Sunday Morning (Oct 12 2025)

Devotional

Day 1: Imitate Good Examples in Pursuing Christ

God calls us to seek out and follow the examples of those who earnestly pursue Jesus, not just in word but in action. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation; we are shaped by the people God places around us. Paul urges us to look for those who run hard after Christ, who press on for the upward call, and to model our lives after their faithfulness. This means intentionally observing the lives of mature believers, learning from their strengths, and letting their devotion inspire us to greater love and obedience. No one is perfect, but by focusing on the Christlike qualities in others, we can grow in our own walk with God. [37:02]

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

Reflection: Who is someone in your life whose faith you admire? What is one specific Christlike habit or attitude you can intentionally learn from or practice today?

Day 2: Learn from Bad Examples and Guard Your Heart

We are warned to pay attention not only to good examples but also to those whose lives reveal the dangers of living for self and earthly desires. The broad path may look appealing, but it leads to destruction, and those who set their minds on earthly things become enslaved to their appetites and pride. Observing the consequences of such choices should sober us and remind us of the emptiness of a life apart from Christ. Let the reality of where the broad path leads stir compassion for the lost and a renewed resolve to walk the narrow way. [42:14]

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are tempted to follow the crowd or indulge your desires? What would it look like to choose the narrow path in that area today?

Day 3: Set Your Mind on Things Above

The battle for your soul is fought in your mind—what you dwell on shapes your desires and your direction. Scripture calls us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things, because what occupies our thoughts reveals what we truly value. When we allow our mental energy to be consumed by temporary pleasures or worries, we drift from God’s best. But when we fix our minds on Christ and His promises, we find life and peace. Ask God to help you redirect your thoughts and affections toward Him, especially when distractions and temptations arise. [44:41]

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: What is one recurring thought or distraction that pulls your mind away from Christ? How can you intentionally redirect your focus to God’s truth today?

Day 4: Remember Your True Citizenship and Represent Christ

As followers of Jesus, our true citizenship is in heaven, and we are called to live as ambassadors of our King. This means our values, priorities, and responses should reflect our heavenly home, not the world around us. We are not defined by our past or by earthly allegiances, but by our relationship with Christ, who is coming again to transform us completely. Let the hope of your heavenly citizenship shape your daily choices and interactions, so that others are drawn to the King you represent. [49:12]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV)
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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."

Reflection: In what situation today can you intentionally act as a representative of Jesus, showing others the hope and values of your true home?

Day 5: Stand Firm in the Lord, No Matter the Cost

Because we have been given good examples, warned by bad ones, and reminded of our heavenly citizenship, we are called to stand firm in the Lord. Life will bring challenges, temptations, and opposition, but God calls us to hold our ground and remain faithful. Others are watching to see if our faith is real and lasting. Standing firm is not about never stumbling, but about refusing to give up, trusting that Jesus will carry us through. Resolve today to keep your feet pointed toward Christ, no matter what comes your way. [51:27]

Philippians 4:1 (ESV)
"Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved."

Reflection: What is one challenge or pressure you are facing right now that tempts you to waver in your faith? How can you stand firm in Christ in the midst of it today?

Sermon Summary

In Philippians 3, we are confronted with the reality that our hearts are often divided—longing to love God, yet easily distracted and drawn to other things. The story of Robert Robinson, who wrote “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and later wandered from the Lord before being graciously restored, reminds us that God is always seeking to bring wandering hearts back to Himself. We are all prone to wander, and honesty about our struggles is essential for genuine faith and community.

Paul urges us to consider the examples we follow. There are two paths: the narrow way that leads to life, and the broad way that leads to destruction. We are called to imitate those who pursue Christ wholeheartedly, not just in word but in action. Paul himself, though imperfect, invites others to follow his example of relentless pursuit of Jesus. We are encouraged to look for good examples in our lives—people who model faith, generosity, resilience, and grace—and to learn from them. At the same time, we are warned to observe the lives of those who are “enemies of the cross,” whose minds are set on earthly things, whose god is their appetite, and who glory in their shame. Their end is destruction, and their lives serve as cautionary tales.

The battleground for our souls is often in our minds. What we dwell on reveals what we truly value. Setting our minds on things above, not on earthly things, is a daily discipline. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await our Savior, Jesus Christ, who will transform us and bring us home. This heavenly identity should shape our values, our responses, and our witness to the world. We are ambassadors of Christ, called to represent Him faithfully.

Standing firm in the Lord is not easy. The world’s pull is strong, and it is easy to be shaped by its values rather than by the Word of God. Yet, we are called to stand fast, to hold our ground, and to let our lives be examples that point others to Jesus. We are not saved by our example, but by the grace of Christ, who alone can make us good. The question remains: if others followed your example, would it lead them closer to Jesus? Let us fix our eyes on Christ, learn from both good and bad examples, and run hard after Him, trusting that He will bring us home.

