Learning the Art of Following
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning the importance of only following those who are following Jesus.
Text: Phil 3:17-19
Date: 11/17/2024, the Evening service.
Series: "Evenfall; Sunday Evening Worship" Part 26
Description:
As Paul continues his discourse on striving for Christ-likeness, he switches metaphors from struggling through a race with eyes on the finish to "walking" in a manner that is Christ-like. He then goes on to give examples both of those we should "walk with" and those we should not. We will start with the examples of the "enemies of the Cross" who we should never follow and learn how we can detect them by the marks of their behavior. Then we will back up and consider Paul's encouragement to imitate him and other mature Christians who are closely following Jesus. In essence we will learn how to determine those we should follow by only following those who are following Jesus. In short, by following Jesus exclusively we will learn the all-important sanctified lessons of the art of following.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Phil 3:17-19.
A. Context
B. Choosing the examples to follow.
1. Those we should NOT follow, vs. 18-19.
a. Introducing the "enemies of the Cross".
i. A tragic number.
ii. A repeated warning, Phil 1:27-28, Isa. 29:13; Matt. 7:21; Titus 1:16; James 2:20; Jude 12-13.
iii. A compassionate warning.
iv. The enemies of Christ, Matt. 12:30; James 4:4.
b. Identifying the enemies of the Cross, vs. 19.
i. Their doom is destruction, 2Pet. 2:1.
ii. Their god is their belly, Rom. 16:18; 1Cor. 6:13; Rev. 2:20.
iii. They glory in their shame, 1Cor. 5:1-2.
iv. Their minds are set on earthly things, John 17:15; 1john 2:15.
2. Those we should follow, vs. 17.
a. The art of "imitation", Phil. 3:12, 1Cor. 11:1.
b. Following the "mature followers", Phil. 3:15.
c. Walking with the saints, Eph. 5:8; 1John 2:6; 1Th. 4:1.
d. Striving towards the same goal.
III. Conclusion, Phil. 3:14.
