The Identity of the Philippians

Philippians 1:27-2:4

I. Introduction

OPENING QUESTIONS

Idea #1: If you brought your passport, show the group the most interesting part about it (your favorite stamp, for example).

Idea #2: What are rights and privileges that come along with citizenship in the United States (or any other country)?

Idea #3: Tell a story from your life or from a book or movie when someone sacrificed their own self-interest for the sake of another.

PRAY

Open your time together in prayer.

REHEARSING THE GOSPEL

What does gospel mean?

Good news

What’s the good news?

Jesus died for my sins

Why did He die for your sins?

So that I can have abundant life in relationship with Him now and forever

REVIEW

Who wrote the book of Philippians?

Paul of Tarsus, the persecutor of the church who was converted on the Damascus road

Who was the original audience of this book?

The church in Philippi, which Paul planted

Why was the book of Philippians written?

To help us understand that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus” (1:6)

What’s going on?

REMIND

Paul has spent the first several verses bringing the Philippians up to speed on his imprisonment and why he has so much hope in the midst of so much suffering. Paul has told them, in effect, that no matter what suffering might come his way, the only two options are continuing to labor for Christ on earth or being with Christ in heaven. Paul’s eternally oriented mindset gives him hope for the future in the midst of the present. Now, Paul moves to encourage the Philippians to see their world through the same lenses.

TODAY WE’LL LEARN

Paul encourages the Philippians to live into their God-given identity: as citizens of heaven. It is this status of the Philippians which motivates their habits and actions, not the other way around.

Paul tells the Philippians what living into their identity looks like—encouragement in Christ, and consolation in love, affection, mercy, and fellowship with the Spirit. This is acted out in selflessness and in considering others more important than oneself.

Philippians 1:27–2:4 (CSB)

27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

1 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

II. Questions for Discussion

A. WHAT?

In vs.27, what does Paul encourage the Philippians to live a life worthy of?

Paul encourages the Philippians to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ. He is quick to establish the citizenship of the believer in heaven. What this means is that the believer’s inheritance is not of earth—we need not acquire things for selfish gain, since everything that belongs to us is of a different and eternal world.

What are some rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a life as a citizen of heaven, or a life worthy of the gospel? (vs. 27-28)

Since believers are citizens of heaven and not this earth, they are to live in a manner that reflects that citizenship. They’ll live as people whose inheritance is not of this fading earth, but is rather of a much more glorious and eternal realm. This includes standing firm in one spirit, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents, and even suffering for Christ.

Because of our status as citizens, we have assurance that there is encouragement, consolation of love, fellowship with the Spirit, affection, and mercy in Christ (2:1).

Further, we get the benefits of unity and fellowship with our fellow citizens—being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord, and of one mind (2:2). This means that, since we are citizens of the same heavenly place, we should look to be on the same page as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Kingdom Citizenship

Show passport photo.

Take a look at this passport. What’s on the front page?

Your identification, which tells everyone your national identity: your citizenship.

What’s on the other pages?

Stamps and visas tell government officials where you’ve been and where you're permitted to go, but these don’t reflect your permanent citizenship.

What rights or privileges does our citizenship grant us?

Our earthly citizenship tells us which country we belong to; it gives us certain rights within our own country. The kingdom of heaven is the country of identification on the front page of our eternal passport, and the world as we live in it now is only a stamp on the following pages. What really matters, permanently and eternally, is where our eternal citizenship is.

What does it mean to be conceited or to have selfish ambitions (2:3)?

To be conceited or have selfish ambitions is to place yourself before the needs of others. To be conceited or selfishly ambitious is to be, in a word, selfish.

Whose interests are Christians supposed to look to according to verse 4?

They are to look not only to their own interests, as if they were to be completely selfish, but to the interests of others.

B. SO WHAT?

Why is it important that Paul mentions to the Philippians that they will suffer for Christ (1:29)?

Paul knows that his suffering for his faith in Christ is not an isolated incident. In the coming years, more and more Christians will be persecuted for their faith. Thus, it is important that they know that this can (and probably will) happen to them as well. Christians are citizens of a different kingdom; this world is not our home.

In verses 27-29, there is a lot of talk about parts of the Christian life which aren’t necessarily fun, like suffering and attacking of the faith. What does Paul say to reassure the Philippians?

Paul speaks very certainly in this passage. He assures the Philippians that their faith comes from God. None of this surprises God and He has deemed it ultimately good for their salvation (1:6).

Does this mean we should completely abandon ourselves and our own well-being (2:4)?

Paul says in verse 4, “Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather the interests of others.” Its okay to look out for your own interest, but you should prioritize others first.

How might the unity of Christians and their citizenship in heaven be related?

Paul connects the unity in verse 27b to the heavenly citizenship individual believers have in verse 27a. Imagine if you met someone on a plane in a foreign country from your hometown—you would have an instant connection! You would probably share an accent and know at least a few people and places in common. The same is true for Christians; because the world they're living in isn't their ultimate place of residence, Christians have a special understanding of one another.

But for Paul, the issue is even deeper than that—unity is what completes Paul’s joy (2:2). The fellowship of God’s people is an avenue to experiencing God and finding joy in Him as He is glorified by His church, so this unity both glorifies God and is exceedingly better than discord within the community.

C. NOW WHAT?

Paul is warning the Philippian church of coming persecution in verse 29. How do you see or experience persecution in your own life?

What are some ways we might consider others more important than ourselves in our day to day lives? How has Christ freed us to care for others, more than we care for ourselves?

Christ has freed us from the need to save ourselves, to justify ourselves, or to prove ourselves. Christ has provided us with everything we need, so we no longer need to live for ourselves. We can live for Christ by looking out for the interests of others.

What does it mean for us that our citizenship in heaven comes before our acting in line with that citizenship? What emotions does this truth evoke in us?

Main takeaway

God’s salvation of us, His granting us citizenship in heaven through Christ’s work, is the source of our selflessness, our unity, and our security in the midst of persecution.

Paul uses this citizenship remark to set the table for the next several points he will make (like his appeals to unity and selflessness), but first and foremost, it is as if he is saying, “You’re in Christ! None of your sins count against you anymore. You don’t have to earn love or acceptance anymore—God has freely given it to us! Let that truth soak through all of your actions!” Because our destiny isn’t dependent on us, we should feel free and filled with joy as a result!

III. Closing

REMEMBERING THE GOOD NEWS

Our own selfishness is a constant reminder of our own sin. And yet, Paul says that the gospel speaks directly to our selfishness. A great deal of our selfishness comes as a result of protecting ourselves, our possessions, or our egos, and Paul says we don’t need to worry about that any longer! We are citizens of heaven and are free to give our lives for others.

Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died a terrible death, and rose again not just so that you would go to heaven when you died. He did these things so that you might have a full life now, so feel free to stop earning your salvation. You no longer have to earn God's approval; you're free to love freely since you have been loved freely.

Supporting Resources

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Where are you being selfish in your life? Where are you working for your own vain ambition (2:3)?

How does God’s new citizenship for you change how you feel and what you do (1:27)?

How does Paul’s picture of this Christian community make you feel? What does it make you think of (2:1-4)?

QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS

Share with your child a time during which you were selfish.

What does being a citizen of God’s kingdom mean to you?

Have there been any groups of people which have been particularly impactful for you? Which ones and why?

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Lord, we have been selfish and have saved our best for ourselves. We have not believed You when You’ve told us that we are citizens of Your heavenly kingdom. Help us to understand that identity You’ve given us more deeply each day and help us to walk in a manner worthy of it, for it is only with Your help that we can even begin to stumble toward that.