Key Takeaways

1. Honesty About Our Wandering Hearts Authentic faith begins with honesty about our struggles. Like Robert Robinson, we must admit our tendency to wander and our divided affections. God’s grace is not for those who pretend to have it all together, but for those who confess their need and return to Him. The church should be a place where honesty is welcomed and wandering hearts are restored. [30:11]
2. The Power and Responsibility of Example Our lives speak louder than our words. Paul’s invitation to “follow my example” challenges us to live in such a way that others could safely imitate our pursuit of Christ. We are all examples to someone, whether we realize it or not, and our daily choices shape the spiritual culture around us. The call is not to perfection, but to a visible, relentless pursuit of Jesus. [37:14]
3. Learning from Both Good and Bad Examples Wisdom is found in observing both those who walk faithfully and those who do not. Good examples inspire us to grow, while bad examples warn us of the consequences of misplaced priorities and unchecked desires. We must be intentional about who we allow to influence us, and we should let the failures of others deepen our resolve to walk the narrow path. [40:05]
4. The Mind as the Battleground for the Soul Where we set our minds determines the direction of our lives. Carnal thinking leads to death, while spiritual thinking leads to life and peace. The discipline of focusing on things above, rather than earthly distractions, is essential for spiritual health and perseverance. Our mental habits reveal our true allegiances and shape our destiny. [44:16]
5. Living as Citizens of Heaven Our true home is not this world, but heaven, and our lives should reflect that reality. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to operate by a different set of values and to represent our King faithfully. This means standing firm in the face of opposition, living with hope, and letting our lives make others long for the Savior we await. [49:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:47] - The Honesty of “Prone to Wander”
[30:49] - Robert Robinson’s Story of Wandering and Return
[31:49] - God’s Call to the Wandering Heart
[32:12] - The Power of Example in the Church
[33:57] - Two Paths: Good and Bad Examples
[36:05] - The Example of Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus
[37:14] - Paul’s Call to Imitate His Pursuit of Christ
[38:31] - Learning to See People Through Grace
[39:47] - Learning from Bad Examples
[40:05] - Enemies of the Cross and the Broad Path
[43:34] - The Slide: Setting the Mind on Earthly Things
[44:50] - Glorying in Shame and Serving the Flesh
[47:47] - Remembering Our True Citizenship
[49:32] - Eagerly Awaiting Our Savior
[50:38] - Stand Firm in the Lord
[52:42] - The Danger of Worldliness
[54:19] - The Call to Self-Examination and Example
[55:22] - Jesus: Our Savior, Not Just Our Example
[56:26] - Is Your Life Pointed Toward Heaven?
[61:38] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.

Observation Questions

According to Paul in Philippians 3:17, what does he urge the church to do regarding examples in the Christian life?
What are the characteristics Paul lists of those who are “enemies of the cross” in verses 18-19?
In verse 20, what does Paul say about the believer’s true citizenship, and what are we waiting for?
The sermon mentioned the story of Robert Robinson, the writer of “Come Thou Fount.” What happened in his life that connects to the theme of wandering and returning? [[30:49]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize the importance of following good examples and being aware of bad ones? How does this shape the culture of a church? [[32:12]]
What does it mean for someone’s “god to be their belly” and to “glory in their shame”? How might this look in our culture today? [[44:50]]
The sermon says, “The battleground for our souls is often in our minds.” Why is what we set our minds on so important for our spiritual health? [[44:16]]
Paul says our citizenship is in heaven. How should this truth affect the way we live and the values we hold? [[49:32]]

Application Questions

The sermon stressed the need for honesty about our wandering hearts. When was the last time you admitted to someone else (or to God) that you were struggling or distracted in your faith? What happened as a result? [[30:11]]
Think about the people you are imitating, whether intentionally or not. Who are the “good examples” in your life right now? What is one thing you could do this week to learn from them or spend time with them? [[39:15]]
Are there “bad examples” you are tempted to follow, or influences that pull your mind toward earthly things? What practical step could you take to limit their influence? [[40:05]]
The sermon asked, “If everyone in this church was just like you in your pursuit of Jesus, what kind of church would we have?” How does that question challenge you? Is there an area of your life you want to change so your example points others to Christ? [[33:18]]
Paul says to “stand firm in the Lord.” What is one area where you feel pressure to compromise or give in to the world’s values? How can you stand firm this week? [[51:14]]
The sermon talked about the mind as the battleground. What is one practical way you can set your mind on “things above” this week? (For example: a new habit, a verse to memorize, a change in media consumption, etc.) [[44:16]]
Our citizenship is in heaven, and we are called to be ambassadors for Christ. What is one way you can represent Jesus to someone in your life this week—at work, at home, or in your neighborhood? [[49:32]]

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