Citizens of another Kingdom

INTRO: Chameleon and/or Stonefish- camouflaged

Truths:

Christians are not called to look like chameleons or Stonefish. They don’t change who they are to blend in and look like everyone else

Christians are DISTINCT & DIFFERENT

OT God chose a particular nation, Israel, and called them to live different, gave them the Word of God and live in response to God’s promises, plans, and purpose for their lives- HE would be their KING, they would be HIS people

Word’s Joshua leaves the people at the end of his life

Joshua 23:6-8 ““Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you will not associate with these nations, these which remain among you, or mention the name of their gods, or make anyone swear by them, or serve them, or bow down to them. “But you are to cling to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.”

How much of the world or other country were they to dabble in!?!?!?! NONE!

Romans 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

JAPAN- SPARROWS- gray to white

Aggressively indulge your life in the WORD of GOD....... its the guard rails, the road map, the traffic signs and signals.....

The believer will feel out of place in this world because their heart desires and life actions show that Jesus is KING and heaven is their ultimate destination.

Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”

we live different because:

We do not belong here in this fallen world- our citizenship is in heaven!

Hebrews 11:13-16 “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

BE TRANSFORMED

1 Peter 2:11 “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.”