Philippians 1 vs 3-11

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Philippians 1 vs 3-11

Calvary Chapel Cherry Creek 2023

July 30, 2023 • Pastor Matt Korniotes • Philippians 1:3–11

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Philippians Chapter 1 Verses 3 – 5

· Paul had a super power. A secret to being joyful and content even in the toughest of situations and scenarios. Actually, he had a few. One of them is that he was a grateful person. He’s in prison, he’s lost everything and he has no rights, far from home and without any physical comforts, and he writes to the church in Philippi, “As I’m thinking about you, I’m thankful and filled with all joy…”

· Gratitude has two opposites. Entitlement and laziness. These are horrible diseases to our lives and relationships. The hard/easy part is that gratitude is a choice. There will always be things to be thankful for and there are always things we won’t and don’t have. What you decide to focus on is entirely up to you, but that decision will change everything, including how you feel and who you are!

· Matthew Henry, the eighteenth-century Puritan preacher was once mugged while living in London. Of the event, he wrote, “Let me be thankful, first, because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

· It’s been said, “You’ll find evidence to support what you are looking for, so be thoughtful in what you choose to seek.” Paul is in a far worse position than any of us and yet how is it that he writes a letter on joy? He chooses to be grateful and in that, even now, thousands of years later, we regard him as great! Gratitude is a seed from which grows humility, joy, endurance, resilience, a sense of value and peace. It unlocks talent and happiness giving quality of life to the one who chooses it.

· You say today that you don’t have much to be thankful for… You have a focus problem, not a circumstance problem. You are beloved. Highly favored, cherished and eternally important to God the Father. So much so that He has provided not only forgiveness for all your wrongs, but grace, mercy, love and even all things that pertain to life and godliness! You have far more to be grateful for in just those statements than you think… And yet there even is more, no doubt, for each of you in your own personal lives/stories…

· Paul has a second secret super power expressed here as well. He has decided to pray. A praying Christian is powerful because its all you, has nothing to do with anyone else, its you taking time to settle things with and in the Lord and that is crazily more powerful than thinking, computing, or discussing with another person. Prayer changes you. It’s you allowing God His right to fashion your heart. The importance and power of prayer is unmatched!

· There’s a third thing here as well mentioned by Paul and that is fellowship. Paul was a Christian of fellowship which is a basic need of all of us, and few know this. Fellowship is not just hanging out, being friends, having a good time. Fellowship is a spiritual blessing, discipline and activity. It’s two saved saints, putting God first, putting each other second and putting themselves third, together…, doing whatever.

· Fellowship, or the word Koinenia in the Greek, is simply loving God and loving others actively. Walking out the two commandments of God, the original design, the reason for mankind, the original code… And so, Paul, worst of conditions, situations…, and yet look at this guy. Happier than anyone I know! Why? He was grateful. He was in prayer. And he was a man of fellowship that even sustains him somehow from within a solitary prison environment.

Philippians Chapter 1 Verse 6

· I want you to know that this statement is itself a part of the Gospel! That God so loved the world, that He so loved you, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life! AND that includes this promise that where you are today, who you are today, how you are today, what you are today, God is working, will work and won’t stop working until we are face to face with Jesus!

· Other promises/truths (same thing) in this verse…, God is the one who began the work in me. Not the other way around. Hebrews 12:2 says that we looking unto Jesus, who is the Author and the Finisher of our faith! He was responsible to save me, He is responsible to preserve me, and He has promised to see me through until the end. Complete me…

· Last thing He said before ascending to the Father in Matthew 28:20, “Behold, I am with you always even unto the end of the age.” The earthly husband is commanded in Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Why is it that we think so often less of our perfect Bride Groom?

· God is not finished with you yet! He is working, even when He’s silent, even when you can’t see it or perceive it, God is not on break and you have not been forsaken! You will yet see Him faithful to His Word and promises! Benefit the most from His integrity by walking in faith!!

