Living Out Our Heavenly Citizenship with Integrity

Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound call to live out our heavenly citizenship here on earth. Reflecting on my recent trip to Mexico, I was reminded of how we, as Christians, often feel out of place in this world, much like being in exile. Yet, this sense of exile is precisely what should set us apart, as we are called to live in a way that reflects our true home in heaven. This means breaking down earthly barriers, such as racial and gender distinctions, and living in unity as one body in Christ.

We delved into the importance of embodying Christ-like behavior rather than merely waving around biblical morality. The world is watching us, and our character must reflect Jesus. This involves modeling generosity, prioritizing relationships over materialism, and standing up for the vulnerable and oppressed. We must be a community that offers a radical alternative to the world's brokenness, an oasis of love and compassion.

Hebrews 13 served as our guide, emphasizing brotherly love, hospitality, and remembering those in prison. We are called to honor marriage, live free from the love of money, and be content with what we have. Our leaders should be examples of faith and integrity, and we should imitate their allegiance to Christ. Our lives should be marked by sacrifices of praise, doing good, and sharing what we have.

Ultimately, our allegiance is to Jesus as Lord, and our lives should reflect His kingdom values. This means living out our faith in tangible ways that the world can see, not just within the walls of our church but out in the community. As we move forward, let's commit to being a people of love, compassion, and integrity, living out our heavenly citizenship here and now.

### Key Takeaways

1. Heavenly Citizenship: We are called to live as citizens of heaven, breaking down earthly barriers and living in unity. This means reflecting the values of God's new creation in our daily lives, such as racial and gender equality, and not being surprised by the politics of Jesus when He returns. [03:05]

2. Christ-like Behavior: Our character must reflect Jesus, not just biblical morality. The world is watching, and we must model generosity, prioritize relationships over materialism, and stand up for the vulnerable and oppressed. This is how we offer a radical alternative to the world's brokenness. [04:04]

3. Community of Love and Compassion: We must be known for our love and compassion, not just within the church but out in the community. This involves showing hospitality, remembering those in prison, and sharing what we have. Our actions should visibly reflect our faith. [28:33]

4. Purity and Contentment: We are called to live lives of purity and contentment, honoring marriage and being free from the love of money. Contentment comes from trusting in God's provision and promises, and this should be evident in our daily lives. [37:05]

5. Faith and Endurance: Our faith should be marked by endurance and a commitment to believing loyalty. We should look to our leaders as examples of faith and integrity, and seek to imitate their allegiance to Christ. This involves a life of prayer, gratitude, and continual sacrifice of praise. [39:38]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:51] - Living in Exile
[03:05] - Breaking Down Barriers
[04:04] - Reflecting Christ-like Behavior
[05:07] - Offering Radical Alternatives
[05:54] - Standing Up for the Vulnerable
[06:41] - The Ineffectiveness of Imposing Morality
[07:21] - The Kingdom Without the King
[08:43] - Being an Oasis
[09:28] - The Role of Prophets
[10:14] - Praying the Lord's Prayer
[10:56] - Experiencing Church as Family
[12:38] - Reading Hebrews 13
[13:17] - Brotherly Love and Hospitality
[15:20] - Honoring Marriage
[15:57] - Contentment and Trust in God
[18:06] - The Better Altar
[19:38] - Bearing Reproach with Jesus
[20:20] - Seeking the Lasting City
[20:57] - Obeying and Supporting Leaders
[21:32] - Praying for Leaders
[28:33] - Community of Love and Compassion
[30:10] - Stirring One Another to Good Deeds
[31:39] - Life of Purity and Contentment
[37:05] - Honoring Marriage and Purity
[39:38] - Faith and Endurance
[41:15] - Culture of Sacrifice and Worship
[49:00] - Life of Prayer and Gratitude
[50:25] - Recap of Our Commitment

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 13:1-25 - This passage emphasizes brotherly love, hospitality, remembering those in prison, honoring marriage, living free from the love of money, and being content with what we have. It also highlights the importance of leaders as examples of faith and integrity.

