Citizenship Transcendent (Philippians 3:17-4:1, Psalm 33:6-22)
Rev. Tim Leslie, July 2, 2023Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Philippi was a Roman colony constructed as a replica of Rome. Lydia and the jailer of Paul were founders of the Philippian church. Its outstanding fruit included the preaching of the gospel that influenced the praetorian guard. Paul's imprisonment advanced the spread of the gospel. Paul encouraged the Philippians to "be good citizens," which would strengthen their unity for the sake of the gospel. He called on them to believe, labor, strive and suffer, if need be, causing them to be separated from other citizens. The gospel was causing strife in the city, just as it was in Thessalonica. Could this be in our own future? Only God in His providence knows whether or not we are called to live in the same way. Imagine us as the Philippian church--one church for the entire city, with a small number of believers considered to be traitors. We would not be regarded as citizens. Paul had to defend his Roman citizenship, which conferred rights of due process upon him. What about our citizenship? Paul's Roman citizenship opened the door to the gospel. In Romans 13, Paul taught that we should submit to earthly authorities. In the church the Philippians were to love each other and work together for the gospel. They held dual citizenship: Rome and the Kingdom of God. They were born of God into this life. Likewise, we are secondarily citizens of the USA. How does one transcend earthly citizenship, and where do we put our heart daily? Jesus in Luke 20 told us to give to Caesar and also to God. Do we give back to Him what is His? We must use our time on things that really matter. Are we too worldly minded. We must be true to God and His kingdom, always thanking Him for His lovingkindness.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « My People, My God | None | Holy To The Lord » |
Philippians 3:17–4:1 (Listen)
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
(ESV)
Psalm 33:6–22 (Listen)
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
he puts the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13 The LORD looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
(ESV)