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Citizen of Heaven

• We are all citizens of somewhere. Covington, King County, Washington, USA, North America, Western Hemisphere, Earth.
• People want an identity. It helps them define who they are. There are things that I allow as an American that are purely American. In other countries, they wouldn’t be allowed
• We live here. This is the place that we live- but our allegiance and identity must be understood through the lens of us being a citizen of heaven
• I’ll still participate in the Process- but I realize that this whole world is not my home
• Text Phil 3:17-21
• Title Citizen of Heaven

• A good Citizen follows

• Even now in America- we pride ourselves on conformity even tho we value individualism
• “Join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for pattern”
• It’s a pretty strong statement to tell new Christians- look at me and follow what I do
• Pretty confident statement to use your own life as an example of what someone should do
• But here’s the main point Paul is making- its not that hard to see what you should be doing because there are people around that you can see that are doing it right- examples
• 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
• I’m supposed to be an example to you 1 Peter 5:3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
• There’s a pattern that you should follow if you’re wanting to be in the faith and continue in the faith. Its not a secret that is only reserved for some- its for everyone-
• Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

• Normally, I wouldn’t say ‘look at my life, be like me’ but seriously, sometimes I’m always wondering when people are going to figure out what it takes to live a fruitful life
• Its really not rocket science- Paul and the scriptures has given us a clear plan of salvation and life
• 2 Peter 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue
• You should “not those who walk”
• The Bible says you’re surrounded by a ‘great cloud of witnesses’- this Bible is full of living examples!
• 2 Peter 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue
• I’ve done this most of my life- I’m an imitator of success- if I see someone that is where I want to be- I study them. If I can I ask them. I don’t need to own the process- Success leaves hints-

• Note those who so walk-
• If you want to learn how to walk- look at those who are walking with Christ and imitate- this is what they are doing-

• Learning  Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.- As a Christian- you must constantly be learning more about God and his ways
• Growing 2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
• Giving 2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
• Loving 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
• Forgiving Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
• Serving Ephesians 6:7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men
• Believing John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
• Speaking Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
• A Good citizen defends against enemies

• You would expect Americans to defend America- Christians should defend Christ
• 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
• Paul is describing to these Philippians something that he has previously told them
• “I have told you often” – This is something that Paul wants the Church to be aware of and to be protective of.
• There are people that are among and in the midst of Christianity that are enemies of God
• 2 Peter 2:1 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.
• Jesus told his disciples that wheat and weeds would grow together until the end
• Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

• Paul wanted the church to know that there are actual enemies of Christ

• Folks- this is why I preach the way I preach- I so desperately don’t want you guys to be led astray by some false gospel- I’ve been led astray by people before and its rough to get back
• Everyone who writes a book, blog, is on TV or even has a church isn’t of God
• You’ve got to put on your discerning goggles and look at them through the word of God
• People say “shouldn’t we just keep our mouth shut” not if they are leading people to hell
• Paul describes what will happen to these enemies and how to recognize them
• 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
• First- their end is destruction- you should not want to follow the example of people who are going to be destroyed by God- choose your leaders carefully
• Second- Their God is their belly. Now some would say this means people who succumb to hot donuts aren’t worthy to lead God’s people- clearly not the case!
• Its that they are driven by their flesh- They have no discernment- they have no control- Hunger is a very basal function- everyone must eat
• but those who’s “God is their belly” do not have any control over their lives- they follow the flesh- you can see them by how they live- they don’t have any restraint-
• Live according the flesh and not according to the spirit
• Live against the scriptures- they justify what they do that is against the scriptures through ‘new revelation’ or ‘progressive doctrines’ but in the end its to satisfy their flesh
• I’m am sure that God is not going to judge you for sticking the scriptures and abstaining from fleshly lusts. God is not going to say “I really wish you would have fornicated more”

• These enemies of Christ Minimize sin

• Listen up folks- Sin is sin and its not of God- The only answer to sin is the forgiveness of Christ and you need to walk in it!
• If there are sinful things in your life that you know are not of God you need to repent of them and walk in the forgiveness that Christ provides!
• Another indication- “their glory is in their shame”

• False teachers and enemies of Christ will be proud of their past sin instead of remorseful about it-
• I call it Christian Porn- sometimes people want to talk more about what God delivered them from instead of the one who delivered them.
• Set their minds on Earthly things

• I will be the first to tell you that I have some earthly pleasures and there are some earthly pleasures that I want
• But being able to enjoy an earthly pleasure and having your mind set on earthly things is  a totally different thing
• We are supposed to Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
• And that’s a delicate balance to find- Its ok to have a liveable house, dependable car, good clothes and to enjoy recreation
• But you can let those things be your focus instead of letting God bless you with those things
• Some preachers set their mind on earthly things. They care more about their status and fame then they do about their flock-
• But some Christians are that way as well- they want to be given earthly things and don’t regard the investments in heaven as of equal importance
• Beware of these enemies of Christ
• They- Attack the doctrines of Christ- preach a gospel “other than the one you were taught”
• Destroy the foundations- if you can convince people they came from monkeys they’ll act like it
• Subvert the supremacy of Christ- Christianity just becomes a flower in the bouquet of religious tolerance
• I tolerate other religions as an AMERICAN but  I believe all other religions are FALSE
• Because here’s the deal:

• A citizen knows their homeland

• I remember coming home from Bosnia- landed in Maryland I think- Sigh of relief- phone call
• 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
• Paul is admonishing the philippian church that they are indeed citizens of heaven and that one day Christ will return to take them home to heaven
• Paul wanted the early Christians to never forget who they were, where they were living and what they were living for
• To have a Have a heavenly mind as they went about their lives would give them a focus that would help them to get through whatever they were going through
• 1 Corinthians 2:9 “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
• You have no idea what God has prepared for you in heaven when you get there
• Its going to be a glorious experience that will be for eternity! A wonderful inheritance!
• What does it mean to you?
• Expect a reward in heaven

• We don’t talk enough about heavenly rewards- but the truth is that we’re getting them
• We say things like “jewels in our crowns” as a joke- but the truth is- you get rewards!
• Colossians 3:23-24And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
• You have to remember that you’re not working for men- you’re working for God
• Either he’s watching or he’s not- and if he is- he knows who’s doing what
• Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
• God will reward you for what you do on this side of Heaven-
• Jesus told parables about servants and masters and how the master was pleased with some and displeased with others-

• Await Christs return

• “eagerly wait for the savior”
• How eagerly are you waiting for the savior?
• Luke 12:42-48  “My master delays his coming”
• We must not live life in such a way that we believe that the Lord will continue to tarry forever
• Live with an expectation of Christs imminent return at any given moment!
• What will Jesus find you doing upon his return? How will you be living your life?
• You are a citizen of heaven- awaiting a ticket to heaven for eternity
• Being a kid- when a parent picked you up- you were supposed to be ready- at the window- waiting to be picked up and come out
• Nowadays- you go to pick up a kid and they are engulfed in some electronic with no interest
• Do you want to go or not?
• Cause if you want to go- you got to get ready and BE READY WHEN I COME!!!
• Folks it is so easy to become entrenched in the things of this world
• To want what the world wants- do what the world does- live as the world lives
• There is nothing wrong with living- please live- but don’t love it too much
• Don’t want it so much that you forget that you have a date with the savior