What is the Church? Part 7, Citizens of Heaven
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20–21
Philippians 3:17–4:1 – What Is the Church?
First Sunday in Lent – February 18, 2024 (am)
Good morning! I must confess right off the bat that I had to scratch my head after I selected the topic of Citizenship in Heaven as my preaching task in this series on “What is the Church?” This is part seven. We have seen that the church is the people of God and the body of Christ, and the household of God. We have seen that the church is a flock, and a temple, and last week Paul spoke on the identity of the church as the pillar and buttress of the truth. But it seems to stretch our grammatical sense to say that the church is citizenship in heaven. Yet, for the Philippians and for us as well, citizenship is more than a useful credential. It is a place to stand, a key that unlocks many doors and it carries a weight of responsibility and a set of obligations that cannot easily be set aside. And one of my many desires this morning is that we will come to praise the Lord that [as a soldier by the name of Phillip Nolan discovered] there is no such thing as a country of One!
The key verse for our consideration this morning is this.
“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]
Let me begin with a story this morning. Have any of you ever heard of a man named Phillip Nolan? He is the fictional protagonist in a short story by Edward Everett Hale written in the mid-19th century, titled The Man Without a Country. Nolan, a soldier and officer, gets somehow tangled up in a fruitless and clouded insurrection, is apprehended and at his trial curses his native land and loudly wishes that he may never hear the name of the United States ever again. The judge, aghast, grants him his wish and his sentence is to spend the remainder of his life on board various U. S. naval vessels, with freedom of access to the men with whom he sails, but who are forbidden from ever divulging news of their homeland. He becomes known as “old plain buttons” because though we wear the uniform of a soldier, the buttons on his jacket must not bear the insignia of the United States.
It is a hard story to read. When any ship he is on sails back to port, he can sense the proximity to land, but his transfer to an outgoing vessel takes place many miles out to sea and he is never taken close enough to shore to actually see the land for which he comes to love and long. The story is a study of the harsh consequences of a foolish word. It is a study in the growing ache and longing within a soul. Most of all it is a story of utter loneliness, of what it looks like to be a country of One.
Philippi was an interesting city, with a unique status, as a Roman colony. It was a Roman outpost in a conquered territory. Situated in northwestern Greece it was situated on the trade route connecting Rome to the east. Designated as a colony and home for Roman military veterans, its residents could claim a dual citizenship in both Phillipi and Rome. And that status would have real value in an unpredictable world. Citizenship was a reward for military service, and it was also a rarity, with its benefits conferred on an estimated 15% of the population. Citizenship conferred the right to marry, to enter into contracts, to have a political voice and access to a legal umbrella under which one’s civil rights would be protected. You can get a good sense of the weight of Roman citizenship in Acts 22…
23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips,[d] Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. [Acts 22:23-29]
And so, Paul writes a letter to this young church, for which he has been imprisoned and beaten, and has found a receptivity to the gospel that frankly brings chills when we read about it in Acts 16. He begins to tease out the idea of a unique citizenship in Philippians 1:27 where he says:
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, [Philippians1:27]
This may be rendered, “Behave as citizens worthy of the gospel.” These words would have a strong connection to the residents of this Roman city, for whom the rights and privileges of citizenship march side by side with the obligations and responsibilities inherent in the status. So, when we get to the end of Philippians 3, the idea of a ‘citizenship in heaven’ has taken on a weight that would be understood loud and clear by his hearers.
It is interesting that in 1:27 and 3:21 the KJV uses the word “conversation” instead of “citizenship.” Conversation infers a dialogue, a shared set of parameters that define a relationship and provide a window into the true state of one’s soul. Here’s an example:
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. [1 Peter 3:16 KJV]
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. [Philippians 3:17]
Let’s begin with the exhortation to keep our eyes on those who walk according to a good example, those who have followed the path and example of Paul who has proven by his stripes that his “conversation” has been earned! But let’s turn this on its head for a moment. The flip side of the exhortation is that we might well take care to be a model for others to follow, that our ‘conversation’ may provide a path forward for others to safely and productively walk in. Know this also, most often, the ones worth following, at least in my experience, are not the ones whose conversations are honored and spotlighted. They are those whose citizenship is played out with consistency and joy. [about which I will have more to say as we conclude.]
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. [Philippians 3:18]
It is no wonder that Paul is caused to weep at this thought. Think about it. It is possible that one can claim the blood of Christ, can lay claim to the protection of the gospel, and yet walk as enemies of that very same gospel. Such is our depravity. There is such a thing as a false citizenship! So, we are to be careful in choosing whom to follow! Maybe more importantly though is to take this as a warning to ourselves, knowing that but for the grace of God, we would surely find ourselves as an enemy of the cross of Christ!
