Living as Citizens of Heaven on Earth

As believers, it's essential to remember that our true citizenship is in Heaven. While we live on Earth, our ultimate allegiance is to our heavenly home. This perspective should shape how we live our lives, influencing our values, decisions, and interactions with the world around us. Earth is merely a temporary residence, a place we are passing through. If we forget this, we risk becoming too attached to earthly things, losing sight of our eternal purpose and identity.

Our role as Christians is to be a colony of Heaven on Earth. This means that the values and principles of Heaven should guide and govern our lives. When we accepted Christ, we were transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. The authority of darkness no longer has a legitimate hold over us. We are now under the rule of Christ, and His kingdom should be reflected in our daily lives.

Living as citizens of Heaven involves a conscious effort to align our lives with heavenly values. It requires us to detach from worldly attachments and focus on our eternal home. This doesn't mean we neglect our earthly responsibilities, but rather that we approach them with a heavenly mindset. Our actions, decisions, and relationships should reflect the love, grace, and truth of our heavenly citizenship.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Our true citizenship is in Heaven, and this should shape our perspective and priorities on Earth. By remembering our heavenly home, we can avoid becoming overly attached to earthly things and maintain our focus on eternal values. [00:09]
• 2. As a colony of Heaven, we are called to let heavenly values influence and govern our lives. This means living in a way that reflects the principles of God's kingdom, such as love, grace, and truth. [00:22]
• 3. The kingdom of darkness no longer has authority over us once we come to Christ. We are now under the rule of Christ, and His light should guide our actions and decisions. [00:36]
• 4. Living as citizens of Heaven requires a conscious effort to detach from worldly attachments and focus on our eternal home. This involves aligning our lives with heavenly values and principles. [00:09]
• 5. Our earthly responsibilities should be approached with a heavenly mindset, reflecting the love, grace, and truth of our heavenly citizenship. This perspective helps us live purposefully and meaningfully in the world. [00:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:09] - Citizenship in Heaven
• [00:22] - Colony of Heaven
• [00:36] - Authority of Christ
• [00:09] - Detaching from Earthly Attachments
• [00:22] - Heavenly Values and Principles
• [00:36] - Living with a Heavenly Mindset

1. According to Philippians 3:20, where is our true citizenship, and what are we waiting for? How does this align with the sermon’s message about our heavenly home? [00:09]
2. In Colossians 1:13, what does it mean to be transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of Christ? How does this transfer affect our daily lives? [00:36]
3. The sermon mentions that we are a "colony of Heaven." What does this metaphor suggest about how we should live on Earth? [00:22]

1. How does understanding our citizenship in Heaven change the way we view our earthly possessions and achievements? [00:09]
2. What are some practical ways that heavenly values can influence our decisions and interactions with others? [00:22]
3. How does the authority of Christ, as mentioned in Colossians 1:13, empower us to live differently from the world? [00:36]

1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How might it have been different if you had approached it with a heavenly mindset? [00:09]
2. Identify one earthly attachment that might be distracting you from your heavenly citizenship. What steps can you take to loosen its hold on you? [00:09]
3. Think of a relationship in your life. How can you reflect the love, grace, and truth of your heavenly citizenship in that relationship this week? [00:22]
4. How can you actively remind yourself of your heavenly citizenship in your daily routine? Consider practical reminders or habits you can incorporate. [00:09]
5. In what ways can you contribute to your community as a "colony of Heaven"? Identify one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate heavenly values. [00:22]
6. How can you encourage others in your small group to live with a heavenly mindset? Share one idea or practice that has helped you. [00:36]