Citizen of Heaven (Message 1)

I. God’s Kingdom established in Israel

From the time of Moses, Israel’s priests led the people by inquiring of God for His will and direction. As a result of the pleas of Israel’s people, the theocratic system was replaced by God working through a HUMAN ruler.

1.) Saul’s INSECURITY and anxiety prompted him to disobey. As a result, God rejected Saul as king.
2.) Solomon lived in security and prosperity; but the abuse of his position and privilege lead him away from God. As a result, Solomon rejected God as sovereign.
3.) David was threatened by both friend and enemy, but he found his ASSURANCE and SALVATION in the person of God. David’s song of deliverance reveals how God established David as king over Israel (2 Samuel 22; Psalm 18.)

- David called out to God in his DISTRESS.
2 Sam. 22:7 “In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God.”
In 2 Sam. 22, David sang about God’s response to his cry: “He reached down from on high; took hold of me; drew me out” in v. 17; God was David’s support v. 19; and God rescued David in v. 18, 20”

- God was attentive to His FAITHFUL servant.
2 Sam. 22:21 “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God.

David lived a pattern of obedience to God. He lived before God in an “ATTITUDE of REPENTANCE.”
2 Sam. 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”

- In the midst of David’s chaos, God was his ASSURANCE.
2 Sam. 22:32 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 33 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

- David acknowledged God as SOVEREIGN.
2 Sam. 22:47 “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior! 48 He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, 49 who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. 50 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

- David had a correct understanding of who was truly king of Israel. His example continues to inform us how to properly relate to God as followers of Christ. Jesus is our savior. Jesus is our LORD.

II. God’s Eternal Kingdom revealed through Christ

Matt. 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

- The foundation of inclusion into God’s kingdom can be found in Ephesians 2:1-10:
• God has a great love for us. (Ephesians 2:4)
• God is rich in mercy. (Ephesians 2:4)
• God is rich in grace. (Ephesians 2:7)
• God has already seated you in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 2:6)

Eph. 2:11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth…12b at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Paul said the Ephesians had been:
• Separated from Christ
• EXCLUDED from citizenship with Israel
• Without hope and without God.

But now . . . you have been brought near through Christ’s blood!
Eph. 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

- Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus FULFILLED the requirements of the Jewish law. Neither Cornelius nor the first gentile coverts were required to become Jews because the church leaders could see that God had already given them the Spirit (see Acts 10; Acts 15.)

- Through faith in Christ, people of every culture are invited to know God and be included within His heavenly kingdom.

III. The security of being a citizen of heaven

Eph. 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

• In Christ, the foundation of our inclusion as citizens is GROUNDED and secure.
• In Christ, we are fellow citizens and members of His HOUSE.

God informed David that He would build David a house. Through faith in Christ, everyone has received a welcome to come in.
2 Samuel 7:11“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: . . . 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

• In Christ, God dwells is us through the Spirit. The church has become the TEMPLE in which the Lord Himself lives.

Walk the Talk

When have you felt the most secure in your life? What things helped to make you feel good about your situation?

What do you learn about security in relationship with God when you compare the lives of Saul, David, and Solomon?

How did David model a proper response to God in the midst of chaos? In what ways do you need to mimic David’s understanding in your own situation?

Have you ever experienced the feeling of being a foreigner? What does it feel like to be different or to feel excluded?

Describe what Christ has done in giving access to all people to live in relationship with God.

Describe what Christ had done in making you a part of his chosen people.

Applications for building the assurance of your faith:

Commit the thought or the words of Ephesians 2:19-20 to memory.
Eph. 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Visit a church with a different cultural background. Look for an opportunity to ask someone there how they came to know Jesus. What assurances do you share in common through faith?

Visit http://ficm.org and read “Who I am in Christ” under the ‘About Us’ tab.