A Guide to Correct Citizenship: Philippians 3:20-4:1

20 For our citizenship is in heaven (Break 1), from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Break 2) 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, (Break 3) according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Break 4) 4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. (Break 5)

Students give one thing they are proud of as a US citizen.

Show video clip.

Oath of Citizenship in America - I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.^[1]

References:
Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Hebrews 11:8-10; 13-16 - 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God… 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Define Citizenship – the act of becoming a member of a nation by birth or naturalization.

Break 1

What is your response to your citizenship being in heaven?

How do you become a citizen of Heaven? John 1:12-13 – but as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Listen to Hebrews 11:8-10; 13-16

How would you describe the United States?

How would you describe Heaven?

Revelation 3:3-6 – The throne room - 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.

Break 2

Paul speaks of where Savior comes from and that is heaven.

It is much like how when a president goes and visits the American embassy in another country. The Ambassadors are there awaiting the visit and accomplishing the tasks to which they were commissioned to do by the president and the country. Paul says in Ephesians 6:20 that he is an ambassador in chains. We are commissioned by God, you know, Matthew 28 the great commission, to accomplish the task in another country much like in 1 Peter 2:11-12 - 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Our citizenship is given by no other than Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 – there is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Break 3

With his coming everything will change.

Break 4

How will that change take place, by his workings. Do you know what those workings were, his life, death and resurrection? Are you living like citizens of Heaven? Are you a citizen of Heaven

A Guide to Correct Gain: Philippians 3:12-19

Philippians 3:12 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. (Break 1)

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. (Break 2)

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. (Break 3)

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. (Break 4)

Break 1

Have a race outside. The runners are racing toward one person holding prizes. Along the race path are words that are sins everyone struggles with.

Q. Before the race did you: check out the path before you? Check out what was in your way while in the race? Check out what was in your way after the race?

Q. When do we truly want to see what is in our path? – After the race, especially if we lose. If we win, it doesn’t matter what was in the way because we have won and the prize has been attained and our eyes are focused on the end prize.

Listen to this quote: “You and I live in an age when only a rare minority of individuals desire to spend their lives in pursuit of objectives which are bigger than they are. In our age, for most people, when they die, it will be as though they never lived.” – Rusty Rustenbach

“Press on” carries both a hunting and athletic sense. Like, stalking prey with an unrelentlessness or to run as to gain a victory; out to win.

Break 2

Paul refers back to the elders, deacons and Saints at Philippi as brethren. This is a loving endearment.

Paul recognizes his shortcomings at this point.

Paul recognizes his past but refuses to live in it.

Paul recognizes his future and reaches for it.

Because of Paul’s recognition, he presses toward the goal…

The goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Break 3

Therefore is a conjunction. Because of what was just said, this is the outcome.

Therefore…let us have this mind…nevertheless…let us walk by the same rule and let us be of the same mind.

So, what’s in the middle?

As many as are mature…and if in anything think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Andrew Harris: What does a mature runner look like?

Andrew Harris: What is the contrast of an immature and a mature runner?

When Paul wrote to the Brethren he wanted them to recognize the true runners and the walkers.

Paul said that God would reveal it to them about who were walkers among them.

Paul’s statement of “nevertheless” reveals a desire that even if you do know who may or may not be running a true race, you are to run yours by walking in the same rule and thinking by the same mind.

Break 4

Again, Paul refers to them as brethren but calls for people to join him.

Paul knew he was not perfect, that he had not attained yet called people to follow him; will you do the same? Do you have a group of fellow believers who you could tell people, “join in following us for a pattern” of how to run for Christ?

Paul refers to those who walk and in this sense means, “having no eye or vision for the future or God’s will.”

Earlier Paul referred to “walking by the same rule.” That did not mean a slow pace, it meant there a pattern or following.

Those who walk are labeled by Paul as enemies of the cross of Christ. Think on your life today, at school, with your parents; in the car or on the van ride here, is your “walk” giving “friendly fire” to Christ?

Paul says those that are enemies of the cross of Christ set their mind on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-17

Are you running the race for the prize of the upward call of Christ or are you walking the road to destruction keeping your eyes on earthly things?

A Guide to Correct Service: Philippians 2:12-18

Philippians 2: 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, (Break 1) work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
(Break 2)

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, (Break 3) among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life,
(Break 4) so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Break 5)

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. (Break 6)

Break 1

Therefore…this is a conjunction that means in consequence of that; as a result.

My Beloved, who is this? Deacons and elders and saints in Philippi.

Does this next line seem familiar? Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence. This thought is copied from Philippians 1:27.

Break 2

Let’s note the therefore again but this time with the comma’s. (Write out ch.2:9-11,12 and accentuate the punctuation.) Our understanding of “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” is because you must do it understanding that one day, whether saved or not, you will bow before Jesus as Lord and you will confess that Jesus is Lord, maybe not as Lord of your life but that Jesus is Lord of All.

Paul then writes that “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” So our work, if directed to please Christ, is the work of Christ because we without Christ cannot work out our salvation alone.

God’s good pleasure is not something that naturally we desire. We desire self. We desire our good pleasure but through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the work of God wills and does the will of God.

Break 3

How should we do all things? Without complaining and disputing.

Why should we not complain and dispute? So that you and I may become blameless and harmless, children of God.

What is the benefit of becoming blameless and harmless? We have no fault before a crooked and perverse generation.

Break 4

What will come from this lifestyle? You and I will shine like lights in the world. (Shine like the Stars)

What will be in the faces of other students as your shining like stars? It will be the fact that you hold to the word of Life, the Gospel.

