Heaven is Our Home: Don’t Settle For Less

Sermon Title: Heaven is Our Home: Don’t Settle For Less

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Occasion: Freeway Sanford

Date: April 3, 2025

“Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Ti 1:2.

Introduction: “Don’t Forget Where You Belong”

I want to begin tonight with a true story.

There was a man named John.

He grew up in a poor neighborhood but got adopted by a wealthy family.

He was given a new name, a new future, and an invitation to come live with them forever in their home.

But instead of going with them, John chose to go back to the streets where he came from.

He slept in a back alley, stole to survive, and lived like he had nothing—though he had been offered everything.

Why would someone live like that? Simple:

He forgot who he was.

He forgot where he belonged.

That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul is warning us about in tonight’s passage.

The sermon tonight is called: “Heaven Is Our Home: Don’t Settle for Less.”

You see, if you’re in Christ—if you believe in Jesus and follow Him—you belong to heaven.

But the truth is, many of us forget that.

We start living like this world is all there is.

We run after things that will never last.

Some of us don’t even know we’ve been offered something better.

So tonight, I want to show you what Paul says in Philippians 3:17–21—about two ways to live, two kinds of people, and one real hope.

Let’s read the passage together.

Philippians 3:17–21 ESV

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Opening Prayer

Big Idea:

Don’t live for the world that’s passing away. If you belong to Jesus, you belong to heaven—live like it.

Outline:

Follow those who follow Jesus (v.17)

Don’t follow those who live for themselves (vv.18–19)

Remember where your true home is (vv.20–21)

1. Follow Those Who Follow Jesus

Philippians 3:17 ESV

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Paul starts this section with deep affection—“Brothers.”

He’s not writing as a cold theologian.

He’s writing as a spiritual father, a brother in the trenches, pleading with love.

And what does he plead for?

“Join in imitating me…”

At first, that might sound proud or arrogant.

But remember what Paul just said earlier in chapter 3—he hasn’t arrived yet.

He’s not perfect.

He’s still running the race.

Philippians 3:12 ESV

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Paul isn’t pointing to perfection—he’s pointing to direction. He’s saying: “I’m chasing hard after Jesus. Watch my pace. Follow my lead. And find others who are doing the same.”

Faithful Living Needs Faithful Models

This was common in Paul’s Jewish background.

Rabbis weren’t just teachers—they were examples.

You didn’t just learn by listening—you learned by watching. In the Christian life, you need more than a Bible in your hand—you need a believer to walk beside.

That’s why Paul adds:

“Keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”(v.17)

The word Paul uses—“keep your eyes on”—means watch closely, fix your focus, track their life. It’s not just a glance—it’s a gaze.

Watch how they live.

Learn their habits.

See how they love, how they repent, how they suffer, how they obey Christ.

Illustration: Our Discipleship House at Freeway Sanford

That’s what we’re doing at Freeway Sanford Mens house.

Our men’s home isn’t just a recovery home—it’s a discipleship house.

We believe discipleship is recovery.

That means the men in our house aren’t just getting clean—they’re learning how to follow Jesus.

And they’re not doing that alone.

They’re walking with two kinds of people:

Brothers who have been through the same fire—other men who know what it’s like to wrestle and fall and fight back again.

And church members who have walked in wisdom and helped others avoid the fire—men who disciple them, open the Word with them, pray with them, and live out what it means to walk in grace and truth.

That’s what Paul is talking about here. You need brothers beside you—and leaders ahead of you.

Who Are You Watching?

So let me ask: Who are you watching? Who are you copying—intentionally or unintentionally?

Are they chasing Jesus—or chasing the world?

The people you follow are shaping you—more than you know.

If you're following angry people, you’ll become bitter.

If you’re following worldly people, you’ll become distracted.

But if you’re following people who are imitating Christ—you’ll grow.

A Word to Leaders and New Believers Alike

If you’ve been following Jesus for a while—be someone worth watching. Not perfect—but pressing on.

People are watching how you live.

And if you’re just getting started in the faith—you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

That’s why God gave you the church.

That’s why He gives spiritual family.

But here’s the point, and I want to say it plainly:

If you claim the name of Christ—if you say you belong to Him—then there is no excuse for misrepresenting Him with your words, your actions, or your lifestyle.

People are watching.

And when they see you, they should see something of Jesus.

Not perfection—but reflection.

Don’t carry His name and live in a way that contradicts it.

As Charles Spurgeon once said:

“A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ.”

So Paul says: Follow me.

Watch others who walk this way.

Walk together toward Christ.

This is how we grow.

This is how we keep going.

This is how we don’t settle for less, and live like kingdom citizens in this world.

Transition to Point 2:

But Paul doesn’t just tell us who to follow— He also warns us who not to follow.

Because while there are some walking toward Christ— There are many walking the opposite way.

And Paul doesn’t speak about them lightly.

He speaks about them with tears.

Let’s look at verses 18–19 as we come to the second point: (First Point: Follow Those Who Follow Jesus)

2. Don’t Follow Those Who Live for Themselves

Philippians 3:18–19 (ESV)

Philippians 3:18–19 ESV

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Paul has just said, “Follow me and follow others who walk like Christ.” Now he says—don’t follow people who walk the opposite way.

