Philippians Sermon Week 3.2 - Gospel Citizenship

united in christ comes from union with christ

Intro/Welcome

US Constitution / Citizenship

Comes with Rights, Privileges and Responsibilities

We are ultimately citizens of Heaven or of the Kingdom of Darkness

Acts 26:18 CSB

18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Pray

Pray

Christ be Magnified

Philippians 1:18–20 CSB

18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Paul is about to stand before Caesar

a right that his Roman citizenship afforded him.

He views this as his greatest opportunity to be faithful for Christ

he asks for prayers and for the Holy Spirit to give him courage.

His great hope is that Christ would be magnified in his body

whether by life or death.

responsibility - of citizenship of Heaven — magnify Christ

Paul’s Motive

Philippians 1:21–26 CSB

21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

my purpose is Christ

death is only gain for me b/c I get to be with christ forever.

I choose Christ

but Christ is choosing you, and so I am persuaded that I will stay for the progress and joy of your faith.

What actually happened? — Paul was released

Aqcuitted before Caesar (Nero - before persecution)

Continues preaching the gospel as far as spain

back around to crete and macedonia

Where he wrote 1 tim and titus

Re-arrested by Rome this time under persecution of Nero

after great fire or 64 ad.

So Paul was released just as he thought.

Paul lived a life worthy of the gospel

of gospel worth, b/c the gospel gave him worth

Citizens of Heaven

Philippians 1:27–30 CSB

27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

There is one thing Paul is asking in light of this.

Live as citizens worthy of the gospel.

Philippi was granted Roman citizenship, this was a big deal

But they were ultimately citizens of heaven

when believe the gospel.

Walking worthy means UNITY here

Unity comes from Christ — sole focus on christ not ourselves, but also on others.

citizenship — rights, responsibilities and priveleges

Rights — become the children of God

call upon the holy spirit

Citizen of the Kingdom

What we need most has already been done for us, we now can live in light of that

we have been made citizens of heaven

we too have been acquitted, declared not guilty and released from the prison of sin

Responsibilities:

stand in unity

contend together

we are in a battle (kingdom of darkness and kingdom of light

we need to not contend internally, but externally

Examples: two motive of preachers

Phil 4 - eudia and syntehce

Judaizers / gentiles

Pauls’ experience in philippi

real battle is spiritual,

against he powers and principalities (eph 6)

We need UNITY

Live in light of your Kingdom Citizenship

This life is the closest to hell / heaven you will ever get

it’s already been done.

Be encouraged — opposition is a sign of citizenship

those who oppose show that they do not have the spirit of God and are on their way to destruction

but you, this is a sign of you salvation, b/c jesus promises affliction would come.

Privilege

to suffer fo the gospel of Christ

This has been granted to you on behalf of Christ

not just belief but to suffer

This is amazing — suffering is a gift granted by grace to yo.

counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41)

This life is the closes to heaven/hell you will ever get.

We are all in this battle together.

Paul in Philippi and Philippian church plant, up until this own day.

Application

Which kingdom are you a citizen of (light of dark?)

enter into the true kingdom

Citizens of heaven

rights, responsibilities and privileges.

live in light of what has already been done.

Christ be magnified.

live a life ‘worthy’ of the gospel.

Paul demonstrates this, it is a Christ magnified life.

to live is Christ, to die is gain.

die is only gain.

live a life that proves the gospel is true

that you have been saved from sin, set free to live free, growing in joy

magnifying Christ in all that you do.