Philippians 3:17-21
"Show Me Your Passport, Please!"
Gospelcom Bible Gateway
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. 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.
INTRODUCTION:
You’ve heard it before: This world is not my home; I’m just passin’ through! That could never be truer than of the Christian. This earth is temporary and preparatory. The best is yet to be! Those who trust Christ have a passport for Heaven. That makes us foreigners and tourists here on earth. But there are also foreigners pretending to be citizens of God’s Kingdom.
A. You can always tell a foreigner by their customs. language, dress, etc.
B. We are citizens of heaven and foreigners on earth.
C. The Philippians could grasp this concept. They were a Roman colony living in Philippi as Roman citizens
D. Paul had stated earlier to "beware of the dogs" or Judiaizers who have now become "enemies of Christ."
I. The Pattern of Citizenship ( Vs 17 )
A. Paul
1. How was Paul a model Jewish, Roman, and Christian citizen?
2. Who do you pattern your life after?
3. Do you follow other believers that are following Christ?
4. Are you the type of person that others pattern their life after? Why not?
5. Why is it important to have others to follow?
6. Do you have a mentor in your life? Are you a mentor to someone?
B. Paul's Protégés
1. Are there people in your life that you are walking with that are followers of Christ?
2. Who are you currently mentoring?
II. The Pretenders of Citizenship ( Vs 18-19 )
A. Their Character
1. Who are the "enemies of the cross of Christ"
a. Some believe that it is unbelievers
b. Some believe they were the "dogs to beware"
2. Why does he say that these are enemies of the cross of Christ?
3. If you could get to heaven by being sincere, or by being good or being religious then why did Jesus come to die on the cross? If you think this then you are being an enemy
4. Christianity is not a creed or a set of rules. It is Christ and the cross and his life, death, and resurrection
5. Their end is destruction not salvation. Why?
a. Who has God placed into your path that
b. There is only two destinations talked about in the Bible?
B. Their Characteristics
1. "There god is their belly," What does this mean? A hollow empty cavity normally translated as the womb of a woman not the belly. It might mean that they are pointing back to their heritage and ancestry or genealogy. THinking that Abraham was their father and relying on that heritage
2. The things that they glory is their shame.
3. Set their mind on earthly things? Holy days, feasts, festivals, etc
4. What about today in our church? Could there be some in our midst that are just like these people described?
5. Are there pretenders sitting next to you or around you? What ought you to do about them?
III. The Place of Citizenship ( Vs 20 )
A. To Which We Are Going
1. Heaven comes from old Anglo-Saxon word "heave on" which means an elevated place or being elevated above that which is common place
2. Three levels of heaven
a. Terrestrial - atmosphere around our biosphere
b. Celestial - starts, moon, planets
c. Heaven of heavens
3. It might be literally translated as "our political affiliation" politeuo
B. From Which Jesus is Coming
4. Are you a republican, democrat or theocrat?
5. Paul's hope is not in an event but in a person
6. Are you waiting eagerly and responsibly until the coming of the Lord
IV. The Promise of Citizenship ( Vs 21 )
A. The Change of Our Bodies
1. What is the difference between our "lowly" bodies and our "glorious" bodies?
2. Read Romans 8:18
B. The Contrast of Bodies
1. metaschematizi means an internal design that affects that change outwardly in appearance
2. When does this occur?
3. Transformation into Glory is the end of the story for us as believers
V. Summary
A. Look around for god examples and models of Christianity to follow
B. Look out for clever imitations
C. Look up for His coming
APPLICATION:
Read Revelation 4-5 and Revelation 21-22 this week. This is a glimpse into your future if your spiritual passport is in order. Is it? Have you trusted your life into the hand of Jesus? Have you asked Him to be you Master? Are you living under His authority?
MEMORY VERSE: Philippians 3:20-21
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.