Philippians Chapter 1 Verses 7 - 8

· Perhaps this is why Paul was so close with them. They were first in his heart. There was a connection, a fellowship and an affection. Then there was difficulty, Paul describes as “chains.” They’ve weathered some storms together which always brings folks closer to each other. Then in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel. This sort of life agreement that priority is priority, man… And their shared priority is Jesus Christ…

· Finally, grace. Not just sharing in the grace of God together but sharing grace with each other. These elements describe a friendship that will certainly pass the test of time. Again, there was a connection, a fellowship, a friendship formed. Then that friendship endured through hardship or difficulty. And through that, a common life priority was proven, to live unto Jesus Christ. And finally, grace is the culture of the bond. How many true friends do you have? That’s the path…

Philippians Chapter 1 Verses 9 – 11

· Truly the more you know Jesus, the more you will love Him. There’s just no doubt about that. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Why? Because the more you learn of Him, the more you learn how much you are loved and how secure you are in what He has accomplished.

· However, Paul qualifies his statement so that it means far more than what we just discussed. He says his prayer is that your love increases in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent. It’s important, ultra-important that we don’t just grow in the grace of Jesus Christ but also in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Lest you and I miss the mark and in thinking we are following God, while possibly following the flesh. Truth without grace is harsh, but grace without truth is a lie…

· Paul knows all about this. And so does the modern church. Listen, it’s as simple as this. What does the Word of God say? Grow in that. People get all up in arms and turn on each other and make up phrases like “conservative Christians” and “liberal Christians.” These are inventions of men and not of God. What does the Bible say? I know nothing of any qualifier before my title of Christian other than…, biblical. And that way, there’s just no emotion in it at all… It’s just simply objective.

· Jesus said of the faithful church in Revelation 3:8, “You have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My name.” Take all the emotion out of it. The personal experience. The self-you-centered thinking, and then define what is right…, and do that. (As Paul wrote there in verse 7, “Just as it is right…”) There is a significant shortage of people that will do that in these last days. And Paul knew it, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and so he wrote, “Be sincere and without offense.”

· That’s not just offending others. Don’t let yourself get so offended either! How! By holding to the Word of God as your definition of right and then doing that. So objective. So simple. So SO rare! But leads to being filled with the fruits of righteousness! Love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control! Oh, so rare even and especially in the family of God in these last days! Grow up in grace…, grow up in knowledge, man wouldn’t it be amazing if folks in these last days…, would just grow up…?

