A Heavenly Citizenship - 260107

Hello, I'm Clive Nash. Welcome to Let God Speak. In our present series, we've been looking

at St Paul's letters to the churches at Philippi and Colossi. Before we move on to the letter

to the Colossians, we take a last look today at the closing thoughts in the letter to the

Philippians. It has many good councils for daily living. Life is not always easy. It does

not always go the way we plan or hope for, but the here and now and the future are in God's hands.

I'm especially thinking of heaven where the Christian citizenship lies. As members of God's

Heavenly Kingdom, we have privileges and responsibilities. So let's take a look at Paul's closing

words. Our pen will do that in just a moment.

On our panel today, we have Lena Geun and Daniel Vicarca. Good to have you with us today.

I'm looking forward to our discussion, but before we do that, let's take time to pray.

Our loving Father in heaven, we just want to thank you that you have given the Holy Spirit

to guide our minds through life, not only for this life, but also for the life to come.

We thank you for inspiring the words of St Paul so long ago. They speak to us today,

and we pray that as we discuss this closing thoughts in the letter to the Philippians,

that not only will we bless here on the panel, but also all who are listening or watching.

And I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Well, to begin, in Philippians chapter 3 and verse 17,

Paul encouraged the Philippians to follow his example, Lena. What did you say that to follow

his example? Yeah, so before we actually answer this question, we're going to go and read the

Philippians chapter 3 verse 18 first. So here he says, for many walk of whom I have told you often,

and I now tell you even weeping that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. So he

unfortunately graced that the time was corrupt, immoral, and evil. And it sounds like a lot,

you know, like I walted it, doesn't it? And you might say also what really has changed. And also,

what is interesting here is in verse 18, the enemies of the cross. And if they actually

have denied Christ, it would not be so dangerous to the church, but they profess to be the followers

of Christ, but they showed that they were the strangers to the power of gospel. And also in chapter

3, verses 2 and 3, you know, the earlier verses here, you know, we can see those who claimed

perfection through circumcision, but in actual fact, and you know, they were immoral and greedy.

It was all because, you know, their minds were on the earthly things, rather than heavenly. And we

know that the friendship or the love of the world is the enmity with God.

Excellent. Now over to you Daniel, was this an emotional issue for Paul, do you think?

Well, if we read again just a little bit more of verse 18, it says there that he says,

now tell you even weeping. Sorry, I have told you often and now tell you even weeping.

So we see here that the enemies of Christ caused sorrow for Paul. And rightly so. And when we see

some family members of ours going the wrong way, that not following God, that causes sorrow for

us. And this caused sorrow for Paul because of course, he wants everyone to be saved, everyone to

follow Jesus. And so we can definitely see that this was an emotional issue for him.

Okay, so he was kind of like a spiritual father to the churches he raised up, wouldn't he?

Lena did Paul any advise following his example?

You know, not really. And actually Paul was aware of the fact that there were many other

faithful followers of Christ in his time. And even their example was also worthy of duplication.

But you know, if I paraphrase Paul's message here, it is like this, stick with me, my friends.

Keep track of those you see running on the same track or course.

Or, you know, the New King James Virgin also expressed this.

But join in following my example and note those so walk. And also Paul mentioned or, you know,

gave a warning to the Romans in his letter. And so we can find this in Romans chapter 16, 17.

So now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences country to the doctrine

which you learned and avoid them. So obviously, we are to avoid getting into controversy with such

people. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks, Lena. I notice what he goes on to say in the very next verse in Romans

chapter 16 verse 18, for those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own

belly. And by smooth words and flattering speech to see the hearts of the simple, what do you

make about these words there? What do you make of the Daniel? Well, actually, it's interesting

because here it says, you know, they do not serve our Lord but serve their own belly. So it's like

they are they're doing their own thing. They are they're being selfish in a way, you know,

they're serving themselves. But also if we go to Romans 14 and verse 17, it says therefore,

the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace enjoy in the holy spirit.

And so the kingdom of God isn't just about, you know, serving, well, it's not about serving

yourself, but it is righteousness, enjoy, and peace. And also, this is similar to what Paul said

in Philippians 319. And really, if we think that he is being harsh, he really wanted people to just

make sure that they follow, you know, good advice and to follow good examples. Okay, to be a good

role model. Actually, Philippians, I'm going to read now Philippians chapter 3 and verse 20, which says

and we come now to the title of our study today, for our citizenship is in heaven from which we

also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. So Lena, how does this concept of

citizenship in heaven contrast with the thought of the day, you know, most maybe the Hebrews and

maybe the Greeks and Romans, what do you think? Yeah, so there may have been identity crisis

for the early Christians in their time. So if they were Jew and, you know, the physical signs

or marks of circumcision would be irrelevant. And Paul also, we know that he actually stressed

importance of circumcision, of the heart. And so belonging to spiritual Israel. And so if the

new believer was a nun Jew or Gentile, citizenship of Rome was not as important as citizenship in

heaven. And so also the Andrews studies Bible observes here, it says, you know, the early

Gentile Christians were aliens rejected by virtually all cultures. We can see from Andrews Bible

page 1,558. And when a person is traveling in foreign countries, it's not unusual to be looking

forward to going home, right? The Christian believer, longs for his were her heavenly home rather than

this earthly. And we also sometimes hear or sing, you know, this world is not my home, but I'm

just passing through. And so therefore Paul here says, eagerly wait for the Savior. Yeah, now Daniel,

getting ready for our heavenly home, do we need some patching up work to be done on us?