#### Observation Questions
1. What are some specific behaviors mentioned in Hebrews 13 that reflect Christ-like living?
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "heavenly citizenship"? [01:51]
3. What examples of Christ-like behavior are given in the sermon? [04:04]
4. According to the sermon, what should our community be known for? [28:33]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for Christians to live as citizens of heaven while on earth? How does this impact our daily interactions? [03:05]
2. How does the sermon suggest we balance biblical morality with Christ-like behavior? [04:04]
3. What does it mean to offer a "radical alternative" to the world's brokenness, according to the sermon? [05:07]
4. How can we practically show hospitality and remember those in prison as instructed in Hebrews 13? [13:17]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there any earthly barriers, such as racial or gender distinctions, that you need to break down to live out your heavenly citizenship? How can you start doing this? [03:05]
2. Think of a recent situation where you prioritized materialism over relationships. How can you change your approach to reflect Christ-like behavior in similar future situations? [04:04]
3. Identify a vulnerable or oppressed person in your community. What specific actions can you take this week to stand up for them and offer support? [05:54]
4. How can you practice contentment in your current life circumstances? What steps can you take to trust more in God's provision? [37:05]
5. Consider the leaders in your church. How can you support and imitate their faith and integrity in your own life? [39:38]
6. What are some practical ways you can show hospitality to strangers this month? How can you involve your small group in this effort? [13:17]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were living in exile as a Christian. How did you handle it, and what can you do differently to better reflect your heavenly citizenship? [01:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Living as Citizens of Heaven
As Christians, we are called to live as citizens of heaven, breaking down earthly barriers and living in unity. This means reflecting the values of God's new creation in our daily lives, such as racial and gender equality. Our true home is in heaven, and this sense of exile on earth should set us apart. We should not be surprised by the politics of Jesus when He returns, but rather, we should be prepared to embrace His kingdom values. Living as heavenly citizens involves embodying the principles of love, justice, and equality, and actively working to dismantle the divisions that separate us.

Hebrews 13:14-16 (ESV): "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Reflection: Think of a specific barrier (racial, gender, or otherwise) that you encounter in your daily life. How can you actively work to break down this barrier and reflect the unity of God's kingdom today? [03:05]

Day 2: Reflecting Christ-like Behavior
Our character must reflect Jesus, not just biblical morality. The world is watching, and we must model generosity, prioritize relationships over materialism, and stand up for the vulnerable and oppressed. This is how we offer a radical alternative to the world's brokenness. Instead of merely imposing moral standards, we should embody the love and compassion of Christ in our actions. By doing so, we become a living testimony of God's grace and mercy, drawing others to the transformative power of the gospel.

James 1:27 (ESV): "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who is vulnerable or oppressed. How can you stand up for them and show Christ-like love and compassion in a tangible way today? [04:04]

Day 3: Community of Love and Compassion
We must be known for our love and compassion, not just within the church but out in the community. This involves showing hospitality, remembering those in prison, and sharing what we have. Our actions should visibly reflect our faith, making us a beacon of hope and an oasis of love in a broken world. By living out these values, we create a community that embodies the heart of Christ, offering support and care to those in need and demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel.

1 Peter 4:8-10 (ESV): "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: Think of a way you can show hospitality or share what you have with someone in need this week. How can you make your love and compassion visible to those around you? [28:33]

Day 4: Purity and Contentment
We are called to live lives of purity and contentment, honoring marriage and being free from the love of money. Contentment comes from trusting in God's provision and promises, and this should be evident in our daily lives. By living with integrity and purity, we reflect the holiness of God and demonstrate our reliance on His faithfulness. This involves making conscious choices to prioritize spiritual values over materialistic pursuits and finding satisfaction in God's presence and provision.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (ESV): "But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle with contentment. How can you trust in God's provision and find satisfaction in His promises today? [37:05]

Day 5: Faith and Endurance
Our faith should be marked by endurance and a commitment to believing loyalty. We should look to our leaders as examples of faith and integrity, and seek to imitate their allegiance to Christ. This involves a life of prayer, gratitude, and continual sacrifice of praise. By enduring in our faith, we demonstrate our unwavering trust in God's promises and our dedication to following Christ, even in the face of challenges and difficulties.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: Consider a challenge you are currently facing. How can you draw strength from the examples of faithful leaders and commit to enduring in your faith through prayer and gratitude? [39:38]