Philippians 4 vs 8-23

December 3, 2023 • Pastor Matt Korniotes • Philippians 4:8–23

Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 8 – 9 · This is truly so helpful. In whatever situation, person, relationship, in whatever whatever, it helps a ton to just stop for a moment and consider the good. We, (maybe this is just me), have a tendency to really focus on the issue, the problem, the negative and it leads me into the flesh, every time! · Paul’s dealing with a specific problem there in the church of Philippi, but this instruction is universal. What about the thing, the situation, the job, the spouse, the person, what about them is true in the eyes of God? They are beloved. God has a plan for them. There is a purpose there. God will bless if I honor Him in it… All of these things are true. Not personal truth. Personal truth is fickle and false. What is true that cannot ever be untrue. Meditate for a moment on that statement and meditate on that sort of truth! · And by meditate Paul doesn’t mean light the incense, dim the lamp and levitate! HA! The word actually means weigh these things, let these things have the weight. It’s an accounting term… · What about the thing, the situation, the job, the spouse, the person, what about them is noble? Might be hard to think of something about some folks but this is supposed to be hard. If it were easy, well, we’d just see the problem! That’s easy! But most times hard and narrow is the path that leads to life! A good friend of mine once told me that 90% of life is effort and the rest is ability. And it’s definitely true that hard work beats talent all day and twice on Sunday!!! “There’s nothing noble about it or them!” Not true. I’m just being a baby about it… · Choosing the easy path of how I naturally look out for myself, serve myself, convince myself I am good and others aren’t as good, that is what leads me into all of the situations and mental moments that honestly do me no good! · What about it or them is just? We give ourselves such grace and we deal with our own ridiculousness with such patience, how unjust it is to exact a supremely higher standard on others?! Oh, and the grace and mercy we are given brand new each day from the Lord, how unjust it is to take that happily from the Lord and then refuse to give it out ourselves!? · What about it or them is pure, lovely, goodly reportable, if there is any virtue, (and there always is), if there is anything able to be encouraged or praised (and there always is), commit, practice, perform and do that and now you’re voluntarily and loyally hanging out with God! Because when Paul says God will be with you what He means is you will be with Him. He doesn’t move. He doesn’t change. He doesn’t change direction or position…, we do! · And this is truly helpful! Let’s get physical for a moment. Talk about what the world says about these things which is dangerous, let me tell you, the wisdom of the world is suspect always! I saw a Smart Car the other day with a tow hitch! SUSPECT! What are you towing? A powerwheel!? HA!!! · Folks that are able to do these things, according to the Mayo Clinic have increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress, greater resistance to illnesses, better psychological well-being and better bodies! Hey! Wanna be buff, be beneficial to the thing, the situation, the job, the spouse, the person, the relationship! Thanks GOD! · And let me tell you, let’s flip the coin here, Christians, those of us that are citizens of Heaven and filled with the Holy Spirit of God, these things should just be how we are! These things should be what we leave on the hearts of the thing, the situation, the job, the spouse, the person, the relationship! These things should follow us around, be the aftertaste of us being there and the legacy once we are long gone. That dude, that gal was true. She is noble. He is just. Lovely, praiseworthy, he is just a, she is just a good person. Made me feel good… · Part of my job and part of your job as a Christian is to make it easy on other Christians to be Christian. So, Paul says, do this because God does this for you and if you do, you will be near to God and being near to God benefits you in multiplied millions of ways!!! Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 10 – 13 · Interesting, Paul would take collections for the churches but it would appear that he did not take collections for himself (as this church was the only church that markedly supported him). Paul worked as a tent maker to support himself in ministry. And this statement in verse 10 is quite convicting for the modern church because we now have plenty of opportunity but lack care… · Paul said, “I have learned to be content.” Being content is not natural to mankind. It’s interesting, I’ve never heard of a class, seminar or need to teach people how to complain! HA! But contentment, that’s a whole different equation. Paul sits in some sort of Roman imprisonment, under the heavy hand of an egomaniac emperor, and he writes a letter to encourage others, a letter to help and serve others, a thank you letter, a letter on joy… · Being content and being happy are not necessarily the same things. Many secular experts have even concluded that humans are horrible at being happy! HA! We always find ways to interrupt our own gladness and mess things up… But being content is something different, and there is a work of grace and sanctification that is part of the Christian life that automatically, if God is trusted, will teach contentment… Let me explain… · Being content with your life means that you’re satisfied with what you have and who you are. Instead of comparing yourself to others or wishing you had what they have or a different life, you are living a life yourself that you can stand behind. You have learned what is right and what is good and committed to that code and over time, whether prosperity or problems arise, this is the way it should and must be because you have trusted the Lord, you have taken the path the Lord has led, you have made decisions based on the Word of God and not the world of man… · And even though (fill in the blank), who else could I be? Who else would I want to be? What else could or should I have done…? And a peace enters. · And Paul shatters the mold of suppressed capability that complaining sets every human being in with this revelation that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. That doesn’t mean he can fly or he can breathe under water, that’s not the all things… It means that whatever he faces next, he does so with poise, purpose, confidence and strength… Because he is who he is not by any other means but by the grace of God! Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 14 – 17 · That’s an interesting statement and not one that is explained well in scripture, perhaps, but not too well, that as we serve and give and minister, these things are credited to our account. I have my own ideas and I’m fully aware of the rewards of crowns spoken of in the scriptures once we are with the King, but those that are ministering gracious giving Christians in this life are richly rewarded…, and there yet remains a reward for you also in heaven… Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 18 – 19 · There is it…, there’s the earthly accounting if you will…. Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 20 – 23 · Our new brethren, the Romans guards that are assigned to me, those that are with me here in chains, the other inmates, they greet you, church. Such a cool statement. And he wraps up this book with the best way to wrap up a teaching, an interaction, a day, a life…, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all…! All problems fixed, all hope restored, all strength renewed…, anything sidelined by the flesh or the enemy’s strategies, back on the field. Go forward in the grace of Jesus Christ!

