Following The Pattern of the Gospel

In Philippians 3:17-21, Paul talks about two groups of people.

In verses 17-18 Paul identifies the two groups.

Philippians 3:17-18

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross.

The first group are those who live life according to the pattern of the gospel.

The second group are those who live as enemies of the cross.

In verse 19 Paul describes those who live as enemies of the cross.

Philippians 3:19

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

First, their destiny is destruction. They live lives that are wasted and will lead to death. These are people who live based on the values of a fallen culture and at the end, their lives have been wasted and they will experience spiritual death and thus separation from the source of all life – Jesus.

Second, their god is their stomach. They live to fulfill their physical appetites. They focus their lives on pleasure. It is all about comfort and luxury with these guys.

Third, their glory is their shame. They live being proud about things that should cause them to feel shame. They live to please themselves, not to honor God.

Their mind is on earthly things. They live focused on the things that are earthly and temporary.

Colossians 3:2 says that we are to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.

These are people who have no desire for God in their lives and find the message of the cross foolish. They want nothing to do with God.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is knowing that not everyone will agree with you, and living based on the truth no matter what the circumstances or what others think.

In verses 20-21 Paul gives the characteristics of those who live according to the pattern of the Gospel.

Philippians 3:20-21

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.

First, their names are on heaven’s books. They are citizens of heaven. Their names are once-for-all written and will never be removed from the book of life.

Second, they speak heaven’s language. They speak the truth, they live the truth, and they do both in love.

In Ephesians 4:15 we are told to speak the truth in love. Truth without love is harsh. Love without truth is wimpy.

Third, they obey heaven’s law. This is not tied to getting salvation by works or by following the law. It is loving God and loving others, not to earn salvation but because you are saved.

Paul is referring to what James calls the royal law. In James 2:8, the royal law says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Fourth, they are loyal to heaven’s cause. They have as their mission to:

Know Jesus

Love Jesus

Serve Jesus

Share Jesus

Life for them is Jesus, not self.

Fifth, they are looking for heaven’s Lord. They are looking for and desiring Jesus’ return. They don’t know when Jesus will return, but they know He will return and they are eager for it.

We are to live anticipating Jesus’ return any day.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is knowing and living based on the truth that this earth is not our home.

Paul is talking about living in an intimate relationship with Jesus in the present and looking forward to what He will do in the future.

As we enter a new year I pray that you will experience the newness of Jesus everyday of 2017.

In the newness of Jesus, Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

Joe