Philippians 3:17

Philippians 3:17

Brethren, be followers together of me

Incentives to a Christian walk

I.

Copy great examples.

II. Beware of false professors.

1. They mind earthly things.

2. Are enemies of Christ.

3. Their end is destruction.

III. Look to the end.

1. Your home is in heaven.

2. Christ comes to fetch you.

3. Will fashion you for it. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

Christian example

Together with the rules of religion we must propound God’s graces in us as examples for others to imitate.

I. Imitation implies four things.

1. A doing that which another doth.

2. A doing it in the same manner.

3. A doing thereof grounded on the same affections, not as in a play where the king is often a varlet; but as a child who endeavours to imitate the father in mind as well as body.

4. A doing with an earnest desire to be like Him: so we should desire to be like Christ, and only like others as they are like Him.

II. Hence we may gather the ground why we have not only rules in scripture but examples.

1. They show that the things commanded are possible.

2. They show us the way and the means more plainly.

3. They show how graceful and acceptable they are when done. So the Scripture allures to obedience.

III. Uses.

1. We ought to follow others, and especially those who are above others. Then--

(1) Reverence not only the eye of God, but of weak Christians. We are to be careful not to give them a bad example.

(2) Deny yourselves in liberties, especially when we are in the presence of such as wilt take scandal.

(3) Demean yourselves so as to respect those with whom you converse. Grace will teach us to honour the meanest.

2. If we are bound to give good example then woe to the world for offences. What shall become of those who wound and vex continually the hearts of those with whom they converse.

3. As we must give good example so we must endeavour to take good from other’s example; and to this end--

(1) We must study them.

(2) Not to uncover their shame or weakness, for this is a poisonous disposition; but as we use glasses to see ourselves by.

(3) We are to observe the best and not those who are inferior to us (1 Corinthians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 10:12).

(4) We must learn truth before we practise, for the best have their blemishes.

(5) We must labour to have hearts softened and sanctified by grace, for a stony heart will receive no impression.

(6) We are to look to every one that hath any good thing worthy of imitation, as those who delight in gardens when they hear of any choice flowers, will have a slip for their own garden. When we see any choice flower of grace let us get a slip of it (Romans 1:12). (R. Sibbes, D. D.)

Example is living instruction

Embodied virtue or vice cannot but be attended with the consequences of a wide-spreading influence. In the example of St. Paul here before us we see--

I. As utter rejection of any righteousness of his own as a plea of justification.

II. A cordial acceptance of the redeemer.

III. An unremitting pursuit after that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Conclusion: The nobility of the Christian calling.

1. The superiority of its enjoyments. (W. Higgin, M. A.)

A minister’s example

Should--

I. Consist with his teaching.

II. Be formed on the apostolic modeL.

III. Be observed and imitated as far as it accords with the truth. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

The duty of imitating good examples

The apostle persuades the Philippians to agree in the imitation of his practice in forsaking all for Christ. There were differences among them. He would have them agree in one common rule, hope, example, that they might avoid those whose walking was not a pattern (verse 18). The lesson is also enforced in 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; Hebrews 13:7.

I. There are several sorts of examples.

1. That of saints living in former ages and now.

(1) Those in former ages (Hebrews 6:12; Hebrews 12:1; James 5:10). These should be regarded by us because--

(a) They are so many and various, suited to all, and for all Christian ends. The prince in Josiah and Hezekiah; the councilor in Hushai; the rich in Abraham; the poor in the Shunamite; the courtier in the Ethiopian eunuch; the captive in Daniel; the afflicted in Job; the banished in Joseph; the soldier in Cornelius; women in Sarah (1 Peter 3:6); magistrates in Moses and Nehemiah; ministers in the apostles. And then of all graces: Abraham for faith, David for devotion, Job for patience, Paul for diligence.

(b) These show that there is nothing impossible in our duty. Difficulties have been overcome in Divine strength and can still be. They were of the same nature, etc., with us (James 5:17).

