The Model Citizen
Notes
Transcript
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Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Pray:
Attention:
What privileges do American citizens have:
Vote
Privilege of due process of law under the US Constitution
Protection from Deportation
Children for Children
Identity and protection militarily and at embassies
What American citizens are known for: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2016/06/28/americas-international-image/
Optimistic
Hardworking
Arrogant
Greedy
Violent
When our church group went to Romania, I asked one of the Romanians what their impression of Americans were. They said they were loud. Now I assured them that could not apply to any of our church group, but they didn’t seem to believe me. We stayed in a six floor hotel that did not have an elevator. After I heard one of our group shouting up four flights of stairs to another member of the team, I understood what they meant!
Need: Every believer is a citizen of this world. We are limited by our sinful existence. Those who are saved and transformed by Christ are now citizens of heaven. They have a future home. They have a new Lord. They have a new law. They have new responsibilities.
Interrogative: Do you live as a citizen of heaven? Are you serving your new master? Have you been transformed by the power of God?
Context: Paul begins the conclusion of the third chapter of Philippians by talking about the standard of living that has characterized his life. His life is a contrast that should be set against those of the “concision” or the false circumcision. Paul’s religion is the true continuation of faith from Jehovah. The only expectation to have faith in is not the flesh. (vs 3) To emphasize the point, Paul lists his credentials.
Born into an obedient Jewish Home (circumcised the eight day)
An Israelite by blood (stock of Israel)
Could trace his lineage through Benjamin
A Hebrew par excellance (Hebrew of hebrews similar to King of kings and Lord of lords)
A Theological Conservative (Pharisee)
Zealous for the faith (persecutor of the church)
Blameless before the Law
All of these accolades were nothing before Christ. Salvation was not found in any of these things, but in God’s righteousness obtained through faith (vs 9)
Paul is still striving to be conformed unto Christ (vs 10). He has not arrived, but it still pressing toward that goal (vs 12). As in a race, Paul is looking forward to the prize. He attention is on the call of Christ (vs 14).
He is pressing toward a goal and living his life with a mind for the things to come. The goal of the Christian life is Paul admonishes the believers to follow this rule/standard (vs 16). No one has reached the goal while here on this earth, but we should each attain to this mind/attitude.
Exegetical Idea: Paul admonishes the Philippians believers to reject the self-serving, earthly-minded life and to live as citizens of heaven where the savior will transform them to live.
Big Idea: Live as citizens of heaven, not of the earth!
Transition: To live as citizens of heaven, we must examine our role-models. . .
1. Earthly Citizens Exposed (vs 17-19)
A. Follow the Standard of Christlikeness
Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
Before explaining the traits of the enemies of the cross, Paul wants to be explicitly clear about the nature of those who follow the Cross.
Shown in Paul’s Life
The goal of Paul’s imitation was Christ
They were a model/standard
As Paul had just listed out, he had a resume worthy of pride. All these external things did not provide him with the satisfaction of reaching the goal of Christlikeness (3:12). He devoted himself to the consistent drive to follow Christ. This was a race of endurance as he pressed onward (3:14). Those who want to be mature in their walk must embrace this principle and live by the same standard of life (3:15-16). Those who are to know the appropriate standard of conduct will discover it by imitating the walk of Paul.[1]
The title of Imitators/Followers: Paul masterfully sets up a comparison between the examples of the Christlike and the examples of the false professors. The use of the passive voice of “imitators” suggests that the Philippians would be receiving the title of Followers/Imitators. Like the early believers who were pejoratively called Christians, the Philippians should be called Imitators because of their devotion to godly examples.
Illustration: Story of Adelyne. I was visiting my sister four years ago. My niece was two years old at the time. Because my sister prudently limits the amount of screen time in early childhood, my niece was attracted to looking at my phone. I opened my camera and began to look into the selfie camera. I began making faces into the camera to see the reaction on my face. After only a few faced, she began to imitate me exactly. I would raise my eyebrows and she would as well. I would do the same with my mouth and she would follow. She was imitating me. She saw that I looked funny doing that and wanted to match me. We should have the same pattern to Paul’s life. We need to see how he prayed and pray that way. We need to see his compassion and follow. We see
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Those who imitate Paul/Christ
Following Paul is not the only example of godliness. Christians are to watch or mark other examples as well.
Who are we to mark?
Those who have the “pattern” (NASB) of the Christlikeness shown in Paul are to be set up as examples.
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
Application: This gives contemporary application to search out those people who are serving the Lord. The model or pattern of these people’s faith is to be followed. This example is to be treated the same as the imitation given to Paul and his companions. Each believer should find those who follow Paul’s example and follow them in addition to just the Biblical examples. These could be many different people.
Parents
Older Siblings
Church leaders
Examples of Christians of the past
Godly friends
These people should be identified as leaders and followed
Transition: Citizens of heaven reject the example of false professors. . .
