Rev. David Holwick Book of Philippians series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
May 17, 1998
Philippians 3:15-21
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I. Calling perfect people.
A. But no one is perfect.
1) (unless some new ones have slipped in this week)
2) Also, Paul said he is not perfect in 3:12.
a) Is he being ironic?
b) "Since you guys think you're already perfect, you have
to agree with me. Otherwise you wouldn't be perfect."
3) Does he really mean "mature"?
a) NIV takes this tack.
b) (other NT support...)
B. The way to become a mature believer in Jesus.
II. Live up to what you have.
A. Christian life is not so much knowing more and more, but
living up to what we already have.
1) (World says we need more education, but doesn't work with
sex, etc...)
B. Most of us know what God expects of us, even if we may
quibble over details.
III. Follow good examples.
A. Dangerous thing to propose.
1) Makes us vulnerable, because others can't wait for us to fail.
2) Could mean we are extremely arrogant, or falsely humble.
a) Rarely from the humble.
b) Paul has already admitted his limitations.
B. Paul means for them to follow him not in his limitations,
or even in his successes, but in his being taken hold of
by Christ.
C. Everyone is an example. What kind are you?
1) If you are not a good one, find someone who is.
2) Research how they came to be the way they are.
IV. Watch out for rotten apples.
A. The wrong kind of example can wreck you. 3:18
1) Typical enemies of Christ: Communists, atheists.
2) Even more dangerous in view here - Christians.
a) Pagans would be obvious enemies.
b) His tears are more likely caused by Christians than
outsiders.
B. Bad Christians are dangerous because they are so subtle.
1) They don't say, "I hate Jesus."
2) They probably presented themselves as super-Christians,
the "I have arrived" type.
V. Betrayed by their lives. 3:19
A. Their god is their belly.
1) Stands for appetites of all sorts, not just food.
2) They think they are advanced, and not "hung up."
a) Note 1 Tim 4:4
b) Taken out of context, can be used to justify
any behavior, even sinful behavior.
c) "Eat, drink and be merry" philosophy.
B. Their glory is their shame.
1) They were proud about things we should be disgusted with.
2) "Shame" is often associated with sexual sin in Bible.
a) Paul's opponents probably had an easy-going
attitude about sex.
b) It never seemed to be a sin to them.
c) It was like eating and breathing.
3) They glory in shame.
a) Perhaps a reflection of Christian freedom abused.
b) No guilt trips.
C. Earthly focus.
1) Opposite of being crucifixion-minded.
2) Notice emphasis on mind (common with Paul).
a) We are what we think.
A short while ago Newsweek magazine had an article on OCD,
or obsessive-compulsive disorders.
These people have a section of the brain that fails to
"turn off."
When they leave the house, they just cannot trust that the
gas stove is turned off.
A new therapy focuses on altering their thinking.
1. First they "relabel" their compulsion.
2. Second, they attribute it to a biochemical imbalance.
3. Third, they "refocus" on a constructive activity.
Psychiatrist Jeffrey Schwartz says, "If you develop new
patterns of response to OCD you will change the brain
circuits that cause it."
PET scans bear it out.
This is the first study to give persuasive evidence that
the mind can change the brain.
#3535
b) What you focus on DOES matter.
D. Their end is destruction. [can go first in series of 4]
1) Long term and short.
2) Note the results of their lives.
3) Tear people down rather than build up.
4) They are not really Christians at all.
VI. Application to modern times.
A. Liberals downplay the cross.
1) Bloodless, powerless Christianity.
2) Is it preached that cross is absolutely necessary to
salvation?
3) Are we sinners in need of salvation, or confused people
in need of counseling?
B. Appetites - no concern for self-control.
1) Seen as too fundamental.
2) Is sin preached as sin?
C. Glory in shame.
1) Proud of revamping of Christian morality.
2) Bishop Spong...
D. They eliminate future, heavenly perspective and focus on
here-and-now.
1) Earthly perspective. Politics is where power is.
2) Appetites may result in disease, but aren't our fault.
3) Sexual sin downplayed.
a) Homosexuality.
E. Destruction.
1) Churches wither.
2) Children abandon spiritual heritage.
VII. Do we fit in this passage?
A. Our lives are often not much different from liberals.
1) We lack control over our appetites.
2) We are obsessed with the material possessions of
this world.
B. In short, we also can live as enemies of cross of Christ.
VIII. Broaden your perspective.
A. We are not limited to this earth, this life.
1) Have a heavenly perspective.
2) Our ultimate allegiance must be to God.
B. Our leader is coming back someday.
1) He will set world right.
a) (Time article on millennial dreaming?)
b) He will be in charge.
2) He will do what we cannot - give us self-control.
a) Transformation involves our bodies, and souls.
b) Weakness and temptation will no longer be our downfall.
c) We will finally be just like Jesus.
C. How mature are YOU?
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