You Are Citizens of Heaven

I love a good smorgasbord or buffet. The larger hotels in Las Vegas have grand buffets. The best ones give you an opportunity to have your favorite delicacies and to discover new ones.

I love a good smorgasbord or buffet. The larger hotels in Las Vegas have grand buffets. The best ones give you an opportunity to have your favorite delicacies and to discover new ones.

The Church over the last 500 years has turned into a grand smorgasbord, where you can find a uniqueness that fits your personality and style. The casualty of this is what we believe, teach, and confess as Christians.

A prominent theme in the third chapter of Philippians is to be of the same mind, and to recognize the erring for what they are.

I love a good smorgasbord. One of the things I love about Las Vegas are the grand buffets in the larger hotels. The best ones give you an opportunity to have your favorite delicacies and discover new ones.

This leads us to our theme this morning: “You are Citizens of Heaven” Today we are going to talk about the fact that (1) You Are Called; (2). Centered in Christ and (3), Connected to Christ Alone.

The Church over the last 500 years has turned into some grand smorgasbord, where you can find a uniqueness that fits your personality and style. The casualty of this is what we believe, teach, and confess as Christians.

A prominent theme in the third chapter of Philippians is to be of the same mind, and to recognize the erring for what they are.

In our text this morning, St. Paul reminds us who we are: Citizens of Heaven, and also tell us:

A prominent theme in the third chapter of Philippians is to be of the same mind, and to recognize the erring for what they are.

This leads us to our theme this morning: “Citizens of Heaven, Beware!” Today we are going to talk about (1) God Saved You to be Citizens of Heaven; (2). How some “Christians” believe heaven is assured by what they do and (3), that our Heavenly Citizenship is a pure gift.

In our text this morning, St. Paul reminds us who we are: Citizens of Heaven, but also gives a warning...

Introduce the theme: State the theme and the parts of the sermon; goal, malady, means.

Transition to the Situation/Goal

You Are Called

Today’s text urges us to Be who God saved you to be!

To be worthy of the gospel. That is, (a). standing firm in one spirit, (2). with one mind striving for the faith of the gospel (). Scripture illustrates what having “one mind” looks like:

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tells us that the disciples were “with one mind” or “with one accord” as they waited for the promised Holy Spirit.

shows how after Pentecost the Church functioned with “one mind” or “accord” as they gathered for worship.

illustrates how the Church came to a decision “one mind” or “accord” as it relates to the conduct of Christians.

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

So Paul urges us to be Imitators of the gospel by following the pattern set forth by him and others:

We follow the example of those who have gone before us (Phil 3:17):

How does righteousness come about?

The New King James Version Chapter 3

that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith

“…That I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” ()

Self with Christ (),

To understand that the past is past and the future is the future (),

For Paul, what is important is what lies ahead. Yes, before his coming to faith in Christ, he was a scoundrel: he placed his confidence in the flesh, in what HE DID, not in what GOD IS DOING. He Did everything exactly right according to the law and Jewish tradition. But then later realized it gains him nothing. So, he is forgetting those things which are behind (v. 13).

Paul’s focus is now upon what lies ahead; pressing “toward the goal for the prize” (v. 14), which is in Christ.

Even life and death ().

Called by the Gospel: An Introduction to the New Testament Key Texts

Verse fifteen makes clear that the Philippian believers are to “join in imitating” Paul’s example. They are called to have the same attitude or outlook displayed by Paul with regard to righteousness and faith (3:7–9), self and Christ (2:1–11), the past and the future (3:12–14), and even life and death (1:21).

To know right now that our citizenship is in heaven.

This is “the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” () of which Paul speaks passionately.

Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to be conformed to His glorious body ().

We are getting out of here

In today’s text we are encouraged to live our lives in the full knowledge that we are citizens of heaven, Called By Christ Jesus.

And Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to be conformed to His glorious body ().

For you and me this means what it says, and God, in Christ Jesus, has already paved the way for us.

illustrates how the disciples were “with one mind” or “with one accord” as they waited for the promised Holy Spirit.

illustrates how after Pentecost the Church functioned with “one mind” or “accord” as they gathered for worship.

shows how the Church came to a decision “one mind” or “accord” as it relates to the conduct of Christians.

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

To be found in Christ, through the righteousness which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith ()

But Paul also tells us in today’s text that there are enemies of the cross of Christ (), whose minds are set on earthly things, whose god is their appetite.

