Living as Citizens of Heaven: Imitate Christ
Summary
### Summary
In Philippians 3:17-21, Paul emphasizes the importance of choosing the right examples to follow in the Christian life. He urges believers to imitate him and others who live faithfully according to Christ's teachings. Paul warns against following bad examples, both outside and within the church, who mock or distort the gospel. He expresses deep sorrow for those who have become enemies of the cross, highlighting the gravity of their eternal separation from God. Paul contrasts the fate of these enemies with the hope and assurance that believers have in Christ. He reminds the Philippians that their true citizenship is in heaven, and they should live in anticipation of Christ's return, which will transform their lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
Paul's message is a call to discernment and steadfastness. He encourages believers to ground themselves in the Word of God and to be wary of false teachers who may arise even within the church. These false teachers often prioritize their own desires and emotions over the truth of the gospel, leading others astray. Paul underscores the centrality of the cross in salvation and warns against any teaching that undermines its significance. He concludes by reminding believers of their heavenly citizenship and the transformative power of Christ's return, which should inspire them to live faithfully and courageously in the present.
### Key Takeaways
1. Imitate Faithful Examples: Paul urges believers to follow those who live according to Christ's teachings. This imitation is crucial for spiritual growth and wisdom. By observing and emulating the lives of faithful Christians, we learn to walk in the ways of Christ and avoid the pitfalls of worldly influences. [01:11]
2. Beware of False Teachers: Paul warns that false teachers can arise even within the church, leading believers astray with teachings that contradict the gospel. These individuals often prioritize their own desires and emotions over the truth of God's Word. Discernment and grounding in Scripture are essential to recognize and avoid such influences. [12:47]
3. The Centrality of the Cross: The cross of Christ is the cornerstone of our salvation. Any teaching that diminishes its significance is dangerous and misleading. Paul emphasizes that our relationship with God is made right solely through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and we must guard this truth diligently. [15:50]
4. Heavenly Citizenship: Believers are citizens of heaven, and this identity should shape our lives and priorities. Our allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom, not to the fleeting values of this world. This perspective provides a safeguard against false teachings and worldly temptations. [20:28]
5. Anticipate Christ's Return: The hope of Christ's return and the transformation of our bodies should inspire us to live faithfully and courageously. This future hope is not an escape but a motivation to be active ambassadors for Christ, embodying His love and truth in our daily lives. [41:42]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - Importance of Imitating Faithful Examples
[02:08] - Learning Through Imitation
[03:08] - Warnings Against Mockers and False Teachers
[04:11] - Paul's Tears for Enemies of the Cross
[05:12] - Citizenship in Heaven
[06:08] - Reminders of Foundational Truths
[06:58] - Reading Philippians 3:17-21
[07:52] - Eternal Hope in Christ
[08:31] - Need for Right Influences
[09:09] - Wisdom vs. Foolishness
[10:28] - Proverbs on Wisdom
[11:13] - Avoiding the Path of the Wicked
[11:53] - Enemies of the Cross
[12:47] - False Teachers Within the Church
[13:36] - Cultural Temptations and Falsehoods
[14:20] - The Centrality of the Cross
[15:50] - Enemies of the Cross and Their Substitutes
[17:26] - Social and Political Substitutes for the Cross
[18:59] - Characteristics of False Teachers
[20:28] - End of Enemies of the Cross
[22:07] - God as Their Belly
[23:39] - Emotional and Passionate Idolatry
[25:10] - Moses' Example of Faith
[26:46] - Glorying in Shame
[28:23] - Modern Examples of Glorying in Shame
[30:02] - Influence of Secular Forces in the Church
[31:37] - False Teachings in Christian Organizations
[33:13] - Responding Like Paul
[34:45] - Loving the Cross and the Church
[36:34] - Citizenship in Heaven
[38:15] - Following Christ and Faithful Examples
[40:06] - Transformation at Christ's Return
[41:42] - Living in Anticipation of Christ's Return
[43:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:17-21
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul urge the Philippians to do in Philippians 3:17? How does he describe the people they should imitate?
2. According to Philippians 3:18-19, what are the characteristics of those who are "enemies of the cross of Christ"?
3. What does Paul say about the citizenship of believers in Philippians 3:20? How should this affect their lives?
4. How does Paul describe the transformation that will occur at Christ's return in Philippians 3:21?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of imitating faithful examples? How does this help in spiritual growth? [01:11]
2. What are some modern examples of false teachings that prioritize personal desires over the truth of the gospel? How can believers discern these teachings? [12:47]
3. How does the centrality of the cross shape our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God? Why is it crucial to guard this truth? [15:50]
4. What does it mean to live as citizens of heaven? How does this perspective provide a safeguard against worldly temptations and false teachings? [20:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Paul urges believers to imitate those who live according to Christ's teachings. Who are some faithful examples in your life that you can learn from and emulate? How can you intentionally spend more time with them? [01:11]
2. Reflect on a time when you encountered false teachings within the church. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to be more discerning in the future? [12:47]
3. The cross of Christ is central to our salvation. How can you ensure that this truth remains at the forefront of your faith and daily life? Are there any teachings or influences you need to guard against? [15:50]
4. As citizens of heaven, our allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom. What are some practical ways you can prioritize this heavenly citizenship in your daily decisions and interactions? [20:28]
5. The hope of Christ's return should inspire us to live faithfully and courageously. How can this future hope motivate you to be an active ambassador for Christ in your community? [41:42]
6. Paul weeps over the enemies of the cross. How can you cultivate a heart of compassion and prayer for those who are currently opposed to the gospel? [05:12]
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to be more steadfast and grounded in the Word of God. What steps will you take this week to strengthen your foundation in Scripture? [06:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Follow Faithful Examples
Paul urges believers to follow those who live according to Christ's teachings. This imitation is crucial for spiritual growth and wisdom. By observing and emulating the lives of faithful Christians, we learn to walk in the ways of Christ and avoid the pitfalls of worldly influences. Paul emphasizes that choosing the right examples to follow can significantly impact our spiritual journey and help us stay aligned with God's will. [01:11]
Hebrews 13:7 (ESV): "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."
