Follow the Leader - 18

You are char child, you probably times played a game called follow the leader children play that game and others like it, but the truth of the matter is that adults play that game too.

Though they don't call it a game of they don't always admit that that's what they're doing but it's not just children who follow the leader, but it is also adults who follow the leader. It is our nature to do so. We are the Bible tells us like sheep have gone astray in one of the reasons why we often go astray is because we we move impacts week want to be doing with people around us are doing and together, the pack often is following a leader and sometimes a leader is taking us in the wrong direction. So it's part of life to follow others to look at others as our example and to and are leader and that's why Paul in Philippians chapter 3 deals with the subject and tells us that there's nothing wrong with this fact. The Bible tells us that we ought to follow leaders, but we need to make sure that were following the right ones. There are good leaders are bad leaders. There are good leaders to follow. There are bad leaders that need to be avoided and we will be able to distinguish those more clearly as we look at our text for today in Philippians 317 through 19. We have two parts.

First of all good examples to follow.

Verse 17 and then secondly, bad examples to avoid verses 18 and 19 verse 17 brethren, says Paul to the Philippian church writing from confinement in Rome, brethren joined in following my example and note those who so walk as you have us for the pattern. Good examples to follow down this particular text that Paul doesn't mention the supreme example. But he did earlier in the book, the supreme example of the only perfect example of course is Jesus Christ. And recall that Paul said in chapter 2. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus that he told us that we need to have a mind like Christ. We need to think like Christ.

We need as it were to follow the example of Christ. The apostle Peter said something similar in first Peter chapter 2 verse 21 for he said, for to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow his steps last part of adverse in his steps that you should follow his steps became the title of a very well-known devotional book back around the turn-of-the-century and was the precursor to a later movement to three decades ago maybe 45 now. Time goes by so quickly entitled W. W.

JD. What would Jesus do. The idea was Christians need to learn to follow Christ.

They need to look to Christ as their example which is absolutely true. It is interesting however that in first Peter chapter 2 example that Peter is talking about the we should follow of Christ is how to suffer properly.

That's the context for what credit credit is it when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently. But when you do good and suffer if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God for to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow his steps. That's the context were not very good at suffering and were particularly not good at suffering.

If we don't think that were being suffering justly, that we are being harmed or persecuted or or opposed because of some mistake or misunderstanding or some unjust reason, but the Bible tells us that Jesus suffered unjustly, he was led as a lamb to the slaughter before his shares. He was dumb he did not open his mouth and all of his suffering right up including the cross was undeserved, and yet he bore it patiently and in that he left an example that we should follow in his steps. Keep that in mind is already been reference made today about the political battles that we are in, and it is not easy sometimes to sort out our responsibility as citizens and what we should do in the realm of citizenship and we do have responsibilities and we should be active, but on the other hand are higher responsibility to live like Christians and to follow the example of Christ and to be willing to suffer unjustly follow Christ steps in that regard Christ as a supreme example in the only perfect one that's assumed actually by what the apostle Paul is saying here when he tells us to follow him.

He said to the Corinthian church, chapter 11 first Corinthians chapter 11 verse one imitate me just as I also imitate Christ follow me because I'm following Christ follow me to the extent that I'm following Christ follow me only insofar as I am following Christ. And when I Paul or any other human being who is not a perfect example stray from following Christ, then don't follow that. But follow me as I imitate Christ and Paul could say that as a committed mature Christian who knew that if others would follow his example that that would be beneficial to other believers so the Bible is telling us that the Christ is the only perfect example. He is not the only example we are to look to the right kinds of human example. In fact, Christ doesn't provide a suitable example in every regard because his nature was unique. His mission was unique. Our nature is like he is. He was the God man.

We are just men with men and women, but he had a divine nature and human nature in his human nature was sinless, perfect in every regard.

And furthermore his mission was that of atonement became to die in the place of sinners. And that's not our mission. So there are various things about the life of Christ really cannot be followed. And furthermore, Christ is no longer present. We can learn about him from the pages of Scripture.

But so much of what happened as I remember it in the what would Jesus do movement several decades ago turned into a an act of speculating as to what might you think Christ might do and then saying that's what I'll do. In other words, there is no objectivity to it.

Would Jesus go to a football game so you say will I think you would another site will I don't think you would and how do you know you don't. I don't think he would mind.

My personal opinion I don't think you would mind going to a football game, but as I trace through my mind, the life of Christ is given to us in the Gospels. I could not think of any examples where he went to a sporting event.

