Philippians 3:18-19; More Enemies – 2.25.2015

“For, as I often told you before and now tell you 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 their shame.  Their mind is set on earthly things.”

This is such a rich passage, I had to have another day with it.  Last week we talked about how many live as enemies of the cross.  The news continues to illustrate that: since last week, ISIS has abducted up to 100 Christians in Syria, including the elderly, women, and children.  There are enemies of Christ.

And about these enemies, Paul says four things:

First, their destiny is destruction.  Regardless of how it may appear, enemies of Christ will not prevail. They will not escape, they will pay for their actions, and that is guaranteed by God himself. 

While I think it is okay to take comfort in that, we should also be saddened and hopefully spurred to action because of it.  I don’t wish an eternity separated from God on anyone – even persecutors of Christ.  We need to pray that Christ will reveal Himself to those who persecute the church – because that is what Jesus did.

Second, their god is their stomach.  This means that these folks worship their own appetites and desires.  They live not to honor God, but for self-indulgence and to gratify sensual desires. 

As is always the case with the Bible, before you say, “Shame on those people – that is terrible.”  Take a look at yourself and see where you live according to your desires instead of God’s.  Yes, shame on them, but shame on us when we do the same thing.  The Word of God always has something for us!

Third, their glory is their shame.  This means that instead of being ashamed of their un-Godly, disgraceful acts and attitudes – they flaunt, boast, and brag about them. 

In today’s culture, shameful behavior is celebrated instead of condemned and God’s Word is ignored when it goes against public opinion.  If you claim to be a follower of Christ – you must know the Bible and do what it says – even if you don’t like it.  Truth is truth regardless of personal or public opinion.

Fourth, their mind is set on earthly things.  These enemies of Christ are concerned only with the here and now, they have no thought or hope for eternity.  Imagine living with no hope.  What a horrible existence.  In Christ, we have the assured hope that this world is the only hell we will ever face.  Eternity with Christ is promised and it is as real as the chair you are sitting in.  Set your eyes up there instead of down here.

Never be surprised when un-believers act like un-believers – how else should they act?  They are deceived and blinded to the Truth.  The best thing we can do is to spend our lives making sure there are fewer unbelievers out there.

“Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors.  No evil can resist grace forever.” – Brennan Manning

Philippians 3:18-19; Enemies – 2.18.2015

“For, as I often told you before and now tell you 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 their shame.  Their mind is set on earthly things.”

One of my favorite things about the Bible is that it includes the good and the bad.  The Bible teaches us about God’s amazing grace, but it also teaches about the wrath of God.  The Bible says that God has won the battle, but in this world, we will still have trouble.  The Bible is not just rainbows and butterflies – it is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

So it is not surprising that Paul tells the church at Philippi, “Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”  We know this to be true don’t we?  We see it in the news: ISIS beheads 21 Coptic Christians, a church in Africa is firebombed, and we hear about companies being sued for refusing to run their business contrary to the Word of God.  Christ has many enemies and they are increasing.

I want to mention two things about this.  One, God knows what is going on, He is in control, and He will take care of it in His perfect time.  Ultimately, their plots will fail and they will be held accountable for their actions.  Or as Paul says, “Their destiny is destruction…” The enemies of Christ will ultimate lose.

Secondly, Jesus taught that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44).  He does not say, hate those who hate you.  Attack those who attack you.  Ridicule those who ridicule you.  Our job is to love and bless and pray for the enemies of Christ.  We should expect enemies of Christ to persecute us – followers of Christ should never persecute others. 

As you read about the horrific things that happen in the world; pray for the victims, work for justice, and stand for Christ.  But also pray for the perpetrators because they have been deceived, blinded, and captured by the enemy – just as we once were.  They need Jesus and if we are not the hands and feet of Christ, then who will be?

I am not saying that it is easy, but I am saying it is a command of Christ that needs to be obeyed.

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.  Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Philippians 3:17; Examples


"Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

Who do you look up to?  Who do you want to be like when you grow up?  Whose example are you striving to emulate?  Or are you an island unto yourself?  Maybe you don’t have a role model because you plan on charting your own course.  Perhaps you feel you are role-model free…

Whether we would label them as “role-models” or not – we all have people who influence us.  You may imitate your friends or people you wish were your friends.  An author or teacher may guide your way of thinking.  Your pastor will affect your thoughts about Christ and the church.  Even the idea of who you want to be can be an influence on who you are today.

Just as we are bound to worship something, we are bound to be influenced by those around us.  If you hang out with people who gossip, you will become a gossip.  If you hang out with people who speak life, you will become someone who speaks life.  The million dollar question is this: are my influences a good model or bad model? 

The following verse comes to mind:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

What you think determines your attitude and actions.  And who you surround yourself with will determine what you think.  If you do not intentionally set your eyes on Christ, and surround yourself with people who are set on Christ, your focus will drift to something less than God’s best. 

Take a quick inventory.  Do the books you read, the music you listen to, and movies you watch fill your mind with positive thoughts or negative thoughts?  How about your friends?  Do they encourage you?  Do they push you to be a better person?  Are you more like Christ after being with your friends? 

And just as importantly, are your friends more like Christ after visiting with you?

“Live your life as if it matters to someone, because it does.” – Me

Philippians 3:15-16; Maturity in Christ – 2.05.2015

“All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

I am not good at math.  I took college algebra my first semester and had to drop it after the first test for reasons I am sure you can imagine.  So I took it again that summer at a community college.  The professor there reminded us of a simple truth: when you get to a problem you don’t understand, act like you know what you are doing. 

By that he meant, don’t panic or make stuff up – add this to that, take the square root of that, multiply this here, etc.  Just do the mathematical steps that you know and often you will figure it out as you go.  That is great advice for Algebra and even better advice for life. 

Paul teaches a similar concept: live up to what you have already attained.  Or more directly, live according to the truth that you already know.  The Bible may not deal specifically with every situation you face, but the principles in the Bible will guide you to a Godly response.  Apply the truth you know to your situation and I bet you find the proper course of action.

Taking a step back to the end of verse 15.  “And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”  Paul is basically saying, “If you disagree with what I am telling you, pray about it and God will tell you that I am telling the truth”.  Paul is affirming that the truth he is teaching is God’s truth, not just an opinion.  A good thing for us to remember as we read the Bible. 

Three quick takeaways:

1. Be intentional to apply Biblical truth to the decisions you make.
2. If you don’t agree with the teachings of the Bible, you are wrong, not the Bible.
3. Rob is not good at math.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” - Jesus