Follow Faithful Followers of Jesus – Philippians 3:17

PRAY & INTRO: Church, I have switched to teaching a different text and topic today, since we’re also making a significant announcement that is pertinent to all of us as a church family. You’ll see why in a minute that I’m teaching on Philippians 3:17 instead of beginning Romans 7, where Paul uses the death of a spouse as an illustration for freeing someone from a particular law. :-)

The announcement concerns a transition taking place at the end of this year that is pretty monumental in the life of our church family. As of January 2026, Pastor Rich Toliver will be transitioning to the role of Pastor Emeritus, which means that his ministry status will no longer be as a staff member, but rather Rich will have freedom to live and serve among us in any volunteer capacity he chooses. It is truly difficult for me to express the level of my gratitude to God for Rich & Patti and to describe their lasting impact not only in my own life but especially in the life of this church family called Branson Bible.

In December of 1986, Rich & Patti brought their young children to Branson (Ryan, Izaak, Jenni, and Sarah), and Rich became Senior Pastor of Branson Bible Church. Rich served faithfully, wisely, and capably in that role for a brief ;-) 28 years before humbly becoming Associate Pastor from 2015 to the present (an additional 11 years on staff). During his 39 years of shepherding here, Rich has clearly and consistently lived out gospel truth in every aspect of his life, impacting countless lives with his genuine care for others, his Christlike humility, and his deep love for the Word of God.

Rich and Patti, we love you, we thank God for you, and we are so glad that you plan to stay here with us in this next season of life. 

I’ll now give Rich an opportunity to come up and say a few words to you for himself. [Rich to speak - additional 5 minutes]

The Elders will have more detailed information about this transition at the church business meeting on December 17, at which time we’d also like to share with you our desire to help them financially with this transition, and about plans for a “thank you” party in January. Lord willing, we'll also give you an opportunity to ask Rich and me (and the other elders) questions at that December meeting.

This also means that we will begin immediately seeking to hire a full-time Executive Director to come on staff at some point in 2026, so we would greatly appreciate your prayers for that endeavor, as well as continuing to pray for Rich and Patti.

Now turn with me in your Bibles to Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and keep that letter open because we’ll be doing an overview of more verses than just this initial one this morning. But let’s look closely first at Philippians 3:17.

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Paul says to the brothers and sisters in Christ at Philippi, to become joint imitators of his way of life (to join one another in following his example), and to notice with careful observation also the lives of those who walk (who similarly live their daily lives) according to the example you have in us (the form, the pattern, the model you have in us).

Undoubtedly what Paul means is similar to what he says in 1 Corinthians 11:1.

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

¹ Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Paul is keenly aware that the supreme example is Christ, as we’ll see shortly from another passage in Philippians. Paul can also say that we should become imitators of God as his beloved children (Eph 5:1), learning to walk in his sacrificial love (Eph 5:2) and walk in the light (Eph 5:8), becoming examples of God’s own holy character.

But what Paul instructs us here, is that we should learn to follow examples in nearer proximity to us, those who demonstrate by their lives that they are humble and faithful in their submission to Christ.

The Puritan William Bates gives us some clarity as to why we need examples to follow, even along with the example of Christ: “Precepts instruct us what things are our duty, but examples assure us that they are possible… When we see men like ourselves, who are united to frail flesh and in the same condition with us, to command their passions, to overcome the most glorious and glittering temptations, we are encouraged in our spiritual warfare.”

We need examples to follow. But what kind of examples should we follow? I want to encourage you this morning that the Apostle Paul gives us a clear picture of this in Philippians.

Follow the example of growing believers who demonstrate humble, joyful and faithful submission to Christ with their whole lives. (3:17)

The Lord Jesus knew that we would need other examples to follow, and from the very beginning of his ministry he set a pattern for discipleship to be both the definition of how saved people live (as those who submit our whole lives to following him), and also as the pattern for how the gospel would continue to spread and take root in the lives of coming generations. [Repeat: Discipleship is both the definition of how saved people live, as well as the pattern for how the gospel takes root in the lives of subsequent generations.] Disciples of Jesus make disciples of Jesus by not only sharing the good news of the gospel, but by teaching them to live their whole lives in submission to their new Lord.

