Lessons From A Success
Phil. 3:13-17

Introduction:
A. It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. 
   I know with me, it is one of the truest statements that will 
   ever be heard. The eye is a ready pupil and takes the 
   information to the brain much quicker from a picture or 
   practical demonstration than is done from that which is 
   spoken. That being said, we could say that man is by nature
   an imitative being. We are what we are because of the 
   examples of other that we have seen.
B. Moreover, we do not need to have personal contact with 
   someone to be influenced by them. We look at great men of 
   the past and they have an influence on our lives. Men such 
   as George Washington, General Dwight Eisenhower, John 
   Kennedy, etc. have a great effect on our lives. But as much 
   effect as these might have, those examples that we find in 
   the Bible should have more.
C. Several times the apostle Paul told Christians to follow 
   (imitate) him (1 Cor. 11:1, 4:16; Phil 3:17). Some would 
   say that Paul must have had a big ego for making a 
   statement like this. But it was not ego that made Paul tell
   Christians to imitate him. Paul knew his life and the prone-
   ness of man to follow examples. There is no greater success
   than that which we see in Paul, yet he was not perfect 
   (Phil. 3:12).
D. However, we can imitate him because:

I. He Was A Positive Man
   A. Had convictions - Acts 26:9-10
      1. His theory and practice corresponded
      2. He was never on the fence
   B. He had a good conscience, but taught wrong
      1. Acts 23:1
      2. Acts 24:16
      3. Apollos was this way also - Acts 18:24ff
   C. When Paul was convinced Jesus was the promised King, he
      accepted the truth - Acts 9; 22; 26

II.He Was A Man Of Faith - Acts 22:16
   A. When he was baptized, it was an act of faith - Col 2:12
   B. He didn't quibble because he believed - Gal. 3:26-27
      1. Unlike many we find to day
      2. Want to quibble over the need for baptism (or 
         re-baptism)
         a. Rom. 6:3-4
         b. Rom 5:1
   C. He lived by faith - Gal 2:20

III.He Was Simply A Christian - Acts 11:26; 26:28
   A. It was his pleasure to be called by that name
   B. He had no desire to be anything but simply a Christian
      1. No Something-Christian
      2. No strange sounding name

IV.He Had Singleness Of Purpose - Phil 3:13-14
   A. "But one thing I do." (v. 13)
      1. Primary purpose was to please Christ
      2. Jack of all trades
         a. Can do almost anything, but
         b. Is usually not very good at any of them
   B. To be happy and grow as we should
      1. We must have one main purpose in life
      2. Paul's was exalting Christ

V. He Was An Example In Fidelity To God's Word - Acts 20:26-27
   A. Look at the things he wrote
      1. 1 Tim. 1:3; 4:13
      2. 2 Tim 4:1-4
      3. Eph 4:14
      4. Gal 1:6-9
   B. We must also be faithful in both living and teaching 
      God's word.

VI.He Endures Trails And Hardship - 1 Cor 4:11-12
   A. He considered trials light - 2 Cor. 4:17
   B. When trials and temptations come your way, remember Paul.
      1. 1 Cor. 9:27
      2. 1 Cor 10:13

VII.He Gave Up All Things For Christ - 2 Tim 4:6-8
   A. Paul was accused of many things but none could be proven
      - Acts 24:13

Conclusion:
A. Paul is an example that we can all learn from. He did not 
   feel that the world "owed him a living." On the contrary, 
   he felt that he had a debt to pay. He felt he owed the 
   world the best that he had (Rom. 1:14).
B. How are you doing with these lessons? Are you following 
   Paul, as he followed Christ?