1. Philippians 4:9.

2. To most people, this seems like such a bold statement. We often say, "Don’t do as I do, do as I say!" But Paul said, "Do as I do!" That is, "Do those things you have seen in me."

3. What do we see in Paul?

I. Christian.

A. A reference to those who follow Christ.

1. Acts 9:22 – "But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ."

2. Acts 26:28 – "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

B. Being a Christian involves more than being identified by the name Christian. It involves our manner of living.

1. Colossians 3:1-2 – "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

II. Faithfully endured persecution and the trials of life.

A. Consider Paul’s varied trials.

1. II Corinthians 11:23-28 – "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches."

B. But any trials we may face in this life are light and but for a moment, in comparison to the eternal weight of glory.

1. II Corinthians 4:17 – "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"

III. Debtor to all men.

A. Paul was a debtor to all because of what Christ had done for him.

1. Romans 1:14 – "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise."

B. Because Christ has paid a debt for us that we could not pay, we are all debtors to Christ.

1. I Timothy 2:6 – "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

IV. Respect for the truth.

A. Paul was willing to proclaim the truth to others, no matter what the cost.

1. Galatians 4:16 – "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"

B. Paul was longsuffering in his efforts to proclaim the truth.

1. II Timothy 4:2 – "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine."

V. Immoveable in his faith.

A. Paul was determined to finish his course.

1. Acts 20:24 – "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

B. We ought to remain steadfast, knowing our labors are not in vain.

1. I Corinthians 15:58 – "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

1. What do we see in Paul? Someone who:

a) Was a Christian.

b) Faithfully endured his trials in life.

c) Was a debtor to all men.

d) Someone who respected the truth.

e) Someone who was immoveable in his faith.