Now, does that mean that he didn't know he could have. Does that mean that we shouldn't know not, doesn't mean that you can't draw that from it, but there's so many things about the life of Christ. We don't know what would he do about this. What would he do about that when Jesus ride a motorcycle.

Some would say of course he would. Others would say of course he wouldn't. That's a lot of what goes on with trying to figure out what would Jesus do we frankly don't know and he's not here. We can continue to observe him and so in that regard, he doesn't provide a suitable example for so many unknowns about his life and furthermore, as we know he is sinless perfection is unattainable by us in this world, we will reach that in eternity, but it's unattainable by us in this world. It should always be the goal. That's what Paul is saying that he made Christ perfection is goal in this life and because that was his constant goal that made him a a good and solid example for others to follow.

But Paul never reached that attainment as he tells us very clearly in the verses before our text in this world and we won't either.

So there are a lot of things about the example of Christ that don't meet our every need, and therefore the Bible tells us that we need to find good living examples and godly Christians around us and follow them. And Paul offers himself as a reliable example of a good person to follow brethren verse 17 join in following my example because Paul was mature because Paul was committed to the cause of Christ, to a degree that very few others have ever been or ever will be.

Because Paul demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice all the way to death for the cause of Christ because Paul was striving every day for Christ likeness and so he says follow me join in following my example and some would say will Paul, that sounds like you're pretty proud asking other people to follow your example. But it occurs to me that actually that is an act of great humility and here's why he is calling upon people to examine his life to scrutinize it carefully to look at every aspect of it and he's willing for that to be done knowing that if people do that they will find some things that are weak and not everything they ought to be, because he has not fully attained yet and yet he still willing to open his life to their gaze to the examination of others to make his life an open book, and that demonstrates his humility.

Examine my life. When you see a wart. Tell me about it when you see award don't follow that. But examine my life carefully in every regard and consider that in most aspects that will make a good pattern for you to follow.

That strikes me as being exceedingly humble. How many of us are really willing to do that. How many of us are willing to throw open the door to others and say, walk with me 24 seven like Jesus did with the apostles to live with him 24 seven. Come on into my home and examine my life with my wife and Mike children in my home, come to my job and examine my life every day on my job and see how I relate to my fellow employees and hear the language that I use on my job, with me during my times of relaxation and see what I do during my moments of leisure, and examine my life carefully. I I have no qualms about your doing that. I invite you to do that, and do that and then follow my example. Are you willing to do that. Are you ready to do that. Are you would you would you rather not do that and if so why not and I would say that a reluctance to do so is probably more a manifestation of pride that an invitation to do so. Brethren join in following my example Paul is saying what many of us have heard over the years don't do as I say, but do as I do, refer the opposite, but that's what Paul is saying don't do as I say, can only he's not saying don't do as I say at all. In fact, as an apostle, he does say do what I say I'm giving you the word of God, I'm giving you divine instructions, I'm giving you further word from the Lord Jesus Christ. So yes, by all means do what I do or what do what I say look at my life and see how my life corresponds to what I say don't do as I say only but do as I say and do as I do, because in my life. I do what I say parent.

Can you say the same thing to your children. Not only do what I say but do as I do follow my example teacher could you do that with the students that you instruct not only do what I tell you, but also look at my life and follow my example preacher. Can you do that can you say don't only listen to what I tell you from the word of God. But look carefully at my life and follow what I do.

That's what Paul is saying here join in following my example. He's a reliable example Christ is the perfect example. Paul is a reliable example.

But Paul also recognizes that in his situation. There are there is a least one of the same defects that we have in trying to follow Christ is a perfect example. Namely, the Paul's not here anymore anymore. The Christ is on the earth anymore. It was a perfect example for his apostles who could watch him day by day, but he went to heaven.

