Bible Passage: Philippians 3:17-4.1
Pastor: Joel Jenswold
Sermon Date: March 16, 2025

Bulletin March 16, 2025

In the name of, and to the eternal glory of, Jesus,

We have before us today in our text a study of contrasts.  A sharper contrast can scarcely be imagined.  It is the contrast the Lord God first mentions in the Garden of Eden after the Fall into sin.  He spoke already then of the “seed of the woman” and the “seed of the devil.”  It is the contrast between children of light, and those who walk in darkness.  It is the contrast Jesus spoke of when he spoke of those who are “with” him and those who are “against” him.  In our text today Paul speaks about the contrast between those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ and those who don’t.

Paul describes those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ as those who really live only for the “here and now.”  In contrast, those who love Christ and his cross – YOU – are described as those, we might say, who live for something different.  We might be described as those who are Living for the “There and Then” not the “Here and Now.” 

Let’s examine those who live only for the “here and now.”  Paul writes, To be sure, many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. (v. 18)  This was no small thing to Paul!  It tore him up!  He adds.  I told you about them often, and now I am saying it while weeping. (v. 18)  It breaks Paul’s heart to see many walking about whose morality is completely at odds with the Gospel.  Lives lived proudly doing those things for which Jesus Christ went to the cross.  Lives committing sin, enjoying sin, defending sin, approving when others sin.  Not repenting of sin.

Paul further describes the enemies of the cross this way:  Their end is destruction. (v. 19)  Perhaps this is what makes Paul cry.  To live as an enemy of the cross does not end well.  Paul would write to the Galatians, Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction (Galatians 6:8).  “Destruction.”  Death.  Finally, an eternity in hell.  And all to please their flesh.

[T]heir god is their appetite. (v. 19)  Their flesh has become their god.  Literally, Paul says their god is their “belly” or “stomach.”  They will do anything to satisfy their physical cravings.  Whatever the craving may be.  If it feels good, do it!  If it brings pleasure, do it!  Even if the pleasure lasts but a moment, do it anyway!  Then just do it some more!

Paul says, [T]heir glory is in their shame. (v. 19)  What a damning indictment of how far humanity has fallen and how deep the corruption of our nature!  The very things we ought to be ashamed of, the things that ought to make us blush, the very things we ought to want to hide, these things humanity puts on display and celebrates with parades and postings on social media!

In the end, Paul says it is a life that is consumed in the “here and now.”  They are thinking only about earthly things. (v. 19)  How sad!  To be so devoted to my belly-idol, to be so deceived by Satan’s lies, that one never gives a thought that there is an eternity in the balance.  Maybe their thoughts go there on some sleepless nights, but the sun will come up in the morning, and there will again be plenty of earthly distractions to take the mind off of it.

It is here that Paul draws the line.  Paul is not writing to enemies of the cross of Christ.  But to those who love and cherish the cross!  We love the cross because it has changed our entire and eternal future!  Through Jesus and his cross, our end is NOT destruction!  Through Jesus’ death on the cross we have forgiveness for all those times we have lived for the pleasure of the moment, all the times we worshiped and served the god of our belly, all the times we gloried in what is shameful.  Because of Jesus’ cross, we are forgiven!  We are going to heaven.  Even now we are citizens there.  Paul writes, But our citizenship is in heaven. (v. 20)  Immediately Paul directs our attention away from “here” to “there!”  From earth to heaven.  Even now we become patriots and patriotic for that sweet and blessed country!

Paul goes on.  We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (v. 20)  “From there!”  Again, Paul directs us from “here” to “there.”  And he directs us to a blessed “then,” not “now.”  He reminds us that Jesus is coming!  How can our lives be boring and mundane when at any moment Jesus may return!  What could be more exciting?  And “then”!  Listen to what happens “then.”  By the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, he will transform our humble bodies to be like his glorious body. (v. 21)  Look at the contrast Paul has placed before us.  On the one hand there are people who make their belly their god and “glorify” themselves with shame.  And on the other hand, there is YOU.  You have a Savior God who is going to transform your inglorious body – your belly and all the other parts – so that it is like his own glorious resurrection-body!  That is the “then” we are waiting for.

So what about the “now” for us?  Paul gives us some encouragement for the “now.”  Brothers, join others in imitating me and paying attention to those who are walking according to the pattern we gave you. (v. 17)  “Imitate me”?  Is Paul being arrogant?  Not at all.  He wrote to the Corinthians:  Be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)  Paul is saying, “Act like a Christian!”  Sometimes it helps to see what it looks like in a fellow-Christian.  Do you have any Christian examples you have tried to follow?  Godly grandparents?  Christian parents?  Kids, don’t look on Tik Tok for your role models.  Don’t “death scroll” social media pages to see what you should be like.  Look at the Christians in your life and you will find better examples.

Paul concludes by saying, …in this way keep standing firm in the Lord, my dear friends.  (4:1)  “In this way.”  Trusting in Christ, eagerly awaiting Christ, even imitating Christ.  Living for the “there and then” and not the “here and now.”

Amen.