CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
Philippians 3:20-21
- Intro.
- the book of Philippians has many secrets for peace and joy in the believer's life
- every book in the Bible has lessons on this subject, but the book of Philippians abounds in spiritual teachings which produce joy and peace
- we must remember that Paul wrote to his Philippian friends from the Roman prison
- he was in prison for the preaching of the gospel
- from his lips and pen came no word of complaint
- instead we read praises to God and exhortations for others to rejoice
- the people in Philippi must have thought when reading this cheerful letter that Paul never changes
- when he first came to Philippi, he was cast into our prison for preaching and carrying on his work
- in prison he and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God
- all is just the same, he is still praising God, he did not whine, nor murmur
- he conducted himself as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
- this is a serious need of our day
- good soldiers, courageous, brave, and willing
- soldiers who are conscious of God's presence, and who are full of joy and peace in the Lord
- Paul counted himself as a citizen of Heaven
- this brought to his heart peace and confidence
- it caused him to live in a manner worthy of his high calling
- let us consider how our heavenly citizenship will bring peace and joy into our hearts
- as citizens of heaven, we have cause to rejoice
- the new birth has made us citizens of heaven
- our main cause for rejoicing is that our names are written down in Heaven - Luke 10:17-20
- God's children are to be constantly rejoicing because their names are written in heaven
- the disciples were rejoicing in the great things which they had accomplished in the name of the Jesus
- though we have the power to put down demons, tread on serpents and scorpions, and conquer all our enemies, we are not to rejoice in this
- we are to rejoice that our names are written in Heaven, this comes as a command from our Savior
- we have causes to rejoice because God is our Father, Jesus is our Saviour, and the Holy Spirit is our indwelling guest
- with the Trinity on our side, it is hard to see how anyone could be despondent and gloomy
- we are encompassed about by the powers of heaven
- as citizens of Heaven, let us rejoice, let us not fret and complain and worry
- let us be thankful that our names are written down in the register in glory
- as citizens of heaven, we are strangers and pilgrims in this world
- this world is not our permanent home
- we are on our way to our Father's house of many mansions – John 14:1-2
- that place is made ready for everyone who believes on Jesus
- we are not alone in this pilgrimage
- we have one with us, even our Savior, and we have another Comforter, the Holy Spirit
- the child of God does not travel alone
- we are passing through unfriendly territory, but we need not fear
- those who break beneath the loads of life are those who are trying to carry the burden by themselves
- as pilgrims, this earth has no attraction for us
- we are not to love the world, neither the things which are in the world
- as we are passing through, we are to hold lightly the material things which pass through our hands
- why should we be attracted to the cheap affairs of men when we are citizens of Heaven
- the golden streets belong to us, the Heavenly mansions are ours
- joy eternal is our portion
- why should we seek after the flimsy pleasures and frivolous entertainments of this existence
- as pilgrims we are to live in harmony with our high destiny
- if we are the citizens of Heaven, we are to stand tall, live tall, think tall, and be tall
- our conduct is to be that of a citizen of Heaven
- we are to be courageous, separated from the world, and devoted to our God
- we should live, work, and carry on in life as the children of the King
- as citizens of heaven, we are looking for Christ [from whence also we look for the Saviour]
- we are citizens of Heaven and we look toward Heaven for the appearance of Christ
- we have many promises in the Bible that tell us that Jesus is coming back (Act 1:10-11, Titus 2:13)
- we are looking for Him, and we are working for Him
- ours is not the existence of idle men who sit down and look Heavenward
- ours is the life of those who are actively engaged in work, but at the same time anticipating the appearance of the "great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"
- we are to wait for His coming, but we are to work as we wait
- we are to watch for His coming, but we are to work as we watch
- this blessed hope in our hearts will purify our lives – I John 3:2-3
- as citizens of Heaven, and the blessed hope in our hearts, we will look upward
- we will be troubled less and less about earthly matters, for at any time the King may come to receive His own
- as citizens of heaven, we are looking for a new body [Who shall change our vile body]
- Christ is coming and when he does, He shall change this old body
- He is going to give us a new body, like unto His glorious body [fashioned like unto his glorious body]
- this old body connects us with the soil out of which we were formed, and into which it falls again
- this body limits intellectual power and development
- it grows tired even in blessed spiritual activities
- in this body are the seeds of disease and pain
- it is a body prone to weakness, and requires constant care
- this body is reserved to a high destiny, it shall be like the body of our Lord
- what a wonderful encouragement this is to all who suffer pain, and to all whose bodies are broken and twisted
- here is something to give us peace and joy in the midst of every trial
- we are Heavenly citizens and we look for a new body
- we shall have a body suitable for Heaven
- our new bodies will enable us to serve Him forever
- there will be no night in Heaven, and without need for rest, we can enter into an eternal service
- nothing lightens the burden of the day like the anticipation of great things to come
- Paul mentions the coming of our Lord and the acquiring of a new body so that weary Christians might be lifted up and sent forward
- both peace and joy can be ours if we keep in mind that we are pilgrims passing through, and that the Saviour may come today
- let us lift up our eyes, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh