The Pattern of Jesus - Philippians 3:17–4:1

There’s an old story about President Calvin Coolidge. The story goes that Coolidge was welcoming some folks from his hometown for dinner at the White House. These people had never attended such a formal dinner, and they were unsure of the etiquette, and so they decided to imitate the President at the dinner table. 

When coffee was served, they watched as the President poured his coffee into a saucer. So they did the same. Then the President poured some milk and sugar into the saucer. So they did that as well. They assumed that the President would sip the coffee from the saucer. But instead, he leaned over, put the saucer on the floor, and called his cat. 

If you’re going to imitate someone, you should make sure you understand their motives and intentions. In today’s passage, the apostle Paul is concerned about who the Philippian believers imitate. He wants them to glorify God in all things. In Romans 12 in the NT, Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, literally “Do not conform yourself to the pattern of this world” or “Do not fashion yourself after this world.” We all follow some pattern. We take our cues from somewhere. 

And this is important to understand, because we naturally fall into man-centered patterns of thinking and living. Sinful patterns. However, Jesus Christ, in order to save his people from their sins, came to earth, was born 100% human while remaining 100% God (as we read in the Nicene Creed earlier), and he lived a human life, and died a human death -- yet, in a completely God-centered manner. Those who are born again and would follow Jesus should follow His pattern.

But how can we guard ourselves from the man-centered pattern? How can we purposely avoid the sinful way of thinking and living? Paul highlights a few things we must do. They’re listed for you in the WG. Imitate the pattern of those who follow the pattern of Jesus, Reject the pattern of those who reject the pattern of Jesus, and Hope in the work of Him who founded the pattern of Jesus. 

Now, look again at verse [17], “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. Paul says something similar elsewhere, in 1 Corinthians 11: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” To follow the pattern of Jesus, find those who are already doing so. Paul’s aim was to walk in that pattern and to lead others in that way. That is the example he had previously set. 

That is the example that the shepherds of the church must set. By “us” he means “the leaders.” There was himself, Timothy and Ephaphroditus (whom he has mentioned already), but also, if you go back to the second line of this letter, he specifically addresses the elders and deacons of the Philippian church. Those leaders were to set the example. But the example was more than just good behavior, more than simply good moral conduct. The pattern to follow must be one of absolute surrender to the sovereign will of God in all things. Morality, yes, but morality born out of an embrace of God’s plans and purposes, whatever they may be. Total trust that results in uncommon faithfulness to God and willingness to set aside any attempt at personal glory in order to live for God’s glory. That is the pattern of Jesus, and anything else is opposed to Him. 

In the next verse, Paul talks about those who “walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” Those who harm the message of Jesus; those who set themselves against the cross. You see, the cross was the pinnacle of Jesus’ surrender to and trust in God’s will. There were false teachers around the church who opposed sound doctrine, and lived selfishly, and stood in opposition to the message of salvation by faith alone through grace.

“Enemies of the cross” could apply to multiple groups, but perhaps the most natural understanding here is that Paul is referring to a view he has already disputed in this letter. In Philippians, Paul does not preach adamantly against gross immorality as he does in other letters. He certainly does not permit any kind of immorality. But in this letter, he exposes those who were guilty of what we commonly call “legalism.” 

Generally speaking, legalism occurs when someone attempts to add additional requirements for salvation on top of the finished work of Jesus. There were people in Philippi urging new followers of Jesus to follow Old Covenant regulations that no longer apply. Repentance and faith alone were not good enough. The work of Jesus alone was not enough, so they said. Legalism is alive and well even today with many religious people in different forms. And for that reason, the term “religion” has gotten somewhat of a bad name.

Many years ago, the rock band R.E.M. had a number one hit with a song called “Losing My Religion.” Interestingly, the lead singer of the band has stated that the song is not about religion. The band is from the state of Georgia, and the song references this common Southern phrase used when a person is frustrated or desperate. They might exclaim, “I’m about to lose my religion!” or “You’re gonna make me lose my religion.” In other words, I’m so desperate, so frustrated or angry, that I’m about to behave like a religious person should not behave. 

The assumption is that religious people act right, non-religious people don’t. You’ve probably heard a statement something like this: “Christianity is not about religion, it’s about a relationship.” The intentions of someone saying are normally good. They want you to understand that being saved from sins is not achieved by religious acts. Rather, you need to know God in a personal way. Friendship with God is necessary.

But it is not earned through religious behavior; rather, it is received only by trusting in Jesus. That’s what the person saying “Christianity is not about religion” should mean. But that statement could be confusing because Christianity is concerned with things like morality, righteousness, and ethics, and because Christians do so many things religiously.

Take all the aspects of our Order of Worship today. We do these things repeatedly. Our belief as a church is that God has commanded us to do these things. We believe there is a clear Biblical warrant for all these aspects of the worship service. There’s clear evidence of each in the Bible. So we believe certain things and we do certain things religiously.

For a moment, put aside the negative connotation that the word “religion” might have in your mind, and consider that God has given us religion. In James 1, another letter to the NT churches, James writes, “If anyone thinks he is religious”, in other words, “thinks he is a genuine worshipper of God,” “and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” That person’s external worship and ceremonies are empty.

James does not say that all external worship and ceremonies are worthless. James takes issue with those who do religious things but whose hearts remain unchanged, those who hear the Word of God and say they believe it but don’t do what it says. And this is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, and it has to be, because people have not changed. 

God gave religion to the ancient Israelites, and he gives it to us today. But you must understand, if you would imitate the pattern of Jesus, that God gave his people religion in the context of relationship. Let me say that again: God gave his people religion in the context of relationship. And it is a certain kind of relationship -- a grace-based relationship. Let me explain.

