Bible Study Series: Citizenship In Heaven, Ephesians 2:19

  

 

CITIZENS OF HEAVEN

 

"Fellow citizens with the saints."

Ephesians 2:19

 

To many foreigners, America is the land of opportunity. It is a desired place to live.

 To become a U.S. citizen, all naturalization applicants must meet the following requirements (unless they qualify for an exemption or application based on their U.S. military service):

• Be of the minimum required age (typically, at least 18)
• Continuously and physically live in the United States as a green card holder for a certain number of years
• Establish residency in the state or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) district where they intend to apply
• Have “good moral character”
• Be proficient in basic spoken and written English and demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government
• Register for military service (if a male of a certain age) and be willing to perform civil service when required
• Swear allegiance to the United States

 

The only requirement to become a citizen in Heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ.

Places on earth are temporary.  Our names may be on the property, but it is being

Lease to us by God.

 

The desired place is to have a home in Heaven. It is permanent.

 

Ephesians 2:14-3:1

 

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this 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.

 

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's 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.

 

THERE IS PEACE IN HEAVEN

THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE RACE IN HEAVEN

THE CORNERSTONE OF THE FOUNDATION OF HEAVEN IS JESUS

WE ARE ALL GROWING TOGETHER TO BUILD THE TEMPLE

WE WILL LIVE IN HEAVEN IN THE SPIRIT

 

What is meant by our being citizens in heaven?

 It means that we are under heaven's government.

Christ the King of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The WORD OF GOD issued from the throne of glory is freely received by us: the decrees of the King Jesus we cheerfully obey.

Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven's honors. The glory which belongs to saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God. We are princes of the blood imperial.

We wear the spotless robe of Jesus's righteousness.

We have angels for our servants, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, and God for our Father.

We have a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honors of citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and Church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven.

 

While we are here on earth, what do we need to put our citizenship in heaven into practice?

 

1.       We need a conscience of Heaven

Study the Word daily 

2.       You need to accept your citizenship in Heaven

3.       You need to know the rules of Heaven

4.       You need to know the God of Heaven

5.       You need to know the King of Heaven

6.       You need to know the spirit of heaven

 

7.   You need a view of heaven  Rev 22:1-5

 

a.       Walls of jewels                        Rev 21: 19-20  

b.       Gates of pearls , streets of gold   Rev  21:21  

c.       Picture the throne of God with Jesus at His right hand.   Acts 5:31

d.       Picture angels flying around the throne. Rev.  4:6-8

e.       Picture us and all saints standing around the throne in white robes

       Praising God.

f.        Picture your work in heaven    1 Corinthians 6:3

g.       Picture your mansion in heaven

8.   Visualize what you will look like in heaven

a.       Immortal body

b.       Incorruptible

c.       Knowledge of Jesus

d.       Clothed in a white robe

e.       Praising God

f.        Full of love

       

             

 

WHAT DOES YOUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP LOOK LIKE ON EARTH?

1.       Walk like a citizen

2.       Talk like a citizen

3.       Think like a citizen

4.       Worship like a citizen

5.       Praise like a citizen

6.       DANCE LIKE a citizen

7.       Hope like a citizen

8.       WORK LIKE a citizen

9.       CONDUCT YOURSELF LIKE a citizen

10.   PRAY LIKE a citizen

11.   FIGHT LIKE a citizen

12.   TRUST LIKE a citizen

13.   BE JOYFUL LIKE a citizen

14.   LOVE LIKE a citizen

15.   TRAVEL LIKE a citizen

16.   SERVE LIKE a citizen

17.   GIVE LIKE a citizen

18.   FEAR LIKE a citizen

19.   SHOW UP LIKE citizen

20.   BE READY LIKE citizen

 

 

 

From Charles Spurgeon

 As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven.

Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite; ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun; ours the river of the water of life, and the twelve manner of fruits which grow on the trees planted on the banks thereof; there is nothing in heaven that does belong not to us.

 

We also look and long for His appearance. If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.