B. Reject the Standard of False Professors
Philippians 3:18-19 “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
The literary form in these verses is of contrast and comparison.[1] Paul then draws a contrast between godly examples and those who reject the truth.
Enemies of the Cross
The tone of this admonition is serious.
This parenthetical section begins with Paul weeping over the believers. He had pleaded with them on many occasions to watch out for these enemies of the Cross. Just as many people should be examples for Christ, there are many more who are enemies of the Cross. Those who reject Christ should be identified in addition to those who are good examples. These enemies were not a new occurrence to the Philippians since Paul had found occasion to warn them repeatedly. As the description of the enemies shows, the warning is serious. These people are headed for destruction and have the potential to lead the believers astray. Paul warns them with emotion to show the seriousness of this error.
Who are these enemies?
On the one hand, these enemies are identified with the Judaizing teachers who perennially plagued Paul’s ministry at many locations. This view would see continuity between the opposition mentioned in 3:2-3 and the enemies of the Cross. These individuals are pejoratively called the Concision/mutilation to emphasize their dependence on circumcision.
Since these people added circumcision and the works of the Law to salvation, Paul affirms that they are headed for destruction (3:19). Their final goal is destruction. This destruction is the final punishment in Hell for those who reject Christ. This understanding of the opponents explains the somewhat cryptic explanation for their evil traits. The Jews demanded that the Philippians believers, who were mostly Gentile, follow the food regulation of the Law as part of their relationship with God.[1] The lexical meaning of κοιλία in this interpretation refers to the physical organ for digesting food. Their shame is associated with the Jews’ focus on circumcision. The Jews were also concerned with the acceptance that they had in the community if they followed the Law of Moses. The opponents in these verses would then be consistent throughout the entire book of Philippians as having Jewish teachings.[2]
On the other hand, the opponents of the Cross are those who claim to follow Christ and yet live contrary to his teachings.Paul seems to focus on the moral characteristics of these opponents. These enemies may be more enemies of the Cross in actions than in doctrine.[1] The destruction of these people is twofold. First, they are headed for an eternity in Hell because they reject the teachings of Christ. They may assent to the idea of the Cross, but they reject it in their life by living contrary to its very essence. The opposition is antinomian (living without restraint and law) and is living as unbelievers.[2] Perhaps Paul had both forms of opposition in mind when he penned this section.
Headed for destruction “whose end is destruction”
This highlights the result of the teachers. They are headed for a place, and they will inevitably reach it. Their actions are leading them to that conclusion. Because they reject the Cross, they will be condemned for their sin.
The second trait is a desire to follow their desires. They have set up to themselves their lusts as a god.
“stomach” is used as a metaphor for the seat of desires. Just as we may say “I love you from the bottom of my heart”, Paul is using a similar metaphor.
These desires could be nature desires for the physical needs of life such as food. More likely, however, they are speaking of the sexual desires that control many.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Paul uses this word to speak of a person’s appetites in Romans 16:17-18. This is a similar context to this passage in Philippians. Romans is talking about those who stir up divisions in the church. These people did not serve Christ, but rather they served their “stomach.” This could refer to the gluttony and immorality of the heathen feasts that were common in the culture at Philippi.
Application: One of the central issues in our culture is the complete lack of restrain to all matters relating to basis human desires. Take our thinking, for example. We indulge is whatever fancies and entertainment to fulfil our desires. We are unsatisfied with the life that God has given us. We want the best from everyone else’s life. Philippians come from another angle.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The third trait of these false professors is their glorification of the things that were shameful.
The enemies of the Cross also basked in those things that were shameful. To them, those things generally kept most secret were a source of humor. They boasted of their free-living as “freedom in Christ.” Paul addressed attitudes like these in Romans 6. To someone who has accepted Christ, they must live lives that show their new status. They are a new creation in Christ
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
No immorality should be seen among those who are saints. It is a rejection of their nature to continue in sin.
The fourth trait of the false professors is their focus on the earthly. They are earthly-minded.
These traits stem from a focus on life on earth. All these people live for are the pleasures to be experienced here on earth. The focus of our minds comes from the focus of our lives. If Christians are living in the Spirit of God, they will think about those things that pertain to the Spirit. If they are serving the flesh, they will focus on the flesh. Those who have carnal minds are enemies of God.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
This passage should be viewed as important for the believers on how not to live. They need to reject thoughts of things of the earth. They are to be heavenly-minded because their citizenship is there. A believer is to not have an earthly mind. Instead, they are to have the mind of Christ that does not follow their mind.
Application: Where is our focus today? Are we striving for Christlikeness? Most of us have a focus on the things of the earth. We are focused on our job, our family, and our future. We are satisfied to live to satisfy ourselves.
Transition: To live as citizens of heaven, we must be transformed by the Gospel. . .
