Citizens of Heaven

Notes: Citizens of Heaven
November 13, 2016
Pastor Chet Lowe
Philippians 3:20-21


Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV
[20] For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Culture is different in all parts of the world.

Pastor Chet is from the Bahamas. He grew up in a different culture. 

Culture shock happens to all of us. What we say and what we eat.

Paul is used by the Holy Spirit in Chapter 3 to explain what it means to be citizen in a different culture.

2 Corinthians 5:1 NKJV
[1] For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Philippians 3:1-2 NKJV
[1] Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. [2] Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!

Revelation 4 and 5 show the great worship service of Heaven.

1. The Superior Value of Christ

We have the hope of change, that a good work will be completed.

Paul repeats instructions to make us aware of the enemy. 
Philippians 3:2 NKJV
[2] Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!

These are the ones that have added to the cross. They teach legalism.

Philippians 3:3 NKJV
[3] For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Those who live in the Spirit are the circumcision.

No more do this and do that.
Luke 18:10-14 NKJV
[10] "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' [13] And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise 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, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Galatians 6:13-15 NKJV
[13] For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. [14] But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Paul says...
Philippians 3:4-7 NKJV
[4] though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: [5] circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; [6] concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [7] But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Paul realized...
Philippians 3:7 NKJV
[7] But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Citizens of Heaven don't look at the value of what we do and don't do. They see the value of Christ crucified.

Philippians 3:8-11 NKJV
[8] Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; [10] that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, [11] if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul knows the excellence of "knowing" Jesus Christ.

The is a superior intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus loved Heaven but came to Earth to pay a debt for us.

Philippians 3:10-12 NKJV
[10] that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, [11] if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

No matter what it takes, Paul says he will become saved.

2. This is the attitude of a citizen of Heaven.

An "attitude of gratitude"

Philippians 3:12-15 NKJV
[12] Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. [13] Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Jesus has got you and will grab you.

Don't harden your heart. Today is the day of salvation.

Philippians 3:14 NKJV
[14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

We are to focus on the upward call of Christ Jesus.

We don't have the ability to forget like God does for us.

Philippians 3:15-16 NKJV
[15] Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. [16] Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

God has a job to do and will complete the work He started.

Philippians 3:17-19 NKJV
[17] Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. [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: [19] whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame-who set their mind on earthly things.

Paul was passionate to change.

Romans 7:15 NKJV
[15] For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.

A citizen of Heaven should not focus on the things of earth.

3. The Belief of Change

We believe that Jesus has the power to change us.

Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV
[20] For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Stand fast and put what you have learned into practice.