P1 | WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AT HOME AWAY FROM HOME?

Home Away from Home, Part 1 – October 30, 2022

      As Christians we live in a place that is home away from home.  Our citizenship is in heaven.
We ought to stand out.   We treat temporary things differently than we treat permanent things. We ought not invest too heavily in the here and now.

Philippians 3:20 (NIV2011)
20 But our citizenship is in heaven.

1 Peter 1:1-5 (NIV2011)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Kingdom citizens have been given new birth
In his great mercy, he has given us new birth… (1 Peter 1:3)

Example: When a baby is born.
Example: Etch-A-Sketch

Kingdom Citizens have a living hope
…he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… (1 Peter 1:3)

Examples:

• Economy
• Medical Science
• Careers

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV2011)
18  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
19  and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20  he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…

Kingdom citizens have an eternal inheritance
…and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade (1 Peter 1:4)

Examples: Ruins

Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV2011)
1  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.