You Won’t Believe This… that’s not even the worst part of their résumé!
Section 1. Welcome and Announcements
Hey there, friends! I’m so glad you’ve joined us today. Whether you’re reading this from your living room couch, during your lunch break, or somewhere in between, know that you’re exactly where God wants you to be right now. We’re going to dig into some powerful truth from Philippians today that I believe will transform how you see your citizenship in this world.
Before we jump in, let me share a few quick announcements:
Family Picnic: Join us this Saturday at Oak Park from 11am-3pm for our monthly family picnic. Bring a dish to share!
Youth Group: Our teens will be hosting a car wash fundraiser next weekend to help fund their summer mission trip. Please come support them!
Bible Study Groups: New small groups are forming next month. Sign up in the church foyer or online by the end of this week.
Prayer Meeting: Wednesday evening prayer continues at 7pm in the sanctuary. We’d love to see you there!
Section 2. Call to Worship Let Us Fix Our Eyes on Jesus
As we prepare our hearts for worship today, let’s remember the words from Hebrews 12:1-2:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Leader: Where does our citizenship lie?
Congregation: Our citizenship is in heaven!
Leader: Who do we eagerly await?
Congregation: We eagerly await our Savior from heaven!
Leader: Let us worship Him today.
All: Amen!
Section 3. Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before you today as citizens of heaven living temporarily on earth. We ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive Your Word. Lord, help us to imitate those who walk according to the example we have in Christ. Protect us from the ways of the world that would distract us from Your purpose. Remind us that our true home is with You, and that one day, You will transform our lowly bodies to be like Your glorious one. Give us strength to stand firm in You through all of life’s challenges. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Section 4. Praise and Worship Lifting Our Hearts in Song
As we transition to a time of worship through music, I invite you to fully engage your heart and mind. Today our worship team will lead us in songs that remind us of our heavenly citizenship and the hope we have in Christ.
Music has a way of breaking down barriers we sometimes build around our hearts. As we sing, let the truth of these lyrics sink deep into your soul. Whether you’re someone who lifts your hands high or quietly reflects in your seat, worship in the way that allows you to connect most authentically with God.
Let’s stand together and praise our Lord!
Section 5. Scripture Reading Journey Through Philippians
Today we’re exploring a profound passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Written while Paul was imprisoned, this letter overflows with joy despite difficult circumstances. Paul loved the Philippian church deeply, and in this passage, he gives them critical guidance about who to imitate and where to place their ultimate hope.
The Context
Paul was addressing believers who lived in Philippi, a Roman colony whose citizens took great pride in their Roman citizenship. In this passage, Paul reminds them of an even greater citizenship—one in heaven. He warns them about those who claim to follow Christ but whose actions show otherwise, and encourages them to stand firm in their faith.
Philippians 3:17-4:1 (NIV)
3:17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
3:18 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.
3:19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
3:21 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.
4:1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Section 6. Pastoral Prayer Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
Lord God, as we reflect on Paul’s words to the Philippians, we come before You with humble hearts. We recognize how easily we can become distracted by earthly concerns and temporary pleasures. Forgive us for the times we’ve lived as enemies of the cross through our actions and attitudes.
We pray for those among us who are struggling to maintain their focus on heavenly things. For those battling illness, financial hardship, relationship difficulties, or spiritual doubt—strengthen them, Lord. Remind them of their true citizenship in heaven.
Help us to be worthy examples to follow, just as Paul encouraged the Philippians to follow his example. May our lives reflect the values of Your kingdom rather than the values of this world.
Congregational Response
Leader: Where is our citizenship?
Congregation: Our citizenship is in heaven!
Leader: Who will transform our lowly bodies?
Congregation: Christ will transform us by His power!
Leader: Therefore, what shall we do?
Congregation: We will stand firm in the Lord, our joy and crown!
Section 7. Offering Giving as Worship
When Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven, he’s inviting us to live by different values than the world around us. One powerful way we demonstrate these kingdom values is through our giving. In a world that says “gather and keep,” God invites us to “receive and release.”
