September 19, 2023 -- Philippians 3:20-21 -- "I believe in the communion of the saints"

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Philippians 3:20-21 ESV

The focus of my teaching at two of the institutions I teach at weekly is the Apostles’ Creed. We are examining it line by line and I am showing the Bible-basis for this creed. Today the focus is on “the communion of the saints”. It is a lengthy teaching. The text before you today describes one aspect of belonging to this new community. In Jesus Christ we have a new citizenship. Consider the implications of this.

Like temporary residents in a foreign land, we long for the country of our citizenship, the place where Jesus is. Like foreigners in a strange land we long for news about our home country and we gobble it up (the Bible). Whenever we meet other citizens we rejoice to see them and love to talk about the splendors of true home. Though we live as foreigners and exiles here on earth, we love to talk about our Royal Family—the Father Who loves us, the Son Who has redeemed us and the Spirit Who keeps us in close fellowship so that our homesickness does not overwhelm us.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. What a beautiful hope You have placed in the heart of every believer. We live with the expectation that one day soon we will join You in the land of our inheritance, the beautiful place where there is no need for sun or moon, for You, O Living God, will be all our light. Spirit of the Living God, help us to be ambassadors for King Jesus, declaring the splendors and our longing expectations which are tied up in our citizenship in heaven. Spirit of God, we need Your help to live here, as foreigners and strangers, so that we are not overwhelmed with the practices of this strange land. Increase in us all the expectation of Your return and the anticipation of the glories that accompany this so that our hearts and lives, our hands and actions will show our love for You by our obedience. Amen.

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