In this capstone moment of his letter, Paul describes discipleship as imitating Christ together. For instance, he considers the Philippians his brothers and sisters. They're family. Families don't function when they're divided or separated. But when they lovingly care for each other, we notice a family resemblance in how they live. Paul makes it explicit: pay attention to those who follow the pattern of life he's shown them. It's the same thing he tells the Corinthians: "Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). It's why he honored Timothy and Epaphroditus. He was modeling the importance of thinking about the people who live like Jesus. By contrast, he specifically describes the community that is opposed to Jesus. Their earthly citizenship is revealed by their shameful desires. They live for immediate pleasure. They don't care about eternity, and don't realize they will face God's judgment. The famous saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is relevant here. Because their identity and community is worldly, their lives are, too. They look like the Caesar they serve. Christians have a different Lord and Savior: Jesus. Paul describes him in terms usually set aside for God the Father: he reigns in heaven with complete authority over the cosmos. He determines our eternal future. Death is no obstacle; he has the power to raise our bodies to eternal life. But when everyone around us is trying to get ahead and please themselves, how can we deny ourselves and faithfully serve others? Paul rehearses the pattern set by Jesus: his death led to resurrection, then ascension into glory. So also as we die to ourselves, and eventually die, Jesus will raise us from the dead, and give us eternal, glorious bodies. Because Jesus has defeated death, we earnestly look forward to the day when he raises us into his glory. Reese's small group had figured out what Paul taught: when friends imitate Jesus together, the descent into suffering and service becomes, by God's grace, the staircase to hope.