“Saints on Earth & Heaven Below”
Philippians 1:1-2

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

You’ve heard it before. Someone excuses his or her crude behavior by saying something like, “Well I’m no saint but I do the best I can.” Or, “She’s so wonderful; she’s a saint!” The idea most people get is that saints are those who have died and attain some special status because of their unusual accomplishments while they lived on earth. Nothing could have been further from Paul’s mind when he wrote this letter to living “saints” at Philippi. We get a good look at the marks of the people of God in these two verses.

 

I. A Saint Belongs to Two Kingdoms

 

II. A Saint Behaves Submissively

 

III. A Saint Believes in the Scriptures

 

IV. A Saint Benefits Spiritually

 

Taking it Home:

  1. How do you “divide your time” between the two kingdoms you’re a part of? How are you laying up treasure in heaven now? (Luke 12: 33)
  2. How well do you take orders? Is submission easy or hard for you? In what ways do you make obedience to Christ a lifestyle?
  3. Explain how the grace of God has changed the way you think about your life? What have the results been from living under God’s undeserved favor?