Citizens of Heaven

Well, if you have a bible with you,

I encourage you to go ahead and get

that out or grab 1 of the pew

bibles or maybe open the bible app on

your phone,

we're gonna be opening to Titus

Titus 3 · chapter mention

chapter

3.

As I mentioned at the beginning, we're gonna

we're gonna pivot today.

I really felt this on my heart and,

some of the men that come to our

group on Thursday mornings might,

recognize this chapter because it is the chapter

that we open to, this past Thursday morning

at our men's

breakfast,

and I'm grateful to the Lord for putting

this

passage in front of me already.

So that,

I can make this pivot

as I felt

led on my heart this morning,

But before we read our passage,

obviously, last night,

there was an a attempted

assassination on former president,

Donald Trump, and regardless of

where you... Sit or stand or believe

in your political leaning,

I think that we can all probably agree

that this isn't the way that we think

that our nation should be headed.

In no way shape or form should we

see this kind of violent act played out

in

the

Democratic processes that we have

established in our country.

But that being said,

this isn't a political sermon.

It might sound that way. It might come

across that way. I might... Rubs some people

the wrong way and what I have to

say,

but I believe that what I am saying

is biblical. I'm going to be using scripture

in reference to every single thing that we

kind of addressed this morning.

But 1 of the things that I, continually

saw

over this... The... Ultimately, the Ces pool that

is Twitter,

but on, or x, sorry,

on ex

coming in was just... It seemed everybody wanted

to talk about a rec commitment to civility

in and suspect.

Civility in respect. We need to return to

civility and

respect. And, you know, I'm not

anti being civil toward 1 another and respecting

1 another. In fact, I think those are,

important

qualities and values

in the heart of any Christian.

However,

civility and respect aren't going to get us

to where we need to be. I I

really don't think that.

I think that if we're going to see

that kind of outcome in our country,

It requires first that we

as Christians as the followers of Jesus that

we have to submit to Jesus.

If we are to commit to anything else.

We have to be completely

submitted

to Jesus Christ. If we are going to

see any sort of

transformation or commitment

to anything else that might see the kind

of

transformation and change

that we wanna see in the world around

us.

And I really do believe that we can

hold our varying political beliefs

And in our submission to Jesus still see

transformation in our country.

We can see things

change for good,

even

when we hold completely

opposing views on how we

reach that end goal from a political standpoint.

But again,

this is not a sermon on politics.

It just seems to be a basis for

what's happening.

And what we see in the world around

us and as we head into

November,

We have to ask ourselves the question will,

what is my role and responsibility

as a follower of Jesus?

And maybe even more than that, the question

isn't so much

as a follower of Jesus,

but what does it mean to be first

foremost and above all else,

a citizen of heaven,

to be

hold our kingdom

citizenship.

And to follow the king that is of

that kingdom,

who is Christ

Jesus.

And

if you have not heard that kind of

language

before.

I encourage you to read with me from

Philippians

Philippians 2 · chapter mention

chapter

2,

which I don't even know if I marked.

I did. No. I did.

Here it is.

Philippians chapter...

Sorry. Chapter 3 verse 20

for our

citizenship

is in heaven,

from which also, we eagerly

wait

for a savior,

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our

citizenship is of heaven for whom we eagerly

wait a savior

who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

As as Christians, we have to understand that

our citizenship waits for 1 man,

and his only name is Jesus.

We only wait for our salvation, for all

things to be made right for all things

to be put back together,

on 1 person in 1 person alone,

that's Jesus.

There is certainly no

politician on either side of the aisle or

independent otherwise

that can

correct the things that are wrong.

It cannot happen, and it will not happen.

From any

human

representative.

It it happens through a divine 1

And so as we

reflect on kingdom

citizenship,

Let's open to titus,

Titus 3 · chapter mention

chapter 3 versus 1 through 11 in read.

What is this

citizenship that we have and what is our

responsibility to it?

Starting in verse 1.

