Mind Heavenly Things

OCTOBER 20, 2021 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES MIND HEAVENLY THINGS INTRODUCTION In Philippians 3:18, Paul told us of those he called the enemies of the cross of Christ In verse 19, Paul tells us that those enemies of the cross of Christ “mind earthly things” Their mind is set upon the things of this world, their heart is set upon worldly pleasures They are not alone, they are among the “many” according to Jesus, Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: We see the “many” that are minding earthly things throughout America today The end of the worldly path of life without Christ is “destruction,” all is lost The opposite of destruction is “life,” Jesus said there are few that experience that life, Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul tells us of the ones who enter-into the narrow gate of life In Philippians 3:20 Paul explains the earthly experience of “life” that is ours in Christ The Christian who sets their mind on Heavenly things will experience “life” today The Christian life today is a taste of Heavenly things, an example of our future Heavenly life In Philippians 3:21 Paul explains what Christians will experience when Christ returns An experience that will prepare us for our eternal state with Christ The Christian life today is a “Heavenly experience,” and Heaven will be our eternal experience As Christians we must “mind Heavenly things” today Our life must be a living testimony to those who “mind earthly things” Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: “For” takes us back to the previous verse and to those who mind earthly things Paul compares them with those who mind Heavenly things Those who mind earthly things are identified as “earth dwellers” in, Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Literally, “earth dwellers”) “Earth dwellers” is a technical term found 9 times in Revelation It refers to the same group each time it is found, they are the enemies of God’s people They are the enemies of the cross of Christ and supporters of the Antichrist, Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, (the Antichrist) whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. “The Lamb slain” refers to Christ on the cross, who is Jesus our Savior Christians are those who have accepted the cross of Jesus and have received life in Christ Earth dwellers are those who have rejected Christ and are the enemies of the cross of Jesus What a contrast Paul presents between the Christians and the earth dwellers As Christians we are now dwelling upon the earth but “our conversation is in heaven” Which means that we are now citizens of Heaven, our citizenship is already in Heaven The song says, “this world is not my home, I am only passing through” Christians are “passing through” the world that is “passing away” That truth should motivate us to live our earthly life as Heavenly citizens, 2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, “All these things” refers to the things that are a result of the fall of man The sinful ways and the sinful things of a sinful earthly life will be destroyed Nothing will be left that is considered-to be a part of this earthly way of life “These things shall be dissolved,” which means, done away with, demolished, destroyed Which will come through the hand of God at the time of the return of Jesus to the earth That event is known as “The Day of the Lord,” 2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Christians, ought to be living everyday with the expectation of Christ coming again We are to be looking for God’s promises to be fulfilled, 2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Our daily way of living should be telling the world that we believe what Peter is telling us Peter said, “what manner of persons ought you to be” (2 Peter 3:11) “Ought,” indicates a divine obligation, a personal obligation because we are a Christian Our citizenship is in Heaven, we should be motivated to live as Heavenly citizens should Peter explained it, “ought you to be in all holy conversation and Godliness” “Holy conversation” means living a sincere Christian life, be sincere about who you are “Godliness” is first-of all a recognition of God, reverence, respect, believing in God Then as a result-of knowing the truth about God, Godliness is living a life of obedience to God The thinking of many Christians today is that Heaven is our future eternal home And that is their total concept of Heaven, going to Heaven after we die, which is true But Scripture presents Heaven as much more than our future home after our earthly life Heaven is presented as a present position, Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Christians have already been “delivered,” God has delivered us from a helpless situation Literally He rescued us, He snatched us away from danger, He liberated us We were in a dangerous state, we were in a helpless and hopeless situation We were separated from God and under the control of Satan, our destination was Hell Delivered “from the power of darkness,” which was our position in life before we were saved “Darkness” represents the realm of Satan, his power, and his authority Darkness throughout the Bible is a symbol of sin, moral evil, and death Darkness is where evil reigns, characterized by sin and rebellion against God Earth dwellers live in darkness, walk after darkness, they love the darkness Christians have been “translated” into the kingdom of God’s dear Son God removed us from the realm of the darkness and moved us to another realm The realm that is known as a “Heavenly Citizenship,” which is a present position We are still living on earth, and we still come in contact, with the kingdom of darkness But we must live daily as citizens of the “Kingdom of Heaven” We must prove who we are, Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. God has willed us to be “Ambassadors for Christ,” 2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. An “ambassador” is one who travels as a messenger representing a higher authority One whose message represented their government or their king Christians are to travel and speak for the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS We do not speak our own opinion, we do not speak by our own name or authority We speak the words of Christ with the authority of Christ There is a verse that is often left out of what is known as the “Great Commission,” Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. The next verse refers-back