Follow my example...

In Philippians 3:17 Paul tells the saints to "join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." I decided to look at the letter in order to see what that example looked like in this writing to the Philippians. Here is what I discovered when I took a closer look at Paul's example from the first 3 chapters of Philippians...

1. Thankful for the saints he ministers to and with. (Phil 1:3)
2. Praying with joy because of those who are partners in the gospel (Phil 1:4-5)
3. Putting his confidence in God, not himself or anyone else (Phil 1:6)
4. Genuine, heartfelt love for the saints (Phil 1:7-8)
5. Publicly defending and confirming of the gospel. (Phil 1:7)
6. A desire for his brethren to grow in love and knowledge to be found in right standing with God on the day of Christ. (Phil 1:9-10)
7. Using every situation, good or bad, to advance the gospel (Phil 1:12-13)
8. Encouraging other believers to fearlessly and courageously proclaim God's Word (Phil 1:14)
9. Rejoicing in the preaching of the gospel, even if from false motives (Phil 1:18)
10. Not being ashamed, but being courageous in exalting Christ with your life. (Phil 1:20)
11. Living for Christ and dying for Christ. (Phil 1:21)
12. Laboring fruitfully (Phil 1:22)
13. Helping others grow in their faith  (Phil 1:24-26))
14. Encouraging right conduct among the brethren (Phil 1:27-28)
15. Suffering for the sake of Christ (Phil 1:29-30)
16. Being united with Christ (Phil 2:1)
17. Comforted by Christ's Love (Phil 2:1)
18. Spirit led fellowship (Phil 2:1)
19. Like-mindedness and oneness among the brethren (Phil 2:2)
20. Imitating Christ's humility (Phil 2:3-11)
21. Living in obedience, by God's grace (Phil 2:12-13)
22. Not complaining or arguing (Phil 2:14)
23. Shining like stars in the midst of a depraved generation (Phil 2:15)
24. Holding out the Word of Life to a crooked and depraved generation (Phil 2:16)
25. Spending your life for the sake of others (Phil 2:17)
26. Honoring those who live boldly for the sake of Christ. (Phil 2:29)
27. Warning the brethren about false teachers, those who put their confidence in the works of the flesh (Phil 3:2)
28. Putting no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3-6)
29. Considering everything a loss for the sake of Christ (Phil 3:7)
30. Valuing Christ more than anything else in your life (Phil 3:8-9)
31. Wanting to know Christ more fully (Phil 3:10)
32. Wanting to know the power of His resurrection (Phil 3:10)
33. Desiring to share in Christ's sufferings (Phil 3:10)
34. Knowing your own shortcomings and continuing to press on toward the goal (Phil 3:12-14)