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. [Philippians 3:19]
The falseness of the enemies of the cross is amplified here. Their end is not honor or insight or favor or approval. It is destruction. They worship themselves and are bound only to the satisfaction of their flesh. They take pride in the very things that should cause shame. They do not consider the tests of citizenship, but are mesmerized by the world and its attractions. In short, their ‘conversation’ reveals the dangerously shaky ground upon which they stand… Finally, note that Paul is repeating a warning here that he has issued before, and one that even now he pens with tears. False conversation has its price and how he longs that this young church may find a safer, genuine, joy filled arc of life and service for their Savior. And through the idea of ‘citizenship he proceeds to light the path!
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [Philippians 3:20]
He begins with the simple conjunction [I think?] “But.” He introduces the guard rail, the double yellow center line, the reality of the comfort of citizenship. For Paul, Roman citizenship was a card he played at need, and one that he embraced and one that as we have seen, his hearers would have understood. The syntax is a bit hard to figure out. He says that our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. A reasonable question is ‘to what is the “it” referring? Is it to heaven? Or is it to the anchor of citizenship itself? The grammar is a little bit strained, it seems. And for me it is a reminder that the two things must not, nor need not be separated. In our citizenship, we are given a strong place upon which to stand, and that place is anchored to the bedrock of our true home in heaven. Our citizenship is not ultimately in this world, as beautiful as it often, or at least sometimes, is. We are in the same boat as the saints described in Hebrews 11:13-16
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. [Heb 11:13-16]
Make no mistake, citizenship in that heavenly country is an exclusive citizenship. To claim it with any meaning is to fundamentally subordinate our allegiances to the time and space of this world, in favor of a deeper, more real citizenship, one that is more difficult to see perhaps, but one that is more real, nonetheless!
who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. [Philippians 3:21]
When our bodies are described as ‘lowly’ here in the text, would any of us choose to object and argue the point? What a preposterous thing, that part of our benefit package as citizens of heaven is to be transformed, from our lowly body into a body like our Saviors. The point here is not so much centered on a physical transformation, though the older I get the better that sounds! It is a transformation into conformity with the Savior that we are waiting for! Our citizenship is real here and now, and it is waiting for us as well. There is another suggestion here as well. Paul is speaking of “our citizenship” from which “we await”. He does not refer to “our bodies” in the singular as in “each of us.” Rather the inference is surely to our collective body, and that is worth thinking about for a bit. In regard to our personal, physical bodies, we shall find restored vigor, the flexibility and energy of youth, the simple ability to breathe freely and without constraint, these are gifts worth waiting at the end of the driveway for… But, what if this image of a conformed body may refer to our collective citizenship as well or even more pointedly? What if we are awaiting a coming Savior, who will transform our collective, corporate body into a church with universal flourishing, where every voice with every song will be sung in safety and purity and gratitude, from the throats of the aged among us to the garble of babies! Where long-winded middle-aged men don’t get all the attention, where honor and kindness and dignity will be characteristic of all our “conversation.” Where every relationship is sound and growing every day in loyal affection and true fellowship. Where we would gladly live and die for one another. Where our pride in one another is our default, where we can sit in lawn chairs or coffee breaks and pull pictures out of our billfolds or purses and show them off with pride to one another, pictures not of ourselves, but of our dear beloved friends in the body of Christ.
I actually think it is easier to visualize a personal, transformed physical body, as strange as that sounds, than it is to visualize a church, renewed, restored, focused and filled with joy at every turn! Is this Savior for whom we wait able to bring about this kind of transformation? The answer is surely and irresistibly yes. It must be so! After all, by his power, absolutely everything will be subject to his authority and his good plan for sinners like us.
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. [Philippians 4:1]
Paul comes full circle here. He is able to think of this young church for what and who they are becoming, not for who they have been. He is proclaiming here that there is no citizenship of One! These are those whom he loves. These are those that he longs for. These are his joy and crown! Some high-flying language, yes? His exhortation? Stand firm in the lord. my beloved! As we look around the room this morning, can we say along with the apostle, “these are my beloved brothers and sisters! These are my joy and crown. These are my fellow citizens of a country whose reality we can taste together. Are we like Phillip Nolan in the story I referred to earlier who was able to tell by signs in the skies, by the advent of shore birds, by the currents and the debris in the water, focused and intent on these signs that he was approaching his long-awaited home. A home that tragically he would never be allowed to see! May we ever draw near to our true heavenly home arm in arm and hand in hand, forever in the company of our fellow citizens, our joy and crown!
So, we are left with many questions. Let us consider one! How should we then live?