Remind them,

so this is Paul speaking to Titus,

remind them

to be subject

to rulers

to authorities,

to be obedient

and to be ready for every good work.

To sla

no 1

to be peace,

considerate it

demonstrating all gentleness

to all men.

For we ourselves also once we're foolish,

dis.

Deceived,

enslaved to various lust and pleasures,

spending our life in Malice and envy,

despicable,

hating 1 another.

I just wanna sit there for a second.

Because it's not hard to read that passage

and not look at the world around us

not feel

that that is what we experience

every day

or what we witness every day

and

Verse 4.

But when the kindness

and affection of god,

our savior

appeared.

He saved us,

not by works, which we did in righteousness,

but according to his mercy,

through the washing of

regeneration and renewing

by the holy spirit

whom he poured out upon us rich through

Jesus Christ, our savior,

so that having been justified by his grace,

we would become heirs

according to the hope of eternal life.

This is a trustworthy saying.

In concerning these things, I want you to

speak confidently.

So those who have leave God will be

intent to lead in good works.

These things are good and profitable for men.

But avoid foolish controversies

and gene ideologies and strife and conflicts

about the law,

for they are

unprofitable and worthless.

Reject a fictitious, man after a first and

second warning,

knowing that such a man is per

and is sin

being

self

condemned.

Let's pray.

Doing gracious gone.

I need you this morning.

I need your holy spirit to speak not

me.

I don't want anything

that Has said this morning to be from

my lips.

From my own deceived heart,

put god that it would be full of

your holy spirit,

overflowing with the fruit

that your spirit provides,

love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness

self control.

Got on these things.

Would these words ring?

And would you withhold my lips from

speaking any such

divisive that might come,

I had just focus solely on you

and your glory,

and your will and your desire.

For us this morning.

Or we love you.

We thank you.

We turn to you,

in christ's name we pray.

Amen.

So as we open to that first

verse

of titus chapter 3.

Titus 3 · chapter mention

Paul reminds titus the importance of reminding us

of these things.

Which I think is it was really good

for me to turn to this chapter to

this passage

as I felt the holy spirit pivot

because that first word to remind was a

reminder to me of the importance to remind

us

of where our citizenship lies and what our

responsibility

as citizens of heaven is first and foremost.

And part of what it looks like to

be a good citizen of heaven,

ironically is to be a good citizen

in the places in which we live.

Paul is clear that we should be reminded

that we are so to subject

ourselves to the rulers and to the authorities

to be obedient and to be ready for

every good work.

To subject

ourselves to those who have been put over

us.

And in our country as a democratic republic

those that have been

elected,

whether it's the person that we voted for

or not?

Part of being a citizen of heaven is

to acknowledge

that reality in that truth.

In fact,

he also says in his letter to the

Romans,

Romans 13 · chapter mention

chapter

13

versus 1 through 7.

Every person is to be in subject objection

to the governing authorities for there is no

authority except from God.

And those which exist and have been appointed

by god.

I'm must hard stop there because I think

oftentimes we...

If our candidate wasn't elected, we think that

the devil 1

that Satan got his way.

And I just

can't read scripture and see that

god and his sovereignty

would allow the enemy to have rein and

rule in that capacity. I'm not saying that

the enemy doesn't pro like a lying looking

for whom he might devour,

but God is sovereign.

And though we might not always

understand why the people that are put into

authority over us, were put into those positions

of power,

we have to trust that God doesn't at

work.

Power

God is is still at work.

And that might mean that things don't go

well or that things go great.

Either way, we still honor god.

And we still honor those who have been

placed into authorities above us.

And using certain rhetoric

towards somebody because you don't agree with their

viewpoints or the way that they think that

things should be run

isn't very helpful to

the kingdom of heaven, nonetheless,

our role as

citizens

of our nation.

God calls us

as

responsible citizens

of the kingdom of heaven to be responsible

citizens

in the country in which we live.