Break 5

What are the benefits to leaders/people who have poured into you and I?
1. They can rejoice;
Why can those people/leaders rejoice?
2. Because mine and your lives shine like stars and it reveals those people/leaders have not run or labored in vain.

Break 6

“Yes,…,I am glad and rejoice with you all.” Now, this is regardless of situation or circumstance that Paul reveals his admiration of those at Philippi.

Now, let’s look inside the commas, “If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith.” Paul gives a powerful illustration. Have you ever had someone just use you? Have you ever had someone show no appreciation of what you have done?

Have you ever used Jesus? Have you used Farmstead Baptist? Have you used your Sunday School teachers, pastor or even me? Let me say this…you live the life of a follower of Christ, I will be glad and rejoice with you all because we are all called to serve. I know ministers use the phrase, “I was called to the ministry” but that is incorrect; ministers are set apart for bi-vocational or vocational ministry. Everyone is called to serve.

I am pouring my life into this ministry, this church and you guys. I rejoice if you are walking with Christ and I should do so no matter how you treat me, although if you treat me bad then you might want to check your service.

You, just as me, should be pouring out your life in service to God and rejoice and be glad alongside me. Let’s rejoice together, let’s serve together and let’s expand the Kingdom of God together!

A Guide to Correct Humility: Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (Break 1)

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Break 2)

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Break 3)

Break 1 – Humility of Mind Modeled (Intellectual humility to someone else)

· Notice that Paul has used the word “Let” 4 times in the last 8 verses.

o Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1:27

o Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or deceit. 2:3

o Let each of you look out not only to his own interests. 2:4

o Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. 2:5

· The point being is that you must surrender humbly to God and his desires for your life.

· Now Christ is being defined to reveal the mind we should have:

o He was in the form of God – Form means the true and exact nature of something, possessing all the characteristics and qualities of something.

o Did not consider his “heavenly existence or divine life-style” as something to be “selfishly” maintained.

o No Reputation is revealing how he was to come. As the Omnipresent and Omnipotent King he obviously would have come in glory and splendor and pomp but Christ came in “to serve not to be served.” Christ came in humbly being born in a manger, surrounded not by golden walls and spotless floors but by thatch walls and hay-strewn flooring.

Break 2 – Humility of Body Modeled (Physical humility to someone else)

· Christ’s Bodily humility is defined:

o He was in the form of a bondservant – bond-unites servant – one that is hired to perform household duties for another

o He came in the likeness of men – being like, picture; copy. This means he was to participate on the level of life like you and I. He was not outside the struggles and temptations of life or the growth and maturity of mankind’s life.

o He found himself in the appearance of man – It wasn’t just an internal likeness but an external likeness. When Jesus looked into a mirror, he appeared as a man of Jewish descent. He was of dark-complexion, had physical features like that of a middle-eastern man.

o So incarnation means God who as spirit, takes upon himself a physical body so that he has fingers and toes and he blows his nose and goes to the bathroom. And not to be disrespectful to Jesus, but he takes on a human body. And what he’s saying here is that in becoming a man, Jesus is the most humble man who has ever lived, because Jesus is God – become a man. Creator entered into creation. Timeless eternal enters into time. Omni present, everywhere, enters into a place. Seated on a throne chooses to be born in a barn. Surrounded by angels in glory comes to be disrespected, mocked and abused by sinners. Living in heaven comes to live in poverty on the earth, and to suffer is the man of sorrows. And what he is saying is that in that, Jesus is the most humble person who has or will ever live. - Mark Driscoll

· So because of his mental and physical form Jesus did these things:

o He humbled himself

o Became Obedient (even to death, death on the cross)

o Now in saying this, we are not saying that Jesus ceased to be God when he became a man. Rather what he said here is that he set aside his rights and he set aside the use of his divine attributes. Doesn’t mean he didn’t possess them. He didn’t access them continually. While on the earth, Jesus was still God. He was worshiped as God. He declared himself to be God, and he forgave sin, which only God can do. So Jesus, while on the earth, was God. But God does not grow and change, and so Jesus set aside his divine attribute of immutability so that he could grow from a little baby, to a boy, to a man. God is omniscient. He’s all knowing. Jesus set aside that attribute so that he would learn to read and write as we do. That Jesus Christ humbly lived a fully human life while still being God, still having the right to be worshiped as God, still having the attributes of God, but humbled himself choosing instead to live with us, like us, without the sin. This doesn’t mean that Jesus lost anything when he became a human being. - Mark Driscoll

o Augustine, the church father, says that he maintained his divinity as God and he added to it humanity, or he became a human being. - Mark Driscoll

o Romans 5:8, says it this way – “God demonstrates his love for us in this while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God left glory and came humbly. God left his throne and was born in a barn. God left being worshiped by angels continually to be disrespected by stiff-necked, stubborn, unrepentant, self-righteous, proud people, like me, continually. And how did I – how did we respond to God? We murdered him. That’s how proud we are. Not only that, Jesus, who is God, allowed me, allowed us, to murder him. That’s how humble he is. And in dying, he is so humble that he died for me that I might have salvation and love and reconciliation with God who made me. - Mark Driscoll

Break 3 – Exaltation of Christ Modeled (Not self and by someone else)

Here is another conjunction – Therefore –

This is what God did for Christ where we just were looking at what Christ did for us.

What did God do for Christ because of his humility? What will God do for our humility?

· He exalted him – We are Co-heirs with Christ

· Gave him a name above every name -

o What happens with this name?

§ Every knee will bow – Whose knees?

· Those in heaven

· Those on earth

· Those under the earth

§ Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord – Whose Tongue?

· Those in heaven

· Those on earth

· Those under the earth

o Why will these things happen at the name of Jesus?

§ To bring glory to God the Father!