to the power and authority of Christ, Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, It is with the power and authority of Jesus that we are to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: We have an earthly mission, Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. As “Heavenly Citizens” we are to present a “Heavenly message” to the earth dwellers It is important that we understand who we are, we are citizens of Heaven We are already seated in Heavenly places, Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: “Together” identifies our present position with Christ, we are already “raised up” Since Christ is alive, we have been made alive in Christ Just as God hath raised up Christ, He has raised us up together with Christ “Heavenly places in Christ Jesus” separates us from the present world system The thought is not that we are out of the world, but that we are no longer of the world We are no longer subject to the power of Satan and sin We are no longer under the demonic authority of the power of the air God can now bless us because of our present position, Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: We have an earthly obligation because of our present position, Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Because we are risen with Christ, we can seek those things which are above We can daily enjoy the privileges of being a citizen of Heaven We can set our minds upon the things of Heaven, that which is eternal, Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. “Affection” refers to our mindset, that which we are thinking about, the place of our attention Paul is telling us where our attention should be, Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: “We look” is strongly stated, we are to be looking with expectation, waiting in great anticipation The original Greek word translated “we look” is often used with reference to the return of Christ Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. At the time of the Ascension of Christ, God sent heavenly messengers with a heavenly message, Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Their message was, as Heavenly Citizens we have a Heavenly mission, Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. If we are looking for the Savior, we will be living for the Savior If we are living for the Savior, we will be witnessing for the Savior As Christians, we know Him as our Savior, 2Pe 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The word “kingdom” expresses the idea of reign or sovereignty In the NT, the kingdom refers to the realm in which God rules to carry out His will The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven are different names for the same thing When the King came to the earth the first time the Kingdom of God was present God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus, John preached, Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The spiritual Kingdom of God is within the Christian, Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. A person enters the kingdom by accepting Jesus as Savior, Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The physical kingdom of God will be established upon earth during the millennial reign of Christ, Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. The Millennial Kingdom will be after the kingdom of Satan is defeated and destroyed The Savior we are looking for is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST Paul uses the complete title of Jesus to identify our position in Christ The complete title identifies who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for us What Jesus is now doing and will do in the future is identified in the title The title tells us who we are in Christ and what we can now do because we are in Christ JESUS is his human name, the name that identifies His humanity Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary as a real human being, Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. “Jesus” is from the Hebrew word Joshua and means “Jehovah saves” He was born, lived, and died as a man, as man He came to be our Savior The name Jesus indicates the need of a savior because no man can save himself Salvation must come from God, and it came to lost man in the man Jesus Jesus became man because man must have a savior, Jesus became man, He is as man is CHRIST is who Jesus is, Peter confessed, Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. His name is Jesus, but He is the “Christ” “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Messiah” Christ is His official title; His Divine title; Christ is the one that God promised would come He is the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy; He is the Messiah, the Anointed One of God As the “Anointed” He is ordained and qualified by God to carry out the task of saving His people Christ is the only mediator between God and man, 1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Jesus Christ is “LORD,” “Lord” is His position Lord is the title given for the Yahweh of the Old Testament, He is Jehovah, the God of Israel Jesus Christ is Lord, Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. He is the total Divine character of God, all-of His characteristics are as God Jesus is the God who is, He is all that God is, Jesus is God Everything that God is, Jesus is, all that God is, is present in Jesus When Jesus is present, God is present God reveals His purposes and plans through Jesus In Him all will be fulfilled (Colossians 1:15-20) We are “in Him” and we are “in” what He is doing As Lord He lives in us and He works through us, Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Through the church God is glorified because of Christ in us, Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. We must allow Him to be the Lord of our life, we must always follow His authority He is the sovereign ruler, He is Master, He is owner, and He is Lord, He is as God is--He is Lord One day every knee will bow at the name of Jesus, Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Jesus will return to the earth as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. CONCLUSION Paul said because we are citizens of Heaven, we are to look for the Savior Again, if we are looking for the Savior, we will be living for the Savior If we are living for the Savior, we will be a witness for the Savior To be a witness of the Savior we must “MIND HEAVENLY THINGS” Next week we will study, Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.