Obviously, the example of anyone other than Christ will be an imperfect model. We mustn’t expect perfection to find models to follow, but we should rightly look for a clear and growing pattern of godliness, of submission to Christ. In the immediate context preceding this verse, even the Apostle Paul says of himself that he is still growing, still striving to be more like Christ, and that all the mature should think this way (Php 3:15). He says in…

Philippians 3:12 ESV

¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Paul lived before them, and all the churches he planted, as an example of one whom they could see continuing to grow in faithfulness to Christ.

Paul was quite literally saying (when he comes to 3:17) that they should follow the example of those who are growing in likeness to Christ.

And now just let me briefly highlight the adjectives I chose for this statement. Paul demonstrates the humility that he highlights about Christ in chapter 2, and which he instructs to believers to be united in—the same humility revealed by Christ in his condescension from glory and willing death.

Secondly, the joy and hope of knowing Christ, no matter what our circumstances, is quite possibly the theme that holds Philippians together, and which Paul both models and instructs.

Philippians 3:1 ESV

¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Philippians 4:4 ESV

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Submission to Christ is not submission if it does not come from a heart of joy in serving our Lord. Joy in Christ should characterize those we follow.

My final adjective here is faithful. We can’t follow those who are inconsistent. No consistency means no pattern to follow. One of the most significant things that Rich has taught me, right next to his humility, is lived out in his consistency. By nature I am a fluctuating firebrand. Rich has taught me to turn down the heat a little and to learn consistency.

So faithfulness means consistency, and it also means character. Christlike character matters more than spiritual gifting, more than natural talent, and more than the particulars of ministry. That may be something I learned in reading Scripture and other books, but Rich modeling it for me is what made it stick. Christlike character matters more than spiritual gifting, more than natural talent, and more than the particulars of ministry.

Again, let us Follow the example of growing believers who demonstrate humble, joyful and faithful submission to Christ with their whole lives.

Now I’m going to use the opportunity of being in Philippians already to summarize some other things we can trace in this letter about the example Paul himself sets that we should learn about good models to follow. Because we have to do this quickly, I encourage you to meditate on Philippians further and on this list, perhaps even adding your own statements to the list, and even doing the same thing with another of Paul’s letters.

Using the opening of the letter, I’ve stated an element that is essential and foundational.

Follow those whose lives bear clear evidence of spiritual regeneration and gospel witness. (1:1-2)

Paul and Timothy, who send this letter and call themselves slaves of Christ Jesus, can give clear testimony of Christ’s intervention in their lives, giving them new birth, which has transformed their lives. Not only their words but also their very lives bear witness to the truth of the difference the death and resurrection of Jesus makes for those who submit to him in faith.

We need to follow those whose lives testify to the power of God, through the gospel of Jesus, to spiritually regenerate dead sinners.

Here’s another one we might postulate as Paul continues with his customary opening prayer.

Follow those who make dependent and grateful prayer the pattern of their lives. (1:3-6)

Philippians 1:3–6 ESV

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

We pray exactly as much as we depend on God. And we pray as much we desire to express to him the praise and thanks that overflows in our hearts.

Brothers and sisters, let’s follow those who make dependent and grateful prayer the pattern of their lives.

Also from Paul’s prayer we can see that we should…

Follow those who demonstrate sincere care in their love for you and others. (1:7-8)

Philippians 1:7–8 ESV

⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

The pattern of our humanity and sinful flesh is to be exceedingly self-focused.

We should learn from those who are sincere in their love for us and others. Isn’t it interesting how we know this when we see it, when we experience it?

Similarly…

Follow those whose genuine concern is God’s glory through your growth in Christ. (1:9-11)

Philippians 1:9–11 ESV

⁹ And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Let’s follow those whose genuine concern is God’s glory through our growth in Christ.

Follow those who put the advance of the gospel and the good of others above their own needs and wants. (1:12-18)

Paul is not worried about being imprisoned if it advances the gospel, which he says has been happening. He even declares that he doesn’t fret over those who are preaching out of rivalry towards him, so long as Christ is being truly proclaimed, and in that he rejoices.

Above his own needs and wants, Paul cares about the glory of Christ and the advance of his gospel for the good of others. That’s the kind of example we should follow.

Follow those whose greatest hope is to honor Christ in life and in death. (1:19-26)

Philippians 1:20–21 ESV

²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

We need models whose greatest hope is to honor Christ with their whole life, to the point of death.

Follow those whose life, leadership, and teaching keeps you accountable to God’s word. (1:27-30, 2:12-18)

Now this is kind of the point of why Paul writes these letters in the first place, but there are some spots in the letter where we might notice this more particularly.

Philippians 1:27 ESV

²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Paul will hold them accountable again in the middle of chapter 2 in a similar way.

We need to follow examples who know that God’s word is authoritative and sufficient for their lives and for ours, and who keep us accountable to it.

Follow those who exalt Christ as the supreme and only perfect example to follow, and thereby model His humility. (2:1-11)

Since we already highlighted this in the headline section of 3:17, I’ll just add this: A leader who is not humble is a leader not worth following. You’ll have to forgive my directness and accept the sincerity with which I say this, because it has become so blatantly problematic in our celebrity culture, even among Christians. A person who is not humble is not someone you should follow. Full stop. A lack of growing humility is a sure sign of a lack of teachability, which is a sure sign of a lack of healthy submission to Christ.

Follow those who know that we must invest ourselves fully but that it is God who does the work. (2:12-13)

Philippians 2:12c–13 “… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Then as we said, this and the following section in 2:12-18 is more direct accountability for the believers.  Then…

Follow those who promote the ministry of others and are unselfishly grateful to God for blessing them. (2:19-30)

Paul highlights his appreciation for the faithfulness and sacrificial ministry of Timothy and Epaphroditus. There is no jealousy or envy, only gratitude for God’s work in these men.

Follow those who believe that knowing and serving Christ far exceeds anything else this world can offer. (3:2-11)

Philippians 3:8a “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Follow those who believe that knowing and serving Christ far exceeds anything else this world can offer. 

And that bring us back to the section where we began, where Paul demonstrates that he is a growing believer and instructs them to imitate him and others like him. And alas, we are out of time to keep doing this with the last bit of Php 3 and ch. 4. So I challenge you, on your own or with others, to complete this project. Read a section of verses and write a statement that begins with “Follow those who….”  Just as we started with Follow the example of growing believers who demonstrate humble, joyful and faithful submission to Christ with their whole lives.

[CONCLUSION] Here’s how I’d like to wrap this up for application today.

We become like those we follow.

- Be attentive to the examples you follow.

• In an age of shallow following for shallow reasons, follow those who love Christ deeply and walk in God’s will consistently. [repeat?]

Steer away from famous personalities, whom you do not actually know, and follow faithful followers whom you know.

Measure character and sincerity like they matter immeasurably more than gifting and a mass following. And finally…

- Be mindful of the example you set.

• In the way we follow Christ, we are teaching others how to be his disciples.

It is true that Paul tells Timothy (1 Tim 4:12, 14-16) and Titus (Titus 2:7-8) that they must set an example for other leaders and believers, and that Peter also instructs church elders to focus on setting an example for the members of the church where they serve. But let’s be mindful that such is not just the responsibility of the select few whom God has seen fit to place in leadership. Being an example for others as we learn to follow Christ more closely and faithfully is a privilege and responsibility of all God’s people. In our recent study of Titus we emphasized this as Paul does in chapter 2:1-8 there. He highlights the discipleship role of older men and women in the faith on younger men and women in the faith for the health of the body of Christ.

Be mindful of the example you set. In the way we follow Christ, we are teaching others how to be his disciples. For example, no one else can be dad, or mom, to your children. Be mindful of the priorities you set for others by your example. - Notice that nowhere does Paul instruct us to make a big splash and do great things. But everywhere he calls us to humbly, joyfully, and faithfully submit to Christ.

Therefore, be an example to follow. Love Christ deeply. Walk in God’s will consistently. Be humble and teachable; admit weakness. Ask forgiveness, and graciously grant forgiveness.

Be an example to follow, even as Rich and Patti have been and continue to be for so many of us. And speaking again of Rich and Patti’s example, we’ll finish with this, a similar admonition from the author to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 13:7 ESV

⁷ Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Join me, brothers and sisters, in continuing to pay close attention to the outcome of Rich and Patti’s lives, and that of other good models, that we may learn to imitate their faith. And may God graciously grant us, with much prayer and dependence on him, that we too should become worthy models to follow.

CLOSE: Now I’m going to ask the Elders to come and pray over Rich and Patti up front here. [Then we’ll sing a final song and have our concluding prayer of Benediction.]