1 Hope Series

Philippians 3:14-21. 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] 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. (ESV)

As we can testify living in Durham region, Canada is a desirous destination for people. It is so desirous, that there are now 2.7 million people waiting (& Hoping) for Ottawa to process their immigration application. The backlog of citizenship applications alone stands at 444,792…This time last year, the backlog was just 1.5 million names, according to CIC News. In just the last 30 days, the list has grown by 300,000 — an increase of roughly 1,000 new applicants per day. (https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/first-reading-canadas-immigration-backlog-has-never-been-worse)

We know that our real home and ultimate citizenship is not on the earth; it is in heaven. The Philippians would have understood the symbolism which Paul was using because, as we saw in the opening chapter, Philippi was a Roman colony. It was a long, long way from the Imperial City. However, even though it was in Greek territory, it still belonged to Rome. Its citizens wore Roman dress. It was governed by Roman magistrates. Latin was spoken. Roman justice was administered. Roman morals were observed, and even the earth was considered to be Roman ground (Bentley, M. (1997). Shining in the Darkness: Philippians Simply Explained. Welwyn Commentary Series (142–143). Darlington, England: Evangelical Press.).

In what do you hope. Do you hope your job will go well, you’ll enjoy good health, your family will get along or is it in vacations or possession. If our hope is in anything that we can loose, then it is not a secure hope. The Apostle Paul in Philippians shows the path of eternal hope. As the accountant in Philippians 3:1–11, Paul discovered new values. As the athlete in Philippians 3:12–16, he displayed new vigor. Now as the alien, he experiences a new vision: “We look for the Saviour!” It is this anticipation of the coming of Christ that motivates the believer with the spiritual mind. There is tremendous energy in the present power of a future hope. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Php 3:15). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.).

Believers in Christ have “1 Hope” for we await: 1) A New Home (Philippians 3:20) and 2) A New Body (Philippians 3:21)

First, we await:

1) A New Home (Philippians 3:20)

Philippians 3:20 [20]But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV)

The underlying motivation for pursuing Christlikeness is the hope of the return of Jesus Christ. Since Christ is in heaven, those who love Him must be preoccupied with heaven, longing for Christ to return and take them to be with Him (1 Thess. 4:17). (For believers in Philippi & Christians in general), here the Apostle Paul puts their present situation—opposition in Philippi resulting in suffering—into divine perspective. All of this is said in a sentence that rises to extraordinary christological heights; not only is Christ the focus and center of everything, but his activities here are those ordinarily attributed to God the Father. The opening sentence of Phil. 3:20 serves as Paul’s immediate response to those “many” who “walk” contrary to the Pauline pattern, who are ultimately judged because “their minds are set on earthly things.” (Fee, G. D. (1995). Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (376). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)

It is consistent for believers to have a heavenly focus, because our citizenship is in heaven. Politeuma (citizenship) appears only here in the New Testament, though Paul used the related verb in 1:27. It refers to the place where one has official status, the commonwealth where one’s name is recorded on the register of citizens. Though believers live in this world, they are citizens of heaven. They are members of Christ’s kingdom, which is not of this world (John 18:36). Their names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 13:8; 21:27); their Savior is there (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16); their fellow saints are there (Heb. 12:23); their inheritance is there (1 Peter 1:4); their reward is there (Matt. 5:12); and their treasure is there (Matt. 6:20). What began the chapter as a summons and caution to “look out” (3:2) moves to the call “look at us” (3:17–21) and closes with both a warning (3:18–19) of teachers to be avoided (“look away” from such persons) and an eschatological aspiration (“look up” to the fulfillment of the Christian’s hope in 3:20–21) (Hawthorne, G. F. (2004). Vol. 43: Philippians. Word Biblical Commentary (235). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.).