1. You are Called to live a life worthy of the gospel. That is, (a). standing firm in one spirit, (2). with one mind striving for the faith of the gospel (). Scripture illustrates what having “one mind” looks like:

• tells us that the disciples were “with one mind” or “with one accord” as they waited for the promised Holy Spirit.

• shows how after Pentecost the Church functioned with “one mind” or “accord” as they gathered for worship. (devoted to apostles’ teaching…)

• illustrates how the Church came to a decision “one mind” or “accord” as it relates to practices within the Christian community. (Letter from Jerusalem re: converts)

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

2. You Are Justified by Grace Through Faith in Christ Alone.

Jesus became human flesh to accomplish what we could not do for ourselves. And He paved the way for our citizenship which is in heaven.This is the one body and Spirit — one Lord, Faith, baptism that we confess.

Some “Christians” believe Heaven is Assured by What They Do.

For you and me this means what it says, that God, in Christ Jesus, has already paved the way for us.

But Paul also tells us in today’s text that there are enemies of the cross of Christ (), whose minds are set on earthly things, whose god is their appetite. So remember,

You Are Centered in Christ

Acceptance by God is on the basis of what they do

1. Jesus tells us: “Seek First the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”

Some still insist that keeping the Law is required for Christians. “Now that you’re saved you must keep the 10 Commandments.” St. Paul called them Judaizers, who were Jewish “Christians”, but who insisted on keeping the Law and its code, even though we’ve been set free from it in Christ.

a. This is our equilibrium, but some still insist on adding to what Christ has done for us; like the Judaizers of St. Paul’s day. Judaizers were Jewish “Christians”, who insisted on keeping the Law and its code to assure themselves of heaven, even though they were set free from it in Christ.

Like the Judaizers of Paul’s day, some insist that ones behavior is assurance of their salvation. Recently I read the opening lines of a Christian organization; it was entitle “Code of Conduct.” This document lists the expectations of people associated with the organization. Not once does it mention the salvific work of Christ on the cross; only ones behavior.

“The worst enemies of ‘the cross’ are not those who object to a crucified Savior but those who deny that the cross and the sacrifice of Christ alone justify and save the sinner.” —Lenski

The Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Galatians, to the Ephesians, and to the Philippians Paul Impresses His Warning with a Personal Appeal and with the Resurrection Glory

The worst enemies of “the cross” are not those who object to a crucified Savior but those who deny that the cross and the sacrifice of Christ alone justify and save the sinner

We don’t want to follow the example given us, we want to be free to express ourselves.

We don’t want to follow the example given us, we want to be free to express ourselves.

b. Like the Judaizers of Paul’s day, some today insist that ones “behavior” is assurance of their salvation. Recently I read the opening lines of a Christian organization; it was entitle “Code of Conduct.” This document lists the expectations of people associated with the organization. Not once does it mention the salvific work of Christ on the cross; it only ones behavior. People insist on adding to what Jesus has done, thereby declaring that what Jesus did was not enough.

We want to be free to follow our own interpretation of Scripture, instead of what is handed down. We judge doctrine and practice in the Church based on how they they make us feel, instead of “is it true.”

We may say, “I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic church,” but do we live this out in faithful practice? St. Paul’s admonishment is for all Christians: “Let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind” (). But do we truly understand how the Church lived out its faith in worship life and vocations? Maybe we are quick to discount a practice because it looks Roman Catholic, instead of asking, “Is this a faithful practice to Scripture and to what the Church has done from the beginning?”

500 year ago during the Reformation, Luther’s main concern was to eliminate heretical practices from the Church, to get the Church back to “walking by the same rule, and to be of the same mind,” that St. Paul is urging us here in chapter 3. However, a contemporary of Luther, Karlstat, wanted to get rid of anything that resembled the Roman Catholic Church. Fast-forward to today, one look at the landscape of Christian denominations in America and we quickly realize that the philosophy of Karlstat is winning the day. By the way, Luther was not pleased with Karlstat, Zwingli, and others like them. He said to them, “You are of a different spirit.”

Our mixed-up mind and heart results in whose glory is in their shame.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 16

For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

—Lenski: “The worst enemies of ‘the cross’ are not those who object to a crucified Savior but those who deny that the cross and the sacrifice of Christ alone justify and save the sinner.”

