Introduction: Although we live in a democratic society that emphasizes how the majority rules, this is not always the best approach to have in how we approach what we will do. For example:

· The majority of Americans do not exercise on a regular basis. That is not good for their health.
· The majority of Americans eat foods high in saturated fats. That is not good for their hearts.
· Most children would rather watch TV or play video games than go to school. That is not good for education.
· The majority of our members (over 60%) are not in church on a regular basis in direct violation of the 3rd Commandment.
· The majority of our members hardly give a dime to the church and are in effect robbing God who has so richly blessed them with every spiritual blessing in Christ as well as more money than they need.
· Most motorists speed. That is against the law.
· The majority of websites visited on the internet show pornographic material. That is not good for morals.
· The majority (in fact, everyone sins against God on a daily basis). That is not good for your soul.

Just because "everyone's doing it" or because it is popular or the latest fad does not mean that following the example that they are giving is in our best interest. "Majority rules" has no bearing on what a Christian will choose to do or not do when it comes to our morals, what we believe, and how we are to conduct our lives. We are to follow exclusively the teachings of Jesus for he alone is the way, the truth, and the life. We are to be very selective in what we do so that we follow the example of those who follow Jesus even if they are in the minority.

And yet, when we look around us we see the same thing that St. Paul saw almost two thousand years ago. Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. What is even more shocking is that it almost seems as though we take it so much for granted that we don't even care or that we are at a loss as to what to do about it. Not so with St. Paul. He noted this phenomenon with an emotional outburst. "18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears"

What does he urgently encourage us to do, therefore?

Follow the Example of Devout Christians

1. Those whose Minds are on Earthly Things will Face Destruction.
2. Those whose Minds are on Heaven will be Rewarded.


Context: One of Paul's "prison epistles" during his first Roman captivity. This letter was addressed to a Roman colony in Philippi. Philippi was sort of a "retirement" community made up of former soldiers of the Roman empire and their families. They were of a very worldly view because of their past occupation. The Christian in Philippi were surrounded by the examples of those of this outlook. 

Paul urged them to follow his example instead. 
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Paul reminds them of his example because they did not see this in the world around them. What they saw is described in our text:
Enemies of the cross of Christ-those who live contrary to taking up their cross and following Jesus. Instead of striving to achieve heaven, they devote their energy in enjoying the things of this world "their god is their stomach". That is, they strive to satisfy their cravings.

Illustration: The child in the toy section of Wal Mart. A kid in the candy shop. "Keeping up with the Joneses" "Glory is in their shame." The ruder and cruder their jokes and fantasies are they more they enjoy it. 

We see this evident all around us. Look at what people spend their time, money, and energy on. And notice how many of those things only seek to satisfy the supposed need for pleasure, comfort, lust, or their appetites. 

But what is the end result? "Their destiny is destruction." The price of momentary pleasure has long term side effects. 
· Over eating leads to unmanageable weight gain. "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips is the glib approach to this.
· Alcohol provides temporary escape but lead to serious disease, depression, and wasting of financial resources.
· Smoking may relieve stress but it affects the lungs and the heart and the pocket book.
· Lust leads to broken relationships, loss of trust, STDs, etc.
· Amassing wealth for ourselves means that those who need the help now must live in poverty and want.


But even these consequences pale in comparison to the eternal consequences of those who refuse to live for Jesus as their final destruction is eternal punishment in hell.

Transition: But it doesn't have to be that way. 

Though thoughtless thousands choose the road
That leads the soul away from God,
This happiness, dear Lord, be mine:
To live and die entirely thine.

In Christ, by faith, I wish to live,
From him my life, my all, receive,
To him devote my fleeting hours,
Serve him alone with all my pow'rs.


2. Those whose Minds are on Heaven will be Rewarded.

This was the approach of St. Paul and others like him. The denied themselves, took up their cross and followed Jesus. They were willing to give up what the world thinks is so important because they believed in something beyond this life that would more then compensate them for any losses they might suffer here. And that is the key to why they were willing to follow Jesus. They were able to look beyond what is seen and to look forward to what was unseen. Their minds were on heaven. They really believed the promises of Jesus of eternal life in heaven and they were willing to give up everything they had in order to follow him. The replaced worldly fame for a heavenly crown which would last forever.

Application: How often do we see this in our world today? What example do you see of those who are willing to give up a prosperous career in order to serve the Lord full time as a missionary. How much do our own pastors and teachers really give up in order to follow the Lord and to stand firm? Who of us is willing to give up all that we have for the sake of the truth?

Perhaps the most notable example we have in our area are the Amish. They have given up the use of modern inventions as a direct result of their religious beliefs. But they are not the only example. We have members who drive very old vehicles because the money they could spend on a new vehicle they give to church on a regular basis. We have members who haven't watched the beginning of Monday night football game for years because they are in Bible class. We have members who do not stay up late on Saturday night drinking in the bar because they want to be fresh on Sunday morning for worship. We have widows who probably haven't bought a new dress since JC Penney's moved to the mall because they give so generously to the church.

Maybe they aren't in the majority. Maybe we think they are sacrificing when they don't need to. But it doesn't matter what we think. It is what God directs us to do. Jesus tells us that those who follow him will deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. We see how St. Paul and others in Bible times did that. We see the example of the minority who still do that today. May we get our minds off from earthly things and fix our eyes on our real home-heaven, so that we do follow their example. Amen.