Quotes

1. "We're called to live now as we live out the truth that we actually are citizens of heaven where we eagerly await a Savior who's going to come. And we have to look forward into the future of what God's new creation is going to be like to inform how we should live now. So is that going to be true in heaven? Is there going to be a table for Kenyans? Is there just one table for Kenyans and then there's going to be one table for South Africans and then there's going to be a table over here for Mexicans and there's going to be a table over there for... No. So why are we at separate tables now?" [03:05] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Are we quick to wave our biblical morality around but avoid Christ-like behavior? And if so, if we're like, oh, yeah, biblical, biblical, biblical, but we're not living like Christ, then we sound like clanging gongs and clashing cymbals. So let's be careful about that. No, we're not just saying we've got to reform my non-Christian neighbors, you know? Let me say it this way. When the church is being watched and our character has come under question, do you believe that? Just watch the news." [04:04] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The church, though, can offer radically beautiful alternatives. I think it's important that we think about this. There are many. Some of you are these people. Who are crawling on your hands and knees back to the water because the world has just been a desert. It has not offered what you need. So we come to an oasis and there's a little village. Like, I don't know, Issaquah Christian Church. And it's a little family that's trying to become that for other people. And I'm here to cheer you on today. Because you are that." [05:07] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We must publicly stand up for broken and abused people. I mean, we heard of a situation of domestic violence that ended in death in our prayer request. We're opposed to that. Like, oh, calm yourselves down, Christians. Don't be so, you know, moralistic. Like, come on. Vulnerable people, children who are being messed with. No, we stand up. You know, if someone comes after my children, I don't just say, well, I just want to be Christ-like. Well, what's Christ-like? Protect the children. Right?" [06:41] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "There's this really interesting exploration in our culture of we want the kingdom. We want people that respect one another and don't steal from each other and don't just walk up and punch people in the face. And we want all that. We want the kingdom of Christ without Jesus. Is that possible? And so we're in this very interesting social experiment in the West where we want the kingdom without the king. We want moral. Morals, because you can't find or found morals in materialism because it's just dog-eat-dog." [07:49] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "So for those of us that are Christians, our allegiance is to Jesus as Lord. We've got a list of things to look at here too. And judgment begins with the church. The life that they lived, Israel was supposed to show people, wow, what a gracious and amazing God. And that is our role as well. So if we don't do that, we become a byword to the nations, those Christians. Oh, wait, they already say that. So we've got some work to do by his spirit in our lives. In a community, following him and his word." [09:28] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Jesus committed himself to, I want the Father's name to be more and more honored. And he's going to do it. That's the way he's going to live. And so that's what we need to live And so the way that the people see the church, the lens they put on is their responsibility. But we need to be people of integrity. And God's going to do that in and through us here." [10:56] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Love is something you do. Love is something you do and I think if you ask Heather about it she would probably say I just prefer he did it and then we can work on the feelings thing later whatever that is it's not a it's not if it feels right do it it's if the Lord commands that we do it and then we ask him to bring along the feelings that's right it's not just about thinking it's about actually doing it emotions are super important indicators you're kind of dashboard indicators emotions are not to be ignored sometimes they fuel the right thing sometimes they fuel the wrong thing but it's like an indicator on a dashboard but they alone aren't going to get you where you need to go they're not going to they're not going to do the work." [28:33] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "So we've got to seek out mentors to persevere in our faith. Our faith is so important. And hopefully your leaders. And however you define that word leader, I would say in a world of social media influencers, you might have to broaden that scope. Consider the outcome of the way of their life. That podcast, that YouTuber, Instagram, whatever. Whatever that influence is that comes, consider the outcome of the way of life. Are they equipping you to do the work that you've been called to do? Because that's where God's provision comes, and that's where contentment comes, and that's beautiful." [41:15] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "So it's an interesting thing. Obviously, we're in a culture that just says, you know, pedal to the metal. You got feelings, express them. Like, well, feelings are an interesting indicator on your dashboard, but they're not the reason, you know, you do something. They can follow sometimes. And so we don't dig inside for our feelings and then express them. We just live our lives. Okay, Jesus, what do you want? Now, it's strange to me, it might be strange to you, that sometimes he doesn't correct people. And direct people in the same order that he corrected and directed you." [47:30] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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