The Sunday School Lesson

PHIL. 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Je'sus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2 I beseech Eu-o'di-as, and beseech Syn'ty-che, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clem'ent also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Je'sus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

HEART OF THE LESSON

The Christian faces a wide variety of influences Some of these influences come from the secular realm many come from within the church itself, It is important to make the right distinctions about which influences are beneficial and which ones are negative.

1. The pattern and example of Paul (Phil. 3:17-19). Paul advised the Philippians to observe his own example of the Christian walk He presented himself as the standard to follow. In addition those who walked as he did were to be regarded as examples and were to be so noted.

The reason Christians need proper examples and patterns is that counterfeits are active. These impersonators are actually enemies of Christ and the gospel Paul wrote that they were enemies of the cross. This may mean that they were opposed to the idea that Christ's death was the sufficient means of salvation.

Such false teachers were more concerned with the physical aspects of life and were destined for God's judgment.

2. The believer's citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3-.20- 4:1). In contrast to the false teachers who concentrated on this life, Paul reminded his leaders that the Christians true home is in heaven. The present life is only a pilgrimage. Our focus is to be on Christ, and our attitude is to be one of expectation as we await His return.

At Christ's return, the believer's body will be transformed, adding further reason to be less concerned with the pleasures of this life Christ will bring all things under subjection to Himself at that time.

Armed with such truth, the believer is enabled to stand fast.

3. The right temperament and spirit (Phil, 4:2-7) In addressing specific individuals in the church at Philippi, Paul offered several clues concerning proper Christian behavior, He first instructed two women, who were in apparent disagreement, to be of the same mind. They were to settle their differences by focusing on Christ's example.

Paul next emphasized that it was important to constantly rejoice in the Lord. Christ is both the source and the purpose of rejoicing.

Paul wrote that the believer by his actions needs to express God's gentleness, or goodness, to the last. This is a behavior that many will notice. The Christian can afford to be gentle toward others because the Lord's return is near.

Paul finally advised that the Christian is to face problems or difficulties with prayer and supplication rather than with worry and anxiety, Worry is a passive activity that is caused by problems. It reflects weakness and helplessness. Prayer, on the other hand, is a positive action that can be used in response to difficulties.

When the Christian takes control of difficulties by praying, the result will be that the peace of Christ will replace the anxiety.

4. Concentrate on the right things (Phil. 4:8-9). Paul closed his letter with an exhortation for his readers to focus their attention~tion and time on those things that build up and improve the Christian. Right thinking and proper living involve action and discernment.

Again Paul offered himself as a standard advising that the Philippians would be blessed if they followed what he both taught and demonstrated in his life.

QUESTIONS

1. What do we know about the believer's resurrection body?

2. What is a major theme of the book of Philippians? What words indicate this?

3. What basic instructions did Paul give concerning prayer?

4. How does the peace of God pass all understanding?

5. How can Philippians 4:8 be helpful in determining a course of action?

(Reprinted by permission of The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society and Union Gospel Press, P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101)