When I follow Christ, follow me.

Steve Brown:
When I follow Christ, follow me. Let’s talk about it, on Key Life.

Matthew Porter:
Welcome to Key Life. I’m Matthew, executive producer of the program. Our host is Steve Brown. He’s an author and seminary professor who teaches that God’s amazing grace is the key to a life of radical freedom, infectious joy, and surprising faithfulness to Christ.

Steve Brown:
Thank you Matthew. I hope you guys had a great week-end and I hope your pastor’s sermon was as good as my pastor’s sermon. If you’re just joining us, we’re looking at the Book of Philippians. We’ve been here for a very long time. As I say often and mean often, I’m your tour director. I’ve spent a lot of time in this book. I’ve been there and I’ve done that. And as we go along, I’m pointing out some of the interesting sites, the texts, in this Book of Philippians. And we’re up to the third chapter of Philippians, and today, and maybe tomorrow, we’re going to look at verse 17 through the fourth chapter and the first verse. We’ll read that in a minute, but that’s our practice on Mondays, to pray before we study, so let’s do that. Father, we come into your presence, and here we’re reminded of your love. Our sin isn’t the thing that causes us to fall apart and walk through the darkness of where we’ve been or even where we are. Our sin reminds us of you and the finished and sufficient blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Father, you never left, you always forgave, and the invitation into the throne room of the universe is always open. And we’re glad we’re here. Father, you know everybody who’s listening to this broadcast. For some, it’s a hard time. For others, it’s okay. You’re in charge of both. Teach us to run to you, to remember that you’re the sovereign Creator, Ruler, and Sustainer of everything we see, and everything we touch, and everything we experience, and everything that is. And we can trust you because you’re good all the time. As always, Father, we pray for the one who teaches on this broadcast. Forgive him his sins, because they are many, we would see Jesus and him only. And we pray in Jesus’ Name. All right, if you have your Bible, open it to the third chapter of Philippians. And we’re going to start at the 17th verse and I will go through the first verse of the fourth chapter. Now, I’m not going to spend much time on this because frankly, the text that follows that is I can hardly wait to get to, but there’s some things I want to point out to you as we go through these verses, this is what Paul writes.

Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who live as you have an example in us. For many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Okay, well let’s spend some time in this particular text. And the first thing I want you to see is the neurotic way we interpret Scripture. And I say we, because I do it all the time, too. As soon as Paul says something like he says here, I think I’ve got to stop and be nicer. I’ve got to be more obedient. I’ve got to reach Jesus and live the victorious Christian life. I’ve got to be an example to the world. I want you to know that that’s not what Paul is talking about here. He has just said he’s not made it his own, and throughout his writings, he is constantly referring to sinners like him, even confessing his own particular sins. And so, when you read this particular passage.

Follow me, as I follow Christ.

He’s not talking about what you might think he’s talking about. He is talking about not leaving. Someday I’m going to write a book on marriage. I’ve had publishers ask me to do that. And I, you know, we’ve been married, my wife and I for 50, 60 years. And I guess we’re not going to give it up, but you never know. Did you hear about that old couple that went before the lawyer, they were in their 90s, and they wanted to get a divorce? And he said, a divorce? Are you crazy? You’ve got eight children, you’ve got 22 grandchildren, and you’ve got 15 great grandchildren. Why are you wanting a divorce? And they said in unison, enough is enough. And you know, you never know. I don’t think so. But Anna may say to me, enough is enough. And so, I don’t want to have a book on marriage out and have to explain that. And I won’t have to, but I just don’t write on marriage. But if I did, it would be a short book. It would only have two words, and that’s it. It would be the shortest book in the history of Christendom. And it, the two words would be, don’t leave. Well, maybe three words. Just don’t leave. Now, I understand things are complicated. I understand that sometimes, and so does God, Deuteronomy, Paul recognized it, and Jesus recognized it, and Moses recognized it. Sometimes things are complicated, and it’s just not going to work. The main rule for Christianity, for marriage, for friendships, for churches, for anything that a Christian is involved in is don’t leave. And what Paul is talking about here are people who have left, who have turned away, who no longer find themselves hanging out with God’s people, no longer even making an effort to follow Christ. And Paul says that he thinks of them with tears. Now, we’re going to turn to the tears in just a moment, but I want you to make sure that you understand that you don’t interpret this passage in the wrong way. Cause we’re all struggling, it’s complicated for all of us. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, sometimes we’re the bug, and sometimes we’re the windshield. And that’s the way the world works. And when you fail, don’t put yourself in Ephesians 3:17. If you’re doing the best you can and you still blow it, don’t put yourself in Philippians 3:17. If you really do something about which you’re ashamed, don’t put yourself in Philippians 3:17. Because this is not about perfection, it is about not leaving, and being authentic, and being real. And then, I want you to note what Paul said about these who had left. He said.

I mentioned them to you with tears.

Have you ever cried over the leaving of some? I remember when I was a pastor, a young lady came into my office and she said, Steve, I don’t want you to say a thing, but I’m leaving. And I’m leaving my husband and I’m leaving everything else. I’m just leaving. And I know I’m doing wrong, but I don’t care. I’m leaving. And she left. I tried to call her, but her phone line had been taken away. I tried to look for her, but I couldn’t find her. She just left. And you said, well, what do you do? I cried, that’s what I did. The hardest thing about being a pastor, and it ought to be the hardest thing about being a Christian, is when friends slip into the darkness and we don’t know where they’ve gone. Paul Stuckey used to sing and I heard him in concert, sing the song, how can I keep from singing?

When friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing? When friends still walk it, when they’re still faithful, when they haven’t left, when they’re still reaching out to Christ. How can I keep from singing?

You think about that. Amen.

Matthew Porter:
Thanks Steve. That was Steve Brown. And today we dove back into our study of Philippians moving ahead to chapter 3:17 through 4:1. More to unpack tomorrow Hope you will join us for that. So, if you’re a regular listener to this program Key Life, you know that Steve makes some provocative statements. Well, provocative, yes, but all backed up by Orthodox Bible teaching. But one of his book titles, it just sent some folks up the wall, Three Free Sins. But here’s the thing, if you’re a Christian, it’s not just three sins, but all your sins that are free. Why? Because Jesus already paid the freight. If you’re frustrated with a religion that’s simply a failed sin management program, you are going to love the booklet we created based on that book. Claim your copy now by calling us at 1-800-KEY-LIFE that’s 1-800-539-5433. You can also e-mail [email protected] to ask for that booklet. Or to mail your request, go to keylife.org/contact to find our mailing addresses. Again, just ask for your free copy of the booklet called Three Free Sins. And one last thing, if you’re blessed by the work of Key Life, would you help share that blessing with others through your giving? Just charge a gift on your credit card or include a gift in your envelope. Or you can give by text, just pick up your phone and text Key Life to 28950 and then follow the instructions. Key Life is a member of ECFA in the States and CCCC in Canada. And Key Life is a listener supported production of Key Life Network.