Live as Citizens of Heaven

Good morning & Welcome to New Hope

(NLT)

17Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

18For 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.

19They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

20But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

21He 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.

(NLT)

27Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

28Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.

29For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

30We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.