OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN

Passage: Philippians 3:17-21

Key verse: 20

NIV

17 Join together in following my example,(A) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.(B) 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,(C) many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.(D) 19 Their destiny(E) is destruction, their god is their stomach,(F) and their glory is in their shame.(G) Their mind is set on earthly things.(H) 20 But our citizenship(I) is in heaven.(J) And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,(K) 21 who, by the power(L) that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies(M) so that they will be like his glorious body.(N)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

17 Brothers, (A)join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk (B)according to the example you have in us. 18 For (C)many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you (D)even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 (E)Their end is destruction, (F)their god is their belly, and (G)they glory in their shame, with (H)minds set on earthly things. 20 But (I)our citizenship is in heaven, and (J)from it we (K)await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform (L)our lowly body (M)to be like his glorious body, (N)by the power that enables him even (O)to subject all things to himself.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Enemies of the cross (17-19)

Paul loved the cross of Jesus because through the cross he knew God's love and his grace of forgiveness. Paul set an example to follow. He warns us not to live as enemies of the cross. Self-indulgence is an enemy of the cross. To allow one's mind to be occupied with thoughts and plans of how to indulge one's appetites makes one an enemy of the cross. Paul says that the destiny of enemies of the cross is destruction.

2. Citizens of heaven (2

-21)

Citizens of heaven are those who eagerly await a Savior from there--Jesus. If we set our minds on Jesus and put our hope in him, he will work in us by his almighty power to mold us into his image and prepare us for our heavenly home.

Prayer: Lord, come and rule my heart and thoughts. Help me not to think about food or clothes or cars or computers, or spend too much time in front of the TV. Help me to fix my thoughts on Jesus, and pray for his work and his people.

One Word: Live as a citizen of heaven