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Imitate Me

Sunday, June 18, 2023
Pastor Jojo Ma

Weekly Bulletin | Worship Lyrics

Philippians 3:17-4:1

 

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.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you need to go hard after him, do everything you can in this life to know him, love him, trust him, obey him, and glorify him.

I.          Imitate the godly [v17]
II.        Reject the earthly [vv18-19]
III.       Await the heavenly [vv20-21]

I.         Imitate the godly [v17]
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Imitation is a biblical form of discipleship.

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

1 Cor 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

If you want to mature in the faith, you need examples, godly examples, spiritual mentors.

Look around this church. Who can you imitate? And can others imitate you?

II.        Reject the earthly [vv18-19]
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.

19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

True believers are to run the race and win the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ. We are not to run after the things of this world. We must go hard after Jesus, don’t go hard after the world.

19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

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.

III.      Await the heavenly [vv20-21]
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.

Heb 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.

C.S. Lewis: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

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.

“The resurrected believer will have a heavenly body that is incapable of deterioration, beautiful in form and appearance, and with limitless energy and perfect health.”

Phil 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.