SERMON TITLE

“Whose Appetite Is Their Belly: A Call to Lift Our Eyes from Earth to Heaven”
Key Text


“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Philippians 3:18–20 (KJV)
INTRODUCTION: PAUL WEEPS FOR BELIEVERS

Beloved brothers and sisters,
Notice something striking in this passage: Paul is not angry—he is weeping.


“I tell you even weeping…”

Paul is not speaking of pagans, idol worshippers, or atheists.
He is speaking of people who walk among the church, who claim Christ with their lips, yet live as though this world is their home.

This is not a sermon of condemnation.
It is a sermon of warning, awakening, and mercy, especially as we stand at the end of another year.
I. “WHOSE GOD IS THEIR BELLY” — WHEN APPETITES RULE THE HEART

Paul says their god is their belly.

This does not only mean food.
The “belly” represents appetite, craving, desire, indulgence, self-pleasure.
1. A Subtle Idolatry

These believers do not bow to statues.
They bow to:


Comfort


Pleasure


Convenience


Emotional satisfaction


Entertainment


Financial security


Human approval


“They serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly.”
— Romans 16:18

Anything that controls your decisions more than obedience to God has become your god.
2. Christianity Without the Cross

The cross demands:


Denial of self


Patience in suffering


Faithfulness in waiting


Obedience when it costs

But a “belly-god” Christianity asks:


“How does this make me feel?”


“Is this convenient?”


“Will this cost me?”


“Does this satisfy me now?”

Such believers want:


Blessings without brokenness


Crowns without crosses


Resurrection power without crucifixion
II. “WHO MIND EARTHLY THINGS” — A HEART STUCK ON THE TEMPORARY

Paul says they mind earthly things.

The issue is not having earthly responsibilities—we all must work, provide, and plan.
The issue is where the heart dwells.
1. Earthly Things That Quietly Replace God


Career becomes identity


Money becomes security


Relationships become saviour


Ministry becomes reputation


Comfort becomes priority


“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
— Colossians 3:2

You can attend church faithfully yet live functionally as a citizen of this world.
2. Busy but Spiritually Neglectful

Many Christians today are:


Too busy to pray


Too tired to read Scripture


Too distracted to hear God


Too occupied to serve

Yet never too busy to scroll, plan, buy, upgrade, and worry.

Jesus warned us:


“Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life…”
— Luke 21:34
III. “THEIR END IS DESTRUCTION” — THE SOBERING REALITY

Paul does not soften the truth.


“Whose end is destruction.”

This does not mean every distracted believer is instantly damned.
But it means a trajectory.

A life consistently lived for the flesh cannot finish well.


Faith grows cold


Convictions weaken


Prayer life dries up


Sin becomes tolerated


Eternity becomes distant


“The mind governed by the flesh is death.”
— Romans 8:6

This is why Paul weeps.
Because destruction does not start with rebellion—it starts with neglect.
IV. “OUR CONVERSATION IS IN HEAVEN” — A CALL TO REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE

Then Paul lifts our eyes.


“For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven.”

Christian, you are not just passing through the year.
You are passing through this world.
1. You Belong Elsewhere

Heaven is not just your destination—it is your identity.


Heaven shapes your values


Heaven shapes your patience


Heaven shapes your decisions


Heaven shapes your endurance


“Here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
— Hebrews 13:14
2. Waiting for a Saviour, Not an Upgrade

Paul says we look for the Saviour.

Not:


The next pay rise


The next relationship


The next possession


The next season

But Jesus Himself.

End-of-year question:


Are you more excited about what next year may bring on earth—or about the return of Christ?
V. END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATION: WHAT HAS THIS YEAR SHAPED YOU INTO?

As this year closes, ask honestly:


Has my appetite grown for God—or for comfort?


Has my faith deepened—or merely survived?


Have earthly concerns crowded out eternal hunger?


Have I managed life well but neglected my soul?


“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
— Mark 8:36
VI. A GRACIOUS INVITATION, NOT A FINAL VERDICT

This sermon is not to shame you.
It is to wake you before the year ends.

God is merciful.
God is patient.
God is calling.


“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.”
— Colossians 3:1

You can end this year turning your face back to heaven.
CONCLUSION: LIFT YOUR EYES

Beloved,
Do not live as though this world is your reward.
Do not feed appetites that starve your soul.
Do not trade eternity for comfort.

Let this be the year you say:


“Lord, reset my desires.
Reorder my loves.
Loosen my grip on this world.
Fix my eyes on heaven again.”


“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
— Revelation 22:20
CLOSING PRAYER


Lord, forgive us where we have loved the world more than You.
Awaken our hearts.
Restore eternal hunger.
Teach us to live as citizens of heaven
while we walk faithfully on earth.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.