2. Heavenly citizens Transformed (vs 20-21)
A. Citizens of Heaven
Philippians 3: 20 “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
In contrast to those who reject and oppose the Cross of Christ, our home is in Heaven. We are just strangers here on earth. Πολίτευμα (citizenship) is an hapax legomenon. There is a clear reference to Roman law in this word. Each of the related words in the New Testament has the idea of citizenship in a nation or community. This idea would be known by the Philippians because Philippi was a colony of displaced Roman citizens. A Roman colony was a place of legal fiction. Those in the colony were Roman citizens who lived under the same laws as if they were present in Rome.
In the word in the current passage, there is a reference to something nuanced from “citizenship.” BDAG references a colony of foreigners or relocated veterans. This signifies a special state that is made up of selected people. As applied to the church, they are a colony of citizens or maybe soldiers that are in a commonwealth separate from our home state. Since the present tense is used, the church’s citizenship exists in heaven even before they ever arrive. This is a reality that has implications for the church today. Since the church is made of citizens from heaven, it is a commonwealth of heavenly citizens apart from our home. In this context, we see that the church’s commonwealth is in heaven. The KJV translates this word as “let your conversation be.” This translation provides the emphasis on the actions that should result from reality. “Live as a citizen” is an appropriate interpretation that captures the active force of the word.
Application: Just like Philippi was a colony of Romans who lived according to Roman Law, the Christians are to live as a colony of heavenly citizens who are living under Christ’s law. They are to follow his commands and pledge their allegiance to him.
Transition: Citizens of heaven will look to heaven for their leader and example.
B. The Sovereign of Citizens
Philippians 3:20b “from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
The leader of citizens of heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be following His example and living according to his rules. We should be worshiping him.
Continuing in the metaphor of citizenship, Paul also references another concept that would be familiar to Romans. Σωτήρ was a common word used as a title for extraordinary esteem. Ptolemy I Soter [323–285 b.c.] was one of Alexander the Great’s generals. He was one of the generals that took over a quarter of Alexander’s empire upon his death. This title was ascribed to him. The Caesars also demanded that people call them this title as well as lord as part of the Caesars’ deification. Paul wanted to set up a clear contrast between the ruler of the Philippian colony with the ruler of the heavenly colony. Caesar claimed to be lord and savior, but Jesus was the true Lord and Savior. He was the one that truly has power over the earth.
Application: Do you live in submission to Christ as Lord? Do you understand the responsibly that you have to him?
Transition: Citizens of Heaven are transformed by the Gospel . .
C. The Salvation of Citizens
Philippians 3:21a “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,
The King and Lord will come from the Christians’ home country to deliver them from the earth and its encumbrances. He will come to transform the church’s bodies into ones such as his own.
The transformation that Christ will bring comes with his coming to the earth. This event happens at the rapture in a dispensational framework. While the eventual realization of this truth will come at the Rapture, the transformation began in salvation. After a Christian is saved, they are raised into the heights of heaven to be with God. This is talking about future eschatological reality. This happens as part of our salvation.
We are also given access by the Spirit of God to the Father.
We are also changed from being foreigners into being children of the King.
They have a heavenly inheritance being a part of God’s household. Eph 2:6 “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”
Ephesians 2:19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”
This passage is contributing to the doctrine of the completion of salvation. It is not something observable now. Instead, it is a part of a future glorification. It also adds to the understanding of the church. Its citizenship is in heaven. Its place of refuge is in heaven. This has consequences for the makeup of the church. It should consist of only those who have citizenship in heaven.
Transition: Citizens of Heaven are saved through the power of Christ. . .
D. The Source of Salvation
Philippians 3:21b “. . .according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
The power of God in Christ
The power that belongs to God is capable to transform all believers. There is a theological point as well. The power of God in the resurrection is also given to the Son to have at his disposal. Jesus Christ has power over everything. Also, it is a power of doing. Jesus is actively using this power to transform us in the present. The second infinitive phrase is a complementary direct object of the “his is able” from the phrase above.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
The Power of God over the World
He can subordinate everything under his control. He is all-powerful over the elements. If he can put all the earth under his control, he will not fail to fulfill his promise regarding the believer’s resurrection. This power is a theme in Philippians. Paul mentioned this earlier regarding Jesus’ humiliation. Because of the sacrifice he gave, God raised him to glory. Every person will bow their knee before him in worship. Every person will agree vocally that Jesus is the Sovereign over all the earth (2:9-11).
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Summary of Big Idea: Because of the example of Paul, believers know how to live life on this earth. The power to do so, however, belongs to God. He has given believers a standard of Christlikeness and an example of ungodliness. All believers must live lives that reflect where their citizenship lies. Live as citizens of heaven!
Final Application: Are you earthly minded? Are you following godly examples of Christlikeness? Are you citizen of heaven? Christ has the power to transform you. He will save you if you come to him in repentance. If you are a citizen, live as one!