Philippians 4 vs 1-7

November 19, 2023 • Pastor Matt Korniotes • Philippians 4:1–7

Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 1 – 3 · Why stand fast today in the Lord? Because of verses 20 and 21 of the previous chapter. We are citizens of heaven and there is coming a day where we will be translated unto eternal life! So today, no matter what we are facing, stand fast, and what’s that mean? Do what is right? Maybe. It means stay in lock-step, in alliance, in coalition with the Lord! · We have a choice today. A personal decision that we won’t have in the next part of our lives. On this side of eternity, we can choose to trust the Lord but when we are with Him, that choice won’t matter anymore, it won’t even be there anymore, because sin and the flesh will be gone. And will it not be such an amazing bond to talk to Jesus in that day and hear Him say, “Remember when you didn’t have to honor and connect and love Me and you did…? AND it made you have to stand fast!? It caused you a level of earthly suffering? Remember that? Yea, that blessed Me!” Won’t that be amazing to hear?! · And Paul finally gets to the issue that was harming the church there in Philippi. Syntyche and Euodia were somehow against each other, dishonoring the Lord and the Body of Christ. And so, check this out, Paul Tweets them by NAME! Wouldn’t fly today folks. HA! So many would condemn this kind of defamation. I tell you what, I would NOT! · And we get one more piece of info here about them…, not only are they members of the church there in Philippi, it would appear they were in leadership! Paul said they labored alongside him in the Gospel! Surprised that leaders in the faith can be childish, HA!!!! · So, what’s the correction to them? Well, really chapters 1-3. The fact that they are harming the purity and unity of the church means that they are air-balling chapters 1-3 and serving themselves. That’s the impact of finally getting to this in chapter 4 and you just can’t get away from that! You’re not sinning against the Lord and against that person that you continually gossip about and avoid and refuse to serve in and with humility because of what they’ve done. You’re doing it because you have turned a blind eye to the reality of grace, your own forgiveness, the blood of Jesus, the cross of Christ and the Kingdom to come! · So, Paul says fix it! How? Counseling and reconciliation and working it out…., NOT. AT. ALL. That takes too long. Why do we pray for miraculous healing when we are sick but when we are the disease, we are fully fine with a long drawn out treatment of medication!? Get my drift? Paul says, “Be of the same mind…,” here’s the key, “in the Lord.” Don’t reconcile your differences, BE DIFFERENT, but prioritize Jesus over self. ALL relational problems SOLVED right there!! Both folks doing it by the way…. Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 4 – 5 · Paul says be a person that puts off the vibe of rejoicing in the Lord always! Why? Euodia stinks! I mean even her name makes me cringe, Eweee-odia! Ha! And Syntyche is full of sin, so she’s so…, touchy! HA! UGHHHH. BUT, Paul says rejoice in the Lord always! He commands, in the Lord, that the extent of our possibility of gentleness be experienced by everyone, friend or foe. Why? Because your names, her name and yours, both are written in the Book of Life! · This is the only place in all of scripture that the “Book of Life” is mentioned (by name) outside of Revelation. Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” · What are these books? The first set of books is most likely the Book of the Covenant or otherwise known as the Book of the Law. According to Deuteronomy 31:26, the Book of the Law was put beside (and this is interesting) the ark of the covenant, that it may be there as a witness against the people… And John sees what he calls “another book, which is the Book of Life, or the Lamb’s Book of Life…” · What’s that? That is the purity of the Tree of Life of the original creation restored through the Lamb slain for the sins of the world. And every name that has ever existed is in this book because Jesus died for the sins of the entire world. And yet the Bible speaks about names being blotted out of this book, those that reject the Lamb… Revelation 20:15 says, “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” · The fact that my name, your name, the names of these ladies that seemingly hate each other, the fact that all of these names are recorded for eternal life through the blood of Jesus (and that’s it) is a source of rejoicing for them, for me, for us! That my sins are forgiven and forgotten and all that matters is that your name is found in Jesus’ book, written in His blood and if you have accepted Him as your Savior…, based on nothing else at all, it is!! · Rejoice and let your gentleness be known to all men. A sad soul is no witness for eternal life…, and a critical, mean, ungentle soul is no witness for your name being written in the Book of Life! You’re on the naughty list, homie!!! · Ok, so in light of ALL That…. Philippians Chapter 3 Verses 6 – 7 · The formula for peace in the soul/spirit. Check this out. Whatever it is you are facing, dealing with, anxious about, unsettled about, what’s one of the hardest things to do? Stop thinking about it and start praying about it! That can be so hard! But God gives an amazing promise… · First, you transition from perplexity to prayer! And supplication really means that your move from solving the problem by your own means to leaning on Lord for His solution! But, here’s the code, bring into your heart not only the problem you are facing but also the blessings you have received. And trust in the Father’s solution for you. If you trust Him, then whatever it is that comes, gratitude is there as well. That causes hope to light up like a torch! I’ve heard it said this way. Be anxious about nothing, but pray about everything, and be grateful for anything… · Spend time talking with the Lord about it and the promise of God is that His peace will flow…, not peace like the world gives but peace that may not even make sense but makes you able to face the next step, then the next, then the next… Surpassing all understanding means that there’s no way I can explain it, you just have to experience it! · And man, let me tell you, I want God guarding my heart and not me… All through my connection, bond, relationship and trust in Christ Jesus! He’s the key! And today is the only day I have, this part of my eternal life is all that I have, this side of eternity, to honor Him and to walk by faith!

