People of Heaven
Notes
Transcript
Intro - Mother’s Day - This is what a mom looks like, this is what a Christian looks like.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.
Do you live like a Christian? (vs. 17)
Imitate me and Others who live like they know Jesus.
This isn’t a suggestion or encouragement. It is a command. He is saying as Christians there should be a commonality between believers in how we live because we are all following Jesus.
Warning: Christian Culture doesn’t define this, Scripture does.
Different cultures based on
denomination
location
leadership
this cannot be what Paul is saying. He must be saying something different,
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Notice that this description is not self focused, it is self sacrificial. This is important to notice because Paul isn’t saying to the Church at Philippi, I’ve arrived so look at me as a perfect Christian. He actually said the opposite in
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
He is saying humbly, look at us for what a Christian looks like, as imperfect as we are. So there is a noticeable difference between us and them.
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
Do you live like the world? (vs. 18-19)
Those who claim to be Christians aren’t and their life shows it.
Self glorifying
Passion driven
Worldly focused
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
These are pretty evident but what about this?
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Both of these passages show how blatant sin and self centered legalism are birthed in the soul of man to make life about themselves.
FCF - Humanism/Liberalism/Humanitarianism is enough isn’t it?
Not even close, The Bible does not teach selflessness as justification for sin, it says live like you know your identity.
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.
Does your identity define your life? (vs. 20-21)
Passport - Shows my citizenship and reflects on America how I behave in another country.
GOSPEL - Transforming a body is nothing compared to forgiveness of sin.
SIS - As Citizens of heaven our lives show it and though we do not claim perfection, we follow Jesus and humbly say, “if you want to see what a Christian looks like, look at me.”