Oh, it's not just a patch up job. So if we read in verse 21 of Philippians chapter 3,

it says, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to his glorious body according

to the working by which he is able to subdue all things to himself. And so there are really two

ideas here. There's something transformation and there's glorification. So our bodies, they're

going to be completely different. They're going to be made like his glorious body, which is an

amazing thing to think about. But not only that, our minds also need to be transformed as well,

so that our thinking is like the heavenly society. Well, my body is a bit older than you

was, Daniel. So I'm looking forward to that transformation. I want to go back to the Old Testament now

and have a look at something that Job had to say in Job chapter 19 and verses 25 to 27.

It's a wonderful, wonderful forecast here, or prophecy about the coming of Jesus Christ,

his Redeemer, about Job chapter 19, verses 25 to 27, for I know. So he was, not me, he was quite

confident. I know that my Redeemer lives and he shall stand at last on the earth. And after my

skin is destroyed, this I know that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself and my

eyes shall be hold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me, he says, so Job is inspired

to write about life after death and this bodily resurrection at last, or as the North New

America standard Bible says, at the last. There's a definite article in there. So Lena, how do

had a New Testament writers add to this thought about of Job's? Yeah. So Paul wrote about our

resurrection on several different occasions. So I'll tell you one of them here. We can find it

in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses from 42 to 44. Here he says, so also is the resurrection of

the dead. The body is sown in corruption. It is raised in corruption. It is sown in dishonor.

It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness. It is raised in power. It is sown in a natural

body. It is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body.

So basically, you know, our body, you know, will be incorruptible. So the progression is quite

amazing here. Here he says, you know, we already read, you know, it's raised in corruption,

in glory, in power, and finally a spiritual body. And also Paul goes on to actually add more

about the end of death. So we can find this in the same chapter 1 Corinthians chapter 15,

chapter 15 verses from 52, 54. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the

kingdom of God nor does corruption inherit in corruption. Behold, I tell your mystery. We shall not

all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet.

For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on in corruption and this mortal must put on immortality.

So when this corruptible has put on in corruption and this mortal has put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written. Death is swallowed up in victory.

Hmm, it's a wonderful thought, isn't it?

Adenial, this redemption and glorification of the saints wasn't just Paul's goal, it was

the goal of Jesus and the God did too, wasn't it? Yes, yes it was. And, you know, originally,

when God created man, when he created Adam and Eve, they were not meant to die. They were meant

to live forever, but of course this was conditional. However, the sin of Adam and Eve did not catch

the Godhead unprepared. So if we go to Genesis 3 and chapter 15, we can read some very encouraging words.

So it says there, and this is God speaking, and I will put enmity between you and the woman

and between your seed and her seed. He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.

And this is God talking to the serpent, the serpent that was responsible for deceiving Eve and

says, I will put enmity, so this is like a battle talk. It is battle talk between you and the woman

and there's a promise because this sinful state is not going to go on forever. It says there,

he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel. Now bruising a heel, that can be

unpleasant, but bruising the head. That can be mortal. And also we see this in John 3 verse 16.

Now we know, we all know this text very, very well. It's a beautiful, beautiful text.

This is where Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and is telling them all of these wonderful things.

And says, for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in

him should not perish but have everlasting life. So we see here that this whoever it is anyone,

absolutely anyone, if they believe in Jesus if they accept what he has done for them, they have

everlasting life. In Philippians chapter 4 verses 2 and 3 Paul mentioned some names there,

names such as Eudia, Sintiki, Clement. We don't know anything about these people, but he says

their names are in the book of Lamb's Oracle Life, so that's good news. Now I guess there are

millions of others who we don't know in the similar situation. But in verse 4, I'm going to read

Philippians 4 verse 4, Paul says, rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I would say rejoice and

leaner. Is that easy to do? Oh no, it's not easy to do in our own strength, but it's only possible

when we trust in the Lord. And the definition of rejoice is to feel or chose not just happiness,

but great happiness about something as per a Cambridge dictionary. And also the Greek word

for rejoice, Hiro, actually appears 29 times in Paul's letters altogether, but nine of those

instances are found in Philippians. So we can now conclude that it is such an important repeated

theme in Philippians. So also we can say the opposite quality would be worry. So we're going to go

and say what Jesus actually talks about these in Matthew chapter 6 verse 25 and 34. So therefore,

