Category: Heaven
Subject: Heaven
The Crown of Righteousness
When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, he knew that his life was nearing an end. His mind was on eternity, and he expressed his expectations in a wonderful way. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Paul spoke of his end as a fait accompli, and we can trust that his faithful service continued until the hour of his passing. The apostle had proven himself a faithful ambassador of the Lord. He had once proclaimed, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
Sermon: The Events of Judgment Day
This lesson describes all the things that will happen on the Day that Jesus returns to judge the world.
To Die is Gain
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Imagine being able to say this, all while in chains, not knowing whether you will be released, or executed. Paul is a wonderful example of faith in the midst of extreme hardship.
We Christians who live in America have so many reasons to be faithful. Despite a society that is presently antagonistic toward our faith, we remain free to worship openly and comfortably. This has not been the case in other times and other places.
Regardless, this world is not our home! While we remain thankful for our time here on earth, we eagerly anticipate the day when “this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53).
Our lives are opportunities to live for Christ. Through our teaching and example, other souls may be saved. But, we gain personally from death, if we be faithful. There comes a time of glory and rest in the presence of the God of Heaven! To die truly is to Gain!
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Paul’s View of Death – Invitation
Invitation by Stan Cox
The Apostle Paul expresses a mature and spiritual perspective toward’s death in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8. One we would do well to emulate.
Invitation: Rich and Wicked
Invitation by Stan Cox
In James 5, we have a description of rich, wicked people who were oppressing Christians. Whether the wicked rich, or any other, if we live for God we will overcome such persecution, and live eternally in joy!
Lessons Learned from the Remnant
The book of Ezra records a remnant of Judah returning to the homeland after 70 years spent in Babylonian captivity. The reason they had been conquered by the Babylonians was their rejection of God. As Jeremiah put it, “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number” (Jeremiah 2:32).
However, after 70 years (prophesied in Jeremiah 29:10), God stirred up the heart of King Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to their homeland (cf. Ezra 1:1). Not all were interested in leaving the place where they had lived for two generations. But, a remnant was moved by God (1:5), and returned to the land. Here the Jews reestablished their worship to God, and ultimately rebuilt the temple.
Heaven
As is true with just about every other spiritual matter, people have their own unique concept of heaven. A little child asks their mother, “What is heaven like?” The response is, “Well sweetheart, to me heaven is…”
No wonder that atheists ridicule the Christian faith. To them the eternal concepts of heaven and hell seem to emanate from man’s imagination. “I like to think of heaven as a place where the flowers are always blooming!” Well, you might want to think that, but hopeful thinking is a far cry from reality. And so, the skeptic lumps Christianity in with the myriad false religions that had their origin in the imaginations of men.
Sermon: These Things Do Not Change
In the midst of a changing world, there is a need for us to hold on to some things which do not change.
Invitation: A Better Place
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, the apostle Paul refers to a better place which would follow his life on earth. His hope is the same hope enjoyed by all Christians!
FB: Spiritual Myopia
“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins”(2 Peter 1:9).
Peter wrote these words after exhorting his readers to spiritual maturity. It is important to add to your faith by incorporating characteristics such as: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love (cf. vs.5-7).
Lacking these things brings about spiritual myopia. Short or near sightedness. The inability to see far away (spiritually speaking).
The Christian has the hope of heaven. The best way to keep that hope in view is through spiritual growth. If we grow spiritually, we will receive and abundant and everlasting reward! (cf. vs. 11).
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From the Preacher’s Pen: Just After Death, What Then?
This life will end some future day,
Another life will then begin;
Are you prepared for that event,
Just after death, — What then?
Just after death, — O! Answer me,
Where will you spend eternity?
When time on earth shall cease to be,
Just after death, — What then?
E.M. Bartlett (1928)
The writer of Hebrews informs us, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28).
While many are unsure of what will happen at death, the Christian is confident in his hope! As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
Where will you spend eternity? In the blessed presence of the God of heaven? Or eternally separated from Him, in torment? This life is preparatory. It is God’s intent that you live so as to secure a more permanent and exceeding glory!
From the Preacher’s Pen: Perpetuity
A man’s perspective makes it difficult for him to understand the concept of eternity. We think in terms of seconds, minutes, hours, days, years and decades. The longer the time span, as it expands beyond our own lifetime, the more difficult it is to comprehend. Job had it right, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).
There is another word that is used when defining terms like eternal and eternity. It is perpetuity. The word perpetuity is defined by Webster, “a state or quality of lasting forever.” The British government has in the past issued bonds called “consols.” The person who bought these bonds is entitled to receive annual interest payments “in perpetuity” or forever. Actually, the bonds will only be good so long as the British government and economy continue to exist.
When Burt Reynolds starred in his movie, Smoky and the Bandit, he popularized Trans Ams to the extent that the Pontiac company promised him a new Trans Am each year in perpetuity. In reality, the promise was only kept for five years.
God has promised, to the faithful, life in perpetuity. Fortunately, He is the one who can and will make good on His promise. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). It may be hard for us to grasp, but we don’t have to fully understand to appreciate and strive for that reward!
FB: The Crown of Life
God has promised a crown of life to those who obey Him. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
There are number of references to that crown, with it described as:
- An imperishable crown(1 Corinthians 9:25)
- A crown of joy/rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
- A crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4)
In the passage from Revelation 2:10, there is the implication that our crown may be taken away. Thus, the exhortation, “Be faithful until death.” May we all run the race of life in such a way as to obtain the “imperishable crown” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
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Invitation: Well Pleasing to Him
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 2 Corinthians 5:7-11 Paul expressed his desire to be with Christ after death. As such, he determined to be well pleasing to Him.
Sermon: Blotted Out
The phrase “blotted out” occurs on several occasions in scripture. Interesting lessons can be learned by examining its use. What God blots out remains obliterated for as long as He wills it.
