7.3.44 9.24.202 Challenges of Citizenship Philippians 1.27-30

Start:

Entice: Our faith in Christ has made us foreigners. Not because of the color of our skin or the accent with which we speak. Christians are outsiders because we do not share the allegiance to tribe or nation with those around us. At best we are a part of two different and conflicting worlds. This has been a struggle since the very beginning. Even the disciples first saw their faith in terms their common experience. The cross changed their perspective on all forms of earthly power.

We spend far too much

time,

talent,

and

treasure

trying to reconcile heavenly and earthly citizenship.

We mistakingly think that we can mix earthly and heavenly citizenship,  and end up compromising both.

I have long said that the equation is simple to understand

Empire+Church=Empire.

This framework is important for understanding what Paul teaches us about responsible citizenship in today’s text.

Philippians 1:27–30 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Engage: The consequences of confusing our role(s) as citizens and whose rule we live beneath are enormous. If we get this wrong, we wind up with a Church that no longer speaks with courage amid a culture that is collapsing in on itself. When we forget where our allegiance lies, we focus on saving the culture rather than saving from the culture.

Expand: Like all Romans the Philippians were well aware of what that citizenship meant. It was in Philippi that Paul first used his own Roman citizenship to advance his cause.

Roman citizenship came with

benefits

expectations

and

responsibilities.

You were expected to conduct yourself in a certain fashion because you shared in the civitas. Paul understood that his mixed citizenship afforded great opportunity and tremendous risk. The primary risk was allowing Roman privilege and responsibility to subsume his primary responsibility to Christ. Neither Caesar nor Jesus allowed for compromised allegiance. And nothing has changed.

Excite: Our continuing task is balancing the realities of living here and now with our Kingdom citizenship. Maintaining that balance is work. We are constantly bombarded with images and messages designed to seduce us into the arms of Empire. Just like our initial choice of follow Jesus we must continue to choose obedient citizenship every day.

Explore:

A worthy walk demonstrates our Kingdom citizenship.

Expand: Today’s text highlights three characteristics of a worthy walk.

Body of Sermon: First Paul discusses our

1 Conduct.

Paul tells us that appropriate Christian living is

1.1 Intentional.

Not only is intentional it is Imperative—this is a command.

1.2 Obvious.

1.2.1 It should be something that we do so instinctively that Paul says I will know about it whether I’m there or not.

1.2.2 The reputation of our life should bring honor to Christ.

Paul goes beyond the impact of our conduct to describe it.

We should be known for…

1.3 Standing Firm.

We should be known for being…

1.4 Unified.

One mind, one spirit, working together.

1.5 Unafraid.

We can be unafraid

1.5.1 Because the outcome is clear.

We can be unafraid

1.5.2 Because God is in charge.

Next, Paul highlights

2 Conviction.

In this text Paul frames Christian conviction with two descriptions.

First, conviction means the

2.1 Faith of the Gospel.

2.1.1 It is shared.

2.1.2 It is content-oriented.

Next conviction is framed as

2.2 For the Sake of Christ.

It is personal. Our conviction matters not only to us but to Christ and His entire Church.

Finally, Paul highlights the uncomfortable most uncomfortable characteristic…

3 Conflict.

We would like to think that conflict with Empire is some kind of accident, that if Christians and non-Christians could just talk, we could work things out.

It is not so simple. Caesar is jealous and those who serve him will always make his case. Yet Paul wants us to understand the nature and extent of this conflict.

He tell us

3.1 We are opposed and oppressed but not defeated.

He reminds us that there are

3.2 Two sides to the coin.

Destruction and deliverance.

Paul, who was in much worse shape than the Philippians was able to frame conflict for them, reminding them (from jail) that it is

3.3 Expected and universal

same conflict; different person different place

Shut Down

Paul would have understood the complexities of identity in the 21st century. He was an immigrant. He was from Tarsus, educated in Jerusalem, multi-lingual, and a Roman citizen. But most importantly he shoved all those identity markers and privileges aside to give full allegiance to Jesus. It had to be hard. In Philippians he will talk about his various past(s) and how they all were collapsed into his faith in Jesus. It was hard for him, and it is, or should be hard for us.

If anyone told you that coming to Christ is easy, or just another part of an identity you are stuck with or are making for yourself, you’ve been lied to. Paul describes conversion as “dying to self.” It is a radical, complete, total, break from who we are outside of Jesus. In trying to combine being a good citizen of Empire, with walking worthy of our Kingdom citizenship we end up disappointing Caesar and Jesus.

We have to choose, and we continue choosing every day. Who do you want to disappoint? Caesar or Christ?