So now would we follow up. Paul says follow my example would Paul's in heaven, so that would we follow and Paul tells us, brethren, join in following my example and note those who so walk as you have us for a pattern. What's he saying there are other examples besides Paul other human examples. They are those who live like Paul and work you find these people note them. Make note of those who so walk as you have us for a pattern be on the lookout for those who walk as we walk is another way of translating that word. My Bible was translated. Note find others who are demonstrating a similar godliness to Paul similar commitment to Christ as Paul similar obedience to the word of God is Paul those whose life matches their lips and who are dedicated, mature, sincere, honest Christians who are living according to the word of God as best they are able you search out people like that and follow them to you follow it you find people like that in every generation you find people like that in every church. Paul is gone. The proffered Titus is gone. Titus is gone. Timothy is God, but there are others who are following that same course and they become examples for us as well. Good human examples for us to follow, and we must exercise judgment searching out those people being able to discern who they are brethren, join in following my example and look out for search out those who walk as you have us for a pattern. What Paul is saying, in essence, is this look if it's possible for me if it's possible for others to live in a high level of Christian endeavor then you can too. It's possible for you were flesh and blood like you. You are were fallen sons and daughters of Adam like you are simply centers redeemed by grace like you are. We have no more resources that you have you have the same Bible we have. You have the same indwelling Holy Spirit we have when you look to Christ and you say there's the perfect example I can never attain to that level of perfection. You are right you can't but when you look to Paul and see what he did. You have to be honest to say it must be possible for a fallen son of Adam to attain to that degree of godliness and if you can I can to that becomes a very helpful example to follow. Doesn't brethren search out those who walk in this fashion and follow their pattern. See Paul is telling us that we learn not only by instruction, but also by emulation. Some people act as if the only way we learn is by instruction from the word of God. Some people have grown to love the word of God the Holy Spirit. Does that work within us, and it is our necessary spiritual food.

We love and we learned which were gravitate to it if we don't do something wrong with this but there's something else to.

We not only learn by instruction, but we also learned by emulation by following others who have a little bit further down the road and we are in the Christian growth and development, and wise Christians understand that Weiss Christians are willing to emulate others it's pride that resist doing that says I don't need any other examples I can go it alone. I can get all the instructions I need for the word of God, and I don't need anybody else helping me with that. Thank you. Watch out pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Bible tells us we need example of others. We need that kind of help and input in our lives and I would suggest you your level of church participation reveals how much you understand that and obey that the primary place for finding others to follow is in a local church and people who are around the edges around the periphery local church to act as if they don't really need to get involved.

They don't need that.

I don't think that I don't need any greater level of participation at your Sunday morning only maybe demonstrating a level of pride that says I don't need what the Bible says I do need brethren join in following my example and note those who so walk as you have us for pattern. That's good examples to follow. On the next two verses we have bad examples to avoid verse 18 for this is why so important to get behind the right examples for many walk, of whom I have told you often and I'll tell you even weeping that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, whose glory is there shame set their mind on earthly things that examples to avoid who are the they are evidently professing believers. Paul says for many walk that's the word that he uses for believers. Verse 17 join in following my example and note those who so walk as you have us for a pattern that's a word that indicates our daily walk. Our Christian walk walk on the narrow way I want to following Christ. But there are many, he says who walk, of whom I told you often and they'll tell you weeping. They are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

So they are professing believers and they are just a few of them. There are numerous even in Paul's day, believe it or not, but they are not true born-again believers. They are, they are professing believers, but they are unconverted, he describes them here as enemies of the cross of Christ can't describe a genuine born-again believer is an enemy cross of Christ very likely they are deceived about their relationship with God, and that's what Paul says. I weep. I tell you even weeping that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ not talking now about false teachers outside the church were talking about those who walk among you were talking about those who profess to be believers were talking about those who think they're on their way to Kevin. There were talking about those who want to be regarded as brothers and sisters in Christ impulses. I wish they were. I wish they could be. I love them. I want them to be yet I see the deception that is in their hearts, and I weep for them because they are farther from the kingdom of God and those pagan idolaters out there worshiping false gods of the heathen temple in the city of Philippi. Many of you where they are now. You are are in Christ and with the people of God, but here are people who are who think they are in the pit with the people of God, and they're not and they are so badly deceived and they are so far from the kingdom of God and I weep for their soul's.

What is Paul's attitude toward these people will sorrow we've already seen it. He weeps for them, but also warning many walk whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, whose glory is is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things. Though Paul weeps for their souls. He does not hesitate to warn them and warn others about them. He does not hesitate to point out their sinfulness and their errors because Paul understands the true love doesn't avoid the truth even when it hurts true love tells the truth when it hurts because it needs to hurt if it's going to bring about correction. So Paul's attitude toward them is one of sorrow but it's also one of warning. Oh, you need to wake up.

That's true love. True love confronts when needed. True love warns as needed, but true love confronts and warns with weeping with tears, not with pride and belligerence and with the equip so that's who. These bad examples are and that's what Paul's attitude toward them is now how are we to view them.

What do we know about them, and Paul says five things about them basically will give you five words that I think summarize what Paul says about them. They are dangerous, they are sensual they are callous.

They are worldly.

They are hell bound.

