CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
August 27, 2000 PM
Sermon Outline
Phil 3:20,21
INTRO:As I read and study more in the New Testament, I am more convinced than ever that in the very nature of discipleship a disciple of Christ is totally different from those about him. He is a transformed person(Rom 12:2). He now has Christ living in him (Gal 2:20). He has a new mind(I Pet 4:1). He loves in deed and in truth (I Jno 3:18). He truly put on the new man (Eph 4:24). How many are the sections of the New Testament which compare the old life with the new one in Christ. In the text we have read we discover that Christians are Citizens of Heaven ... that explains something of the difference.
I THINK OF THIS CITIZENSHIP (3:20a)
A. Begin with Philippi a Roman colony
1. such colonies were little Romes in far flung places
2. often settled by Roman soldiers who had served their time
(21 years) and who gained full Roman citizenship as reward
3. Roman law - Latin language - Roman loyalty - lifestyle
4. these people never forgot they were Romans their indebtedness to Rome their love for Rome understood about being citizens isolated from home country
5. such is the background of the Philippian church
B. Our citizenship is in heaven
1. law of this kingdom Mt 28:18 with Gal 6:2
a. the authoritative law of Christ
b. a law which calls us to obedience even in circumstances when it would be far easier on us not to obey
c. Mt 6:10 the kingdom of heaven is one in which the Lords will is done as perfectly, completely on earth as in heaven
2. language of this kingdom Col 4:6
a. it is free of carnal, profane things filthy, foolish talking are not heard (Eph 5:4) evil speaking of wrath, anger are put behind (Eph 4:31)
b. it is gracious, uplifting language (Eph 4:29)
c. its language is similar in nationality ... different in its content!
3. loyalty to this kingdom Rev 2:10
a. do we love the church? are we truly impressed by what God has done is doing for us?
b. do we feel hurt when someone speaks evil of the church?
c. are we willing - no matter what others choose - to be loyal to the church, to the Lord? Loyalty does not swerve aside according to whims, fancies (Roman soldier would rather die than be disloyal)
4. lifestyle of this kingdom Eph 5:8
a. I Pet 2:11 a lifestyle conscious of the sorts of things which damage the spiritual life
b. lifestyle so attractive in its honesty, purity, caringness, devotion that others have no difficulty knowing you are different with reason (I Pet 2:12)
c. a lifestyle unmistakably Christian
5. with such as this how can we forget we are citizens?
6. though living on / in earth we are rightnow citizens of heaven....
II. YET, THE LONGING IS OR SHOULD BE FOR BEING IN THE HOME COUNTRY
A. We look for the Savior (3:20b)
1. look for is that hopeful anticipation, expectancy of one who loves deeply awaiting the one he / she loves faces of love doves searching the lined railings of ships or soldiers coming home
2. wait for (ASV) verb form implies a waiting full of attention, perseverance, desire (comment)
3. here is some of the great motive power of the life of citizenship in heaven were just pilgrims here were really looking forward to home country with Jesus (Heb 11:13-16)
4. There is tremendous energy in the present power of a future hope - Jas 5:8
B. And then - the changed body made for heaven (3:21)
1. our physical bodies serve us perfectly for earthly living and we should use our bodies to Gods glory (I Cor 6:20)
2. but there must be a change for heavenly abiding
3. thus, I Cor 15:49-53
4. lest we be caused to wonder how we need to remember that the Lord who created (by His power) the whole material creation is the Lord who - by His power - will effect this change
CLOSE: Are we living as citizens of heaven should? Are we really looking forward to finally going home? I shall never forget the feeling of arriving home (in the U.S.A.) after several years away!
Cecil A. Hutson
27 August 2000