And so with that, really looking forward to our time in Philippians today, chapter three.

Our text will be verses 17 through 19. I'll have you turn there if you're not there already.

And once you do, if you're able, if not that's all right, but I'll ask you to stand. You can follow along as I read.

The Apostle Paul is writing to the church of Philippi, and by the Spirit says, verse 17,

join together in following my example. Brothers and sisters,

and just as you have us as a model,

keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

For verse 18, as I have often told you before,

and now tell you 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 set on earthly things.

Would you pray with me and we'll ask God to bless this passage to our understanding?

Thank you. passage to our understanding. Loving Heavenly Father, would you at this time settle us and calm us and enable us to give you our undivided attention.

Will you as only you can by the Holy Spirit enable us to focus our attention on you and

not be distracted by anything or even

anyone else. Lord, we don't want to miss anything that you have for us in our time together

today. That's why we're here today. We want to hear you speak in that still small voice as you minister to us

and bless your word to our hearts. Lord also, we want to please you and we want to bless you

and bless your heart. We don't want to merely be hearers of your word, but we want to bless you and bless your heart we don't want to merely be hearers of your word but we

want to be doers of your word so lord speak your servants are listening in jesus name amen and

amen you can be seated. Thank you.

So I want to talk about a powerful life principle that I believe for the most part is dismissed as being inconsequential or unimportant in the life of a Christian.

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