First of all, they are dangerous, as he tells us in verse 18 when he says they are enemies of the cross of Christ their enemies of the cross of Christ and in all the dissent in the context I think it's pretty clear that Paul is not saying that they are preaching a false gospel is not saying there enemies of the cross of Christ because there preaching works added to grace added to faith for salvation. That was the Judaizers he dealt with them earlier were those who are adding things to the gospel of grace and that since they were enemies of the cross of Christ. That is enemies of the gospel.

So in what way are these people enemies of the gospel. If there preaching the true gospel. How can they be enemies of the gospel or if they are believing and embracing the true gospel is so they say. How are the enemies of the gospel, and it is in their lives, not in their doctrine. You see those who are true friends of the cross believe the message of the gospel without equivocation and live in the light of that message without any hesitation desire to do so in those areas where they fall short.

But those who profess to believe the gospel, but live like they don't believe it. Those who profess to believe the gospel, but in many ways live like the idolatrous worshipers outside the church.

They are actually enemies of the gospel.

In some cases may be the worst enemies of all because they are so seductive and so deceptive.

People look at them and say well if he or she is a Christian living like that. I guess I could be a Christian live like that to watch out for dangerous enemies of the cross member to their sensual way. Paul describes that is in verse eight, verse 19, whose God is their belly, whose God is their belly that is to use a technical term amended and damn where use of part of part of something for the whole Paul does mean literally that they have a little altar in their house where they have something that represents their stomach and they bow down to pray to their stomach and worship the stomach and so forth. Obviously not. This is to be taken in exact literalism, but it's obviously a figure of speech, and it goes broader than that. He's not just say these are people who eat too much though that may be one of the manifestations that the God that God is their belly, but this is a phrase that represents all kinds of of sensual desires and and various lust and desire there. God is their bill.

They look for fleshly desire.

It may be six.

It may be other pleasures may be drugs and maybe alcohol it may be the money and so forth their their God.

What what is most important to them in life is these desires. These appetites of their flesh. What is most important to a Christian, a true Christian, Christ. We don't always get the highest place as we should. But that is our desire that's what we are endeavoring to do. We don't always worship him as fully and completely as he deserves. But that is our desire that's our endeavor. That's what were trying to do. We are not living this life for our fleshly appetites and desires with dark, living our lives for the Lord Jesus Christ. But these are those who, though they say they believe the gospel. They are living their lives for fleshly appetites. They are sensual.

Number three.

They are callous they glory in their glory is their shame. They have become calloused toward truth. That's telling us that they are proud of what they should be ashamed of and it doesn't bother them a bit. They don't even blush their glory. But there proud about is what ought to make them ashamed, but it doesn't. In other words, they condone evil and do so proudly part of this might be represented by those who have taken Christian liberty and distorted into sinful license to do under the name of Christian liberty with the Bible says sin. There is a doctrine of Christian liberty and that is the doctrine that what the Bible does not.

We are allowed what the Bible does not prohibit. We may do but always subjected to the greater glory of Christ, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. Yes, you may enjoy Christian liberty as long as it does not cause a stumbling block to others as long as it does not set a bad example for others as long as it does not take you away from the higher goal of making Christ first in your life. But there are people who latch onto the idea of Christian liberty and then they live the rest of their lives for sensual pleasures and I've got liberty to do this in some cases they're dealing with things that maybe are legitimate Christian liberties. In many cases the gone way beyond that of the things that are clearly identified as sinful in the Bible and there proud of that.

That's the most amazing thing the proud.

They're not legalists there proud that they have liberty when others don't. They are superior.

They think themselves to be superior because they're not bound by all these rules and regulations that I have Christian liberty there proud of that and Paul says you glory is your shame.

What you glory and you ought to be ashamed of what you glory and true Christians would be ashamed of what you glory and you will be ashamed of. Someday when you stand before become callous to spiritual truth and calloused what it means to honor Christ. What are they, number four. They are worldly, they mind their mind is set on earthly things in similar but that is mentioned separately whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things, not only on sensual sins, but worldly values and goals. What is it mean to be worldly. We all know the Bible says love not the world needs of the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world, the love the father is not in him for all that is in the world, the lust of the eyes. Lust of the mind, the pride of life is not of the father but is of the world and the world passes away the lust thereof, but he does the will of God abides forever. What is that mean love not the world. That means I don't drink and I don't chew and I don't go with those who do well that may be good that may not be good. You may be a Pharisee that doesn't cover everything.

What's more important, honoring God or protecting your bank account your best investments. What's more important, living for the Lord openly, publicly or hiding your Christian testimony in the world so that you don't damage your reputation your prestige and your popularity. You see, setting your mind on earthly things runs the whole gamut of things that belong to this world into this world system.

All the things that will someday pass away all the things that won't survive into eternity.

