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Sermon: Citizens of Heaven

Phil 3:18-21 ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Why is it that many pastors and influential church leaders are so caught up in the politics of the Pandemic? Many seem to have lost all perspective – they seem to have no compassion with those suffering and those who have lost loved ones. They downplay the numbers, and ignore the plight of the poor around the world who have to bear the brunt of being in lockdown. Why are so many believers angry at their loss of freedom and the erosion of their rights? There seems to be a total loss of true perspective.

Let us turn to the source of truth, the Bible, and see if we can regain some perspective about our place in the world and the role we should be playing.

1. We are Citizens of Heaven

• We died
  • Colossians 3:1-3 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
  • Our citizenship of this world was cancelled:
    • Our primary allegiance to the people, structures, systems, values and issues of this world was transferred to a different Kingdom.
    • We became part of a different culture:
      • You will always feel like a stranger when you serve God fully,
      • You will never be able to serve two masters,
      • You will never be able to fully assimilate into the culture of the day while setting your heart and mind on things above.
    • We serve a King and we are part of a Kingdom which transcends all others.

1 Pet 2: 9-12  ⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

• We have a new home
  • You are not HOME! Even if you are locked down, you are in your temporary home, not where you belong.
    • Even with all the creature comforts, you will become dissatisfied.
    • Buying more stuff will not help your feeling of homesickness.
    • When we worship we get a taste of heaven…
  • We are mere travelers, aliens and strangers in this world.
    • Homesickness.
  • So what are we doing here?

2. We are ambassadors of Christ

2 Corinthians 5:19-21  ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin^[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

• We represent the King and His Kingdom:
  • His Kingdom is not a Democracy. He is the boss.
• We are subject to His rules, laws and protection and provision.
• Our mandate is clear.
• We are on a mission.
• We have an important message: Be reconciled to God.
• We have an important plan: Make Disciples.
• Ill: What is an Ambassador?
• We are not secret agents:
  • We are not to put down roots.
  • We are not to emigrate back to the world = backslide.
  • We are not to assimilate –we are not to be like the world.
  • We are not to try be liked, accepted or even understood.
    • We will always rub the culture up the wrong way.
  • We are in uniform and under orders.

3. We are soldiers under orders

³ Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 1 Tim 2:3-4.

• We are not “peacetime ambassadors”.
• We are sent to an enemy nation!!
• We do not have a cushy assignment.
• We are not there to tell them how to run their country but to lay out the terms for peace or to face destruction.
  • We are ambassadors to a difficult place, a war zone, a place where sin is rampant and which HATES our King, His Kingdom and His servants.
  • We are under orders.
  • We are not supposed to get entangled in “civilian affairs” but to set our hearts and minds on things above.
    • Remember who you are.
    • Remember where home is.
    • Remember what you are doing here.
    • Remember who you serve.
    • Remember where your allegiance lies.
    • Remember who is in command.
    • Remember your assignment.
    • Remember to stay focused.
    • Remember to set your heart and mind on things above.
    • Remember that there might be a price to pay.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18  ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

1 Peter 1:3-9 ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHrxwjLAW_c

Philippians 4: 4-9

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Introduction:

Anxiety, stress, fear and worry are all very familiar to us all. These are our natural responses to circumstances which seem beyond our control and which threaten to overwhelm us.

There are two levels of circumstances:

1. The actual circumstances.
2. The imagined potential circumstances created by worrying about the actual circumstances. This takes place in our mind and creates a new set of negative circumstances.

In other words: We start off facing a problem. Illustration: the loss of a job. This is a real issue, a real problem and will probably bring about real consequences in my life and the lives of my loved ones. The problem is that when I constantly think about it; worry about it; a point comes where I start to imagine the worst case scenario’s. I start to fear and this just leads to further stress and even depression; heart palpitations and sickness. Spiritually, very often, I  soon find myself walking in the flesh – my behavior reflects my heart.

Most people in this situation say: “I can’t help it. I have a real issue. I am just trying to deal with it.”

We are in the midst of a real problem. A global pandemic that is causing real problems. Physical, health, economic, social and even societal issues. Most of which we have never had to deal with before. Perhaps you have lost a job, perhaps you are in lockdown – lonely and frustrated, perhaps a loved one is sick or has died and perhaps you are fearing the virus yourself. All of these are real problems that can have real consequences in your life. In most cases there is nothing you can do – and this is frustrating.

What has your response been? Are you anxious? Fearful? Are you blaming others, angry at the world? Depressed? Are you entertaining the latest conspiracy theory?

