STUDYING THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS #12

Phil. 3:15-21

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. This is the twelfth lesson in our series on the book of        
      Philippians.
      1. In this text, Paul gives exhortations, warnings, and        
         promises to the brethren in Philippi and to us as well.
   B. Again, we want to study our text verse by verse.

I. Phil. 3:15-18 - His appeal to the mature.
   A. Paul urged those who considered themselves spiritually mature  
      or full grown to realize that they needed to continue pressing 
      on toward the heavenly goal, even as he did.
   B. "Have this mind" - "Be thus minded" (KJV) - As was his mind in
      verses 13-14
      1. We need to set our hearts on Christ and the heavenly home
         as Paul did.
      2. We should not give undue attention to the things of this
         world.
   C. "God will reveal even this to you" - God will illuminate the   
      minds and correct the behavior of those who do not share his
      conviction.
      1. As we know, God has very few children (in relation to the
         large population) in this world today.
      2. God is willing and able to help those who are His. 1 Chron.
         16:9
   D. "Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained" -
      There are two possibilities here:
      1. The "degree already attained" refers to the early age of
         revelation.
      2. The "degree already attained" refers to the degree of their
         spiritual growth.
         a. Regarding both ideas, they should walk in accord with
            what they had already received or attained.
   E. "Let us walk by the same rule" - Here are some other           
      translations of Phil. 3:16b:
      1. "But we should continue following the truth we already
         have." (NCV)
      2. "Let us keep living by that same standard to which we have
         attainted." (NASV)
      3. "Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the
         same course." (NAB)
      4. Some ancient manuscripts leave out "Let us be of the same
         mind."
         a. Nevertheless, many other verses throughout the
            Scriptures have that same phrase.
         b. Thus, let us strive to be of the same mind - pursuing the
            same goal, minding the same things.

II. Phil. 3:17-19 - He warns against the ungodly.
   A. "Join in following my example" - Paul was able (because of his
      righteous life) to encourage his brethren, not only to listen  
      to him, but to imitate him as well.
   B. "Note" - "To watch and observe closely, as a watchman...as a
      noun, it is translated 'watchman'."
      1. The word "note" would be better translated "watch."
      2. Christians are to watch closely and follow carefully the
         examples of certain ones. 1 Cor. 11:1
      3. One young lady said with reference to proper dress, she
         looked at those older ladies whom she considered godly and
         mature Christians and wore clothing similar to their's.
   C. "As you have us for a pattern" - Today, we can still follow    
      Paul's example. Phil. 4:9
      1. Also, we should follow the example of other godly men and
         women today.
   D. Verse 18a
      1. Paul warned frequently and repeatedly. 
      2. He warned seriously, with moving persuasion.
   E. "Enemies of the cross" - The term "cross" is a figure of speech
      called "metonymy," that is, "a part is used for the whole."
      1. The cross tells human beings that they are unclean sinners, 
         so foul that the perfect One had to die. It sweeps away all 
         pride in human wisdom and knowledge. The cross says, "All   
         your own wisdom, morality, and ceremonialism doesn't impress
         God a bit. We must come to the cross in sincere recognition
         of our sins, and repent and obey Him.
   F. "Whose end is destruction" - They were going down the broad
      way which leads to destruction - eternal torment.
   G. "Their belly" - The word "belly" included all the physical
      appetites; thus, any person whose major interest is eating,
      drinking, or sex makes his belly his god.
   H. "Whose glory is in their shame" - They boast of things of which
      they should be ashamed. For example, some boast of committing
      fornication, how much alcohol they have consumed, or something
      they have stolen.
   I. "Who set their mind on earthly things." - They set their hearts
      and affections on earthly things. They love them, and their    
      time and attention is devoted to them.
      1. Christians must place "some" attention and concern on
         earthly things; otherwise, we won't eat.
      2. However, too much emphasis on earthly things leads us
         away from God.
         a. We should continue to seek the things above. Col. 3:1-2
         b. We should labor for the things which endure. John 6:27
         c. We should rest our hope fully on the grace that is to be
            brought to us when the Lord returns. 1 Pet. 1:13
      3. The idea that we must be so polite that we should never
         speak out against evil doers is not found in the Scriptures.
         a. Jesus Himself sharply exposed the Pharisees. Matt. 23
         b. Peter and Jude strongly warned of the ungodly. 2 Pet. 2;
            the book of Jude
         c. Notice the warnings of Paul in 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Tim. 1:19-
            20.
         d. Consider such O.T. prophets as Isaiah (Isa. 22:14ff),
            Jeremiah (Jer. 20:1-6) which speak against ungodly
            people.

III. Phil. 3:20-21 - The glory that awaits us.
   A. There is a heavenly city which keeps the names of its citizens 
      on its register.
      1. Our citizenship is not to be in heaven in the future; it's  
         there now. This world is not our home. We are only strangers
         and pilgrims here.
         a. We are citizens of heaven, where our head is, where our
            home is, and where we hope to go someday.
   B. "From which we also eagerly wait for the Savior" - We          
      anticipate His second coming from heaven when He will gather   
      all the citizens to Himself.
      1. We eagerly wait for His return. 2 Pet. 3:12; Titus 2:13;    
         Jude 21
   C. "Who will transform our lowly body" - Here, in this life, our
      bodies are subject to infections, allergies, sores,            
      disfigurement, heart attack, cancer, and death.
   D. "That it may be conformed to His glorious body" - There, in
      heaven, our bodies will be glorious, powerful, honorable,
      spiritual, and immortal.
      1. We will share in the nature of His exalted body.
      2. We shall be like Him. 1 John 3:2; Col. 3:4
   E. "According to the working by which He is able" - It will be    
      done easily, ably, and powerfully by Him.
   F. "To subdue all things to Himself" - For example, as He has done
      in the universe.
      1. It will be done by the exceeding greatness of His power.
         Eph. 1:19a
      2. It will be according to the working of His mighty power.
         Eph. 19:b

Concl.
   A. This text contains some of those "exceedingly great and        
      precious promises."
   B. See charts below.
      1. It is rather bleak, and sad in a way, as we think about our
         earthly existence - Chart: "Our Earthly Existence."
      2. Nevertheless, there is something exceedingly great that
         awaits the faithful - Chart: "Earthly...Heavenly."
      3. See chart: "Exceedingly Great and Precious Promises."
         a. In view of this, "What kind of people should we be?"

Chart #
OUR EARTHLY EXISTENCE

We were formed out of the dust of the ground.
We will live about seventy or eighty years and die.
Our bodies return to the dust from where they were taken. 

Chart #2
EARTHLY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .HEAVENLY

Lowly. . . . . . . . . . . . Glorious - Phil. 3:21
Corruption . . . . . . Incorruption - 1 Cor. 15:42
Dishonor . . . . . . . . . . .Glory - 1 Cor. 15:43
Weakness . . . . . . . . . . .Power - 1 Cor. 15:43
Natural body . . . . Spiritual body - 1 Cor. 15:44
Image of dust. . .Image of heavenly - 1 Cor. 15:49
Mortal . . . . . . . . .Immortality - 1 Cor. 15:53
Earthly house. . . .Building from God - 2 Cor. 5:1
Dissolves. . . . . . . . . . .Eternal - 2 Cor. 5:1
Mortality. . . . Swallowed up of life - 2 Cor. 5:4

Chart #3
EXCEEDINGLY GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES

An Inheritance that Never Fades
Everlasting Life
In the Lord's Presence Forever
A Beautiful Place
New Glorious Bodies to Dwell In which will Never Grow Old
                        
IN VIEW OF THESE PROMISES, WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE SHOULD WE BE?