And he doesn’t say this with anger or arrogance. He says it “with tears.”

This grieves him. He’s not mad at these people—he’s broken over them. Why?

Because they’ve heard the truth… they’ve tasted something of Jesus… but they’ve rejected the cross, and now they live for themselves.

A. “Enemies of the cross of Christ”

Paul says plainly—they walk as enemies of the cross. This doesn’t just mean they deny Jesus—it means they reject the lifestyle that comes with following Him.

What is that lifestyle? The cross-shaped life.

The crucified life.

The life that says “not my will, but Yours be done.” The life that dies to sin and lives to Christ.

These folks don’t want to deny themselves or carry any cross.

They want Christ without the cost.

Grace without repentance.

Heaven without holiness.

And Paul says: they’re not just mistaken—they are enemies of the cross.

B. Four Warning Signs of a Self-Centered Life

Paul gives us four marks to recognize this kind of life:

1. “Their end is destruction” They might look like they’re winning right now. They might have more money, more followers, more fun. But their story ends in ruin. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Prov. 14:12)

You may remember this from your own story: It felt good at first, but it took you lower and lower. That’s where this road always leads—destruction.

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. –”

― R Zaccharias

2. “Their god is their belly” In other words: they worship their cravings. Whatever they feel—they follow. If it feels good, they chase it.

Drugs.

Lust.

Power.

Comfort.

Control.

Their appetites rule their lives.

But here’s the truth:

If your cravings are your god, they’ll never stop asking for more. And in the end, they’ll eat you alive.

One scholar said it like this:

“Their stomach has become their sanctuary.”

What a tragedy… when the throne of our life is given to the thing that most easily controls us.

3. “They glory in their shame” This means they brag about things they should be ashamed of.

They post it.

They praise it.

They even laugh about it.

What used to be done in the dark is now celebrated in the light. And it breaks Paul’s heart. They call evil good—and think it's freedom.

But let me tell you:

It is not freedom to be proud of what God calls shame. And the things we once boasted in—Jesus came to die for.

4. “Their minds are set on earthly things” This is the heart of it. All they care about is the here and now.

The next high.

The next hookup.

The next check.

They live as if this world is all there is. But Paul says:

They’ve forgotten heaven.

They’ve abandoned the cross.

And they’re headed toward destruction.

Real Talk:

Paul isn’t writing about unbelievers. He’s talking about people who claim to follow Jesus—but who live for themselves.

Let’s bring it closer: Some of us have live like this. We claim Jesus with our lips—but chase the world with our lives. And if we’re honest, we know better. We arent just lost… we are running!

But listen—God, in His mercy, brought you here tonight.

Not to shame you.

But to rescue you. To say:

You don’t have to keep walking that road.

There’s a better way.

Illustration: The Candy Diet

Imagine a guy who eats nothing but candy. Skittles for breakfast.

Snickers for lunch.

Sour Patch Kids for dinner.

At first, it’s fun.

It’s sweet.

It’s easy. But give it a month… His teeth rot, his body breaks down, and his energy crashes. He’s full—but dying.

That’s what sin does.

It satisfies for a second… but it starves your soul, and it kills you slowly. Sin always over-promises and under-delivers.

Application:

Paul is warning us:

Don’t follow people who live that way. If they’re driven by the flesh, if they make excuses for sin, if their life is about comfort—not Christ—don’t walk in their footsteps.

Don’t let someone who’s headed for destruction take you with them.

Instead… look for someone walking with Jesus. And follow their lead.

Transition to Point Three:

But Paul doesn’t just give us a warning. He gives us a hope.

He lifts our eyes from the road of destruction… and points us to the road that leads home.

Let’s look at the final part of this passage.

First Point: Follow Those Who Follow Jesus

Point 2: Don’t Follow Those Who Live for Themselves

3. Remember Where Your True Home Is

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Paul now lifts our eyes. He says—Don’t get stuck looking down at the world.

Look up.

Remember where you really belong.

A. “Our citizenship is in heaven”

That word citizenship meant something big to the Philippians. They lived in Philippi—a Roman colony.

That meant even though they were in Macedonia, they were legally Romans. They lived far from Rome, but they still belonged to it. They dressed like Romans, acted like Romans, followed Roman law—because that was their true home.

Paul is using that idea to say:

If you belong to Jesus, you don’t belong here anymore.

You’re a citizen of heaven.

You might live in Sanford… but your identity isn’t found in your old life.

Not in your past.

Not in your addiction.

Not in your status.

You are heaven’s property.

And just like the Philippians didn’t wait for a vacation to Rome—they waited for Caesar to visit them—we are waiting for King Jesus to come to us.

B. “From it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…”

This world isn’t getting better by itself. No program, no politician, no paycheck will fix what’s broken deep down.

So we wait.

But not with hopelessness. We wait with eager expectation—because we know who’s coming.

We don’t just wait for a rescue—we wait for OUR Rescuer.

