Joy in Kingdom citizenship

One of the more monumental moments of the past year was the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, truly a “where were you when” type moment. I remember exactly where I was: sitting in a waiting room of the passport office, trying desperately to get a proof of citizenship for my youngest daughter before we left the country. Amidst my frustration with a backlogged system, the news of the passing of her late majesty put everything into perspective: I am blessed to live in a country where the most inconvenient thing I had to experience that day was a longer-than-normal wait to get a document which proved my daughter’s citizenship in this wonderful country…but also that my citizenship is ultimately not Canadian.

At the moment of conversion, we are issued a “new passport,” a new proof of citizenship in the form of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling to confirm the new reality that we have in Jesus the Son as God the Father planned and put forth. Of this Paul says in Philippians 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”. As Christians, we live as exiles on earth awaiting the time when Jesus will come to take us home. Until then we’ve got work to do which Paul unpacks for us in the verses that surround verse 20. We’ll unpack these things together and with the Spirit’s help, come to a greater understanding of what it means to live as Kingdom Citizens here on earth.

Her late majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has gone home to be with the one she called her Lord and Saviour. One day, we too will experience the fulfillment of joy in our kingdom citizenship, but until then that reality has important implications for us here and now.

Jordan Coros
Series: Joy Unleashed
Message: 10 - Joy in Kingdom Citizenship
Harvest Bible Chapel
Text: Philippians 3:17-4:1
January 8, 2023

As a citizen of heaven, I...

1. Imitate the servants of Christ (3:17)

Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

1 Corinthians 11:1

My Lord, I have nothing to do in this World, but to seek and serve thee; I have nothing to do with a Heart and its affections, but to breathe after thee. I have nothing to do with my Tongue and Pen, but to speak to thee, and for thee, and to publish thy Glory and thy Will. What have I to do with all my Reputation, and Interest in my Friends, but to increase thy Church, and propagate thy holy Truth and Service? What have I to do with my remaining Time, even these last and languishing hours, but to look up unto thee, and wait for thy Grace, and thy Salvation?
Richard Baxter

2. Forsake the enemies of Christ (3:18-19)

John 17:16

3. Believe the promises of Christ (3:20-21)

We are here so that the outside world would look at us and see something different and ask, “You guys aren’t from around here, are you?” No, we aren’t. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we’re waiting for our Saviour to come from there to here and make all things new.
Tony Merida, Love Your Church

1 John 3:3

4. Stand firm in the work of Christ (4:1)