Three Necessary Internal Filters For Living Above Your Circumstances
Living Above Your Circumstances • Sermon • Submitted
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· 18 viewsIn our text, the apostle Paul shares some basic elements that must make up our worldview – spiritual filters that must be in place in the core of our being – through which all of the events and circumstances of life are viewed. If these 3 elements are in place, our worldview will be radically altered in a way that enables us to live above our circumstances.
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27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
Introduction:
You and I will never be able to live above our circumstances through the imposition of guidelines and rules from without. The ability to live above our circumstances begins at the very core of our being. Lord Jesus Christ taught that the things that we cite into or an outward expression of what is really on the inside of us, in our hearts.
The Christian life is not merely the observance of the do’s and don’ts of religious law, but is really the living out of what is deep within. In our text, the apostle Paul shares some basic elements that must make up our worldview – spiritual filters that must be in place in the core of our being – through which all of the events and circumstances of life are viewed. If these three elements are in place, our worldview will be radically altered in a way that enables us to live above our circumstances.
I- Our Heavenly Citizenship ().
I- Our Heavenly Citizenship ().
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
A- The believer has a higher citizenship than that of any earthly nation.
A- The believer has a higher citizenship than that of any earthly nation.
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20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
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1- Notice the words in the beginning of verse 27, “above all.”(Μόνον= only - as a singular focus or of most importance)
Μόνον)
a. These words stressed the importance of the believers true citizenship.
b.
2- Paul states that we “must live as citizens.” of heaven. (πολιτεύεσθε= from πολιτης [politēs], citizen, and that from πολις [polis], city, to be a citizen, to manage a state’s affairs, to live as a citizen.)
from πολιτης [politēs], citizen, and that from πολις [polis], city, to be a citizen, to manage a state’s affairs, to live as a citizen.)
a. In the ancient world, a man could not conceive of an identity apart from his political citizenship in a town or tribe. Today we call it patriotism.
Μόνον ἀξίως τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ πολιτεύεσθεa. In the ancient world, a man could not conceive of an identity apart from his political citizenship in a town or tribe. Today we call it patriotism.
b. In the ancient world, a man could not conceive of an identity apart from his political citizenship in a town or tribe. Today we call it patriotism.
c. The will of God is a higher law which governs the life of the believer. he is a citizen of heaven and its extension on earth the church.
The way you behave reflects upon the church. (You present a positive or negative image?)
The way you behave reflects upon the gospel – showing it to be either true or false. (What does your life say about the power of the gospel?)
The way that you behave reflects upon Christ. (Do others see Jesus in you?)
Hymn- “Let Others See Jesus In You”
1. While passing thro' this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2. Your life's a book before their eyes,
They're reading it thro' and thro'
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you.
Refrain
3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Refrain:
Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story,
be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story,
be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story,
be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
B- The believers to live by convictions that are uncompromisable. ()
B- The believers to live by convictions that are uncompromisable. ()
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story,
be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
B- The believers to live by convictions that are uncompromisable. ()
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
1- True convictions cannot be compromised in any location or company.
a. We are not to adopt the world’s philosophy, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
b. We should live out the standards of our homeland - Heaven.
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11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.
12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
2- True convictions cannot be compromised regardless of cost.
a. The apostle Paul provides a prime example of this principle.
b. Someone once said “if you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
c. The Hebrew captives in the book of Daniel also provide a good example.
() (Note vs. 16-18)
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in,
14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?
15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
II- Our Divine Purpose ().
II- Our Divine Purpose ().
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
A- Our divine purpose is marked with unity.
A- Our divine purpose is marked with unity.
1- Unity in mind and purpose.
a. We are to be “standing together” unified- one in spirit. (στήκετε ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι= standing in one spirit) Literally refers to standing as one person.
(, , )
under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. His will must replace our own.
ὅτι στήκετε ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι,
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.
20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
Must operate under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. His will must replace our own.
(The question is never to be “What do we want to do?,” but rather – “What does Christ want us to do?.”)
b. We are to be “standing together” - united in purpose (μιᾷ ψυχῇ= one mind): to honor Christ () .
μιᾷ ψυχῇ): to honor Christ () .
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
B- Our divine purpose is marked with fervency. ()
B- Our divine purpose is marked with fervency. ()
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
1- We are to be “fighting together for the faith of the Gospel.” (συναθλοῦντες τῇ πίστει τοῦ εὐαγγελίου)
συναθλοῦντες τῇ πίστει τοῦ εὐαγγελίου)
a. The term translated “fighting together” (συναθλοῦντες ) refers to soldiers who were at war, striving and contending for a common cause side-by-side.
b. Soldiers fighting in this manner expend their mutual energies, through unified strategies, to defeat a common foe.
It is vital that soldiers fighting in such a battle be completely unified in purpose and direction. Jesus pointed out the necessity of this when he stated “a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.” ()
c. The church – as a Christian army – cannot succeed if we are divided. We must recognize that Satan is our only enemy and Christ our only commander.
We must fight together in prayer.
We must fight together in witnessing.
We must fight together to accomplish the mission of Christ.
III- Our Eternal Focus ().
III- Our Eternal Focus ().
A- Our eternal focus enables us to avoid intimidation ().
A- Our eternal focus enables us to avoid intimidation ().
28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
1- a refusal to be intimidated by the attacks of the world serves as a sign to unbelievers.
a. It serves as a sign of their condemnation.
b. It serves as a sign of our salvation.
c. It serves as a sign of God’s divine favor and activity.
B- Our eternal focus enables us to view adversity as an honor and privilege. ().
B- Our eternal focus enables us to view adversity as an honor and privilege. ().
29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
1- As believers, we have been privileged within the relationship with Christ. ()
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
2- As believers, we have also been privileged to endure adversity for the cause of Christ.
The early believers considered it a privilege to suffer for Christ. ().
41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.
3- As believers, we are in good company when suffering for Christ.
Paul
Peter
James and John the sons of Zebedee
Polycarp
our Anabaptist forefathers
Our brothers and sisters in Christ and lands controlled by Communism and Islam.
Conclusion: