WEBVTT 00:00:06.959 --> 00:00:12.720 This sermon was recorded at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. 00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:25.839 I don't remember a lot from my growing up days, but I do remember that my growing up days were a study in contrasts, often. 00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:35.520 So one contrast was that in tiny, isolated Marmouth, North Dakota, we were lucky to get one television channel from Dickinson on occasion. 00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:40.479 But oh, when I went to grandpa and grandma's, they had all kinds of channels. 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:43.039 Study and contrasts. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:51.119 At grandpa and grandma's, there was the Flintstones and the Jetsons. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:54.399 What a study and contrasts, right? 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:59.520 One you're pedaling your car by your feet, and the other you're flying through the air. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:06.000 I was watching a couple of videos about the new autonomous cars. 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:20.239 And one video showed the car taking a passenger through a very crowded and busy city all the way directly to its destination and announced when it had reached its destination and the passenger got out of the car. 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:26.159 Same vehicle, different situation, different video. 00:01:26.480 --> 00:01:30.879 The video showed the car trying to drive into a lake. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:42.239 Now imagine what would happen if you were following that second car that's trying to drive into a lake. 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:53.519 You're trusting its ability to navigate correctly to take you to the destination, but in the end, all you do is get wet and lose your car. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:01:57.519 Some of us get that, right? 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:00.480 We've misread maps for you, younger people. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:04.079 It's one of those papers that gets really big and has lines on it. 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:10.000 We followed maps and ended up in the wrong place, right? 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:19.439 We followed GPS directions, and we've still arrived at the wrong destination. 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:27.599 The Apostle Paul warns us about a similar problem in our spiritual lives in the book of Philippians, chapter 3. 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:37.759 His words in our passage for this morning serve sort of as a spiritual GPS, guiding us along the correct path for our spiritual lives. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:42.400 He urges us here to follow godly examples. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:54.560 He urges us to guard our lives from worldly influences that will lead us astray and distract us, and to keep our eyes focused in the right direction on eternity. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:03:03.439 We're going to look here in Philippians chapter 3, beginning in verse 17, at the Apostle Paul's dual command to watch the right people. 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:09.280 We're going to see his heartfelt warning against watching the wrong ones. 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:15.919 And then his insights on our ultimate vision to stand firm until we see the Lord Jesus return. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:22.879 Would you look with me at Philippians chapter 3 if you have your own Bible or using the Bible in front of you or your device? 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:27.199 I'd like to read Philippians chapter 3, beginning in verse 17. 00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:30.159 We'll read all the way through chapter 4, verse 1. 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:33.120 I think our chapter division isn't the right place. 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:35.680 So we're going to read through verse 1 of chapter 4. 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:38.400 Again, Philippians 3, verse 17. 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:53.039 It says, brothers, and that's just a general term that means brothers and sisters together, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 00:03:53.919 --> 00:04:03.199 For many of whom I have told you often, and now tell you, even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:07.120 Their end is destruction. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:14.879 Their God is their belly, and they glory in their shame, whose minds are set on earthly things. 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:29.120 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:31.519 How will he do that? 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:36.319 By the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:47.279 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm thus in the Lord my beloved. 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:48.560 Amen. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:05:13.759 Because Christians live in a sinful world, but their true citizenship is in heaven, because of that contrast of situations, we must focus on godly examples to protect our hearts from the idolatry of earthly things and stand firm together until the Lord returns. 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:15.839 That's what he's talking about here. 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:24.319 Let's look at that a little more closely by noticing first the commands in verse 17 for proper focus. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:26.000 There are two commands. 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:28.800 Watch and imitate. 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:31.759 Or imitate and watch. 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:42.000 Join in imitating me and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:51.519 If you're interested at all in photography, you know that proper depth of field is crucial for the right shot. 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:58.639 Depth of field, for those of you who don't know photography, refers to having the right area in focus. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:11.759 Every family has been through a photo session where there's that one child, maybe it was you, there's that one child who won't cooperate, right? 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:20.480 Everyone is trying to look at the camera, everyone's trying to smile at the same moment that the shutter clicks. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:24.079 And you pay good money for that. 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:34.000 And then when you get the pictures returned to you, the only face that's in focus is of that one kid sticking out his tongue with his eyes closed. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:36.639 Everybody else is blurry. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:39.199 That's depth of field. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.199 It's having the right things in focus. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:50.560 The Apostle Paul wrote two commands to the Philippian church here in verse 17 about proper focus. 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:56.480 He says, be fellow imitators and keep watching. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:58.879 And those commands work together. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:01.199 They're kind of like two sides of the same coin. 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:04.560 The first one, he says, is to be imitators of Paul. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:08.160 Make your life a life of imitation. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:12.480 Pattern your life after the life of the apostle. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:13.759 Imitate him. 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:16.000 Now he's not being arrogant here. 00:07:16.160 --> 00:07:18.879 He's going beyond himself to point to Jesus. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:25.600 We need to remember what he said to a different church, to the church in Corinth and 1 Corinthians chapter 11, verse 1. 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:27.680 He says, be imitators of me. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:28.480 Why? 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:31.279 Because I imitate Jesus. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:41.600 The Apostle Paul's life, any person's life, is only worth imitating because they imitate Christ. 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:47.839 Paul's life has been shaped by Christ. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:52.959 And the word that he uses here for imitating is unique. 00:07:53.279 --> 00:08:00.160 It's very likely that he invented the word himself, combining the ideas of imitation and unity. 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:05.920 He's not just asking the Philippian church to do what he does, to imitate him. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:09.519 He's calling them to do it together. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:14.240 The church is to imitate Paul together. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:17.920 The whole church should imitate him. 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:38.559 And that echoes what we find back in chapter 1 and verse 27, where he said, Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I am there with you or am absent, I may hear that you are standing firm together in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:48.399 There's this element of doing things together, thinking together, walking together, that's all throughout the book of Philippians. 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:57.919 And interestingly, if you look down at chapter 4, verse 2 and 3, that we'll look at more closely next time, it applies to what follows after. 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:03.440 There are a couple of people in the church in Philippi who maybe aren't doing that so well. 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:09.120 Yodi and Syntici are not imitating Paul. 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:12.720 They're now at odds with each other. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:14.240 So that's the first command. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:14.960 Imitate. 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:16.000 Imitate together. 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:24.000 The second command is to watch, to focus, to keep your eyes on those who walk according to the same example. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:31.600 Look around you and see those who live out their faith like the Apostle Paul. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:34.240 And watch them. 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:37.360 Really watch them. 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:44.320 Don't be creepy watching, but pay attention. 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:48.960 Watching is integral to imitation. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:57.600 Imitation isn't just about using your ears and taking something in by hearing, it's about seeing and doing. 00:09:58.559 --> 00:10:01.120 Think about how you learned as a child. 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:05.759 A few kids learn well just by listening. 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:09.679 But generally, children learn better by watching. 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:15.440 We learn to tie our shoes by watching somebody else. 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:18.159 We learn to cook by watching. 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:25.919 I learned patience, perseverance, at least I think I did, and a strong work ethic by watching my dad. 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:33.679 You have learned more than you realize simply by paying attention to the people around you. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:37.759 And the same is true in your spiritual life. 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:44.000 Much of your spiritual life is an example of those you watch. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:53.120 And when you keep your eyes locked in on people who walk faithfully with Christ, you will soon begin to live like them. 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:56.559 It's like following a car on the highway. 00:10:57.200 --> 00:11:06.480 Have you ever noticed that when you're following behind somebody at the same speed, after a while you begin to notice that you're drifting in the lane just like they are? 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:10.879 That's the way it is in your spiritual life. 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:14.559 Others' movements become your movements. 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:20.080 This is why the Apostle Paul doesn't just say, imitate me. 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:24.720 He also says, keep watch on those who walk this way. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:38.799 Walking worthy of our calling requires a sustained, a continual, intentional, ongoing gaze at those who are following Christ well. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:46.639 And it's part of why being together is so critical to following Christ. 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:50.879 So take sto take stock. 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:55.039 Who are you watching? 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:58.080 What are you watching? 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:02.639 What what influences are you taking in? 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:05.360 Who is influencing you? 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:10.000 What fills your heart and mind on a on a routine basis? 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:25.600 How are social media, podcasts and news channels and television shows and the voices you invite into your home, how are they shaping and molding your desires and your direction in life? 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:32.960 Do those influences that come into your life point you toward Christ or away from Him? 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:41.600 Do they move you away from grumbling and questioning, as we saw in chapter 2, or toward greater trust in God's work? 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:46.639 These are challenging commands. 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:51.039 He says, imitate me and keep the right focus. 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:53.919 Make sure they're in the right location. 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:57.759 Now in verse 18, that shifts to a warning. 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:07.360 And that warning in verses 18 and 19 is not simply watch me and watch others like me, it's watch out who you watch. 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:13.600 Because who you watch can be very dangerous indeed. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:24.720 For many of whom I have often told you, and now tell you, even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:30.639 Their end is destruction, their God is their belly, and they glory in their shame. 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:34.399 Because their minds are set on earthly things. 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:38.240 Notice that Paul says this with tears. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:44.000 He isn't wagging his finger, accusing people. 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:48.000 He's not climbing up onto a personal soapbox. 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:56.559 Guys, this is this is this is a guy who's lost everything that is valuable in an earthly life. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.720 We saw that at the beginning of chapter 3. 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:00.320 He considers it all rubbish. 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:07.600 Paul's been beaten, he's been stoned, he's been left for dead, he's been shipwrecked. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:18.720 Now he's imprisoned for the sake of Christ, and here he is weeping over people who are headed for eternal destruction because they cling to the things that he's lost. 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:24.080 He's not arrogant or smug, he's grieving. 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:29.759 And he's grieving enemies of the cross. 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:40.639 He's grieving enemies of the cross because he knows their end, their road, will take them to destruction. 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:52.000 Their end is destruction because they find the satisfaction for life in the things of this world instead of the things of Christ. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:55.519 He says their God is their belly. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:59.279 They glory in their shame, their minds set on earthly things. 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:02.399 These may have been people in religious circles. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:08.240 Most likely it goes back to the beginning of chapter 3 and the people who are Judaizers. 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.919 Paul warned against them. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:17.519 They're people who claimed to be followers of Christ who looked like they were followers of Christ, but were not genuine believers. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:28.320 That group of people was devoted to themselves and to their appetites, not to the cross of Christ. 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:34.320 Now, this isn't merely an appetite for lunch or food. 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:37.919 It's any consuming desire. 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:44.159 Whether it's pleasure, whether it's comfort, whether it's success or status or power. 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:55.679 Following your own desires instead of Jesus means that your cravings may become your idols that you worship. 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:59.440 And Paul says, many live this way. 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:08.399 Their idols are earthly things that are going to fade away, that promise satisfaction, but deliver only emptiness. 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:22.080 It's heartbreaking to see lives destroyed by these kinds of worthless idols that promise the world but deliver nothing but ruin. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:40.639 Maybe you're aware, a few months ago, a top executive of a company was caught on national television with someone other than his wife, sacrificing his marriage and his career for something that he thought would bring happiness and fulfillment, but instead left him shattered. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:54.480 Social media influencers promote lives based on appearances while quietly leading their followers into anxiety and comparison and despair. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:17:09.200 Many in our world reject God's good design for men and women, exchanging it for empty promises that you can shape your sexuality however you want, only to end up confused, forlorn, and lost. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:12.319 These patterns are all around us. 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:20.079 Unless we think too highly of ourselves, we get caught up in them too. 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:26.319 Because we all have those idols that need to be crushed in our hearts. 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:33.119 Paul wept for these people because their idolatry showed that they were focused ultimately on the wrong things. 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:37.200 They were living on the broad road to destruction. 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:39.359 He's not judging. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:42.160 He's not making a judgment. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:57.839 It's a warning to those he cares about. 00:17:57.920 --> 00:18:10.799 It's a warning that danger isn't just out there in society or in our world, because the pull of idolatry, of success, and satisfaction and comfort is in our own hearts. 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:16.000 The apostle's warning here is a warning to us. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.720 Guard your heart. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:22.880 Be careful about who and what you follow. 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:31.839 Because the tempting road of self-gratification, of earthly ambition and unchecked desire leads to nothing but destruction. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:40.559 And it's problematic because the appeal of our idols is strong. 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:49.200 In the moment of temptation, it looks good, it smells good, it feels good, and it is the right thing. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:54.160 It can even be a true thing. 00:18:54.720 --> 00:19:01.839 For example, you might indulge in podcasts or YouTube channels that discuss honest things or biblical topics, even. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:17.119 But if those sources that you indulge in that you are following, if they lead you to grumble and question rather than remaining blameless and innocent, as chapter 2 taught us, then those might not be worth watching and following. 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:22.000 Demas is a biblical example of this. 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:27.759 Demas is a man who's mentioned in the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Colossae, giving them greetings. 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:31.519 Somehow Demas is a coworker with the Apostle Paul. 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:37.279 He's also mentioned in the book of Philemon positively, as though he's a coworker. 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:39.839 He's part of what's going on, of what God's doing. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:45.039 But in 2 Timothy chapter 4, the Apostle Paul gave Timothy a challenge. 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:46.799 He said, Come and see me soon. 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.440 Why? 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:53.759 Because Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me. 00:19:55.680 --> 00:20:03.279 Demas chose to satisfy himself instead of imitating Paul and finding his hope in Christ. 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:05.920 So there's this stark contrast. 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:24.079 We are to imitate and to watch those who imitate Paul by imitating Christ, we're to follow those who follow Christ, whose lives reflect Christ, and we're to avoid those whose lives are on the way to destruction through earthly joys. 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:30.480 We see how that plays out in verses 20 and 21. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:39.039 In his original letter, verse 20 begins with a sharp, emphatic contrast. 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:47.359 But our citizenship, not theirs, not those who are on the road to destruction, but our citizenship. 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:52.240 So this is a challenge then to focus on your citizenship. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:21:02.319 But our citizenship is not in the earthly satisfaction, not in earthly joys, but it's in heaven. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:05.039 That is, it's not here. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:14.559 And from it, from heaven, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.519 But our. 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:36.720 Unlike those whose minds are set on earthly things, whose God is their belly, whose glory is in shameful things, we, God's people, have our eyes set on a different horizon. 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:43.200 This is an incredibly pointed point. 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:59.759 Because the city of Philippi was a Roman colony filled with proud Roman citizens, including a large group of retired Roman soldiers loyal to Rome who enjoyed the privileges of Roman citizenship even while living far from their capital. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:07.839 The Apostle Paul takes that pride of citizenship and flips it on its head. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:13.039 He tells the Philippians, you also are far from your capital. 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:16.319 You belong to a heavenly kingdom. 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:19.119 This world is not your permanent home. 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:21.839 Rome is not your ultimate authority. 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:24.240 Caesar is not your true Lord. 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:35.519 You belong to another country ruled by the Lord of heaven and earth, before whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is the eternal God and he has the power to do that. 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:40.559 You will either do it by choice or by force, by faith or by compulsion. 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:53.839 Beloved, as the Apostle Paul calls us, beloved, you are an alien on earth if you belong to Christ. 00:22:56.319 --> 00:23:01.920 This is a call to live an alien life by pursuing Christ. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:08.559 And your citizenship changes how you live here and now. 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:20.720 Because people whose only hope is in this earthly life, they pursue satisfaction here and now in this life because this is all there is. 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:26.079 Yeah, live up life here and now if that's all you got. 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:30.720 But God's people know the truth. 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:38.880 We understand that this world, with all that it offers, isn't the end. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:43.119 In fact, it's merely a prelude. 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:48.559 It's a foreword, it's a preface, it's what comes before. 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:57.039 It's a shadow of the fullness of life that awaits when Christ returns and makes all things new. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:24:02.720 We're not chasing after earthly desires that demand satisfaction. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:08.079 Instead, instead, he says, we are awaiting a coming glory. 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:18.880 And the glory here is a person who will subdue everything to himself. 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:30.799 It's a glory that will make any kind of satisfaction in this life seem meaningless. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:42.079 The Apostle Paul says that Jesus will transform our humble bodies to be like his glorious body when he returns. 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:53.039 So the same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead, the power by which he subjects all things to himself, will change us. 00:24:55.039 --> 00:25:04.880 Physically, these bodies, these fragile, aging, broken, demanding bodies will be gloriously remade. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:09.200 Everything we've complained about in this life will be undone. 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:17.920 Because we will be like Jesus, and we will finally and fully realize our satisfaction. 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:30.160 So this is really a call to delay present satisfaction for what is far more glorious than you can imagine. 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:33.680 This isn't escapism. 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.359 You know what that is? 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:45.599 Escapism means that you dream about what could be so that you can psychologically escape the pains and the sorrows of the present. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:49.119 No, this isn't escapism. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:52.559 This is the most practical truth in the world. 00:25:53.359 --> 00:26:10.319 Because knowing that your true citizenship is in heaven and that Christ is returning and will make you like himself has the power to transform your daily life by reorienting your focus, and you can then begin living an alien life. 00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:14.960 So, yes, alien life exists. 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:21.200 It's you if you belong to Christ. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:31.519 So when you're tempted to satisfy yourself now, remember that your true home is with Christ. 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:39.119 Living as a citizen of heaven means seeing the world around you through an eternal perspective. 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:42.720 That kind of view changes your life. 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:55.279 And this section ends in chapter four, verse one, with a clear reminder to be steadfast and immovable. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:27:06.720 Is therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm thus, in this way. 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:10.400 This is how you stand firm in the Lord. 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:19.279 That word therefore links everything he said throughout chapter three into an urgent yet loving charge. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:25.359 Notice his language, brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, my beloved. 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:29.039 There's an attachment here, an emotional attachment. 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:32.559 And he says, stand firm, don't drift on the road. 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:35.359 Keep watching Christ and those who imitate him. 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:37.359 Maintain your focus. 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:49.519 So if we back up in chapter three from the beginning of chapter three onward, we see that standing firm means not trusting in the flesh. 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:58.400 Not relying on your pedigree, your performance, not relying on your religious resume. 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:10.640 Standing firm involves considering worldly values worth sacrificing just to know Christ. 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:16.720 Because he is the ultimate satisfying gain. 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:25.119 Satan uses the world all around us to offer us substitutes for Christ. 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:33.119 Substitutes that we think will satisfy, that we hope will satisfy, but that in the end will leave you lost. 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:41.359 Standing firm involves recognizing those substitutes for what they are and refusing to give in to them. 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:44.880 Refusing to allow them a foothold in our hearts. 00:28:45.119 --> 00:29:01.279 Standing firm means ultimately knowing Christ, not just knowing about him, but growing in an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus to truly know him, as verse 8 of chapter 3 says. 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:21.839 This is the relational, intimate knowledge that comes first through faith, through trust in him, and then grows over time through prayer, scripture, walking with him through years and through trials, keeping your eyes on those who imitate him. 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:28.000 Standing firm means pursuing Christ and His righteousness. 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:39.920 Trusting not in your own efforts, not trusting in your own goodness, but in the righteousness that comes from Christ through faith in him. 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:52.240 And standing firm means longing to be conformed to Christ instead of what the world offers to satisfy. 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:59.440 You know, strong trees survive storms because of deep roots, right? 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:02.400 And strong trunks. 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:15.759 They don't survive because the storm is weak, but because their roots and their trunk is strong and deep. 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:19.920 Standing firm in Christ means the same for you. 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:26.799 You've sent your roots down deep and strong, and you've grown by watching others and following Christ. 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:33.599 So Paul's call for collective imitation from verse 17 in chapter 3 comes up again here. 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:40.960 We're to observe other believers around us who imitate Christ and to do it together. 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:43.920 We stand firm together. 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:50.799 That means we support each other in resisting idolatry while watching for our Lord's return. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:55.599 Of course, we need to observe and imitate the right people. 00:30:57.279 --> 00:31:03.359 We must resist the temptation of satisfying our desires with the things of the world. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.960 And we do that together. 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:25.039 We must guard our hearts by mourning over the destruction that awaits those on the wrong path, rather than be drawn towards them by an attractive, apparent attractiveness and a satisfaction that is seemingly there and the comfort that they seem to have, but instead to look for the transformation that Christ brings. 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:34.160 We must keep our eyes fixed on our true home, our coming Savior, and his soon return, and our upcoming being made like him. 00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:48.720 And we must stand firm not in our own strength, not in our own resolve, but in Christ alone, deeply rooted in all that he is and all that he has done. 00:31:50.880 --> 00:32:00.400 Now maybe, maybe you recognize yourself not in the standing firm, but in the warning. 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:09.279 You know deep down, maybe you haven't been willing to admit it yet. 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:14.480 Maybe you you know deep down that you've been chasing the gods of self-satisfaction. 00:32:16.880 --> 00:32:28.240 Maybe you know deep down inside that you've been in the wrong lane, pursuing things that don't satisfy, that just leaves you with an emptiness. 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:35.519 Maybe you find yourself without joy and further and further from peace, longing for something true. 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:38.880 If that's you, my friend, hear this clearly. 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:42.000 Jesus calls you to switch lanes. 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:45.279 You're drifting behind the wrong car. 00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:48.960 You're on the road headed for destruction. 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:52.880 But Jesus offers you true satisfaction. 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:54.480 No, not today. 00:32:58.400 --> 00:33:03.119 Not even tomorrow, but fully and completely in eternity. 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:09.839 He calls you to put off your satisfaction today, but to find your satisfaction fully and completely in him. 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.880 By resting in him. 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:20.160 By finding your hope only in him. 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:26.960 And then he gives you strength to pursue satisfaction eternally in him. 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:35.359 Because he's the Lord who left heaven's glory, who died on the cross for your sin and rose to give you new life. 00:33:37.599 --> 00:33:41.519 He's the Savior for whom his people wait. 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:45.039 Trust in him. 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:49.359 Trust in him as your source of true life, eternal life. 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:51.440 Become a citizen of heaven today. 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:54.160 Set yourself on the right road. 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:57.519 And that's for all of us, right? 00:33:57.680 --> 00:34:01.119 All of us should evaluate what road we're on. 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:03.519 Are we listening to the right voices? 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:05.519 Are we watching the right people? 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:08.639 Are the right influences pouring into our lives? 00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:12.480 Are we replacing unhelpful ones with godly examples? 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:17.280 Are we embracing our eternal heavenly citizenship? 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:21.760 If so, let it reshape who you are. 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:33.679 How you spend your time, how you spend your money, how you set your ambitions, how you labor to know Christ personally and not just being filled with information about him. 00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:40.559 Watch others and send your roots deep. 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:44.239 Stand firm in his righteousness, not your own. 00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:47.199 And friends, invest in one another. 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:54.000 Watch for who is walking faithfully and watch them. 00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:57.840 Stand firm, beloved. 00:34:59.039 --> 00:35:02.559 He's coming, and he's worth it. 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:04.960 Could you pray with me? 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:08.960 Lord Jesus, we come and we bow before you. 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:16.239 Having heard your word, being challenged by it and maybe even convicted by it. 00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:24.800 Lord, I ask that your spirit would move among us to do what is necessary and right. 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:34.719 Lord, some might some might be seeing the light of Christ for the first time and yearning to trust in you. 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:45.679 Oh Father, draw them and be gracious to them and merciful so that they can see the value of Jesus. 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:49.039 Some of us might need conviction of sin. 00:35:50.000 --> 00:36:01.519 Conviction of being on the wrong road too often, jumping the ditch and going in the wrong direction, having the wrong focus, whatever image we want to put there, Lord, we we confess our sin to you. 00:36:03.840 --> 00:36:11.760 And we confess that too often we follow the wrong influences, pursuing temporary satisfaction. 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:16.639 Lord, remake us. 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:21.119 Give us clean hearts, pure hearts. 00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:26.480 Cleansed by the washing of the water with the word of God. 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:36.000 So we might see you with newness, newness, new eyes, and be drawn to be satisfied in you alone. 00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:42.960 For it's you who have paid the price for us. 00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.519 Amen. 00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:51.599 That concludes this sermon from Faith Evangelical Free Church. 00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:58.639 Our mission is to declare the Word of God and disciple believers into mature, devoted followers of Jesus. 00:36:58.880 --> 00:37:02.960 You can learn more by visiting our website at faithfree.com.