The Bible has an answer!! Now remember – I am speaking to people who have come into a saving relationship with Christ. If you have not, that would be the starting point for you!

So how do we as believers handle anxiety, stress and fear?

The Biblical answer seems almost too simple, almost simplistic. However it presupposes a few things about your worldview. Here are 5 that should be part of a believer’s thought system:

1. God is in control and has a plan.
2. God cares for you 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
3. God is able 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
4. God answers prayer.
5. You have a choice.

What does the Bible say?

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

• Rejoice, rather than stress.
• Choose your attitude.
• Let your behavior reflect your heart.
• PROMISE: The Lord is near.

ILLUSTRATION: There is a crisis: “Stay calm, the lord is near. He is in control and He has a plan greater than your circumstance.

Pray

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Do not be anxious about ANYTHING…

• Including disasters, pandemics, economic collapse, sickness or death.
• This is not denying the seriousness of the situation, its about gaining the right perspective.

PLEASE NOTE:

• The Bible does NOT go on to say:
  • Declare, decree or demand of God that He change the circumstances.
  • NOR that we take authority over the circumstances.
  • NOR that we address the circumstances.
  • NOR that we need to show a certain level of faith over the circumstances.
  • NOR that we call down heaven to earth.
  • NOR that we command angels to do our bidding.

Gods answer is simply: PRAY!

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

• Wait – what about our authority, our power?
• Well, basically – you have none. If you did you would not be anxious because you would have control over the circumstances.
• The point is – WE NEED GOD!

1. Recognize the situation for what it is – face reality.
2. Choose your perspective.
3. Recognise your inability, weakness and impotence.
4. Call on the Lord – by prayer and petition.
5. Exercise faith – with thanksgiving!
6. Present your requests – not your demands, to God.

What does God do?

⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1. It does not promise that all will be well as far as the circumstances are concerned.
2. It does promise that God would do something miraculous!
   1. He will give us His peace. (He already knows how it will all end and He is not stressed.)
   2. He is give us a peace that goes beyond understanding.
   3. A peace that will guard our hearts and minds – a peace that will guard our emotions and our thoughts, a peace that will remove the fear and anxiety and give us a godly perspective.
3. The key is the phrase “In Christ Jesus”:
   1. Those in Christ Jesus have life, forgiveness of sin, an eternal hope and the promise of resurrection.
   2. Those in Chris Jesus have no reason to fear death.

One Step Further

Satan will try reminding you of the circumstances and cause you to fear, so now you need to exercise a second choice.

What will I allow my mind to dwell on? You can choose to replace those negative, fear inducing thoughts with:

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Gods Glorious Promise

⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And the God of peace will be with you.

The peace of God and the God of peace will be with you. When? When you look to Him rather than to the circumstances of your life. Circumstances are opportunities to see God in action. When we have the right perspective and put our faith in God not in myself, or a politician or the world, God promises me His peace and His presence.

Our Current Reality

• Daily the pandemic spreads. Now about two million people infected, soon many millions.
• For those who watched and speculated, who theorised and expressed doubt, for those who falsely prophesied that it would all be over soon; it has started to become a reality.
• Daily the death total grows. In the US over a thousand deaths per day – and climbing.
• This week someone died that I knew.
• As we come to grips with the reality and severity of what we are facing, many find themselves on an emotional roller coaster. We don’t really know how to deal with death. Especially when it strikes as widely as it is now doing. In the weeks to come we are going to be overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and deeply distressed to find out that we are familiar with the roll call of the departed.
• In some cases it will be deeply personal. Within our own churches and even in our homes.

Our comfort is not found in denying reality; by closing our ears like a child and fending off the truth.

• It is not found in false promises, false prophecies or fake stories.
• It is not found in blaming others or in conspiracy theories.
• Our hope lies in the truth. We know the Truth and the TRUTH sets us free – also free from fear.

In John 11 we find the story of Lazarus.

• Lazarus, a friend of Jesus and the brother of Mary and Martha took ill.
• The sisters called on Jesus to come and heal him.
• Jesus deliberately took his time, and by the time he got there Lazarus had been dead for 4 days.
• Jesus knew full well what had happened and what He was about to do.
• Yet, as Jesus sees the grief of the family and those who came to comfort them, He is deeply moved.
• JESUS WEPT John 11:35
• Why? He knew He was about to raise Lazarus. Because Jesus saw what death does to people – not only to the dying, but to those left behind.
  • Jesus saw their loss, their desperation, their anguish, their grief.
  • Death had come to a loved one. It is permanent – Lazarus is forever gone.
  • Death causes separation. It leaves other needy, broken and lonely.
  • It takes away all hope of reconciliation with people and with God.
• People everywhere recognize the hopelessness of death – that is why they grieve. It is final, permanent.

