474: Paul Our Example – Part 2 – Lesson 2 Part 2 Book 40

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH LES FELDICK LESSON 2 * PART 2 * BOOK 40 PAUL – OUR EXAMPLE – PART 2 Now we’re going to begin this lesson in Philippians verse 20, and my, what a verse. You know too many times we read these things casually and say, “There’s nothing in there.” Oh no? It’s a loaded verse if you start really picking it apart. Remember in verse 19 the last thing Paul said was that these false teachers who have adulterated and perverted the truth are only concerned about earthly things. But for the believer it’s a different story. Philippians 3:20a “For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven;…” Well where your citizenship is, what also should be there? Well, your heart. And so all of Paul’s teachings then are centered in our position in the heavenlies. In fact it just comes to mind, I hadn’t planned on using this, but in Ephesians chapter 1 and drop down to verse 3, and this just says everything that I said last program. Ephesians 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:” Now the King James says, “heavenly places” but I prefer the heavenlies. Now that’s where we’re positioned, that’s where our citizenship is, that’s where all of our blessings rest and come from. I ended that with a preposition didn’t I. You’re not supposed to do that are you? But anyway that’s where everything is centered for us as believers. So now coming back to Philippians for a second. Philippians 3:20a “For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven;…” Let’s establish that first by turning to Colossians chapter 1 – so we realize, “How did I become a citizen of heaven? How did I end up in that position?” Well here it is in verse 12. This is the closing part of the apostle’s prayer on behalf of the Colossi believers. Colossians 1:12 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (or prepared us) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:” What light? Well the Light of Christ Himself. Who John’s gospel says, “That Light that has lighted every man that cometh into the world.” So we are an inheritance of that Light. Now in verse 13 Paul is referring again to the Father. Colossians 1:13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and (at the same moment) hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” Well where is the Son’s kingdom? It’s in heaven. Now one day, and we think soon, it’s going to be on the earth, but tonight He is in heaven, so everything concerning His kingdom is heavenly, and so that’s where we are, that’s where our citizenship is. So we have been translated into the kingdom of his dear Son. You know I’m always using the word that Christianity is so practical. So come back with for a moment to II Corinthians chapter 5, and don’t lose sight now of where our citizenship is. Well if our citizenship is in heaven, then what are we so far as the world is concerned? Aliens. Not from outer space, but from the earth itself, because our citizenship is in heaven. Well, now Paul uses a terminology in II Corinthians chapter 5 that fits so perfectly even in our present day political system. II Corinthians 5:20a “Now then we (as believers whose citizenship is in heaven) are ambassadors for Christ,…” See that’s a perfect terminology, because we still use ambassadors today. When our government sends an ambassador to Tokyo, he’s not a citizen of Japan, but rather he’s an alien, because his citizenship is back here in America, but he’s living in Japan. So what’s he doing over there? Well he’s being a representative of his home government. Isn’t that a beautiful picture? That’s where we are. We’re on this earth as aliens, but we’re not just here being parasites. We’re not here just living off everybody else, We are here as direct associates of the glorious kingdom of heaven itself, and we’re here to show forth, to reflect our place of abode. That’s what we’re here for, and we are to literally reflect our heavenly position day in and day out. And that’s why I personally feel that is our great commission. This really fits, this is what you and I can do everyday of our lives. Everyday we can reflect the place of our citizenship, reflect the One who is the head of the Body, and we are ambassadors, we are constantly representing the Lord Jesus Christ and in verse 18 he tells us “we then are ministers of reconciliation.” In other words, all we have to do is let lost people know that God has already reconciled them, it’s all been done, but God can’t appropriate it until they believe it. We make it so hard for unbelievers. I can look back in my own experience – I’ve made it hard for people. I know better now, it’s so simple. #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible