We often make up our own rules for life.
1. Follow the Leader. Servants of Christ (v1) and stewards of Gospel. Humbling terms. Like in an orchestra - work together and no one is singled out. v2-5 - the Lord is our Judge. We direct people to Jesus. We follow (v6) by keeping the scriptures. The original temptation was to doubt the Word of God. The Bible is our final authority. Sometimes we follow our conscience, but it needs to be illuminated (v4) by the teaching of Christ.
2. We've arrived (v8) they thought. Paul did not consider himself there. (v10). The Apostles (v11-13) were different. (v14-16) be imitators of Paul (as he imitates Christ). To follow Christ here is struggle. What does this look like for us? Our temptations would be different, eg - (v8) if we think what we have now is enough. We are designed for more than this world can deliver and long for what God wants to give us. (James 1).
3. Why follow? (a) Power - v19. going on ahead is to go away from the leader. Power to change us, to give us a longing for spiritual things. (b) Praise (v5) - we follow the 'way of the Cross' we will have the amazing greeting. 'Well done".
