The Future Looks Bright: Rescue

Our One True Hope

Philippians 3:17–21

Summary: In Philippians 3:17–21, the apostle Paul reminds believers to trust in Christ as they eagerly await the Savior. This passage emphasizes the transformation of our lowly bodies to be like Christ's glorious body when He returns.

Application: This sermon will encourage Christians to find hope and assurance in Christ’s eternal Kingdom, especially during times of political tension and uncertainty. Believers can find peace and hope by fixing their eyes on the eternal King, Jesus, who offers a bright future despite the challenges of the present.

Teaching: The Two Kingdoms.

Called to Believe, Teach, and Confess: An Introduction to Doctrinal Theology 1. One King, Two Kingdoms

1. One King, Two Kingdoms

It can be a challenge to deal with the complex issues of life in this world. Christians frequently feel tensions between paradoxical truths. The world was created by the triune God and belongs to him, but it does not recognize or acknowledge him. Christ died to redeem all people, but many reject him and his ways. As the children of God, we know that this fallen world is not really our home, yet God has placed us here. How can we live with these paradoxes?

Some people try to sort out these issues by compartmentalizing their lives. God is for spiritual things. He is proclaimed in worship and Bible studies. He is available to listen to prayers, to forgive, and bless people, but he has no real interest or involvement in the rest of life. Those things are left up to human beings and our efforts. While this may be a popular understanding, it is not how God deals with humanity. God is not interested only in “spiritual” matters. He created the material world. He loves and provides for both Christians and non-Christians (even while desiring that non-Christians come to faith in him). He provides for all creatures. God is not limited by our categories or our understanding. All aspects of our existence are dependent upon him. Yet there is some truth in the idea that we can distinguish between different areas of life. Even though God is interested in both “sacred” and “secular” realms, he works in them in different ways.

God Rules His Church

God is indeed Lord of the church. All of his people, whom he has called to faith, acknowledge him as savior and king. Though we daily fall into sin and fail our king, he freely forgives us for Christ’s sake and blesses us as we live and serve in his kingdom. In this kingdom, he rules by his Gospel. By his grace, he continues to bless and equip us for service. While God can act directly and miraculously to do this, he promises that he will act in his church through the means of grace. Moreover, his word tells us that he wants to give these fatherly blessings to all people. Christ has died for all, and offers all people a place in this kingdom, though only those who receive him in faith will know the blessings of life in this kingdom. Many of the blessings that Christians receive and experience in this life are given to them in this kingdom, and we rejoice that God gives them so freely to us. Because God’s greatest desire for human beings is that we hear the Gospel and come to faith, this aspect of his work is sometimes called his “right hand” reign, or “the kingdom of the right.”

God Rules Over All Creation

Of course, we know about the blessings that God gives us in his church. We have already examined these things in more detail in a number of chapters. As wonderful as these gifts are, the Scriptures do not confine God and his work to the church. Indeed, the Lord rules over all creation. As he cares for believers in the church, so he cares for all creatures in this wider kingdom. God gives the gift of life to all creatures. Whether they acknowledge him or not, all creatures owe their existence to the creative work of God. In the same way, he provides for all creatures. All people receive his care and blessings in this life, not just Christians. Jesus reminds us of this, saying,

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9–11)

Despite their sinfulness, human parents take care of their children. God, who is holy, provides greater care for all people. Moreover, his gifts are not conditional. They are not a reward for good behavior. Instead, “… your Father who is in heaven … makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). God cares for all people even though none of us deserves his blessings.

God provides for us through these blessings of nature, but these are only the beginning of his providential care. He protects and cares for people through families. He rules and cares for us by providing protection, order and safety through the work of governments. He provides for our daily needs through the work and service of people who strive to perform their jobs well. We tend to consider these things as the work of human beings, but Scripture shows us that God provides for us in these and many other ways.

In our “secular” lives, just as in the church, God can work directly (immediately) or through means (mediately). For example, he may provide us with food by performing a miracle. The Israelites were given the gift of manna by God’s direct, immediate action. God can also provide us with food through the labors of farmers, shippers, grocers, and cooks. Either way, our hunger is satisfied. When a person is sick, they rightly pray to God for his healing. God may cure them miraculously, but is the outcome any different if he heals them through the service of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists? Either way, God has cared for them.

God is truly working in his world, but we should recognize that he works in different ways. Here in the world, God works not through the Gospel but through Law. Governments care for people not by administering the sacraments or forgiving sins but by administering justice. Here God works mediately by restraining sin and providing order. To distinguish this work of God from his work in the church, this is sometimes called his “left hand” rule, or “the kingdom of the left.” These distinctions are reminders that God works in different ways and with different goals in these two kingdoms.

