Sermons

Building Our Homes as Outposts of Victory

Building Our Homes as Outposts of Victory

Outpost
1. a fortified position established at a distance from the main camp of an army.
2. a settlement or colony that is connected with, subject to, and promotes the interests of a homeland.

The ancient city of Philippi was an outpost of Rome. A church (the first in Europe) was established in Philippi during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16). Thirteen years later, Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians. Notice carefully what he wrote:

  • 1:27 – “Only let your manner of life [politeuesthe – conduct as a citizen] be worthy of the gospel…”
  • 3:20 – “Our citizenship [politeuma] is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus…”

The message: you live in a Roman colony, but…

  1. Heaven is your homeland.
  2. Jesus is your Savior and Lord.
  3. Your primary allegiance is to God and his kingdom.
  4. Your manner of life is to be shaped by the gospel.
  5. The victory belongs to Jesus (Phil 2:8-11); be agents of that victory (Phil 1:5-6).

We don’t live in ancient Philippi, but what if we took the same principles and applied them to our homes? Even as we are called to live in this world as sojourners and exiles (1 Pet 2:11), how can we build and maintain our homes as outposts of victory?

  • Outposts of victory in Jesus are inhabited and guarded by saints (Phil 1:1)
  • Home as God intended is to be a garden where the fruit of righteousness, love, knowledge, discernment, and excellence abounds to the glory and praise of God (Phil 1:9-11)
  • Victory is forfeited when our homes are transformed into battlegrounds and we turn on each other (Phil 2:14-15)
  • Homes are shaped by the mindset of those who live within them (Phil 2:1-7; 4:8-9)
  • While there is no such thing as a perfect home, disciples of Jesus are called to press on and strain forward to what lies ahead (Phil 3:12-15)
  • In the midst of a dark, chaotic, self-centered world, our homes can be outposts of victorious peace (Phil 4:4-7)
  • The key to victorious homes is the grace of God (Phil 1:2, 7; 4:23)

This sermon was delivered on June 7, 2015.

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