St. Paul said of the heretics of his day in — “For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. “

The Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Galatians, to the Ephesians, and to the Philippians Paul Impresses His Warning with a Personal Appeal and with the Resurrection Glory

Error is not merely intellectual. The intellect is only its tool. Its source is “the flesh,” the depravity in us.

The Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Galatians, to the Ephesians, and to the Philippians Paul Impresses His Warning with a Personal Appeal and with the Resurrection Glory

Paul’s great glory is the cross (Gal. 6:14). Everything Judaistic is to him dung (v. 8), yea, everything else in the world is crucified for him, and he for it (Gal. 6:14). To Christ and to his cross alone he looked up in obedience as a slave, there he found his glory.

Citizens of Earth

In our Gospel reading this morning Jesus’ is lamenting over Jerusalem because of their stubbornness:

We want our Christianity in the way that makes us most comfortable.

2. We have Paul’s example — and others — to follow, not the enemies of the cross, who were in it for their glory.

Those whom we know that have false beliefs, we are afraid of saying anything for fear of losing their friendship:

The New International Version (1984) Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

Do we challenge people who say that God will accept them because they are a good person?

a. Paul’s concern is that we walk by the same rule, and be unified in the same mind.

The Judizers were fond of continuing to teach circumcision as necessary for salvation, when Jesus, just before He ascended into heaven said Baptism is now the way. Some modern ways this happens today:

Friends, what all this means in our live is that we will continually fall short of the mark, as we will constantly fight against our flesh. This is precisely why our efforts are useless. And it is for this reason that Christ Jesus our Lord went to the cross to COMPLETELY atone for my sin, your sin, and the sin of the world. What we need, more than anything else, is forgiveness, and Jesus COMPLETELY EARNED THAT FOR US. This makes

We have friends and family who are withholding Baptism from their children.

To be saved you must come forward during an altar call. “When did you decide to become a Christian?”

Or, now that you are saved, you must be baptized again, even though you were as a baby.

“Now that you’re a Christian you must keep the Law!” It’s all about what we do.

The text () says: "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ.”

b. We confess, “I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic church,” but do we live this out in faithful practice? What this means is that our faith and practice we should be able to trace it as far back as possible. What we believe, teach, and confess about Holy Scripture and Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, should mirror what the Church has always believed and done. A question we should all ask is does our doctrine and practice match what has been handed down over the last 2,000 years: That is, in part, what it means to be apostolic.

c. The enemies of the cross are those who are doing what seems right in their own eyes (). In our Gospel reading this morning Jesus is lamenting over Jerusalem because of their stubbornness:

Our Heavenly Citizenship is Pure Gift

The New International Version (1984) —

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

Friends, from time to time our lives we will fall short of the mark, as we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And it is for this reason that Christ Jesus our Lord went to the cross to COMPLETELY atone for my sin, your sin, and the sin of the world. What we need, more than anything else, is forgiveness, that Jesus COMPLETELY EARNED FOR US. This means

You Are Connected to Christ Alone

In Holy Baptism you are completely and totally united to Christ Jesus in every way: In His life, death, and resurrection. In last Monday’s Bible class we covered the first verses of Colossians chapter three. It was there we discovered the following:

He took up citizenship on earth under the Law, with its obligations, burdens, and humility, so that we might see the kingdom of heaven in his body, so that we might encounter in him the God whose glory it is always to have mercy. He suffered a death like ours, so that we could have a resurrection like his (; ). Baptized into his death and resurrection, we have been called by his name and by the name of the Triune God.

(1) Jesus’ natural citizenship was in heaven. Being, “by nature” God, with all the rights and privileges of the holy, almighty God, he set aside the use of his divine prerogatives so that he might bring heavenly citizenship to us (). He took up citizenship on earth under the Law, with its obligations, burdens, and humility, so that we might see the kingdom of heaven in his body, so that we might encounter in him the God “whose glory it is always to have mercy (Collect). He suffered a death like ours, so that we could have a resurrection like his (; ). Baptized into his death and resurrection, we have been called by his name and by the name of the Triune God.

Jesus—giving the gift of glory: Jesus has authority, power to change our body from the lowness of sinful children of Adam and Eve and to form it like his own body of glory. He doesn’t need authorization from the priests and Pharisees in Jerusalem, or from any church body or mission board today. He has authority by his divine Sonship, his citizenship in heaven, and by his living out that citizenship in his body on earth—loving his wayward disciples, loving and wanting not to lose even the people who crucified him.

