Citizens of Heaven (2)

Philippians 3:17–21 “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 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.”

pattern your lives

Philippians 3:17 “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.”

We should try to be like paul. But also find people who you respect their walk with Christ and try to be life them. it is so nice you do not have to learn every mistake in the faith by doing it yourself.

find people you admire and try to be life them. We do this all the time, just do it consciously about your faith. Ultimately we look to Jesus, but there are people who are doing that who are farther down the road than you. Who can help

Enemies of the cross

Philippians 3:18–19 “For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.”

End is their destruction

this is the they running a race opposite from us. Our Prize is Christ. Their prize is death. It may look like in the race they have it easier, but the end goal is not worth it.

we are running uphill they are running downhill.

Their stomach is their God

There is no self-control. they are enslaved to their desires. They cannot say no.

The Message of Philippians 1. Contrast

their god is the belly. They recognize no need and no authority outside personal satisfaction. Their appetites dictate their lives.

They glory in their shame

What they should be ashamed of they glorify., They love greed, over indulgence, porn.

they are set on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2 “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”

Citizens of Heaven

Philippians 3:20–21 “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 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.”

We have to see our home with Christ. Our aim is to be with him fully in union. We have our citizenship and now we need to live like one

Our end is life with Jesus

Our God is Jesus and our desires submit to him

We glorify God alone

while citizens of earth or death follow their body’s desires. We eagerly await a glorified body by the power of Christ