In Exodus 20, in the OT, God begins to outline his laws for the Israelite. He gives the Israelites religion, beginning with his moral standards called the Ten Commandments. But let me read to you an excerpt from Exodus 19, one chapter earlier, just before God starts instructing them in their religion. 

Now, a little background, the Israelites had come to a mountain to hear from God. The Scripture says that Moses went up the mountain alone, and God said to him, “tell the people of Israel: [4] ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” Why did God save these people from slavery in Egypt? Well, because He made a covenant with their ancestor Abraham that he would do so. Why did God make that covenant? Grace. You see, before God outlines what they must do and not do, he affirms that he saved them from Egypt not because of things they did or didn’t do. He saved them because of His grace, of unmerited favor. 

This is reiterated later in the OT book of Deuteronomy, which repeats God’s law. In chapter 7 of that book, God says to the people, [7] It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, [8] but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers.” Make no mistake: the Israelites were saved by grace. 

And do you know why? Because that is the only way for humans to be saved! That is why some folks plead with their non-believing friends and say, “Listen, being a Christian is not about following religion. It’s about a relationship with God.” You cannot be saved by religion. You do not secure God’s love and approval through religion. 

However, religion is not worthless. Worthless religion is worthless. Empty, man-centered religion is worthless. God revealed to the Israelites how to honor him, to know and understand him -- God gave the Israelites religion in the context of a grace-based relationship with Him that He initiated. And simply put, when you divorce religion from the context of grace alone by faith alone you get legalism. 

Paul and the other sound leaders of the church understood that the religion of the one true God cannot be separated from personal relationship with Him. So they trusted only in Jesus. They boasted in nothing else but Jesus. To be on guard from a man-centered pattern of living, this is the pattern to imitate: complete surrender to the will of God for your salvation. Paul summed it up in 1 Corinthians 15. He says, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” Even the ability to obey comes by grace. Anything else is hostile to the cross. 

In what areas of your life do you need to surrender to the sovereign will of God. Where do you need to say, “Not my will but Yours be done, O God”? This is the pattern of Jesus, that Paul and the others followed, that any leader in the church must follow. Husbands, you must follow this pattern. Parents, you must surrender to God in all things. Children, this is the example to imitate and to set for those around you. Good morals and ethics, religious behavior, yes; but all in the context of God’s grace and love.

Now look again at verses 18 and 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. Again, this could refer to either religious or irreligious people. It describes both immoral and moral people. 

But think about it as it relates to those whose religion is worthless because it is severed from a God-centered relationship produced by faith through grace. Let me read you the rest of that Exodus 19 quote: God says, “I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. [5] Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples.” We cannot diminish the importance of obeying God, of following Jesus, of walking in his pattern. We cannot underestimate the importance of how we live and the example we follow.

But understand: if you promote doing religious things in such a way that you add to what people think they must do to be accepted by God, Paul says you stand as an enemy of the cross. If you’re not for Jesus alone, you are against Jesus. If you put a burden on people, and set up hoops they must jump through to get or keep the favor of God, you do not understand Jesus. 

In the Philippian church, there were people (former Jews) who were posturing like they were more spiritual, more holy, and more loved by God because they had done various rituals that originated in the book of Exodus, which I read earlier. These were not people attempting to drag the Philippian believers into sin. They were attempting to drag these dear people into worthless, empty religion. They wanted the men to be circumcised, to receive the sign of the covenant 

God made with Abraham. But Paul tells the churches in another of his letters, one addressed to the church in the city of Galatia, this: “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” 

We must reject any other pattern of thinking and living, because notice Paul’s description of people who promoted worthless religion. Verse [19] Their end is destruction, their god is their belly (in other words, their appetite), and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”  Their end is eternal ruin in hell, enduring the everlasting wrath of God against sin. 

It’s interesting that Paul says their god is their belly. You think of an appetite for sin.

That could refer to many different things, but it is true that people engrossed in legalism always have some kind of “pet sin” that they overlook in their lives. They give themselves a pass because they are otherwise so spiritual, or so they think. And as a result, the things they hold up as their “glory,” the things for which they believe they deserve honor and praise, are things they should be ashamed of. 

Now, should we be ashamed of the religious things we do out of obedience to God? No. But we should be ashamed when we divorce them from a grace-based relationship with God and do them in an empty, self-serving manner. We should be ashamed if we think we are putting God in position to owe us something. If that’s your reason for doing these things, well then your religion is worthless.

If you’re here today simply because you think your kids need religion or your grandkids need it, you should beware. If you don’t see your need for God’s grace, you are deceived if you think that your future is eternal life with God. But if you trust in Jesus alone, if you repent - if you turn from your sin and to Jesus, you can have the assurance of an eternal future with God. 

Notice these last verses: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Christ will return to earth on the day of Judgment and gather His people. Verse [21], Jesus, “will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Jesus will free us finally from the power and effects of sin.

And look at what Paul says next. “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. “Thus” or “in this way.” Stand firm in what way? In the way of Jesus, following the pattern of Jesus, who entrusted himself fully to God the Father, who surrendered completely. Stand firm in the way of Jesus. Our hope must be in the One who founded the pattern. In the Lord Jesus himself. 

This was Paul’s primary beef with these false teachers. They took the glory and the focus from Jesus. If we lose sight of him, we lose sight of the relationship with God which only Jesus could secure. And then we won’t stand firm.

Our closing song this morning was inspired by the words of Psalm 103 in the OT. King David wrote the psalm with God’s covenant in mind, with God’s grace in mind. He wrote it, no doubt, with God’s redemption in mind. He wrote, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sin, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Who do you imitate? Imitate him who lived, died, and rose to save you. 

Let’s pray.