Embracing Our Heavenly Citizenship and Responsibilities

 

Summary

In Ephesians 2:19, Paul paints a vivid picture of the Christian Church, emphasizing the profound privileges of being part of this divine community. As believers, we are no longer strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints, members of God's household. This transformation is a testament to the unity brought about by Christ, who has reconciled Jews and Gentiles into one body. The church is likened to a state, a family, and a temple, each metaphor highlighting different aspects of our spiritual identity and privileges.

As citizens of this heavenly kingdom, we enjoy numerous benefits. We are recipients of all spiritual blessings in Christ, freely given by a King who delights in the welfare of His people. This kingdom offers us a right of access to the King, a privilege that assures us that no matter how insignificant we may feel, our King is always ready to listen to our petitions. Moreover, the resources of the kingdom are shared among us, fostering a fellowship where we bear one another's burdens and support each other in times of need.

The protection of this kingdom is unparalleled. Just as a nation defends its citizens, God stands as our shield, ensuring that no harm befalls us without His knowledge. This divine protection is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.

However, with these privileges come responsibilities. We are called to live lives that reflect our citizenship in this heavenly kingdom. Our conduct should be such that it honors the gospel of Christ, demonstrating to the world the transformative power of God's grace. We must also be ready to defend our faith, standing firm against attacks on our beliefs and the truths of Scripture.

Ultimately, our greatest ambition should be to see the kingdom of God expand, to witness its glory and might increase until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ. As we navigate this world as strangers and pilgrims, let us hold fast to our heavenly citizenship, rejoicing in the privileges and embracing the responsibilities it entails.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unity in Christ: The church is a unified body where Jews and Gentiles are reconciled, symbolizing the breaking down of barriers through Christ. This unity is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, calling us to live in harmony and love with one another. [01:20]

2. Spiritual Blessings: As citizens of God's kingdom, we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. These blessings are freely given, reflecting God's delight in our welfare and His desire for us to experience the fullness of His grace. [06:21]

3. Access to the King: We have the privilege of direct access to our King, who is always ready to listen to our petitions. This access assures us that no matter how insignificant we may feel, our concerns are important to God, and He is attentive to our needs. [12:14]

4. Divine Protection: God's protection is a powerful assurance for believers. Just as a nation defends its citizens, God stands as our shield, ensuring that no harm befalls us without His knowledge. This protection is a source of comfort and strength in times of trial. [21:00]

5. Responsibilities of Citizenship: With the privileges of heavenly citizenship come responsibilities. We are called to live lives that honor the gospel, demonstrating the transformative power of God's grace. Our conduct should reflect our allegiance to God's kingdom, and we must be ready to defend our faith. [39:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:19
- [01:03] - The Church as a Unified Body
- [02:09] - Metaphors of the Church
- [03:08] - Privileges of Kingdom Citizenship
- [05:00] - Benefits of Spiritual Citizenship
- [06:21] - Spiritual Blessings in Christ
- [07:33] - God's Delight in His People
- [09:09] - Divine Manipulation for Our Good
- [11:26] - Access to the King
- [14:19] - Fellowship Among Believers
- [17:22] - Protection of the Kingdom
- [21:00] - Assurance of Divine Protection
- [24:52] - Responsibilities of Citizenship
- [39:02] - Conduct Befitting the Gospel
- [43:08] - Expanding the Kingdom of God

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 2:19-22

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#### Observation Questions

1. What metaphors does Paul use in Ephesians 2:19 to describe the church, and what do they signify about our spiritual identity? [01:03]

2. How does the sermon describe the transformation of believers from being "strangers and foreigners" to "fellow citizens with the saints"? [00:12]

3. What are some of the specific privileges mentioned in the sermon that believers enjoy as citizens of God's kingdom? [03:08]

4. According to the sermon, what role does divine protection play in the life of a believer? [21:00]

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#### Interpretation Questions

1. How does the unity between Jews and Gentiles in the church serve as a testament to the transformative power of the gospel? [01:20]

2. In what ways do the spiritual blessings mentioned in the sermon reflect God's delight in the welfare of His people? [06:21]

3. What does having "access to the King" mean for believers, and how does this privilege impact their daily lives? [12:14]

4. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to the responsibilities that come with their heavenly citizenship? [39:02]

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#### Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like a "stranger" in the world. How does your identity as a citizen of God's kingdom provide comfort and assurance in such moments? [33:28]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life that honors the gospel. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate the transformative power of God's grace in your community? [39:02]

3. Consider the concept of divine protection. How can you remind yourself of God's protection in times of fear or uncertainty? [21:00]

4. The sermon calls for believers to defend their faith. What steps can you take to better equip yourself to defend the truths of Scripture in your daily interactions? [41:44]

5. How can you actively participate in expanding the kingdom of God in your local context? Identify one practical way to contribute to this mission in the coming month. [43:08]

6. Think about the fellowship among believers described in the sermon. How can you foster deeper connections within your church community to support and bear one another's burdens? [14:19]

7. The sermon mentions the privilege of having access to the King. How can you incorporate this privilege into your prayer life, ensuring you bring your concerns and petitions to God regularly? [12:14]

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in Diversity
In Ephesians 2:19, Paul emphasizes the unity that Christ brings to the church, reconciling Jews and Gentiles into one body. This unity is a powerful testament to the transformative power of the gospel, breaking down barriers and calling believers to live in harmony and love with one another. The church is not just a gathering of individuals but a unified body where differences are celebrated and used to strengthen the community. This unity is a reflection of God's kingdom, where all are welcome and valued. [01:20]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a person in your church community who is different from you in background or perspective. How can you reach out to them this week to foster unity and understanding?


