Phil 3:17-21

Intro - Warfare

WWII Nazi Germany

There was a time during the war when it seemed Germany might actually succeed in their bloodthirsty hope for world domination. Their border were expanding, they were slicing through the allies like butter. They were on the rise for two full years, taking over Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Yugoslavia and Greece while making alliances with several other nations.

For two years in Europe there was an expectation, whether you lived in Germany or within their occupied countries, that you join the German cause or face severe consequences. Of course we know that the Jewish people were heavily targeted and placed in concentration camps, but that punishment was also used for anyone who dared to go against the will of the Nazi regime.

And Germany made sure that everyone knew that! They made an example of anywhere that dared stand against them, and fear was a large part of the tactic they used to keep people on their side. Everyone had to look at the examples set before them: either stay loyal to the Nazi regime and stay comfortable, or turn against them and face the consequences.

Corrie Ten Boom, a dutch watchmaker hid Jews and was placed in a concentration camp after she was caught.

Corrie Ten Boom lived within German borders, but she did not consider herself a german soldier or a fighter for the German cause. Quite the opposite, she considered herself a soldier against those monstrosities, a soldier of Christ and his will.

Paul also plays on this idea as he recognizes that we are in a state of warfare as well, the war of this world and its kingdom against God and his Kingdom in heaven.

And he tells the Philippians: look at the examples before you. there are those who are on the side of this world, and those who are on the side of God

Imitate godly examples, not earthly ones.

The good examples: those who focus on Christ

This shows us an important point: who we look up to matters.

Not just “good people,” but godly people. Not just people with good morals, but people who love Jesus.

The opposite of what Paul describes for the people we should not look up to

These people are met with hostility from the world. Hated, disrespected, made fun of, ostracized, and in some circumstances tortured and killed.

The bad examples: those who focus on “getting the most out of life” at the expense of following Jesus

This is a VERY broad category and a very respected category

Who is the enemy of the cross of Christ?

those who have their belly as their god

put nicer - those who just do whatever they want whenever they want.

Maybe they put the nice caviat “as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone,” missing that the offense is really against God and his Word.

No self-control.

Those who glory in their shame

put nicer - those who think it wise to “just be the best you that you can be, no matter what that means”

They celebrate that which is leading them to destruction.

They tell you to “flaunt your ______” no matter how opposed to God that thing may be.

Those who set their mind on earthly things

put nicer - those who spend more time thinking about how they can make this life better rather than consider the eternity that awaits everyone after death.

Those who are so focused on sports, girls, boys, jobs, money, material things rather than Christ.

Do any of these describe you? Do any of these paint you as an enemy of the cross of Christ?

The destiny of an enemy of Christ is destruction

Philippians 3:19 ESV

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

This pushes Paul to tears!

Philippians 3:18 ESV

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

I wonder, could the Philippian reading this letter see the tear stains on the paper?

This should push us to tears as well and move us to act

If we love someone, and we believe that Jesus is the only way to true life, how could we not tell them about Jesus?

Are you one of these enemies of Christ? Are you an ally of this world because of your sin and rebellion against God? Are you a fence sitter, thinking you’re all set as long as you aren’t committing the sins our culture doesn’t like? Maybe - but you are not without hope

Jesus makes us citizens of a different place

And here we see where Jesus provides us hope in this war as he makes us citizens of the Kingdom of God

Philippians 3:20 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Though we live in this world, we are now aliens here waiting until we can be brought back to our true home

Imagine it like a Corrie Ten Boom. While he is geographically located in Germany, she owed no allegiance to it and awaited a savior from another nation to come and win this war, liberating her in the process.

But how do we know if we are a citizen of heaven or a citizen of this world? How do we know if we have hope of salvation or fear of destruction?

It depends on where your hope is at: are you living for Christ or for the world? Which side are you spending energy fighting for?

If our hope is in Christ, he will make us citizens of heaven

Philippians 3:21 ESV

who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

If anyone is still not sure what side is going to come out victorious, Paul makes a convincing argument in verse 21

Christ has the power to control everything.

This is the same power David recognized when he wrote Psalm 2

Psalm 2:1–4 ESV

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

We know this because Christ didn’t just disappear after he resurrected; he ascended and now sits on the throne at the right hand of God as king over all creation. He is living as we speak, reigning as the sovereign one over everything.

If you are wondering whether or not you can be made into a citizen of his kingdom, then you have the wrong view of how something like that happens. If it depends on our own ability, we would have lots of reason to doubt. But this depends on the ability of the King of Creation, who is in control of everything!

That is the power that can transform our lives and make us citizens of his everlasting, victorious kingdom.

Our lowly bodies will be transformed into a Kingly body, a body that is even like Christ himself!

As citizens, we fight in this war.

We don’t just wait around to be saved, twiddling our thumbs. As we wait for our savior, we live in a way that honors him; which only makes sense!

We also look to recruit more who would be saved when the savior comes

And no matter what this world throws our way, no matter what consequences await our decision to defect away and join God, we must always keep God and his faithful people in our eyes as the example to be followed.

Philippians 4:1 ESV

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Stand firm! Christ is fearsome as an enemy, but gentle to any who would defect to him and desire citizenship in his kingdom. Go to him, and live as one who is awaiting for his savior to come and rescue him. Stand firm in Jesus’ power and live for your new King.