Christians Live in Both Kingdoms

While God works with different means and objectives in both of these kingdoms, he works for our good in both. He is the one king who reigns over both of these kingdoms. Christians are more accustomed to speaking of God’s work in the church than in the world, but we should recognize his action in both kingdoms. By doing this, we will see more of our Lord’s loving care. In addition, we should recognize that he works in both kingdoms because we live in both kingdoms. We receive his blessings in the church, but we also are under his care and his rule in the world.

But this is where we often experience tension and challenges. The two kingdoms operate with different purposes and objectives. The workings of a government have different aims than the ministry of the church, yet Christians are called to obey the government (Romans 13:1). In addition, all institutions that have human involvement are prone to experience the effects of sin. Governments, families, marriages, and jobs are all prone to failure, and disappointment. People who serve in the kingdom of the left, and those who serve in the kingdom of the right are apt to confuse their authority and their role. So we see Christians trying to advance the mission of the church through political power, or politicians exploiting religion to gain control or influence. We may be confused as we live simultaneously in these two kingdoms. These are common problems in this fallen world.

While human sinfulness can frustrate and confuse us, God still reigns in both kingdoms, and his will is done in spite of human foolishness. We know great blessings through both his left hand and right hand rule. We have already examined the rule of God in his church in detail. In this chapter we consider the workings of God in our lives as we live together in society. We see God’s providential care in our vocations, marriages, families, and in government. In all of these institutions, God works for our good.

How this passage could point to Christ: The return of Christ can be traced through His death and resurrection, He kept His promise that He would return there and He did so we know He will keep that promise culminating in the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan in the return of Jesus as King. Christ is the center of our hope, and His return will bring the fullest realization of God's Kingdom on earth.

Big Idea: Through our anticipation of the return of Jesus and the transformation of our bodies to be like His, we find hope and assurance in the promises of God's eternal Kingdom and of His Christ, making our future look bright despite the challenges of the present.

Points to develop:

People being rescued from an embassy. Black Hawk down (but maybe not because it is super powerful or at least something like it)

Contrasting Citizenship's

Philippians 3:18-19

Today we will explore the contrast Paul draws between those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ and our calling as citizens of heaven.

In this series we are recognizing this dichotomy and how that helps us to remain hopeful and focused on our future in heaven, rather than being disheartened by current events.

A Teaching on the Two Kingdoms

Today we need to talk about P-O-L-I-T- euma (definition and what it is)

So what does it mean to be dual citizens? Well we know enough about our nation and its politics and its citizens. So no need to go there (whew) but let’s talk about this other citizenship we have… Who is God (as we are citizens of His Kingdom). Who are we (what is the relationship between this reign and rule of God and us) How do we interact with the world as citizens of heaven? (Talk through the Metaphoric Domain Model… see attached)

I remember the powerful emotions when I saw footage of people being rescued at an embassy during a crisis. The hopelessness turned to tears of joy as they reached safety. It reminds me of the amazing rescue we have in Jesus, who brings us from despair to hope.

Imagine the historical significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall, where many were rescued from oppression. That moment is a powerful symbol of liberation and the yearning for freedom. It reflects the ultimate freedom we have in Christ, who rescues us from the bondage of sin.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt, a moment of immense relief and gratitude. Their rescue illustrates the incredible deliverance we experience in Christ, who frees us from the slavery of sin and gives us a new identity.

Picture a modern-day rescue mission when hostages are liberated from captivity. The overwhelming emotions of fear turning into tears of joy mirror the transformation we undergo when we are rescued by Jesus from our fears and sins.

The Bible recounts the remarkable story of Peter's miraculous rescue from prison, a moment when prayers were answered and chains were broken. This event powerfully illustrates the miraculous deliverance we experience in Christ, who sets us free from all kinds of bondage.

During World War II, a group of American soldiers risked their lives to rescue a fellow soldier who was stranded behind enemy lines. Their bravery and sacrifice mirrors the rescue mission of Christ, who went behind enemy lines (sin and death) to save us.

Imagine a civilian evacuation during wartime, where a rescue team endures great danger to extract stranded civilians. This mirrors Christ's rescue mission, as He entered enemy territory to save us from the bondage of sin and death.

In a real-life rescue behind enemy lines, a soldier placed himself in imminent danger to save his fellow comrades. This act of selflessness parallels Christ's sacrifice, as He entered our broken world to rescue us from the clutches of sin.

During the Korean War, a small group of soldiers undertook a secret mission to rescue captured comrades from enemy territory. Their courage and willingness to sacrifice themselves for others reflects Christ's mission to rescue us from the enemy's grip of sin.