Philippians 3 vs 17-21

November 12, 2023 • Pastor Matt Korniotes • Philippians 3:17–21

Philippians Chapter 3 Verse 17  Paul puts himself out there with this statement and essentially volunteers himself as an example that others should be wise enough to follow. Can you say that!? Doesn’t that invite criticism? Invite close investigation? You may hear these words of Paul and think, “Well, Paul is a bit full of himself, isn’t he?” Actually, no! When someone says something like, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ,” which Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, the response is typically either curiosity or condemnation, why?  Would you say the same? Honestly. Would you today be willing to honestly assess your maturity, wisdom and discipline and readily step forward and say, “Yep, brethren, join in following my example!” The unfortunate truth is that most would not be able or willing to do that. Why? Defects in maturity, explicit lack of wisdom and obvious issues with discipline. Stir that recipe up with just a pinch of humility and you get resignation…  So, anyone else…, anyone else, steps forward and says, “Brethren, join in following my example,” and the natural response is condemnation. It was Mark Twain who once said, “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” From the vantage point that we have discussed, makes total sense.  AND, there is however still another response that Paul receives from this statement and that is one of curiosity. Hmmm, this man is putting himself out there. Inviting close investigation…, can I do that? Would I do that? Maybe…, how is it that he is doing that?  Curiosity peaks. Why? Well, you KNOW that in you and in every human, there are defects in maturity, explicit lack of wisdom and obvious issues with discipline…, just as Paul knew this about himself. He writes in Romans 7:15, “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do…” He says in Romans 7:24, “O wretched man that I am!”  Stir that recipe up with a TON of humility and a heaping tablespoon of worship…, and you get engagement and even a sense of responsibility… What’s it take for a person to honestly say and be willing to be a Godly example? Humility… Surrender to Jesus. Dependance upon the grace of God and the righteousness of the blood of the Savior. Why do so many condemn and sing the cultural chorus of “Don’t judge me!?” A huge problem in the church in terms of humility, surrender to Jesus and dependance/gratitude towards the grace of God…  Who is your example in the faith that you are curiously watching, learning from, following? Who in the faith are you openly and knowingly an example of Christ-likeness towards? The hard truth is that as citizens of heaven, we should have and be both…, as Paul gives the command here for the brethren, for us, to “note those who so walk,” and that is the pattern for the faith. Interesting and certainly concerning how far we have strayed since the time of the Paul…. Philippians Chapter 3 Verse 18  You need to understand here that in context Paul is talking about the church! The Body of Christ. Believers! He’s writing this letter and the theme is joy, for sure, but the concern of this letter is correction to the church there in Philippi as there were members who were hurting each other! When one part of the body hurts another part of the body on its own, in the realm of the physical we call that a disease! And Paul says here that even in the church you will find those that, and these are STRONG words, alarming words, those that are, “enemies of the cross of Christ!”  This is wild because Paul is saying things that won’t fly in the easily offended model of Christianity today. Paul called out members of the church by name in 2 Tim 4:14, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.” That’s a prayer! We hear, “love the sinner but hate the sin…” Okay, where is that in the Bible? That specific line? At least one element of someone’s sin is their free will… Would Paul agree with that line? We need to wake up! Grace is not a free ticket to hurt people! Paul says in the church, there can be enemies of the cross of Christ!!  Not enemies of Christ… Pay attention! Enemies of the CROSS! What does that mean? Jesus showed forth the character of God and the goodness of God and the purity of His power when He went to the cross for not only his friends but also His enemies! “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do!” And He was willing to be broken so that others could be made well.  