Title: Be Imitators, by keeping your eyes upon Jesus!
Text: Phil. 3:17-4:1
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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.
4:1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
When I first came to Peace, I had been feeling that the Lord was leading me into ministry. Things had changed at St. John where I had been worshiping and Pastor Moritz had taken a call to Illinois. I came looking for a church closer to my home but also looking for a church with a pastor that I could learn from. I thought, “If the Lord is calling me into ministry, I need to have a good example of what a good pastor is.”
Thankfully, Pastor Merrell was here and was that man to watch and follow.
The Apostle Paul writes:
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
This call of imitation from the Apostle Paul was a good word for the church in Philippi and for you and me as well. Look to those, he tells them, who have a life lived in the Spirit of Christ and keep your eyes on them. They are a good example for you and me and one that will make your walk with Christ better and more joyful.
Now you may think, who should I model myself after? Who would be a good example? Should I look to someone in the church who has the appearance of a faith life and model them? Well, I’m sure that there are a number of people here in church who would be good examples.
But Paul brings up a few things for the Philippians to consider:
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.
Boy, that’s hard to hear. Many people in the Philippian church have become, because of their walk, enemies of Christ. Not walking in the ways of the Lord.
We see and know this as well.
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
The question Paul, wants to know is why?
Why place your trust in things of this world and in things that will not endure when there is a gift in Christ that brings the joy of heaven and that reality to those who only deserve death and condemnation?
Matthew records in his gospel:
17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” Matt 20:17-19
Paul now reminds the Philippians and us:
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Their citizenship is in heaven. Why? - Because of Christ and His sacrifice, and the gift of faith in His all-sufficient death, for you.
Pastor Merrell was a great example, mentor and friend but he wasn’t Jesus. Sorry to break that bubble. He had his faults just like we all do. We at times disagreed but always the Love of Christ motivated our conversations, lives and service to the church. I am so thankful for him and his example as an under shepherd and Christian man.
But Paul here is calling those in the church to walk as imitators of him who is called by the Lord Himself to be Christ’s representative.
Now, Paul is speaking as he wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit so, his words are God’s words. In the same way, preaching today speaks forth God’s words to you in our day, so that you can hear from God and live out your faith according to God’s desires.
Now, what are those desires that God wishes for you and me? What is the work of God in the life of the believer? What is it that God wants for you and me and all whom the Lord our God will call to do?
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put [Jesus] to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26[Jesus] said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And [Jesus] said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
Luke 10:25-28
To Love God and our neighbor as ourselves or to return the love our God gives us back towards him and in service to those around us is what we are called to do.
Belief, faith and trust are gifts to you and me from our heavenly Father.
His confession, and the confession of all who trust in Christ, is made possible, not because of our will, but because of his will in us by the working of the Spirit of Christ in the life of the believer.
Because:
… our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body (after death) to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Christ will glorify those [in him] … just as He was glorified. So, Paul is making the appeal to them and to us, to stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Those who stand firm do so because:
We are Imitators of Christ by keeping our eyes upon Jesus!
Christ Jesus by His Spirit working in us makes us imitators of Him, though imperfectly. We fail and fall short, but by the Spirit of God working through the word we are being made into his image, being sanctified and being made Holy.
Christ, by His all sufficient sacrifice, has made peace with God for you and now will form you into His image by the Holy Spirit in you who points you to Christ and leads you through the word into Holy living.
Each day and each week as the ups and downs of life roll in upon you, God empowers you through word and sacrament to grow and act a bit more Christ like as we go through our daily lives, as godly people and imitators of Christ where we can have the fullness of his Spirit working in us.
Psalm 84:12 reminds us:
12 O LORD of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!
By the power of the Holy Spirit we who are his children trust in Him. God be praised for his glorious gifts to His children now and forever!
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit
Amen
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