That's closer worldly things and when those become more important to you, then Christ, then you become worldly. These people are worldly number five there are hell bound Paul says it very clearly the beginning of verse 19 whose end is destruction. They think they're saying that they're actually going to hell. One commentator I think I forget which one it write down his name said those who are not sanctified by the gospel are not saved by the gospel. They think they are not.

Those who are not sanctified, made holy and progressively gradually made more like Christ.

Those who are not sanctified by the gospel are not saved by the gospel.

The gospel that justifies also sanctifies you Have the justification and reject the sanctification, the justification must come first.

We are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone were not saved by our holiness were not saved by our works were not saved but endeavoring to be like Christ.

Justification comes first, but sanctification always follows those who are truly sorry those who are not sanctified by the gospel are not saved by the gospel, will I jotted down some lessons in conclusion number one. Beware those who denigrate holiness. Beware those who denigrate holiness. We live in an age where some of the biggest mega church.

Churches are pastored by men who glory in their earthiness glory in their crude language, even cursing language and there was a pastor had one of the biggest churches in America on the West Coast Oregon.

I think it might've been washing but I think Oregon who was known as the cursing pastor cousin passed and what he thought that's great, great boy. We could go to church and have somebody the public who just like us makes us feel real good and boy did he. Some of you know I'm talking about. Boy did he fall which is reading online this week about some but had forgotten about him from mom Colorado. I think Denver and Boulder who once was one of the most well-known preachers in America was head of one of the largest organizations in American pastored this large church and until it was discovered that he was in a homosexual relationship with. I forget with who somebody in his church and he felt much and then started another church announced come out that he's doing the same thing again. So the same sin is been repeated because he was put back in the pulpit or insisted put himself back in the pulpit didn't stay out when you should've stayed out, not folks say will that's in the that's in Oregon that's in Colorado. Glad that's not here, folks I could take you to churches this morning, and elements County were you might very well hear the paper pastor cuss and laugh about it and everybody think that's great. I can take you to churches and elements County were the pastor is going to make fun of Christians who try to live godly holy lives and call them legalists and exalt instead of very loose unholy Christian lifestyle from the pulpit and elements County. What's the lesson beware of those who denigrate holiness and number two closely related to it and I've already mentioned it beware those who misuse Christian liberty and number three.

Beware of worldliness of misunderstanding what worldliness is and letting worldliness come in your life when you think that belongs to somebody else. A worldly person is one who lives for pleasure and adds Christ when it's convenient but a godly Christian and on worldly Christian is one who lives for Christ and adds pleasure when it is appropriate, legitimate pleasures can be added, but they're not first what you living for him to step on somebody's toes.

He real Bic so get ready for everything that comes along every visitor that comes to to see you if every ballgame. The true children are involved in. If everything that comes along becomes for you a reason why you can't go to church.

This particular Sunday because of this other thing I'm suggesting that you may have become worldly without realizing it, because it appears that the things of this world have become more important. I shouldn't be. The church becomes the reason you can't go to this event on a Sunday.

If you want me there. You can have to schedule it some other time. Besides the time when when Christians go to church white mushroom that be the posture of a godly Christian worldliness is putting temporal worldly things ahead of spiritual values and they can creep in so subtly.

You see, it gets into our life so so easily watch out beware of worldliness. Number four. Beware feelings. Feelings are legitimate.

God gave us emotions. But what if this happened to you. The doctor says, well, the examination indicates that you have cancer new sake, but I feel fine. Thank you Dr. bye-bye friend it doesn't matter how you feel if you got cancer, you better deal with it. What if the Bible says this displeases God. But you say I feel good about it. I feel like it's okay I have peace about it doesn't matter how you feel doesn't matter what you what you feel about it. It matters what God says about it, it matters what the Bible says about beware feelings and finally learn to distinguish between friends of the cross and enemies of the cross friends of the cross are those who live in the spirit of self-denial. They know when to add legitimate pleasures, they don't live necessarily a life of asceticism and and live like John the Baptist, only eating locusts and wild honey, that's not required of a Christian, but friends of the cross are those who put Christ first and then enjoy legitimate elements of this world to God is created and given to us as a secondary matter where they are appropriate but enemies of the cross are those who live in the spirit of self-indulgence to rank yourself accordingly. Brethren join in following my example and note those who walk so as you have us for a pattern for many walk whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction don't go with them whose God is their belly, whose glory is there shame and who set their mind on earthly things that we pray father make us wise unto salvation. Make us wise unto the glory of our Savior die for us. Help us oh Lord to live for him man