate the positive and learn from their weaknesses.

• Look for positive moral and faith attributes.• In every race we pull muscles, fall down, get

distracted, but we must get back in the race and finish our race.

Some People Will Trip You18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

• Types of enemies:– Antagonists to the Cross

• Atheist, agnostics, other religions, etc.

• They outwardly oppose Christianity

– Non-Christians that simply influence away from the cross.

– Those in the church that place obstacles in the path of the runners.

Enemies – Citizens of the Earth19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

• Their finish line – destruction.

• Their god – “belly”: appetite: pleasure, possessions, position.

• They brag about doing things disgraceful to God.

• Thoughts are on things of the earth.

We are citizens of heaven20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

• “Citizenship” πολίτευμα• Finish line – heaven• The Lord Jesus Christ is

coming from heaven to save us from the destruction of this world the people of this world make their god.

We will be the perfect athlete21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

• Our present body is inadequate for the race.

• But Christ will transform it to be a body that endures the race.

• By the same power that he uses to transform all things to himself.

What is the trophy for running?1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

• “Crown” στέφανος – a wreath, victors crown. The saved, those in the race are Paul’s crown.

• “Stand firm in the Lord” – Let no one shake you from the faith. Let nothing in this world distract you from the race.

1 Thess. 2:19–20 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.