Our Citizenship
Our true citizenship in heaven should shape our priorities and actions, guiding us to seek God and His holiness.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the heavenly citizenship of believers, emphasizing the temporary nature of this world compared to the eternal home in heaven that Christians seek. She encourages the audience to view themselves as exiles on earth, longing for the ultimate joy and fulfillment found in God's presence. The sermon highlights the importance of seeking God's face, turning away from sin, and striving for sanctification and enlightenment to experience true joy, delight, peace, and pleasure in God.
Text
They that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
HEBREWS 11:14 For our citizenship is in heaven.
PHILIPPIANS 3:20 (R. V.)
GREEN are the fields of the earth, holy and sweet her joys;
Take, and taste, and be glad--as fruit and blossom and bird,
But still as an exile, Soul; then, hey, with a singing voice,
For the stars and sun and sweet heaven, whose ultimate height is the Lord!
Ripe, lovely, and glad, you shall grow in the light of His face and His word.
KATHERINE TYNAN HINKSON
STAND still awhile, and seriously consider the noble end for which thou wast created, and for which God hath placed thee in this world! Thou wast not created for time and the creature, but for God and eternity, and to employ thyself with God and eternity. And thou art in the world, to the end that thou mayest again seek God, and His countenance which giveth blessedness, from which thou hast turned thyself away by sin; in order that thou mayest become thoroughly sanctified and enlightened, and that God may have joy, delight, peace, and pleasure in thee, and thou in God.
GERHARD TERSTEEGEN
That prayer taught by the saint, "Make me reach, my God, the degree of holiness to which Thou didst call me in creating me!"
LADY GEORGIANA FULLERTON
Sermon Outline
- Our True Citizenship
- Considering Our Purpose
- Seeking Holiness
- Prayer can help us reach the degree of holiness God calls us to
- Sanctification and enlightenment come from seeking God
Key Quotes
“They that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“For our citizenship is in heaven.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Ripe, lovely, and glad, you shall grow in the light of His face and His word.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Prioritize your relationship with God in your daily life.
- Seek holiness and alignment with God's will.
- Use prayer to deepen your connection with God and grow in His love.