Our citizenship is in heaven and earth is the foreign country that we're in.
Overview
This spiritual address, based on Philippians 3:17-21, explores the core Christian concept of heavenly citizenship while living on Earth. Using the analogy of a traveler in a foreign country with a passport from their homeland, the speaker emphasizes that believers are temporary residents in this world, representing their true King and anticipating a future transformation. The address sharply contrasts two paths: one leading to destruction and earthly fixation, and the other embracing heavenly values and the hope of Christ's return.
Main Themes & Key Ideas
✨ Dual Citizenship & Heavenly Identity: Just as a traveler retains their homeland identity abroad, Christians possess a "spiritual passport" that declares heaven their home.
We don't forget where we're from. We don't lose our accent. We don't settle into customs that don't match with our king. One day we will go home and everything will change for us.
Philippi, a Roman colony, had citizens who belonged to Rome though not living in it. Likewise, believers belong to heaven: You may live on earth but you're a citizen of another kingdom.
📖 Ambassadors, Not Settlers: Our role on Earth is to represent Christ.
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us... We are ambassadors here, not settlers.
Living by heaven’s values: humility, love (G25), and truth. Speaking heaven’s languages: grace, encouragement, and worship. Carrying heaven’s mission: making disciples, showing mercy, preaching the gospel.
✝️ The Path of Earthly Living (Enemies of the Cross): Those focused on earthly things face eternal loss.
It's not temporal loss. It's eternal. Those who reject the cross are on a path that leads to separation from God.
- God is Their Stomach: Indulgence in desires — lust, greed, status, power.
- Glory is in Their Shame: Boasting in what should cause grief. Sin marketed as identity, wickedness as progress.
- Mind Set on Earthly Things: No thought of eternity — just power, pleasure, possessions.
🤝 The Importance of Example and Discipleship: Paul calls believers to imitate faithful leaders.
Scripture pushes us in a different direction. We're called to follow those who are following Jesus.
The Christian life is communal: encouraging, warning, and guiding one another. Discipleship isn't about perfection. It's about direction.
✨ Hope of Transformation and Glory: Our lowly bodies will be transformed to be like Christ’s glorious body.
This is our hope — transformation. Christ will return. He'll make all things new, including us.
This hope brings perseverance and joy through suffering. When you feel weary, remember: this isn't the end. Glory is coming.
The cross became a doorway to glory — through suffering and surrender into resurrection and heavenly honor.
Practical Applications / Calls to Action
- 📖 Imitate and Be the Right Examples: Seek godly mentors; live worthy of imitation.
- ✝️ Reject the Patterns of Earthly Living: Shift focus from worldly desires to God.
- 🤝 Embrace Our Heavenly Citizenship: Live intentionally as an ambassador, not a settler.
- ✨ Look Forward to Transformation and Glory: Let future hope fuel present faithfulness.