Jesus would say before those events in Matthew 16:24, “Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” And the crazy thing is that the next statement of Jesus reveals that this mindset is the best, most powerful, purposeful, joyful life…, like it’s the key to being awesome inside and out, and He says this in the very next sentence….  Matthew 16:25, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it…,” what’s that mean? Someone who does not take up his own cross is someone trying to save his own life! “But whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” What’s that mean? Become like Christ and find the life that was and is hidden in Him!  No wonder so many in the faith are serve-me, cater-to-me, consumers and critics rather than encouragers, servants and situational saviors! Paul calls that mentality in the faith, in the church, “enemies of the cross of Christ!” Disease! There is a part of me that is that! And I know it! And by prayer and discipline and opening my heart and mind and lifestyle, thinking, decisions, reactions, subordination to God daily…, I’m working on it! Are you!? We all should be because to an extent…, this is every one of us! Some 99% unfortunately, some 5%..., this is not binary…, this is prevalent!  So, what’s this look like practically? And the fact that Paul goes into this next section means that we ought to “note those who so walk.” He gives us the problem first, the enemies of the cross of Christ, and then he gives us the citizens of heaven…. Philippians Chapter 3 Verse 19  Check this out. One thing in business strategy or even process improvement is to start with the end in mind. Cast a vision and gain the commitment of the stakeholders… Paul says here that for those that have this humility issue and/or when I have this humility issue, the end of it, what it leads me to, (and I’m talking about immediately), is destruction. The word in the Greek means waste not like garbage but in the sense of having something valuable but getting nothing for it. Like wasting money! That’s the context…  Paul says, “whose god is their belly,” which means they are driven by worldly, bodily, carnal appetite and “whose glory is in their shame.” That means the things they say and even do that they think are good and honorable, others and especially the Holy Spirit is like, ewwww. And remember, this is in the church!  Here’s an example that I’ve encountered countless times over the years. Someone serves in the church in some capacity. Let’s say, for example purposes, the parking lot ministry (since we don’t have that so no one will get bent out of shape!). Someone will say to me, “Oh it was so great to serve in the parking lot ministry this month. It was a blessed 6 hours!” And everyone that hears it rolls their spiritual eyes…  The person saying it is boasting, talking about how much they’ve done, how great they are, while all of the hearers, ALL of them including the Holy Spirit, are like, “You serious, Clarke?!” Their personal glory is indeed a source of shame for them in the body…, and they don’t even know it… So, what’s their reward for serving those 6 hours? That single moment and statement and that’s it… It all just got wasted….  “Who set their mind,” like a clock, “on earthly things….” Philippians Chapter 3 Verses 20 – 21  What a Christian really is, what we should set our mental and spiritual and soulful clocks to, is that we are citizens of heaven! We are eager, active, aware and watching for the soon return of the Lord, and/or keenly aware of our own mortality…, and we are soft clay in the hand of the Perfect Potter who has the authority and jurisdiction and Lordship to boss us around, transforming us bit by bit into His glorious plan for each of us!  It’s like we are here on passport. If you want to go to any other country, you’ll need a passport. And a passport declares your citizenship. A citizen of the US can either be born here or be naturalized, (become a citizen through a process). One of the statements/vows/oaths required to be repeated by anyone becoming a citizen is, “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”  As a citizen of heaven, you and I are to leave behind and renounce all allegiance and fidelity to the threefold enemy of the cross of Christ which is the devil, the world, and the flesh… And as a citizen of heaven, we are to now uphold the laws of heaven…  How much of me…, how much of you are even unknowingly and enemy of the cross of Christ, acting outside the laws of the Kingdom for which I am a citizen!!?