Resident Aliens
Notes
Transcript
Resident Aliens
Resident Aliens
To show that belonging to heaven's politeuma means living a visibly different life under the rule of King Jesus, and persevering until the goal is reached.
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us, then, who are mature think this way, and if you think differently about anything, this, too, God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Not That I’ve Arrived (Philippians 3:12–16)
A. Paul’s Relentless Pursuit (vv. 12–13)
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
“Not that I have already obtained this or have already been perfected…”
Paul doesn’t presume completion. This opposes the OSAS mindset.
He uses καταλάβω (grasp/seize), like Jacob wrestling in Genesis 32:26.
Also echoes 1 Corinthians 9:24: “Run in such a way as to win the prize.”
B. A One-Direction Life (v. 13)
Paul forgets what lies behind, his status, sins, success, and suffering.
He “strains forward,” using athletic language (*ἐπεκτεινόμενος*), showing intensity.
Compare: Luke 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
C. Stay in Your Lane (vv. 14–16)
I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us, then, who are mature think this way, and if you think differently about anything, this, too, God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
“I press on toward the goal” (*σκοπός*), a finish line with a reward.
The “upward call” is both heavenly in origin and eschatological in destiny.
Philippians 1:6 supports this tension: “He who began…will complete…”, but not yet.
Maturity (*τέλειοι*, v.15) means admitting you’re not done and running anyway.
Living Heaven’s Way Now (Philippians 3:17–4:1)
A. Who Are You Following? (v. 17)
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.
“Join in imitating me”, Paul lives what he preaches (cf. 1 Thess 1:6).
“Keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example”, you need visible examples.
Hebrews 13:7: “Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
B. Warning About Earthly-Minded “Christians” (vv. 18–19)
For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.
Paul’s tears show this is not an attack, but grief.
These “enemies of the cross” may claim Christ but deny him by their lives.
“God is their belly” = appetite-driven living. See Romans 16:18.
“Glory in shame” = brag about what God grieves.
“Mind set on earthly things” = they live like this is all there is. Cf. Colossians 3:2.
C. Our *Politeuma* Is in Heaven (v. 20)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
*Politeuma* = citizenship, constitution, community under one authority.
What Is a πολίτευμα?
What Is a πολίτευμα?
Root Meaning
Root Meaning
The noun πολίτευμα occurs only once in the New Testament (Phil 3:20).
It derives from the verb πολιτεύομαι ("to live as a citizen"), and the noun πόλις (city) (more that 400 times), the foundational political unit in Greek society.
In classical and Hellenistic usage, πολίτευμα referred to the constitution, civil organization, or the rights and duties of a citizen body.
Philo and Josephus often use it to describe Israel’s identity as governed by Torah under God's rule, not Rome or Greece.
In the Septuagint, πολιτεύομαι is used in 2 Maccabees 6:1 and 11:25 to refer to religious and civic behavior, linking law-keeping with public identity.
From an Old Testament perspective, the idea is living as a citizen of Zion, Jerusalem (heavenly)
The Philippians are not familiar with the entire backdrop of the Hebrew Bible
But, as I have said, they are familiar with living in a culture with family, city, regional, and national gods
And that life forms your identity
It informs your decisions
How you interact with the world around you
How you interact with co-workers, students, your children, spouse, or ex-spouse, etc.
Paul contrasts two realities:
The enemies of the cross (3:18–19), whose minds are set on earthly things.
The πολίτευμα ἐν οὐρανοῖς—a civic allegiance and way of life derived from a heavenly source (3:20).
For Roman Philippians, living in a Roman colonia meant honoring Caesar and Roman law while physically distant from Rome. Paul flips the metaphor: believers live on earth but belong to a heavenly King whose rule defines their conduct and future hope.
Roman Philippi was loyal to Rome despite being 800 miles away.
Christians live under Jesus’s reign even though the world looks Roman (or American).
Ephesians 2:19: “You are no longer strangers… but fellow citizens with the saints.”
D. What Does It Mean to Belong to Heaven’s Polity?
It means *bearing the Name* (cf. Exodus 23:21)—God’s presence governs your behavior.
Wisdom texts like Proverbs 3:3–6 urge trust, justice, and humility over status.
(Hold some till the end…!)
Proverbs 31:8–9: “Speak for the mute… judge righteously…”, advocacy is part of divine citizenship.
Isaiah 26:2: “Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the one that remains faithful.”
E. Awaiting the King (vv. 20–21)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
“Eagerly await” = *ἀπεκδεχόμεθα*, deep longing for a not-yet-visible reality.
Jesus will transform our lowly bodies, resurrection is the goal.
1 John 3:2–3: “When He appears, we shall be like Him… everyone who has this hope purifies himself.”
Living as heavenly citizens now is preparation for future transformation.
F. Therefore Stand Firm (4:1)
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
“Stand firm” (*στήκετε*), a military and civic word. Don’t retreat, don’t blend in.
Like Daniel refusing Babylon’s food or Mordecai refusing to bow, public loyalty matters.
1 Corinthians 16:13: “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
Call to Action: “What If We Lived This Way?”
What It Means Today: A Western Translation
What It Means Today: A Western Translation
To a modern Western listener, πολίτευμα means:
“The social structure and way of life that marks your true allegiance, not just where your passport says you’re from, but what shapes your behavior, your values, and your destiny.”
In other words:
It is not merely belief, but identity lived out in allegiance.
It is a community and way of life ruled by a present King who is not visible yet but is coming.
It means you reject the constitutions of the world (wealth, self, power, nation) and live as a citizen under the rule of heaven, now.
Practical Implication for Philippians 3:20 Sermon
Practical Implication for Philippians 3:20 Sermon
“To belong to the heavenly πολίτευμα is not to wait for heaven to come later—it is to live now as if your name, laws, loyalty, and King are all already there.”
Your allegiance is seen in your ethics (Proverbs 3–6), your advocacy for the afflicted (Proverbs 31), and your resistance to the seductive systems of false enthronement (Proverbs 7–9).
You do not live by Rome’s glory, America’s freedom, or Babylon’s riches, you live by the King's righteousness, waiting for the transformation of your body into the likeness of his own (Phil 3:21).
“What if our creed shaped our conduct, our King shaped our character, and our citizenship shaped our choices?”
A. What if our lives reflected our heavenly constitution?
We would not just be known by what we believe, but how we love justice and reject idolatry.
We would live as a unified colony of the King’s coming reign (Philippians 1:27 “live worthy of the gospel”).
B. What if the church lived as if its identity wasn’t American, but heavenly?
Our speech, money, time, relationships would look radically different.
We would not align ourselves with the kingdoms of this world but represent the Kingdom coming.
C. What if we ran, strained, pressed forward—not as perfect people, but faithful citizens?
Then the world might see a glimpse of the kingdom we belong to.
Then Jesus would not just be confessed with lips, but crowned with lives.
Resident Aliens
Resident Aliens