I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,

nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than

clothing and 34. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow. For tomorrow, we'll worry about its own

things sufficient for the day is its own trouble. So even Jesus reminded us that he even cares for

the sparrows. How much more valuable we are than the sparrows. And also we have other encouraging

words from Peter. And in the first Peter chapter 5 verse 7, casting all your care upon him

for he cares for you. So you know what I'm encouraging a promise. And so therefore,

we have so many good promises and reasons for rejoicing all the time. Yes, certainly that's one

for a promise box, isn't it? Yes. At verse there in from Peter. According to Paul and Philippians 4

verse 6, Daniel, what is one antidote for anxiety? Yes, well, according to verse 6, I really love

these words. You know, be anxious for nothing. Don't worry about anything. Why? But in everything by

prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. So prayer,

asking God, talking to him, like talking to a friend. But then not only that, also being thankful,

that's the key. In verse 7, I'm going to read that one. Philippians 4 verse 7 says,

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through

Christ Jesus. Lena, do you rejoice in the peace of God that passes all understanding? Of course,

I always retry to do it. And this is, of course, amazing promise. So peace, we all know that comes

from our Lord Jesus Christ through knowing him as our personal Savior and also the Savior of this

world. And also we might remember the words of angels to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus Christ.

You know, they said, on earth peace, good will toward men. And we're going to go and read John,

chapter 14 verse 27 here, peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives

do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. So again, you know, it is

Jesus Christ who gives us peace, not this world. Sadly, this world actually, you know, will never

know peace, you know, namely the absence of strife or war till Jesus comes again. And so therefore,

you know, like we can have our inner peace through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Yes. I remember quite some years ago, one political commentator saying, peace is breaking out

all over the world. You wouldn't say that today. I don't think. Let's move on to the Christian virtues

that Paul outlines in chapter 4 of Philippians. And I'm going to read verses 8 and 9. Finally,

brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things

are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are a good report, if there is any virtue,

and if there is anything pries worthy, meditate on these things, the things which you learned and

received and heard and saw in me, these do and the God of peace be with you. So what do you think

of the first two of these virtues, Daniel, to be true and noble? What do you think of those?

Oh, look, let's just sit, you know, whatever is true, whatever things are noble. I guess, you know,

in the world that we live in today, there's a lot of false things, you know, what is true news,

what is not true news for those sorts of things. And, you know, some things that people say of

other things, you know, is this true, is this not true? But anyway, Paul here is saying, meditate

on things that are true, that you know are true, things that are noble. And because these are things

to think about, other things might, you know, cause us issues.

And later, can you comment on the next two qualities?

Yeah, sure. Just a right comes from the Greek word decayah, or decayah is in a singular form,

meaning righteous. So this virtue is defined by God's righteous character. So we also remember

the councils to Israel. We can find this in Deuteronomy chapter 16 verses from 18 to 20. Here he

says, you shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the Lord your God gives you,

according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. You shall not

pervert justice, you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for bribe blinds the eyes of

the wise and twists the words of the righteous. You shall follow what is altogether just,

that you may leave and inherit the land which the Lord your God is giving you. So both judges and

the people were to follow what was just or right. And when it comes to pure, so pure is the thought

and action, you know, flowing from God's righteousness by faith. So, you know, we Jesus is our role

model, as we know, and we can find this in 1 John chapter 3 verse 3. Here he says,

everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure. So Jesus is our role model

and it is by beholding that we become changed. And Daniel, the last two qualities, what do you

get to say about those? Well yes, so whatever is lovely and whatever is of good report,

there's a lot of beauty even in this sin, since the world. And you know, when we meditate on these

things, on things that are lovely, on things that are of good report, that's actually that's actually

helpful for us. And also, I just also want to go back to the first to whatever is true because

Jesus is the truth. That's what he says. So meditate on him, on his truth. And so if we meditate on

these things, then we'll actually feel better. This will actually be helpful and helpful to us.

And now, Lena, in Philippians 4 verse 11, Paul says, we should be content, or as the new living

translation says, to get along happily. There seems to be a lot of discontented people in the world

today, aren't there? What does Paul give to you to be contented? Yes, Paul was thankful,

regardless of his circumstances or what happened. And a spirit of thanksgiving is vital for us.

It's going to go read Philippians 4 verses 12 and 13. I know how to be a base,

I know how to abound everywhere. And in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,

both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So

in life, it's quite easy to be content when things are going well around us. But it takes a

lot of spirit to be content when life is not fair to us. But remember that, but as verse 13 says,

we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We have to remember this promise.

Yeah, well, I see the clock is against us every half week. I wish we had more time for these

discussions. And I want to thank my guest today, who are Lena Yoon and Andrew Overkerker for

being with us. And my name is Clive Nash. You know, today we've looked at the closing thoughts

in Paul's letter to the church at Philippine. We've noted several points. We began today with

good role models. Thank you for that. And we've talked about our citizenship in heaven.

We covered the six virtues to meditate on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good

report. There was so much more we could say about the closing thoughts in Philippians 3 and chapter

4. If only we had the time. Why not delve into the letter for yourself? Spend some thoughtful and

prayerful time with Paul. Then his closing thoughts will be yours, namely the grace of our Lord

Jesus Christ, be with you all men. Well, we're glad you joined us today on Let God Speak. If you

were blessed by this program, why not tell your friends? Remember, all past programs, plus teachers'

notes are available on our website, 3abianastrayer.org.au. Emails if you wish at LGS at 3abianastrayer.org.au.

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