A synopsis of the sermon delivered by the Rev. David L. Hicks at St. Paul’s Reformed Episcopal Church on Sunday, March 28, 2004, Lent V. Please read Philippians 3:17-21.

What person has influenced your life the most – a teacher, friend or family member? If we think about it, so much of our life has been shaped and affected by other people, from simple things like clothing style to more significant considerations like the kind of career we have chosen. It is a fact of life that people influence each other in countless ways. Saint Paul realized this too; and in his letter to the Philippians he tells his readers to be careful about who is providing the example for others to follow.

“Brethren, join me in following my example, and not those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” Philippians 3:17-18.

Saint Paul not only points to himself as an example to follow, but encourages the Philippian Christians to note others who also live in a manner consistent with the gospel of Christ. These “positive” examples are to be emulated, while taking note that there are others who would hold themselves out as examples of the faith, but they are false guides whose pattern of life is to be avoided completely. Paul reminds the believers that they are to be influenced by the values and mindset that characterize heaven and not that of earth; or our true citizenship, the place we call home, is in heaven.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20-21.

The Christians that were living in the city of Philippi knew quite well what citizenship was all about. This city was an official Roman colony, and its people were quite proud of such an honorable status. Not every city within the borders of the Roman Empire had the dignity of being the type of colony in which its citizens were considered citizens of the Rome. Such privileges were not granted to everyone. Although it happened to be located in Macedonia, far away from the city of Rome, Philippi was in fact an outpost of Rome – a piece of Rome planted in another land. Those who lived in Philippi knew where their citizenship lay, and they conducted themselves accordingly. They followed the pattern of their fellow Roman citizens; living lives in accordance with Rome’s values and culture.

We who have been baptized into Christ have citizenship as well. Our citizenship is also linked to a land far away from where we reside – it is the land of heaven where our Savior Christ awaits the time that he will return for us. Although physically separated from heaven, the church is an outpost of it, and she reflects the culture and values of heaven here on earth. Let us mark carefully those who have lived and are living a life that speaks of the citizenship of heaven; and by God’s grace, may we follow their good examples.
Amen.