May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! (Philippians 3:17-4:1)

In Christ, dear friends: The readings today remind us of the truth that life is difficult in this world of sin. And in a way, life is doubly difficult for Christians. Not only do we suffer the troubles common to all people-pain, trouble, sorrow and death. We also suffer the troubles of being Christians living away from our home in heaven. This means we will be persecuted for our beliefs. But perhaps what is the greatest to endure is that Satan tempts us as he did Jesus. Last week we heard him say, "If you are the son of God, make this stone into bread." The powerful temptation is to doubt God's love. Satan says to us in our hearts-you deserve better. God loves you, doesn't he? Then why all the troubles? And this weighs on us heavily and tempts us to doubt God which is a sin against the first commandment. It is enough to push us to despair.

But then comes our Epistle reading. Here is a confident, joyful Apostle Paul. He writes an epistle of joy and courage. He most certainly does not want us to feel badly by saying how joyful he is. No, he wants to make us realize that we too can and do share in very same joy. That joy did not center in the person Paul; it centered in Christ. Paul urges, invites, and encourages us to look at all the mountains that lie between us and heaven and say: Christ will get me there and be with me along the way as well. Let's spend some time with Paul so that the Lord can renew this same bravery in us. Our central thought is: THIS IS HOW YOU ARE TO STAND FIRM. May the Lord strengthen our faith.

Like Paul, be watching your fellow believers. Paul set himself up as an example in these verses (v.17). Now, Paul is not in any way being conceited. Notice that he does not claim that he is the only one worth following-take note of those who live by the pattern we gave. And the pattern itself was anything but vain and conceited. It was a humble pattern. Humble before God-Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (2:12). It was a pattern that gave all glory to God-I consider everything a loss, garbage, compared to knowing Christ (3:17f).

What Paul is doing to help, to cause, us to stand firm is to remind us of the truth that no Christian is alone ever, nor are our problems unique to us. Do you remember how Elijah once felt that way? He crawled off to a cave with his tail between his legs. When God asked him what he was doing there he said: I am the only one who really serves you. But God said: No, there are thousands of believers; go out among them and shine like a Christian to my honor and for their sakes. Now, like Paul, we know that no one of us is a source of help to others. We cannot be another's Savior any less than we can save ourselves. But the divine fact is that God works through Christians to instruct, encourage, cheer and support each other. As Christians do as Paul and point others to Jesus in every circumstance, then Christians stand firm as they keep watching fellow believers.

As you may have noticed, this is both a blessing and responsibility-keeping our eyes on fellow Christians. When trouble comes, we tend to build walls and isolate ourselves. Remember to stay around other Christians for the blessings that God connects to it. That's the blessing. The responsibility is that we be worth watching. To God's glory and for the sake of those around us: God make us shine like stars in a crooked and depraved generation. As we do God will keep us standing firm. More...

Like Paul, keep your back on all enemies of the cross of Christ. Paul speaks of the enemies of the cross of Christ. He says their god is their belly. Now, we ought not to think that these were wildly immoral people, these enemies of the cross. It may sound that way at first. Paul speaks of them, and their way of life was subtle and therefore more dangerous than an open immorality. People who study the Scriptures have given the name Judaizers to these enemies of the cross of Christ. They were religious. But their religion came from within, from the belly, of man. These people saw their hope, not in Christ and his salvation, but in what man could offer God from within. They spoke a lot about how Christians ought to live but very little about what Christ has done for them at Calvary. Their "crossless" Christianity repulsed Paul. He knew that without Christ's cross every person will be found wanting on the Last Day. Every time he heard their goofy ideas, every time an idea that he could offer something to God to atone for his sin came from within him, God worked in him the desire to turn his back on it.

I hope that you can see that this is a life-long struggle. Never on this side of the grave can we let our guard down against such enemies of the cross. Sometimes we Christians wrongly think that we are immune to temptations and falsehood. Satan would love to get us to think that! Truth is that they abound. We can do nothing to stop temptations and falsehood. But every time they come we can, because Christ lives in us, turn our back on them. We do not need to let them have a home in our hearts and lives. They are unwelcome guests. Run to Jesus in contrition and repentance. When you do, you will have your back on the enemies of the cross of Christ and so God will keep you standing firm. Finally...

Like Paul, keep your hope in Christ. Paul looked at the mountain range of trouble, heartache, sorrow, sin, and demons between him and heavenly home. And there rising above them all was his Christ, walking toward him. Though he was at God's right hand his voice reached him constantly. That voice said: none of this looming in front of your eyes will keep me from getting to you, nor will they keep you from getting to me. And Christ divine voice drew Paul daily one more step closer to the day that the mountains were behind him.

Looming over the mountains around Rio de Janeiro Brazil is a 100ft. statue of Jesus with outstretched arms. Perhaps you've seen it or pictures of it. I have not seen it. I still know it exists. Others have seen it and tell me so and, as I've said, I've seen pictures of it. Towering even greater over us is the real Christ. We have not seen him, but others have, like Paul, and have told us of his love. We've seen pictures painted on the pages of Scripture of his love and concern for us. We know he is with us. By faith, keeping our eyes on what we cannot see, we shall endure the mountains of trouble that we must pass through now. He is faithful. He who began a good work (faith and salvation in Christ) in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. That is how we too will stand firm.   Amen.