Reflection: Think of a faithful Christian in your life whose walk with Christ you admire. What specific qualities or habits do they exhibit that you can start incorporating into your own life today?
Day 2: Discern False Teachers
Paul warns that false teachers can arise even within the church, leading believers astray with teachings that contradict the gospel. These individuals often prioritize their own desires and emotions over the truth of God's Word. Discernment and grounding in Scripture are essential to recognize and avoid such influences. Paul’s message is a call to be vigilant and to test all teachings against the truth of the Bible. [12:47]
2 Peter 2:1 (ESV): "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent teaching or message you heard. How did it align with the truth of Scripture? What steps can you take to ensure you are discerning and grounded in the Word of God?
Day 3: Uphold the Cross
The cross of Christ is the cornerstone of our salvation. Any teaching that diminishes its significance is dangerous and misleading. Paul emphasizes that our relationship with God is made right solely through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and we must guard this truth diligently. The cross represents the ultimate act of love and redemption, and it should remain central in our faith and teachings. [15:50]
1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Reflection: How central is the message of the cross in your daily life and conversations? What can you do to ensure that the significance of the cross remains at the forefront of your faith?
Day 4: Embrace Heavenly Citizenship
Believers are citizens of heaven, and this identity should shape our lives and priorities. Our allegiance is to Christ and His kingdom, not to the fleeting values of this world. This perspective provides a safeguard against false teachings and worldly temptations. Paul reminds us that our true home is in heaven, and we should live in a way that reflects our heavenly citizenship. [20:28]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: In what ways do your daily actions and decisions reflect your heavenly citizenship? What changes can you make to align more closely with your identity as a citizen of heaven?
Day 5: Live in Anticipation of Christ's Return
The hope of Christ's return and the transformation of our bodies should inspire us to live faithfully and courageously. This future hope is not an escape but a motivation to be active ambassadors for Christ, embodying His love and truth in our daily lives. Paul encourages believers to live with the expectation of Christ's return, which should influence our actions and attitudes today. [41:42]
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."
Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return influence your daily life and decisions? What specific steps can you take to live more faithfully and courageously in anticipation of His return?
Quotes
1. "We need to be deliberate and we need to be careful about those that we take as examples in the Christian life. Because, as it turns out, and the Apostle Paul is going to warn us of this this morning, there are all kinds of bad examples out there about what it means to follow Jesus Christ, to live in the world. To live a life that is faithful to the Word of God." [01:11] (22 seconds)
2. "So the Apostle Paul tells us, be careful, imitate those who look like Christ. Get to know Christ so that you can follow the life that he has given us to live. So as we walk through this passage of Scripture, we need to be aware of a couple of things in our passage this morning. What are our core principles? Principles as Christians, and then who should we look out for? What does that look like?" [02:08] (29 seconds)
3. "The power of the cross to save sinners and to transform lives is something that we can never let go of in the sure reality of our eternity with Jesus Christ. The way Paul sort of wraps up this part of the conversation, I just find fascinating. So these kinds of things are supposed to give us our foundation, our standards for living, and they give hope. They give hope. They give hope for everyone who believes." [04:11] (32 seconds)
4. "Paul weeps over the enemies of the cross of Christ. This is interesting. He's going to say, I'm going to warn you about this, and I warn you through tears about this problem. It's interesting that we have no record of the Apostle Paul weeping. Paul doesn't weep to any of the churches about his persecution or his imprisonment." [05:12] (24 seconds)
5. "Wisdom is different than knowledge. It's different than smarts. It's different than intelligence. It's different than having just a lot of data inside of our minds. Wisdom is learning how to walk well, how to live well, how to look more and more like Christ and less and less like my sins." [09:42] (19 seconds)
6. "So we need to let it be the wisdom of God that guides our life and not the foolishness of this world. The book of Proverbs is full of this kind of information. Especially the first seven chapters of that book, different sections of those seven chapters will all begin with a very similar thought. The writer will say something like, the book of Proverbs is written as if it's from a father or a grandfather to their child or grandchild." [10:28] (27 seconds)
7. "So friends, there are those who stand behind pulpits and they are in positions of Christian influence who actively work against the truth of Jesus Christ. So they walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. This is something that is absolutely stunning to me and something that has always been stunning to me." [13:36] (23 seconds)
8. "The cross is at the center of our salvation. The work of Jesus Christ upon the cross is our atonement. It is the sacrifice that makes my relationship right with God. There's nothing else in human history, in creation history, that can make my relationship right with God. There's nothing else in human history, make this sinner right with God, except the cross of Jesus Christ." [15:50] (29 seconds)
9. "So you and I as followers of Christ, we remain clear. Christ did not die for nothing. Christ died for my salvation. So there are those who walk as the enemies of the cross of Christ. So we need to take this seriously. We actually need to take this seriously." [17:26] (22 seconds)
10. "But our citizenship is in heaven. And from it, we await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. You see, it is from heaven. It is from the throne room of God. It is from the kingdom of God that our savior will come and nowhere else, 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." [36:34] (29 seconds)
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