Living As Citizens Of Heaven

Philippians 3:17-21

Introduction:

We are continuing in our series, Joy In The Journey. Today’s message will wrap up chapter 3 in Philippians. We will specifically be in verses 17-21 of chapter 3. The title of this message is a challenge to all of us who profess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

The title is Living As Citizens of Heaven!

Question: If someone looked at your life this week, would they see a reflection of Christ—or a reflection of the world?

Read the text:

Philippians 3:17-21

Walk through the text:

POINT ONE: Citizens of Heaven Follow Godly Examples

Read Verse 17

Brothers or brethren. Paul is inviting the Philippians to imitate him or follow his example. What he means is that as he follows Jesus Christ, he wants the Philippians to follow in the same way.

Read 1 Corinthians 4:16 “I urge you, then, be imitators of me.”

Read 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

He isn't saying this in a selfish or prideful way (refer back to verse 12). Paul is so focused and committed to Jesus that it's of vital importance that the Philippians live and conduct their lives in the same way.

Also: Keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us- Essentially learn from those who also follow this example. Surround yourself with brothers and sisters in Christ- This is just as important today as it was 2000 years ago with the world we live in. We need Godly counsel and wisdom from those who also love the Lord like Paul does. Very few live the way Paul did

Who are one or two people in your life who serve as Godly examples—people you can trust, confide in, and grow spiritually alongside? Men or women who genuinely follow Jesus in their daily lives, not just in words, but in actions. Invest in those relationships!

POINT Two: Citizens of Heaven Reject Earthly Mindsets

Read Verse 18

The word that stands out to me is MANY. It's no different today. There are many who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Read 2 Corinthians 11:13 “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”

Paul mentions several times in Philippians and other letters throughout the NT about false teachers, apostles, etc.

Commentators agree that Paul is talking about multiple groups of False Teachers. It's not set to one particular group.

Read Matthew 7:15, Jesus says: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

All throughout the New Testament, Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, James, Jude, and even Luke in Acts warn against false teachers. It’s clear that we too must remain watchful for them, especially in our day.

Paul says now I tell you even with TEARS, the NKJV says I now tell you even WEEPING. Spurgeon thought that Paul wept for three reasons. "First, on account of the guilt of these enemies of the cross of Christ. Second, on account of the ill effects of their conduct. Finally, on account of their doom."

Read Luke 23:32–35 “Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!””

In the midst of the mocking, the scoffing, the spitting on and physical crucifixion that took place in front of many on the cross, Jesus called on the Father to forgive them. The same Jesus Paul just said in verse 17 “Brothers join in imitating me”, Paul is doing his best to imitate this same Jesus.

Read Verse 19

Paul describes the enemies of the cross in four distinct ways:

Their end is destruction- Separated for all eternity from God.

Their god is their belly- They worship themselves. All they care about is themselves. They feed the selfish and fleshly desires of their heart. Notice god is little G, not big G god.

They glory in their shame- Their reputation was known as taking pride in shameful practices

Minds set on earthly things- Only care about life on earth, focused on the temporary (not on Heavenly things like we are about to dig into)

Read Romans 8:5–8 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

How are you living your life right now?

POINT Three: Citizens of Heaven Worship the Coming King

Read Verse 20

Read Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:”

Saints in Christ Jesus have their citizenship in Heaven and yet they are physically in Philippi. They have a spiritual address and a physical address.

Read Ephesians 2:19 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”

Same applies to the Philippians.

How do you know your citizenship is in Heaven?

Read Revelation 3:5 “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”

When you confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and believe what He did on the cross, your name is recorded in the Lambs book of life. You never have to worry if it will still be there when you come face to face with Jesus.

Illustration: Ashley and I on our honeymoon went to the Dominican Republic. Our passports showed our citizenship was the United States, not the D.R. It became clear as we spent several days in the D.R. we were not from there, it wasn’t home. We were foreigners. The same applies to us as believers in Jesus Christ. This is not our home. And there are days we definitely feel that, especially seeing and experiencing the wickedness and the evil and the lostness that is all around us. Do not let this world take hold of you. Remember Philippians 2:15- shine as lights in the world.

Read John 15:18–19 ““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

Now there are some who may be in here today who fear being face to face with Jesus one day. You don't eagerly await for Jesus to return as your Savior as Paul is talking about here. You should be excited knowing you get to go home one day and spend eternity with Jesus! The only time you don't get excited is when you're not sure where you will spend eternity. Citizens of a kingdom want to see the King! Today is the day to be absolutely sure your citizenship is in Heaven!

Read Verse 21

Read NLT version- "He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control."

The same power of his resurrection that Paul talked about in verse 10 of this chapter!!

What an incredibly beautiful image that is!

That day is coming, church!! The question I want us to end with and meditate on as we wrap up is this: How will we spend the time we have left until this happens?

Applications:

Evaluate how you’re using your time to live faithfully for Jesus

Be on the lookout for false teachers

Conclusion:

I asked the question earlier If someone looked at your life this week, would they see a reflection of Christ—or a reflection of the world?

Matt Chandler who is a well known pastor in Texas said this about modeling Christ: It is hard to teach someone to swim while you’re drowning. The same is true for modeling Christ for others. You cant show someone how to follow Jesus when you are not following Jesus yourself.

How has God stirred in your heart to respond to this question.

Spend the next few minutes in prayer. God may be calling you to repent. God may be calling you to draw closer to Jesus this morning if you have strayed. God may be calling you to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and start your relationship with Him today. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, if he truly is not your Lord and Savior, I would love to talk to you right now about how you can leave here with a relationship with Jesus Christ today!

However God has spoken to you this morning to respond, do it!