First, Peter,

chapter 2,

versus 3 through 4

Oops.

First Peter 02:13

1 Peter 2:13–17

through 17. Sorry. I read wrong 1.

Be subject for the sake of the Lord,

to every human

institution whether to a king

as the 1 in authority,

or to governors is sent by him for

the punishment of evil

and the praise of those who do good,

for such is the will of god that

by doing good,

you may silence the ignorance of foolish

men.

Act as free people,

and do not use your freedom as a

covering for evil,

but use it as slaves of God.

Honor all people love the brethren, fear God

honor the king.

These might be hard words for us to

read in scripture and say,

how do I follow that?

It might be a struggle for some of

us. It's been a struggle for me at

times.

And this isn't just about

governing authorities in the nation,

politics or whatever.

This might be your job.

I've been in places where

I didn't

agree with the pastor ahead of me.

I didn't like him.

And to be honest, I was probably sitting

in the disrespect and dishonest that I held

toward him

because I... Of the way that I saw

that he ran

his church and his ministry, and I was

not okay with it.

I was wrong.

I to figure out what it meant to

submit myself to him even when

I disagreed.

If that disagreement,

especially

was not on

foundational truth

in the gospel.

Maybe he just wanted to do ministry a

little bit different than me.

Than the way that I

philosophically believe that ministry should be done. But

the way he wanted to do it wasn't

necessarily wrong. It just didn't line up with

my belief,

and that's okay.

But he was placed over me for a

reason.

I was placed under him.

And so how do I respond

How do you respond?

When there's somebody over you that maybe you

don't necessarily fully agree with or... Maybe you

dislike and some of the ways that they

choose to do things.

We have to examine ourselves sometimes first before

we start looking at the speck in somebody

else's eye?

Maybe what's the log in in mind?

And I've I've been...

I've got to acknowledge that. That's part of

the human experience as to wanna see specs

before we see our own logs.

And all that to say, though that

acts

Acts 5:29

05:29

in the midst of

everything that that disciples were going through,

especially against other men and authorities,

I do want to be clear though

that Peter said, and now, Lord take note

of their threats.

And grant that you're your...

Sorry. Where am? That your slaves may speak

your word with all confidence.

While you extend your hand to heal and

signs and wonders happen through the name

of your holy servant.

There's this idea

to my reading right? I'm not even looking

at the right passage.

Thank you. I was looking at the wrong

1?

But Peter and the apostle answering said, but

we must obey god rather than men. Thank

you. Yeah. I was like, that's 04:29.

We must obey God rather than men. And

so there might be instances where

there is conflict

on gospel truth and matters.

At which point you have to say, I'm

gonna follow God rather than men, but let's

be clear that what Peter is talking about

is

threat of imprisonment in

persecution.

He's not just going out to just be

dis obedient,

toward

the laws

established in Rome

or the laws established by

Jews because this is in specific context to

the council of the San he.

He's going against

a group that's going against God's will in

religious matters.

And so there might be instances in the

church where you need to

speak up because gospel truth isn't being preached.

The gospel truth isn't being realized that gospel

truth isn't being lived out,

And if that's coming from my mouth,

you have every right and responsibility

as a follower of Christ to confront into

speak,

and to be defiant.

But

when it comes to matters of

governors and

politicians and political figures and heads?

I'm gonna say this. Do you really expect

people of the world to act like Jesus?

Our nation

regardless of

founding fathers and founding documents,

is not the church

It is not

the church.

There might be people who follow Jesus in

our government,

but they

in their roles are not

the church.

And they don't always act in church interest,

in kingdom interest in Christ

interest.

And we have to make that distinction as

as followers of Jesus.

And that's sometimes a really hard reality to

wrap our heads around, but go figure,

humans are sinful.

Who would have thought that politicians make mistakes.

Just as you and I make mistakes.

And we don't always choose Jesus in the

choices we make.

We can't expect them to always choose Jesus

and the decisions that make even the ones

that say that they're followers of Jesus.