Then Jesus does the impossible!

• Jesus commands a dead man to come out of the grave – and he does!
• Lazarus is alive again!

Next week is Easter. An Easter like no other we have ever celebrated. A time when we will focus on another death and resurrection = that of Christ Himself.

• Jesus did not just weep and do nothing.
• Jesus took on Himself the cause of death and then overcame death itself.
• Jesus made it possible for all – not just Lazarus to be resurrected!

Now we find these words in 1 Thess. 4:13-14” ¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

Note:

• The Bible does not say that we will not grieve, but that we will not grieve like the world (like the rest of mankind).
• We view the death of a believer as if they have fallen asleep and will soon wake up again. ILLUSTRATION: Time zone…

We are going to face death in new ways, perhaps millions across the world; but we have hope.

• We will not fear death for ourselves.
• We will not grieve over believers as though there is no hope.
• Resurrection awaits!!
• However, we need to grieve the loss of unbelievers, recognizing their lost-ness without Christ. They have no hope.
• Better still – introduce them to the hope that lives in you now.

We need others to see our hope in these days.

• Our hope is our testimony to people who fear death.
• Our hope is a bright light, drawing others into its comfort.
  • Ill: Believers in lockdown in India – living out their faith loudly!

Please don’t express false hope in this time.

• Rather say nothing than say things the Bible does not promise.
• No, the death of Jesus did not save all humanity.
• He died for all, but without faith there can be no salvation.

As you deal with the grief of others recognize that there are no words that can dull the pain; but The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is the COMFORTER.

• God Himself will bind up the wounds when people turn to Him.
• Point to God in a loving way and pray that the Holy Spirit will bring peace to broken hearts.

Be strong. Study the Word. Speak the truth. Express your hope. Look up. We know where our hope comes from.

Current Reality

2 Dangerous viruses

1. Global Pandemic Coronavirus or COVID-19:
   1. Reality,
   2. Deadly,
   3. Spreading exponentially,
   4. Particularly harmful to older people and those with certain pre-existing conditions.
   5. The numbers are incredible:
      1. Over half a million globally.
      2. Over 20 000 dead.

• In SA there are over 1 000 cases.

1. It has a Death Rate of over 2%

1. Global shutdown of travel;
2. Local lockdowns,
3. Social distancing,
4. Churches severely impacted,
5. There is as of today NO know cure – a vaccine is still months away,
6. Christians are NOT immune!
7. BUT, we have faith and we do not fear – not even death.

2. We need to take this seriously and follow the guidelines:
   1. We need to think of others.
   2. We need to protect the vulnerable.
   3. We need to use common sense.

Second Virus has a 100% infection rate, it has a 100% death rate. It has an eternal impact!

1. I’m speaking of course about sin.
2. Everyone is born with a sinful nature.
3. Each of us practices sin.
4. Sin causes a zombie apocalypse in that it makes us do harmful things to others.
   1. The world is full of violence.
   2. People murder and steal and rape.
   3. Children and women are abused.
   4. We lie and deceive one another and we infect one another causing others to sin.
5. The GOOD NEWS however is that there is a cure:
   1. Paul received this GOOD NEWS and went asap to the Corinthians ans shared it with them.
   2. Jesus DIED for our SINS.
   3. He was Buried.
   4. He Rose again and overcame death!
   5. He appeared to many as proof of His resurrection.
6. ILL ISRAEL in the Desert – Copper snake.
7. HOPE for the world.

What do we do now?

As far as Corona is concerned:

• Accept the reality.
• Follow the rules.
• Minister to those you need help while taking every precaution.
• Reach out to the vulnerable – help, give, pray.
• Connect to the lonely, restore relationships.
• Be safe.
• Continue to support the church financially.
• Support Missions.

As far as the Gospel is Concerned:

• This is an incredible opportunity. People who never would talk or listen will now.
• Share the true Gospel.
• Provide true hope – not false hope.
• Make people aware of the greatest virus and the cure for it.
• Don’t argue – be loving and humble – don’t force people.
• There is an urgency.
• Start with a prayer list and then seek opportunities to share your faith.

Closing the doors is not a form of persecution. It is just good old common sense. The church has never been about building and meetings but about living as disciples of Christ. Let’s act like people of faith, let’s be strong and faithful. Our hope is in the Lord.