(c) Their examples are a standing testimony to confirm by experience the truth and reality of our blessed hopes (Hebrews 12:1), and thus serve to confirm our faith and excite our hope and love.

(2) Those now living; for God has left us a continual succession of good examples, and these add this above all that are past.

(a) That they are in our eye.

(b) There is greater provocation in the examples of the living (2 Corinthians 9:2; Hebrews 10:24).

(c) These are yet in the way and can better help us as being within our reach (Hebrews 13:3; 1 Peter 5:9).

2. That of pastors and ordinary Christians (1Pe 5:3; 1 Corinthians 4:15-16; Hebrews 13:7).

II. What is this imitation.

1. There must be an action. To imitate is not to commemorate, or admire and commend, but to do likewise (John 8:39).

2. A conformity to the example both for matter and manner (Luke 1:17) with the same affection of zeal and courage against sin.

3. A purpose and endeavour of imitating and not by accident. Christ must be imitated principally, and then His choice servants.

III. How far we must imitate.

1. Not in evil things; for the best have their blemishes

2. Not in exempted cases or things done by special command (Genesis 22:10; Exodus 12:35; Num 25:27; 2 Kings 1:10) or infallible gifts.

IV. Why we must imitate the good examples set before us.

1. Because it is a great part of the communion of saints to profit by one another’s graces (Romans 1:12).

2. It is one end of these graces; for God hath bestowed them, not only for their benefit who have them, but also for the sake of others (chap. 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:7).

3. They show us the way to heaven more clearly and compendiously (1 Peter 3:1).

4. In the example of others we have encouragement as well as instruction (1Pe 5:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 6:12).

V. Uses.

1. To show us that good examples

(1) must be given,

(a) Consider what regard we owe to weak Christians that we set them not an ill copy.

(b) We shall have to give an account of those sins into which we draw others. Jeroboam’s idolatry outlived him, and so a man may sin after he is dead (1 Timothy 5:22).

(c) God is severe on His scandalous children (1 Samuel 12:14; 2 Samuel 12:10-12).

(d) God’s people are to show forth His praises (1 Peter 2:9; Isaiah 43:10).

(e) It is a greater honour to be than to take an example (1 Thessalonians 1:7; Ephesians 1:12).

(2) Must be taken.

(a) It is a shame to come short of those who are upon the same level with us.

(b) There are none but may learn something from others.

(c) We are accountable for good examples as for other helps and means of grace.

2. To show us how cautious we should be not to be infected by bad examples.

VI. Heroes to make us exemplary.

1. Love to God or zeal for His glory (Psalms 119:165).

2. Love to the brethren’s souls (1 John 2:10).

3. A sincere seriousness in our profession (Philippians 1:10).

4. Watchfulness (2Co 6:3; 1 Corinthians 10:32; Luke 17:3).

5. Mortification (Matthew 5:9).

6. A heart in heaven. (T. Manton, D. D.)

Example is powerful

Dr. Percy called upon Johnson to take him to Goldsmith’s lodgings; he found Johnson arrayed with unusual care in a new suit of clothes, a new hat, and a well-powdered wig, and could not but notice his uncommon spruceness. “Why, sir,” replied Johnson, “I hear that Goldsmith, who is a very great sloven, justifies his disregard of cleanliness and decency by quoting my practice, and I am desirous this night to show him a better example.” (Washington Irving.)

Whilst stationed in Scotland, Colonel Durnford happened to be between Berwick and Holy Island, where a small craft had struck on the coast during a storm. Seeing the hesitation of the fishermen to go to the rescue, he jumped into a boat, calling out, “Will none of you come with me? If not, I shall go alone;” and a volunteer crew at once joined him, and succeeded in rescuing those in peril. (Literary World.)

“Don’t you ever take wine?” said a hospitable, easy-souled bishop to a friend, before whom he pushed the Madeira. “Are you afraid of it?” “No,” replied his wiser friend; “I am afraid of the example.”