And it's not my place to judge, and

it's not your place to judge whether or

not they are real followers of Jesus.

But to understand that they

make decisions

ironically,

maybe uni ironically,

probably for their own benefit.

There have been politicians that have been sitting

in congress for decades and decades and decades.

Sometimes making the right choice

means it's the choice that goes against what

people usually want

and then they ou you.

Because I know that

If I have my way, I wouldn't be

preaching the sermon this morning,

because it might rub hearts and ears the

wrong way

Might lead some of you to be like,

let's get him out.

Hopefully not.

But first and foremost, the trust what

Jesus is doing is to also say I'm

not gonna trust

a human,

entity

to always make Christ choices.

Yes I have to be subject to the

laws that they create

and they make and they pass

to the people put into executive positions in

power

and the way that the supreme court rules

I have to follow that because I'm supposed

to be a good citizen

to be a good citizen of heaven.

But what does that look like What does

that actually mean

to then do those things?

And let me be clear, as I... Before

I start talking about what else we read

in titus,

This is not a political statement. This is

not to say that there was a right

side and a wrong side on the political

aisle. We can be in the church and

hold varying political beliefs and still be christ

followers.

We can still go after Jesus together and

be citizens of his kingdom,

even when our nation might have

divided political opinions on how to accomplish certain

things in the world,

and certain things within our nation,

But this is what it looks like to

be a citizen of heaven while being a

good citizen

in our country.

It is that we are to s

no 1 to be peace

and consider it demonstrating

all gentleness

to all

men.

All

gentleness

to all

men.

All men means all men, all women, all

children, all elderly, all young, all gen z,

all millennials, all boomers,

all of you

that are present here and present in our

community and present in our state and present

in our country, and yes, present in our

world

All of them are worthy,

have dignity,

established in the Ama day, fact that they

are created in the image of God that

we should not sla them. We should be

peace,

consider it in the demonstrating

gentleness to every single 1.

And I gotta tell you it's really hard

to look around

on separate sides of the aisle and see

that these things happen

consistently.

Because they don't happen consistently

and what's really, really sad and 1 of

the main reasons that I am no longer

on social media is I see it coming

the most out of people that claim the

name of Christ.

Sla

1 another

stirring up, hate and division,

not being considerate of 1 another's thoughts,

feelings, beliefs,

viewpoint, sides,

and certainly not being gentle.

I think part of gentleness is acknowledging

that the person across from you is just

as much your neighbor

as anybody else.

There is nobody not your neighbor.

And if there's nobody not your neighbor, then

you have

a responsibility to be kind toward them to

be gentle to not

be forceful or hateful.

For we ourselves also once we're foolish and

dis,

deceived enslaved to various lust and pleasures,

spending our life in malice and Envy

despicable in hating 1 another.

The reason that

we are to be this... For the sake

of the not yet citizens of heaven. So

that's what I'm gonna say that all this

is about. Ultimately is we citizens of heaven

are to be 4 the not yet citizens

of heaven while also being kind toward already

citizens of heaven.

But the not yet citizens of heaven, those

that don't know Jesus, 1, we cannot expect

them to act in a Christ like manner.

So...

Number 3, verse 3,

all those things, which he says to remind

us that we were once those people.

We were once the people that were not

yet citizens of heaven.

We were foolish and dis and deceived and

deceived and enslaved to our lust and pleasures

in spending our life in malice and envy

despicable in hating 1 another.

But to be a citizen of heaven is

to not be those things

in order to get other not citizens of

heaven,

to become citizen citizens of heaven is to

not display those things toward 1 another

and toward them.

Because versus 4 through

7.

But when the kindness and infection of god

or savior appeared, he saved us.

Not by works, which we did in our

righteous, but according to his mercy through the

washing of generation regeneration and the renewing by

the holy spirit.