Jesus is coming again.

And when He comes—He comes to bring us home.

C. “He will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body…”

Right now, we live in weak, broken, sinful bodies. Bodies that carry scars from what we’ve done… and what’s been done to us. Bodies marked by trauma, pain, disease, addiction, shame.

But Paul says: Jesus is going to change all of that.

He will take your lowly body and raise it in glory—just like His.

This is resurrection power. This is gospel hope.

This means:

Your pain will not last forever.

Your struggle with sin is not your forever story.

The body that once bowed to addiction will one day bow to King Jesus, made whole.

You won’t just be “better.” You’ll be brand new!

D. “By the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control…”

How will Jesus do this?

By His power. Not yours. Not your strength. Not your willpower.

He’s the One who rules over every king, every demon, every addiction, every diagnosis. There is nothing too broken for Jesus to fix.

Not your mind.

Not your body.

Not your marriage.

Not your story.

He doesn’t just save souls—He restores lives.

Illustration: The Junkyard Redemption

Picture a rusted-out car in a junkyard. The paint’s faded.

Tires are flat.

Engine doesn’t run.

It’s been sitting there, forgotten.

But one day, someone walks by and says, “I want that one.” They take it home, clean it up, rebuild it, repaint it—inside and out. What used to be worthless becomes beautiful.

Restored.

Useful again.

That’s what Jesus does with us.

He doesn’t scrap you.

He saves you. He doesn’t junk you.

He justifies you.

Then He sanctifies you—and one day, He glorifies you.

Simple Question:

Where is your hope tonight?

Are you living for earth—or for heaven?

Are you settling for what’s broken, or waiting for what’s promised?

If your hope is in this world, you’ll always come up empty. But if your hope is in Christ—you’ll never be disappointed.

Conclusion: Don’t Settle for Less—Come Home

Let me close with a story.

A few years ago, there was a young man who had finally gotten clean after years of addiction. He was doing well. Going to church.

Serving.

Smiling.

But one day, he slipped. And instead of reaching out, he ran.

He thought, “I already messed up. I already disappointed everyone. What’s the point?”

So he went back.

Back to the streets.

Back to the old friends.

Back to the poison he once escaped.

A few months later, they found him—Dead, cold, and alone.

I preached at his funeral.

At his funeral, his mother whispered words to me I will never forget,

“He forgot he had a home. He forgot he was loved. He forgot he belonged.”

Friends, I don’t want that to be your story.

Some of you are right on the edge.

You’ve heard the truth.

You’ve felt the tug.

You’ve tasted grace.

But you're settling for what the world offers instead of trusting in what God promises.

Don’t.

Don’t settle for less.

Don’t trade eternity for a moment of pleasure.

Don’t trade Jesus for junk.

Don’t walk away from the cross that can carry you home.

To the Believer:

If you know Jesus—remember who you are.

You are a citizen of heaven.

So stop playing in the dirt when your Father has prepared a feast.

Live like you belong to the kingdom.

Not perfect—but pressing on.

Not earning grace—but responding to it.

To the Lost:

And if you’re here tonight and you don’t yet know Jesus—

Don’t walk out of here thinking you’ll clean yourself up and come back later.

There might not be a later.

But there is a Savior right now.

He’s not ashamed of your mess.

He died for it.

He rose again to give you a new life, a new name, a new future.

And tonight—He’s calling you home.

So I want to invite you: come to Jesus.

Not to a program.

Not to a religion.

To a Person.

To a King who bled for you.

To a Savior who loves you.

To a Father who welcomes prodigals.

Closing Words:

Heaven is your home tonight—don’t settle for less.

Don’t walk as an enemy of the cross.

Don’t waste your life chasing what dies.

Follow those who follow Christ.

Flee from those who live for themselves.

And fix your eyes on the One who’s coming back for you.

Jesus is enough.

Jesus is better.

Jesus is waiting.

Come home.

Closing Prayer

Father in Heaven, We come before You tonight, not pretending to be strong, but admitting we’re weak. We’ve chased the world, and it’s left us empty. We’ve tried to fix ourselves, and we’ve only made a bigger mess.

But tonight—we see Jesus. We see a Savior who didn’t wait for us to climb our way to heaven… but came down to us, bled for us, died for us, and rose again to bring us home.

Lord, for the brother who’s weary, remind him where he belongs. For the sister who’s ashamed, cover her with Your mercy. For the one who’s on the edge of walking away, pull them back with Your love. And for the one who doesn’t know You—open their eyes. Break the chains.

Soften the heart. Show them that grace is not earned, but given.

Thank You that we don’t have to clean ourselves up to come to You— we come dirty, and You make us clean. We come empty, and You fill us with hope. We come broken, and You promise to restore us.

Help us now to walk in what we’ve heard. To follow those who follow Jesus. To flee from the path of destruction. To remember that our true home is in heaven. And to wait with joy for the day our King returns.

Don’t let us settle for less, God. We want You. We need You. We trust You.

In Jesus’ name—our Savior, our King, our coming Lord—we pray, Amen.