Sermon Tone Analysis

Passport

(insert a picture of a passport here= saved as passport on computer already)

As a Christian our citizenship is in heaven (Php3:20) and our life today should have proof, evidence of that.

The contrast seen in our passage today is of one of heaven and one of the world.

As a Christian we have a dual citizenship, one here and now, one set for the future for those who will inherit it because they have

Single mind - the mind of Christ

A submissive mind

A Spiritual mind - not set on the things of this world

(illustration/story; - proving citizenship here in Iowa)

Our walk today as Christians should prove that we are citizens’ of heaven and not enemies of the cross of Christ.

One whose citizenship is in heaven has a spiritual mind whose look at now, life now, with eyes from heaven’s point of view.

Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good - D.L. Moody

Our citizenship in heaven as a pilgrim here on earth should make us better people here on earth now.

Your heavenly passport gives you certain rights, proofs and responsibilities

Our name is written in the book of life (Rev20:15)

Our name is written down in heaven (Lk10:20)

Our citizenship comes out in our speech too (Mt12:34-37)

Mt12:36-37

Citizens who are enemies of the cross speak as the world does and do not understand the things of the spirit

As citizens of heaven we adhere to laws of our citizenship (Php3:17; 1Cor11:1; 1Pt2:11)

We need to know, need to watch, need to follow the example of others who are citizens of heaven and walk in a manner worthy of that citizenship.

Paul was not boasting of himself when saying follow his example, but of Christ for that is who he is following

And he was not alone, Peter offers and admonition to heavenly citizens too.

There are many who claim citizenship in heaven but do not live as citizens of heaven, whose life does not prove their citizenship for the true citizen is one who is loyal to heaven’s cause.

Loyal to heaven’s cause (Rom5:8; Heb10:19-25, 10:1-14; Col2:10-13; Eph2:14-16; Gal5:24 and 6:14)

To the citizen of heaven he believes the Bible is the Word of God; Jesus is the Son of God and through Him all things are possible to be reconciled to the Father through the blood of the Son shed on the cross.

Loyal to the cross where Christ displayed His love for us

The cross is the place where sin is condemned and judged and Christ took on the penalty of sin on our behalf.

And through faith the barrier wall was broken down (Eph2:14-16) and we became one.

The cross ended Old Testament religion under the law for Christ fulfilled the law.

and the veil was torn from heaven to earth because it was finished on the cross (Heb10:19-25) and the old sacrificial system was put away (Heb10:1-14)

Spiritual circumcision vs. fleshly one done by the Father in heaven

Citizens of heaven, with a passport crucify the flesh

and also crucify the things of this world

Paul weeps in our passage today not because of his circumstances, his imprisonment, his being chained but knowing the end result to those who are enemies of the cross

Php3:

As heavenly citizens we have eyes looking for Heaven’s Lord (Php3:20-21,3:1-11, 12-16; Heb11:13-16, 24:26, 12:2 and the exhortation found in (1Jn2:28-3-3)

As the accountant, counting the cost (Php3:1-11) Paul displays the new discoveries found in Christ Jesus.

As the athlete (Php3:12-16) we see the new zeal, the vigor displayed that brings the new motivation for the citizen of heaven.

The new motivation for Abraham was looking ahead to what God had promised he was content to live in a tent (Heb11:13-16); Moses was willing to forsake the fortunes of this world for the treasures and rewards of heaven (Heb11:24-26) and Jesus, well He was willing to endure the cross for the joy set before Him (Heb12:2)

So our new motivation should be like we see in 1Jn2:28-3:3

May we live for the blessings and the things to come and not treasure the things of this world which will all pass away, even our body that is in humiliation now will be in glorification when He comes back for us.

May our motivation because of our passport that shows our citizenship be proven out by doing the will of God

In our passage, in context there are a few more things we can get fro it.

The admonition to walk like Paul and others (v.17)

The warning about enemies of the cross (vv.18-19)

The reason to walk like Paul and others (vv.20-21)

I. Admonition to Walk like Paul (and others)

We are products of our environment, those things that set examples around us, or in whom we read and believe and then apply to our lives.

(Php3:17, 4:9, 1Cor4:16 and 11:1; then others 1The1:5-9)

(insert illustration/story about products of our environment here)

Paul used himself as an illustration because Christ was his illustartion

It was not just the church at Philippi that he lived out the example and spoke of it.

Then there was the church at Thessolinica that took Paul literally

We have Paul’s example that lead others to follow the example like in Thessalonica

Examples are great and can be very beneficial to us (Ps37:37)

when applied can bring good outcome due to conduct (Heb13:7)

So, not only are we to be good imitators we in turn should be good examples to others.

(1Tim4:12; Tit2:7-8)

Speech, conduct, love, faith, purity showing yourself to be an example!

You don’t have to be a preacher, you don’t have to be an evangelist to be an example of those who believe, of those whose citizenship is in heaven and have the passport to show it and a life to prove it.

Deeds, purity, doctrine, dignified, sound speech, beyond reproach!

For we need to know our citizenship for there are those our there whose citizenship is enemies of the cross.

II.Enemies of the Cross

Many walk in wants contrary to the cross of Christ, it, in Paul’s heart brings tears to him, he is weeping because he knows the end for them.

Do we now people who are enemies of the cross?

Php3:1

Paul speaks of these people several times, and don’t we need the reminder so as to be a protector of our walk (Gal1:8-9; 5:21; Php3:1-2)

The enemies of the cross are trying to preach something contrary to the truth of the gospel, to the church at Philippi it was Judizers trying to add to grace of God through faith by obedience to Jewish law and tradition.

Enemies of the cross still dwell think it is ok to have ways of the world in them, but in reality it keeps the out of the kingdom of God.

It was not hard for Paul to repeat himself, it should not be hard for us to either for it can be a safeguard to others! and even to ourselves.

Sometimes the words maybe harsh, hard to swallow but still need to be said with love.

and compassion

Jesus even spoke of many who would not enter, so we are not talking about just a few (Mt7:13-14)

(expand on this, time permitting)

we know the end for them (2The1:7-9)

2the1:9

Those whose

God is their belly

Live for their own

Make mind of the earthly things.

All of these things are not anything new, not anything that is not active today, when we have people who preach a different gospel about health wealth, name it and claim it that is contrary to the Truth.

Solomon even tried all these things and in the end said this

May our mindset be on the things about, on our citizenship which is in heaven and may we not be enemies of the cross.

For then Paul goes on to talk about why to walk like him and others.

III.

Reasons to walk like Paul (and others)

Our motivation, our heart, our mindset matters and here are some good reminders to help us.

Our citizenship is in heaven (v.20)

I think we have discussed that quiet a bit already, and the reminder here is that our true loyalty, our true home needs to be on that which is above not that which is on this earth.

Our inheritances is reserved for us (1Pt1:3-4)

Born again to a living hop!

So as to obtain an inheritance that is imperishable and undefiled!

Our inheritance comes with responsibilities too (2Pt2:9-12)

2pt2:11-12

Another reason is the transformation from the lowly to the boy of His glory.

(Jn14:1-6; Act1:9-11)

If the Father has prepared a place, and the Son has prepared a way, we should have the mindset that

Has a singleness of mind

That is submissive