IF WE DO THINGS THE WAY the world does, we have missed our way.
God wants us to do things differently.
We are born on earth, ‘but we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.’ (Philippians 3:20)
We live in the world, but we are not of the world. Even as we are heavenly-minded, God wants us to be earthly useful.
We mustn’t be overly impressed by power and influence and miss our way. Our leaders must continue to tell the truth to power.
We are called to live lives of salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-14)
The Narrative
CRUCIFIXION WAS DRAWING CLOSE when Jesus shared deep things with his disciples. (John 16:1-4)
A time will come when people will kill you and think they’re doing God a service, he said.
Paul warned us too. He knew things would be confusing—he shared how to live a godly life in a corrupt world.
Follow my Example
HE INVITES ALL BELIEVERS to imitate him, and the lives of others like him. (Philippians 3)
Paul’s example includes his teachings, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions and sufferings. (2 Timothy 3:10)
And God left us an incredible legacy. He gave us the heroes of faith. (Hebrews 11:4-39)
We also have heroes in our lives—like godly parents and others who show us how to live a holy life.
We can follow their patterns and lifestyles, admire them but not idolize them.
Anyone you're going to be close to, you must choose carefully.
Don’t be so naïve—there’s another saying you know well—Bad company corrupts good habits. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Salt can do nothing except it comes out of the shaker
Know this Reality
SOME PEOPLE take other paths and choose other goals. Paul calls them ‘the enemies of the cross.’
He describes their end being destruction, god is their appetite, they glory in their shame, and they set their heart on earthly things. (Philippians 3:19)
We are to live with them but not like them. And God wants us to share the gospel of Christ with them.
Our Citizenship
WE ARE SPECIAL because our citizenship is of heaven. But it comes with responsibility.
Our expression is to make Jesus Christ known and live this life with the anticipation of his return.
We must not buy into the global system to the extent that we are heavenly useless.
What does God want you to do? He desires that you’re rooted in Him, and you lay your treasures in heaven.
Stay firmly planted—be unshakable—do many good works in the name of God and know that all your labour is not for nothing when it is for God. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
IF GOD WANTED YOU OUT OF HERE, he would have taken you to heaven.
You’re the salt of the earth. But salt can do nothing except it comes out of the shaker.
You cannot touch lives except you interact with people. Jesus rescued you from sin that you may reach out to others.
The light in you was made to shine.