Understanding Citizenship: Kingdom of Light vs. Kingdom of Darkness

1. Citizenship – Phil. 3:14-21 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. Why?

2. Citizenship – Phil. 3:14-21 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.

3. Importance of Knowing Where Our Citizenship Is When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matt. 25:31-34) Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” …And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. (Mat. 25:41, 46)

4. Elements of Citizenship Must enter the kingdom: Born into or Naturalized Kingdom of Darkness Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2) Kingdom of Light Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, 5)

5. Dead In Sin Raised To New Life Buried In Baptism Elements of Citizenship – The New Birth Born into God’s Kingdom Through Baptism Death – Burial – Resurrection Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom. 6:3-4)

6. Dead In Sin Kingdom of Darkness Raised To New Life Kingdom of the Son Buried In Baptism Elements of Citizenship – The New Birth Enter God’s Kingdom Through New Birth Translated into Kingdom of Christ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13-14)

7. Duties of Citizenship Abide by Law of the Country – Enjoy Privileges of Citizenship Kingdom of Darkness – Yield to Sin Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? (Rom. 6:16) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Rom. 7:23) Kingdom of Light – Yield to Obedience There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:1-2)

8. Duties of Citizenship • Born of the Spirit; Therefore, Walk after the Spirit • Behave like Citizens of Heaven Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Phil. 1:27) • Offer my time, my abilities, my life…to God as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2). • Distinction between light and darkness. • People ought to see the difference.

9. Duties of Citizenship • Be humble (Rom. 12:3). • Use talents: Minister or Teach (Rom. 12:7). • Use talents: Exhort, Give liberally, Lead with diligence, & Show mercy (Rom. 12:8). • Use talents: Love w/o hypocrisy, Abhor evil, cling to good (Rom. 12:9). • Meet with the Saints (Heb. 10:23-25). • Sing praises with God’s people (Heb. 13:15). • Restore erring brethren (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20).

10. Privileges of Citizenship • Cleansing from sin; reconciliation with God (Heb. 8:12). • For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. • Fellowship with God (1 Jn. 1:3, 7). • …that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. • But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

11. Privileges of Citizenship • Prayer (Heb. 4:15-16). • For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. • Near to God (Heb. 10:22). • Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

12. Privileges of Citizenship • Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9). • Spirit of adoption (Rom. 8:14-15). • Spirit bears witness with our spirit (Rom. 8:16). • Joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). • Hope (Rom. 8:24). • Spirit aids us in our prayers (Rom. 8:26-27). • Freedom from condemnation (Rom. 8:28, 33-34). • Unfailing love of Christ (Rom. 8:35). • Unshakeable love of God (Rom. 8:37 & 39). None of these privileges outside the kingdom—NONE!

13. Danger of Losing Citizenship • Can fall out of the kingdom (1 Cor. 10:12). • Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. • Foolish choice by some: • Demas went back (2 Tim. 4:10) • Enemies of the cross (Phil. 3:18) • Brethren sinned & in danger of death (Jas. 5:19-20) • Simon (Acts 8:18-23) • Name can be blotted out (Rev. 3:5) • Records kept in heaven (Rev. 21:27). • But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

14. Citizenship • Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? • But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. • Are you a citizen in the Kingdom of Heaven? • For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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. (Phil. 3:20-21)