(2) Jesus’ showed his glory not by his good looks, health, energy, or even the brilliance of his mind. His body was glorious by the way he invested its gifts and put it to work, with praise and thanksgiving, loving the people God gave him to love. His body was glorious when he said, “We are going to Jerusalem, and I will be killed there, and on the third day raised again,” as God had promised through Hosea (6:1–3) and Jonah. So Jesus went in his body; preached at headquarters in his body; endured the contradiction of sinners in his body; loved his enemies and us in his body; prayed “Father, your will be done” in his body; was crucified, dead, and buried in his body; and was raised and is alive forevermore in his body. By that his body is eternally glorious! (cf. )

B. Jesus—giving the gift of glory

Hear finally, the love and honor about which God speaks to you too: “Therefore, my beloved and longed for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”

(1) Jesus has authority, power, and energy to change our body from the lowness of dust-bound sinful children of Adam and Eve and to form it like his own body of glory. He doesn’t need authorization from the priests and Pharisees in Jerusalem, or from any church body or mission board today. He has authority by his divine Sonship, his citizenship in heaven, and by his living out that citizenship in his body on earth—loving his wayward disciples, loving and wanting not to lose even the people who crucified him. I serve as his voice this morning. I do Baptisms that speak God’s own holy Triune name on a body of earth, and mark that person by water and the Word as a citizen of heaven. I distribute the Sacrament after repeating his words.

) Hear finally, the love and honor about which God speaks to you too (the Greek may be translated as follows): “Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, beloved.” “Beloved,” used twice here, is your name too in baptism. Since God named Jesus “my beloved Son,” so also in Jesus we are God’s beloved sons and beloved daughters. In body we may be pretty or plain, young or old, fresh or fading, but that is not what matters. In body we may be male or female, Jew or Greek or some other kind of Gentile, but that’s not what matters. In body we may have a large bank account or be just scraping by. We may be healthy or consumed by pain or disease, but that’s not what matters either. Our glory does not come from the looks of our body, but from our adopted sonship and freedom and life and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ!

“Beloved,” used twice here, is your name too in baptism. Since God named Jesus “my beloved Son,” so also in Jesus we are God’s beloved sons and beloved daughters. In body we may be pretty or plain, young or old, fresh or fading, but that is not what matters. In body we may be male or female, Jew or Greek or some other kind of Gentile, but that’s not what matters. In body we may have a large bank account or be just scraping by. We may be healthy or consumed by pain or disease, but that’s not what matters either. Our glory does not come from the looks of our body, but from our adopted sonship and freedom and life and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ!

(2) Hear finally, the love and honor about which God speaks to you too (the Greek may be translated as follows): “Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, beloved.” “Beloved,” used twice here, is your name too in baptism. Since God named Jesus “my beloved Son,” so also in Jesus we are God’s beloved sons and beloved daughters. In body we may be pretty or plain, young or old, fresh or fading, but that is not what matters. In body we may be male or female, Jew or Greek or some other kind of Gentile, but that’s not what matters. In body we may have a large bank account or be just scraping by. We may be healthy or consumed by pain or disease, but that’s not what matters either. Our glory does not come from the looks of our body, but from our adopted sonship and freedom and life and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Our Citizenship is a gift of pure grace.

By faith we await the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He will change us into what He wants us to be: like His glorious body.

We Have Already Attained this status (v. 16)

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. ().

We have the righteousness with comes from God on the basis of faith (3:9)

Our citizenship is in heaven, and we early await Christ Jesus (3:20)

This “hidden with Christ” means that your place in heaven is already secure. Heaven is your home. We may not fully realize it now, but YOU WERE raised with Christ in Holy Baptism, declaring you to be a new creation and securing heaven you.You are also SEALED. “In Him, after you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believe, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE” (). And, your inheritance is heaven.Finally, now that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God, You and I can “Therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” ().

Therefore, by faith, Jesus’ death and resurrection are the only assurances we need.

Jesus’ death and resurrection are the only assurances we need.

(1) God Saved You to be Citizens of Heaven; and (2) though some “Christians” believe heaven is assured by what they do (3), you know that our Heavenly Citizenship is a pure gift.

(1) You are Called by God; (2) You are Centered in Christ; and (3). You are Connected to Christ Alone.

To God be the glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

To God be the glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.