Our tithes and offerings aren’t just financial transactions—they’re spiritual declarations. Each time we give, we’re saying, “God, I trust You more than my bank account. My true security comes from You, not my possessions.”
Offering Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of giving. As we present our offerings today, we recognize that everything we have comes from You. Just as Paul encouraged the Philippians to focus on heavenly things, help us to invest in eternal treasures rather than temporary pleasures. May these gifts support the work of Your kingdom and help others to discover their heavenly citizenship. We give with grateful hearts, knowing that You are our true provider. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Section 8. Special Music A Musical Reflection
As we prepare our hearts to go deeper into God’s Word, our worship team will share a special selection that echoes the powerful truth of our heavenly citizenship. Allow this music to prepare your heart for what God wants to speak to you today.
Bring This Sermon to Life: The Full Teaching and Tools
Friends, what we’ve shared today is just the beginning. God has so much more He wants to speak to you through this powerful passage from Philippians.
Gain Access to the Complete Short Powerful Sermons
In the full sermon, we’ll explore:
- How to identify and follow godly examples in your life
- Practical ways to live as a citizen of heaven while on earth
- Understanding the power that will transform your body to be like Christ’s
- Three specific strategies for standing firm when life gets tough
“Citizens or Sellouts?
The Shocking Truth About Your Real Passport and Why It’s Worth More Than Gold?”
Ever notice how some people can walk through absolute chaos and still seem… untouchable? A friend of mine witnessed this firsthand last month when his flight got canceled during a massive thunderstorm in Dallas.
The terminal was pure mayhem – angry passengers shouting at gate agents, people frantically rebooking on phones, kids crying, the works. Total disaster movie scene. Then he spotted it. This older gentleman was just sitting calmly near the window, reading a book. No phone in hand. No anxiety on his face. Just… peace.
Curiosity got the better of my friend, so he takes this empty seat beside the old man. “You don’t seem too worried about all this,” he said, gesturing to the chaos. The old guy looked up with a sparkle in his eyes and said something he’d never forget he said:
“Young man, I’ve learned not to let temporary inconveniences, disturb my permanent peace.
My real home isn’t dependent on this flight.”
My friend got to talking, and he discovered he was a retired pastor who’d spent 40 years serving congregations across the country.
“You know what Paul told the Philippians?” he asked. “He reminded them that ‘our citizenship is in heaven.’ That’s what I try to remember when things get crazy down here.”
That conversation hit him like a lightning bolt from the storm outside. Here he was, stressed about a delayed flight, while this man was living from an entirely different operating system – one where his identity and security came from something far more substantial than circumstances. And that’s exactly what Paul was getting at in Philippians 3:17-4:1.
See, the Philippians were Roman citizens living in a Roman colony. They took IMMENSE pride in their citizenship – it was their identity, their protection, their status symbol. But Paul boldly declares: “Our citizenship is in heaven.”
It was revolutionary then. It’s revolutionary now.
Because when you truly grasp that your primary passport isn’t American, Canadian, or any earthly nation – but HEAVEN itself – it changes everything about how you navigate this world.
This isn’t some pie-in-the-sky spirituality. It’s the most practical reality that transforms how you:
- Respond to political chaos
- Handle financial uncertainty
- Face health challenges
- Deal with relationship conflicts
- Make everyday decisions
That’s why I’ve created the “Citizens of Heaven” message. This isn’t just another sermon. It’s a complete identity reset that will transform how your congregation views their place in this world.
You’ll receive:
- The complete sermon manuscript with all speaking notes
- The Previous Small group discussion guide for deeper application
- Customizable church bulletin inserts
- A Free Social media graphics to promote the message
But the real value isn’t in the materials themselves – it’s in the transformative impact this message will have on your church family. Imagine your congregation walking out with their heads held higher, their perspectives shifted, and their hearts more anchored in eternal truth than in temporary circumstances.
Imagine them navigating the chaos of our current cultural moment with the same peace as that gentleman in the airport. That’s the difference between Christians who intellectually know they’re “citizens of heaven” and those who live like it’s actually true.
Your congregation deserves this message. They need this reminder. And you can deliver it with excellence and impact. Get instant access to the complete “Citizens of Heaven” message package now.