Strive side by side:
According to Philippians 1:27 we are striving together, side by side. There is no second-class citizenship in the body of Christ. We walk with one mind, and one spirit. We stand firm together as one. For good or bad we are in this together. What that means is that we make no distinction in our relative value. Young, old, rich, or poor, wizened and seasoned, or new and naïve. Fluent and high-minded in our speech or steeped in the vernacular. And you have to go no farther than the very next verses to see this bedrock truth highlighted. Even Euodia and Syntyche, sisters in Christ who are locked in disagreement to such an extent that Paul must put pen to paper to intervene, are described as laborers, as fellow laborers in the gospel, whose names are in the book of life. That must light our path as we walk together.Light the way for one another:
Though the instruction in 3:17 is to choose carefully those you would emulate, we can also consider the flip side, which is to live in such a way that our brothers and sisters can reliably follow in our footsteps. Young or old, people are watching. Do we love them enough to walk carefully and with purpose? That is our job!Hold hands while we wait!
The letter to the Philippians is filled from stem to stern with words and phrases of waiting, of looking forward. The words and phrases of ‘longing’ and ‘await’ and ‘how I yearn’ and ‘longing for you’ and ‘we await’ drive home a recurring and powerful theme in the letter. Though we can’t often see our heavenly home very well, we strain forward noting every sign along the way as we draw ever closer, and because we can’t see it clearly, we sing to each other and for each other.
Conclusion:
There is no citizenship of One!
Have you ever wondered why we don’t baptize ourselves? Ever wonder why we don’t take communion alone in the privacy of our rooms? Why do we smile at Badger in the old Wind in the Willows animated movie who said,
“I hate company
Whether I’m the host or the invited guest
I hate company
I hate company
Dining alone is best”The absurdity of each of these things is plain to see. And so is the notion of a citizenship of One. Phillip Nolan was sentenced to such a citizenship and discovered by God’s mercy a growing ember of life in his soul, and his loneliness grew into an overwhelming passion to be part of a citizenship that was bigger than himself. In his 50-year exile there were occasional ‘all hands-on deck’ moments where he manned the cannons, or carried the wounded and for him those were the moments he lived for. He learned that there is an unspeakable privilege in ‘striving side by side’, walking in exile in the company of fellow exiles toward a land that they can call home. His final words were these, scribbled at the bottom of his last will and testament:
“Never was a man who loved his country more
and deserved it less.”We might well wonder, why it is that we so need one another, and of all the answers we could come up with it is, as it always is, scripture that explains it best. We are not a country of One, because the God who created us is three in one, and the fellowship and honor and delight shared there is built into our DNA as a longing for a better, a different world. Consider this from John 17.
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. [John 17:20-23]
Do we really long for our more real heavenly country? Really?
My brother Jim has spent his long career building very very nice homes for people all over the western suburbs. He is probably the finest, flawed man that I know, and every home he built had a bit of himself pounded into it with every stroke of the hammer! Through a series of circumstances, he now works for the world’s largest apple and cherry orchard in the world. [or so I’m told] He is a construction manager tasked primarily with providing and managing the housing needs for the 2000 guest workers that are flown in annually. And basically, what they do is scavenge old double wide trailers, flood damaged perhaps, worn and beat up, and haul them to the property. Then they gut them, remove the old moldy drywall, redo the interiors, paint the metal siding, re-hang the doors and hook up the utilities. [the irony of the story should begin to crystalize for us by now!] Recently, as he was going through a punch list for one of these mobile units, sweeping the steps, double checking the power to the circuits… He noticed a car in the dirt driveway with a woman inside, head down against the steering wheel and softly sobbing to herself. Jim was not sure what to do, but approached the car and tapped gently on the driver’s side window. “I’m sorry, is there anything I can do for you?” Here is her response:
“It is just so beautiful, and it is going to be my home, and I get to move in on Monday!”
Do you think we could ever say that about our heavenly home? The irony was not lost on my brother who noted that in all his years, nobody ever wept with joy as he handed them the keys to their million-dollar mansion. But the poor woman in the story did. And we may be sure that none found the joy that she did.
How I want to, how I need to, long for my heavenly home in that way. [There are a few of you who already live there, and you light the way for people like me! Thank you!] To see it, and to taste it, to wait for it, to dig our hands and our fingernails deep into the soil of heaven, holding hands with you all as I do. What more could I ask? What more could we ask?
The final exhortation [consider it a postscript] of this passage is that we wait well when we cultivate and nurture a love for one another. That we would ache, as together we so wait. It was William Manchester I think who said that men on a battlefield will not die for glory of the nation, but they will die for one another. So it is with the Christian.
At the end of the day our greatest treasure is never an object or an abstract idea, or a doctrine, or an ethical system, or a set of principles. It is a treasure embodied in a personal longing for a Savior who has become dear to us, a joyful memory, a triumphant hope and a crown of love.
NEXT SUNDAY: What Is the Church? Part 8: The Bride of Christ, Pastor Daryle Worley