And we poured out upon us rich ritchie

through Jesus Christ, our savior so that having

been justified by his grace, we would become

heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

I've probably repeated this verse so many times,

but I just love it so much Romans

2 for

But do you not know that it was

the kindness

of god that led you to repentance?

It's the kindness of god that turns people's

heart to God.

And 1 of our roles as Christians as

Christ followers as citizens of heaven is to

be the display of kindness of god in

the world.

Have you never heard the saying, kill them

with kindness?

If we were more kind toward 1 toward

1 another,

we might not win someone to our position,

but we might win them

to

relationship

to say, oh, we can have differing views,

and that's okay

It's a kindness that wins us toward 1

another and wins

them

ultimately,

to the kingdom.

To the kingdom of heaven to to kingdom

citizenship

We are meant to be that demonstration of

Christ's kindness

in the world.

It's past Thursday,

when we read the scripture and go around

the group, we kinda say, like, hey, what

is what stands out to you and

David pointed out that he just really loves

the the rich richness and abundantly part of

this passage in verse 6. It's he poured

out upon us rich

through Jesus, Christ, our savior or also translated

poured out upon us. Abundantly through Jesus Christ

our savior. And, of course, that reminds me

of Ephesians 03:20 in which she says, like,

Ephesians 3:20

he is able to give

even abundantly more than we could ever ask

or imagine.

And what I wanna

make clear that's not about material possession.

It's not about having

more stuff more things, more money, more riches,

more wealth

in

material things.

But that is a

richness provided through a

relationship with God the father,

Jesus the son and the holy

spirit

that we were rich lavish upon by God

our father not to have more things, but

to have more of him.

To be a good citizen

in our world and a good citizen of

heaven is to acknowledge that I am rich

out with the inheritance

of the holy spirit because of Christ Jesus,

and nothing else.

Out

It's not about

being

certain of having material wealth and gain.

Truthfully, I've been to some of the poorest

areas

in Mexico on mission trips.

But they have more richness and abundance than

many Americans.

Because they fully know what it means to

rely

on an abundant richness that's found in Christ.

Than it is than the in the things

that they have.

We're constantly worried about how far our dollar

is going

how I can buy my new car, how

I can buy a house,

interest rate skyrocketing or being lowered or whatever

it might be,

we concern ourselves with those things

even as

heaven's citizens instead of focusing on the things

that matter, which are in Christ, how are

you abundantly and rich provided

in faith.

In fruit, in love, and enjoy and peace

and patience and kindness and goodness in faithfulness

and gentleness and self control.

Kindness And so these things

as Paul writes and continues in verse 8.

These things are is are trustworthy.

And concerning these things, I want you to

speak confidently,

so that those who believed God will be

intent to lead in good works.

These things are good and profitable for men.

So if we lead in these things,

that's what's profitable for our neighbor.

It's not profitable for our neighbor.

To

push

upon them our political beliefs to talk about

them,

our things

to display

how we vote.

That's not

our objective. I'm not saying that you can't

have a political opinion? I'm not saying that

you can't speak to people about it, but

the question is how are you speaking about

it?

Have Is it from a

position in Christ

where you're allowed to have your opinion and

you are respectful enough to say, we can

talk about these things and you might not

believe me or or fall into what I

believe, and that's okay. I just wanna have

a conversation with you about these. Things and

it not get heated.

I think going back to this idea of

civility in respect, we lost the idea how

to have healthy debate.

Not just healthy debate, but healthy

conversation.

And again, I blame social media because it's

really easy to hide... Behind a screen in

a keyboard, rather to face somebody face to

face

and have

a conversation with them

but we as the church have to learn

how to recon

communicate how to communicate with 1 another

face to face that doesn't get heated that

doesn't lead to words of malice and sla

and hate, but words of love,

and peace

and comfort.

That when we disagree,

we say,

okay.

We don't agree on those things. We're not

gonna probably line up on them and that's

alright.

I'm really glad we had this conversation.

