1. Exposition of Philippians The Call to the Philippians to Stand Firm Phil 3:15 – 4:1

2. Outline of Philippians Prologue (1:1-11) – greeting and prayer. Prologue (1:1-11) – greeting and prayer. Paul’s Exhortation to the Philippians as His Partners in the Gospel (1:12 – 4:20) Paul’s Exhortation to the Philippians as His Partners in the Gospel (1:12 – 4:20) Paul's Personal Circumstances in Advancing the Gospel (1:12-26) Paul's Personal Circumstances in Advancing the Gospel (1:12-26) Paul's Exhortation to the Philippians to Walk Worthy of the Gospel (1:27 – 4:1) Paul's Exhortation to the Philippians to Walk Worthy of the Gospel (1:27 – 4:1) The Need to Contend as One (1:27-30) The Need to Contend as One (1:27-30) The Call to Unity (2:1-30) The Call to Unity (2:1-30) The Call to Steadfastness (3:1 – 4:1) The Call to Steadfastness (3:1 – 4:1) The Warning: Beware of Evil Workers (3:1-3) The Warning: Beware of Evil Workers (3:1-3) The Testimony of Paul's Experiences (3:4-14) The Testimony of Paul's Experiences (3:4-14) The Call to the Philippians to Stand Firm (3:15 – 4:1) The Call to the Philippians to Stand Firm (3:15 – 4:1)

3. Keep Living by the Same Standard (Phil 3:15-16) In v. 15, Paul is resuming his thought from vv. 1-3 and drawing upon his statements in vv. 12-14. In v. 15, Paul is resuming his thought from vv. 1-3 and drawing upon his statements in vv. 12-14. “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (vv. 13-14). “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (vv. 13-14). This is yet another call for a humility of mind that leads to proper behavior and promotes unity within the body. This is yet another call for a humility of mind that leads to proper behavior and promotes unity within the body. “As many as are mature” implies that some were not there yet. “As many as are mature” implies that some were not there yet. Each man is to examine himself and see if this is his attitude. Each man is to examine himself and see if this is his attitude. Paul is confident that those who think differently will eventually be shown by God of their need to conform to this way of thinking. Paul is confident that those who think differently will eventually be shown by God of their need to conform to this way of thinking. Paul wants to make his main point clear: “Only let us keep living by the same standard to which we have attained” (v. 16). Paul wants to make his main point clear: “Only let us keep living by the same standard to which we have attained” (v. 16).

4. Follow Good Examples... (Phil 3:17) “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (3:17). “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (3:17). These examples include Paul himself, but also others like Timothy and Epaphroditus. These examples include Paul himself, but also others like Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul’s concern is that the Philippians will take special notice of such people and follow those who continuously behave in such a way that their daily conduct embodies the essence of the Christian faith. Paul’s concern is that the Philippians will take special notice of such people and follow those who continuously behave in such a way that their daily conduct embodies the essence of the Christian faith.

5. ...Not the Example of Enemies of the Cross (Phil 3:18-19) Paul describes these false professors in this way: Paul describes these false professors in this way: “whose end is destruction” – describing their eternal destiny. “whose end is destruction” – describing their eternal destiny. “whose god is the belly” – describing their surrender to their physical appetites, resulting in gluttony and licentiousness. “whose god is the belly” – describing their surrender to their physical appetites, resulting in gluttony and licentiousness. “whose glory is in their shame” – they actually boasted in conduct of which they should have been ashamed. “whose glory is in their shame” – they actually boasted in conduct of which they should have been ashamed. “who set their mind on earthly things” – their thinking is set on the world and its values, not on Christ. “who set their mind on earthly things” – their thinking is set on the world and its values, not on Christ.

6. Our Citizenship and Expectation as Motivation (Phil 3:20 – 4:1) In contrast to those who set their minds on earthly things, Paul reminds the believers that “our citizenship is in heaven” (3:20)...our behavior should be in accord with our citizenship. In contrast to those who set their minds on earthly things, Paul reminds the believers that “our citizenship is in heaven” (3:20)...our behavior should be in accord with our citizenship. Heaven is where Christ is, and we wait for him to come the second time and deliver us from the coming wrath (cf. 1 Thess 1:10). Heaven is where Christ is, and we wait for him to come the second time and deliver us from the coming wrath (cf. 1 Thess 1:10). When He comes, Christ will exert the power He possesses to transform our bodies of humiliation into bodies that share His glory. When He comes, Christ will exert the power He possesses to transform our bodies of humiliation into bodies that share His glory. “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved” (4:1). “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved” (4:1).

7. Our Citizenship and Expectation as Motivation (Phil 3:20 – 4:1) “In light of their commonwealth being in heaven (in stark contrast to those whose orientation is earthly and bound up in values that are going to pass away) and their eager expectation of the Lord Jesus to come as Saviour and transform them so as to be like him, they must ‘therefore’ persevere” (O’Brien, NIGCT: Philippians, p. 474). “In light of their commonwealth being in heaven (in stark contrast to those whose orientation is earthly and bound up in values that are going to pass away) and their eager expectation of the Lord Jesus to come as Saviour and transform them so as to be like him, they must ‘therefore’ persevere” (O’Brien, NIGCT: Philippians, p. 474).

8. Implications from our Study Like Paul, we must forget what lies behind and press forward toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ. Like Paul, we must forget what lies behind and press forward toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ. We must be imitators of those who are faithfully following Christ, and not those who claim Christ but walk according to the ways of the world. We must be imitators of those who are faithfully following Christ, and not those who claim Christ but walk according to the ways of the world. We must be mindful of the commonwealth to which we belong as believers and live accordingly, in expectation of Christ’s return. We must be mindful of the commonwealth to which we belong as believers and live accordingly, in expectation of Christ’s return.

9. Next Time: Paul's Exhortations to the Philippians in their Various Circumstances Phil 4:2-9