Citizens of Heaven

Introduction:

American culture and lifestyle are different from other countries. The crisis taking place at the southern border is one example. The people wanting into American do so because of the opportunities available that are not available in their own countries. A person living in San Diego, California, has opportunities to go to school, get a good job, and pursue the American dream. However, twenty miles away in Tijuana, Mexico, a person lives in a cardboard hut, barely making enough money to feed his family. The difference between the two is citizenship.

People who immigrate to the United States often time find themselves in a culture shock. I read a story of a Japanese man who immigrated to the states but was having a hard time finding a job. He was educated and spoke English, but he didn’t understand American culture. He decided to go to a career coach to help him find a job.

The first thing the career coach taught him was the need to make eye contact. In his culture, making eye contact is considered rude, but it’s appropriate and expected in business conversations in America. He learned other things about the culture and lifestyle that enabled him to land a good job.

In Philippians 3:17-21, Paul uses the analogy of citizenship to show how citizens of heaven should live differently than citizens of earth. The contrast shows us the difference between the characteristics of a citizen of heaven and a citizen of earth. In studying the contrast, I want to show three characteristics of a citizen of heaven. First, a citizen of heaven pursued the cruciform life.

Pursues the cruciform life

What is the Cruciform Life

The simple meaning for cruciform is having the shape of a cross.

The cruciform life is a life that is shaped by the cross of Jesus Christ.

Paul calls believers to this cross shaped life in Philippians 3:17 “17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”

Paul reminds us that before we follow his example we need to follow his way of thinking. Philippians 3:15 “15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”

The way we think influences the way we behave.

What shape is the cross shaped life?

It puts no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3 “3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—”

Instead, puts confidence in Christ alone. Philippians 3:7 “7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”

Its pursues Christ, wants to know Christ. Philippians 3:8 “8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”

Pursues Christ by dying to self with the desire of becoming like Christ. Philippians 3:10 “10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

Jimmy Davis in his book titled “Cruciform” says this about a life shaped by the cross:

The cruciform life is shaped by the cross into the shape of the cross.

When the gospel is of first importance to you and Christ is being formed in you then your life takes on the shape of the cross.

It’s a life, a way of being alive and doing life in the place God has planted you.

It is a day-in-day-out lifestyle of gospel driven love for God and others. It’s the life of Jesus taking shape in us. It’s a life-long process.

Paul said in Galatians 2:20 “20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Transition: To pursue the cruciform life, a citizen of heaven avoids an earthly mindset.

Avoids an earthly mindset

Paul gives the reason for pursuing the cruciform life.

Philippians 3:18 “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.”

Paul weeps because the people that he is warning of are sitting in the church pews, preaching from pulpits.

Instead of pursuing a cross shaped life they are enemies of the cross.

You are either being shaped by the cross, are an enemy of the cross.

How are they enemies of the cross?

We are told how in Philippians 3:19 “19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

Paul begins with the end and ends with the beginning.

It all starts in the mind: “minds set on earthly things” How we think will determine how we live. They have an earthly mindset.

They live only for the present: their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame. They live only for their selfish desires and appetites without giving any thought to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. You see it in their life pursuits.

They are enemies of the cross and their end is destruction. Paul doesn’t see these people as true believers.

You will know them by their focus and their fruit.

Citizens of heaven avoid an earthly mindset.

They set their mind on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 “14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, they eagerly, expectantly wait for the coming Savior.

Waits for the coming Savior

Our citizenship is in heaven: Philippians 3:20 “20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

We are awaiting the return of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ.

Citizens of heaven have an attitude of intense yearning for the return of Christ. They eagerly await his rerturn, which results with our attention withdrawn from everything else and centered and concentrated on one object, Jesus Christ.

We are awaiting the promise of a splendid redemption: Philippians 3:21 “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.”

As we wait for the coming Savior, as good citizens we pursue a cruciform life by avoiding an earthly mindset that only leads to destruction.

Recently, Pew Research did a survey of what people thought makes a good citizen.

Here are the top traits identified:

Voting in Elections: 91%

Pay all the taxes you owe: 92%

Always follow the law: 96%

Serve jury duty if called: 89%

Respect the opinions off those who disagree: 92%

Participate in the U.S. Census every decade: 88%

Volunteer to help others: 90%

What kind of citizen are you? Are you a heavenly citizen, or are you an earthly citizen?

Here is a good test. Imagine yourself at the end of your life. Which statement do you identify with the most.

Someday–many, many years from now- when I’m lying on my deathbed, I want to be able to say: “I had a great life! I lived! I truly lived! And I did it my way.”

Or

2 Timothy 4:6-8 “6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

One statement is from an enemy of the cross, a citizen of the earth. The other is from one who lives the cruciform life, a citizen of heaven.

One leads to destruction, the other to eternal life.

Which one do you identify the most

?