The Joy of Citizenship in Heaven

1. Read: Philippians 3:17-21

2. About the Text:

1) Paul had just discussed attaining the goal of the call of God in Christ.

2) He turns toward exhorting the church to pursue this goal in the present.

3) How do we do that?

4) By recognizing and acknowledging that our citizenship is in heaven.

5) When we pursue heavenly things, we will have joy.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Look at the example of Paul

1) “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

2) “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1).

3) “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

4) “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).

2. Note those who so walk.

1) Paul isn’t the only one that we may follow in this way.

2) Elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, godly members.

3) We should note their godly behavior and emulate it.

4) Again, this is conditioned on their following Christ.

5) “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

6) “For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 2:14a).

3. They are a pattern.

1) A pattern is a standard of behavior that we can consistently follow.

2) “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility” (Titus 2:7).

3) This pattern is demonstrated throughout all of life.

a. They show us what it means to love one another.

b. They show us what it means to act sacrificially.

c. They show us what it means to serve.

4. When we follow good examples, we will have joy in our lives.

1. Many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

1) One does not have to renounce Christ to be His enemy.

2) One may simply live for worldly things!

3) “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

4) “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them” (Colossians 3:5-7).

2. What is their focus?

1) Destruction

a. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

b. “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).

2) Appetites

a. “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:21).

b. “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:18).

3) Shame

a. “For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error” (2 Peter 2:18).

b. “raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 1:13).

3. They set their mind on earthly things.

4. We must forsake the allure of the world if we want joy!

1. Our citizenship is in heaven!

1) Not the world! Not the USA! Not Texas! Not New Boston! … Heaven!

2) Remember the resurrection – “He is not here; for He is risen” (Matthew 28:6, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6).

3) Where did Jesus go? – Acts 1:9-11.

4) Where is He now? – Acts 2:32-35.

5) What is He coming back for? – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

2. We also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1) This Greek word means to eagerly anticipate receiving.

2) “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

3) “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:11-13).

3. He will transform our lowly body to His glorious body.

1) “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

2) 1 Corinthians 15:42-54

4. By the working that subdues all things to Himself.

1. The Joy of Having our Citizenship in Heaven entails…

1) Following the Example of Paul

2) Forsaking the Allure of the World

3) Focusing on Jesus in Heaven

2. Invitation