(Clip) Our Citizenship Is In Heaven
John Piper emphasizes that Christians' true citizenship is in heaven, calling believers to live as sojourners on earth with a heavenly perspective that transforms their identity and mission.
This sermon emphasizes the concept of believers' primary citizenship being in heaven, not on earth, urging them to live as sojourners and exiles in this world. It highlights the transformation that occurs when we are redeemed by Christ, passing from death to life and being seated with Him in heavenly places. The message underscores the freedom believers have from earthly institutions and the profound impact of living with a heavenly perspective.
Full Transcript
As redeemed children of God, our primary and decisive citizenship is in heaven, not America or any other country. With the transfer of our citizenship to heaven, we have become sojourners and exiles in America and everywhere else on the earth. Philippians 3, our citizenship is in heaven, our citizenship is in heaven, our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior who will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself.
That's who we are. It's our total glorious orientation in this world. 1 Peter 2.11, Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul.
When Christ died for his church, she died with him to the elemental things of the world, died to the law, died to the world, died to sin. Then she rose to walk in newness of life, new birth, new person, new creation, new covenant, heirs of a new earth. Christ has delivered us.
This is Colossians 1.13. Christ has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his beloved Son. We have passed from death to life. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly places.
And this is why we are fundamentally free from human institutions. We've already died. We live in heaven.
We live in heaven in a most profound way. If that's meaningless to you, you got work to do. That's why we exist in this school.
That's the work we have to do. If that's a meaningless reality to you, that you live mainly in heaven now, you got work to do on your Bible and your heart and your head and your life. It's not meaningless.
It's profoundly transforming of everything. When we testify as Christians to other Americans, we are not calling them to make America great. We are advocating for a transfer of citizenship, an eternal one.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Our citizenship is fundamentally in heaven, not earthly nations
- Believers are sojourners and exiles on earth
- Awaiting the transformation of our bodies by Christ
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II
- The Christian's death to the world and new life in Christ
- Freedom from the law, sin, and elemental things of the world
- New birth and inheritance of a new earth
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III
- Transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Christ
- Seated with Christ in heavenly places
- Living free from human institutions with a heavenly orientation
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IV
- The necessity of embracing heavenly citizenship as a transforming reality
- The call to testify to others about eternal citizenship
- Living with purpose and mission as citizens of heaven
Key Quotes
“Our citizenship is in heaven, not America or any other country.” — John Piper
“We have become sojourners and exiles in America and everywhere else on the earth.” — John Piper
“When we testify as Christians to other Americans, we are not calling them to make America great. We are advocating for a transfer of citizenship, an eternal one.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Live daily with the awareness that your true citizenship is in heaven, shaping your values and decisions.
- Reject worldly passions that wage war against your soul by embracing your identity as a sojourner.
- Share the hope of eternal citizenship with others, pointing them to Christ rather than earthly nationalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that our citizenship is in heaven?
It means that believers belong ultimately to God's kingdom and should live as temporary residents on earth, prioritizing eternal values over earthly ones.
How does heavenly citizenship affect a Christian's daily life?
It calls Christians to live as sojourners, abstaining from worldly passions and focusing on spiritual transformation and mission.
Why is it important to understand our identity as citizens of heaven?
Because it shapes our perspective, priorities, and how we engage with earthly institutions and cultures.
What hope do Christians have related to their citizenship in heaven?
They await the Savior who will transform their bodies and fully establish God's kingdom.
How should Christians testify to others about citizenship in heaven?
By advocating for eternal citizenship rather than earthly nationalism, pointing others to Christ's kingdom.