Day 2: Abundant Spiritual Blessings
As citizens of God's kingdom, believers are recipients of all spiritual blessings in Christ. These blessings are freely given, reflecting God's delight in the welfare of His people and His desire for them to experience the fullness of His grace. This abundance is not just for personal gain but to be shared within the community, fostering a spirit of generosity and support. The spiritual blessings in Christ are a reminder of the richness of God's love and the depth of His provision for His people. [06:21]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him." (Ephesians 1:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one spiritual blessing you have received recently. How can you use this blessing to support and encourage someone else in your community today?


Day 3: Direct Access to the King
Believers have the privilege of direct access to God, the King, who is always ready to listen to their petitions. This access assures them that no matter how insignificant they may feel, their concerns are important to God, and He is attentive to their needs. This privilege is a profound reminder of God's personal care and His desire for an intimate relationship with His people. It encourages believers to approach God with confidence, knowing that He is always present and willing to listen. [12:14]

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one concern or need you have been hesitant to bring before God? Take a moment today to present it to Him, trusting in His willingness to listen and respond.


Day 4: Assurance of Divine Protection
God's protection is a powerful assurance for believers, likened to a nation defending its citizens. God stands as a shield, ensuring that no harm befalls His people without His knowledge. This divine protection is a source of comfort and strength, reminding believers that greater is He who is in them than he who is in the world. It encourages them to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to guard them through life's challenges. [21:00]

"The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life." (Psalm 121:5-7, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt vulnerable or afraid. How can you remind yourself of God's protection and presence in similar situations in the future?


Day 5: Responsibilities of Heavenly Citizenship
With the privileges of heavenly citizenship come responsibilities. Believers are called to live lives that honor the gospel, demonstrating the transformative power of God's grace. Their conduct should reflect their allegiance to God's kingdom, and they must be ready to defend their faith. This responsibility is not a burden but a calling to live out the values of God's kingdom in everyday life, influencing the world around them for His glory. [39:02]

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Consider one area of your life where your actions may not align with the values of God's kingdom. What steps can you take this week to bring your conduct in line with your heavenly citizenship?

Quotes

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the Saints and on it goes to say and of the household of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Cornerstone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto one Holy Temple in the Lord in whom ye also are Builder together for an habitation of God through the spirit." [00:00:21]

"The greatest need of all today is a true and inadequate conception of the nature of the Christian church it's because we who belong to her don't realize what it is that we fail to attract those who are outside we give such a poor impression that they're not interested Revival starts in the church true evangelism can never be carried on with a church that is not a living demonstration of the Gospel." [00:04:00]

"All spiritual blessings in the Heavenly places in Christ are ours that is what God has brought us into the the kingdom the state to which we belong is a kingdom in which all these blessings are given and are given freely it is the King's good pleasure that they should be given he Delights in doing it he's interested in his citizens he's interested in all his people their welfare is a thing that presses heavily upon his mind and his heart." [00:06:52]

"We have a right of access to the king that is true of the humblest citizen in the land ultimately he has a right of appeal to the king the whole processes of the law are there in a sense to enable him to do that and he can take his appeal right away Along until ultimately he is appealing to the king." [00:11:19]

"Are you burdened are you heavy laden are you struggling and straining I am here to and it's my privilege to remind you that you have a right of access to the king you can take your case to him he may be in his Royal procession there may be something big and great engaging his attention I assure you that if you hold up your hand as he passing and hold out your petition he has time to listen to you to look at you and to deal with you." [00:12:09]

"The resources of the kingdom are shared amongst us we already have adverted to the fact of our fellow citizenship with the Saints well now let's take this in a practical form we only looked at it from the standpoint of its greatness last Sunday but this is very precious to us from the Practical standpoint the fellowship that we enjoy with our fellow citizens again it's it's an essential part of any conception of the state." [00:14:16]

"Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ and surely there is nothing that should be more precious to us at this moment than the way in which as fellow citizens together as members of the Christian church together we know and experience this in practice is there anything more encouraging to a Christian than to know that he's being prayed for by others that other people have got you and your burden and your problem on their hearts and are making intercession for you." [00:15:09]

"The protection that this Kingdom affords us and it's a very remarkable thing this it's true is it on the secular level all the power and all the might and all the resources of a kingdom are behind and are available for in the defense of the humblest citizen let me give you an illustration of this which always seems to me to put it very plainly and clearly." [00:17:19]

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous runneth into it and is safe the name of the Lord if you want to see it gloriously expounded you'll find it in Psalms 3 and 4 where the psalmist again is surrounded by all kinds of dangerous and desperate enemies and yet his whole point in these Psalms is just to tell us what happened to him." [00:20:04]

"Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world your adversaries are there these antichrists and others it's all right don't be afraid he say greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world the enemy may be attacking you and hurting you it's all right says Paul don't retell it vengeance is mine I will repay sayth the Lord." [00:22:38]

"Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ always let your conduct and your behavior be such that it becometh the gospel of Christ you're a stranger of away from home you know what you claim and you tell people what you are well now they're watching you never forget it they will judge your king and your country by what they see in you they have no other standard they've got no other test." [00:36:12]

"As citizens of this Kingdom we should always be concerned about the defense of the kingdom and the defense of our laws and the defense of everything for which he stands the flag we must be ready to die for the flag she that represents the country and all that belongs to her and it's equally true of us we are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the Saints." [00:40:05]

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Transcript
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