I'm really glad that we were able to

talk about it. I now actually have a

better understanding of where you're coming from because

I listened.

I still might disagree with you, but I

I hear how your perspective makes sense to

you.

Because also, I'm gonna put this out there.

Political values and leaning aren't absolute truths.

Political values and leaning and perspectives are not

absolute truths. And so your way of seeing

things is not an absolute truth.

Yes. Truth is absolute.

There's is no doubt about that. Truth is

absolute,

and there are some things that end up

in the political arena that do have absolute

bearings in truth.

But there are a lot of things

like how to tackle the immigration crisis

that

there are varying perspectives,

and it is okay to have varying perspectives.

Because

Ultimately,

the way that those perspectives are rooted,

vary and are not absolute.

I think that the scripture speaks about it

in very serious ways,

but I understand in reading scripture how we

also can see

the truth

implemented in various ways. How

That's 1 of the grand

beautiful,

lovely mysteries of scripture.

Is its depth

of understanding.

And why I can have a brother and

sister who see something very differently than I

do

And it's okay.

Last part of this passage,

divisive ness has no place in the king

in kingdom citizen.

I'm when we're gonna stop at that devices

divisive ness has no place

in kingdom

citizens,

since that is to say

that we are to avoid foolish controversies

to avoid gene ideologies and strife and conflicts

about the law for they are

unprofitable and worthless.

And to be clear, the law there is

talking about

to,

not talking about

country law.

But there is something about how we get

so wrapped up in

controversy

for the sake of controversy.

But here's the thing.

We are to reject

a fictitious

or a device Ci

man

after a first time in a second warning.

And this is

kind of where this is all kind of

coming to

our role and responsibility is as I already

said, if you find that I am not

preaching gospel,

you have every right to confront me about

it.

And if you hear that 1 of your

fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus,

speak in divisive manners,

It is okay to talk to them about

it.

It's okay to have that conversation with them.

In fact, I would say it's encouraged

Matthew

18 15.

If your brother has something against you, you

go to them.

Alone.

And if they don't listen to you, you

go to them

with 2 others

And if they still don't listen to you,

you go to them with the whole church.

And if they still don't listen to you.

I know this is harsh. Jesus says it,

though, you send them away.

But,

but,

and everybody always takes this passage out of

context in this 1 verse, but

right after that, Jesus also says, but where

2 or 3 are gathered in my name,

I am there among them.

After sending 1 out, you are praying for

their

return.

You pray for their reconciliation. You pray that

they understand

where they've been wrong

so that they might come back into comm

and fellowship

with the church body.

With the body of Christ. And I feel

like this is where we get it wrong

so much as Christians is we we become

really divisive toward 1 another, we call each

other out, but we don't call each other

out in truth and love and gentleness. We

call each other out in hate in malice

and and just like, you don't agree with

me.

And then we never pray for them.

We never pray for them.

First,

I recommend not going at them with malice,

but gentleness.

But then I recommend when you realize that

they're just gonna tin you being a divisive

person,

like,

you walk away

and you pray.

You pray for your brothers and sisters who

have not yet come to the full realization

that their actions are not

citizen of heaven

behavior.

Because we are to be first and foremost

kingdom of heaven

citizens

and we pray

for 1 another,

We pray for our world.

We pray for our country. We pray for

our leaders.

And we pray blessings

upon them.

We bless 1 another

in jesus name.

Let's pray.

Good and gracious God.

We have to trust you. We have to

turn to you

this you have to recognize you,

you have to follow you.

You're the only way. You've always been the

only way. You for you are the way,

the truth in the life and nobody comes

to the father, except through you.

And none of us can be

kingdom

citizens

without you,

because without you, we have no king for

our citizenship.

For you are our king.

And it's to you we submit, and we

follow and we live.

So what is it to be a follower

of Jesus,

not just as a kingdom citizen,

but as 1

who engages

in our world

in good citizenship,

primarily

because we worship you.

It's in christ's name we pray.

Amen.