What Will the Future Be Like? (Asking for a Friend Series)

We all have an eternity.  We need to think about where we will spend it.

What Will the Future Be Like? (Asking for a Friend Series)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
 
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”  Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.  He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.  But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. - Revelation 21:1-8

Two things are forever sure:  Future and Forever

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

What Will the Future Be Like?

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Heaven is in the future and it is forever.  

Heaven will be perfect.  All that Adam and Eve enjoyed before the fall, we will one day enjoy (if we know Jesus).

Heaven will have no sea.  There will be no sin in Heaven.  Nothing bad will be carried with us into Heaven.

Heaven will be an incredible home.  Here, men walk on God and worship gold.  One day, we will walk on gold and worship God.

Heaven is where God will be.  We will live in His presence.  Heaven is a place of comfort.

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. - Revelation 21:4

This beautiful stone plaque representing Revelation 21:4 is available here.

 

There will be no crying in Heaven, no sadness, so sorrow, and no COVID19.  There will no longer be any struggle with temptation.

There will be no racism and no injustices in Heaven.

In Heaven, we will have new bodies.

In Heaven, we will enjoy absolute satisfaction . . . FOREVER.

We won't go to Heaven by accident.  Heaven is a place prepared for us (those of us who know Jesus).  Heaven is prepared for a prepared people.

The unprepared will go into what the Bible describes as a fiery furnace or Hell.

Hell is also in the future and it is also forever.

Hell wasn't made for you.  Hell was made for the devil and demons.

Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. - Matthew 25:41

We send ourselves to Hell when we decide we do not want Jesus in our lives.

Hell is a place of agony.  Hell is not a party.  It is not a fun place.

Hell is a place of awareness. 

Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.  Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.  In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’  But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’  And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’  But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’  But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ - Luke 16:19-30

Both the rich man and the poor man died, but only their locations were changed.  

Hell is a place of absence.  There is no God, no love, no joy, no peace, no mercy, no second chances, and no hope.  You do not want to go there.

How does your now impact your future?  In the Old Testament, Esau gave up his blessing for a bowl of soup.  Don't be Esau.

Both Heaven and Hell are in the future and both are forever.  We need to bring our future into our now.

Do you know Jesus?  Do your children know Jesus?  Peer pressure won't matter in forever.  We need to be aware of how we spend our money and how we treat others.

We need to receive Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Even Satan knows there is a Jesus, but are you willing to put your faith in Jesus and trust Him with your whole life?

Friends, the hour glass is pouring sand and it is pouring fast so let me ask you again . . . do you KNOW Jesus?

You can learn more about genuinely knowing Jesus and trusting Him as your Savior HERE and you can pray to receive him NOW.

Read all posts in this series here.

What Will the Future Be Like? (Asking for a Friend Series)

How Can You Know God's Will? (Asking for a Friend Series)

My pastor is taking us through a series he has titled, "Asking for a Friend."  He is answering common questions in the realm of Christian living.  Today, he is answering the question, "How can you know God's will?"

How can you know God's will?

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

You are invited to watch, Listen, and worship with us here.

We are God's masterpieces.  God had a plan for you and me when he made us.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10

This item is available here.

Due to the COVID19 pandemic, we have all been placed in a time out.  What if this season is the start of new beginnings?  God uses all things for good.

So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. - Ephesians 5:17

Let us begin by understanding what is not God's will.

1.  God's will is not a feeling.  Our feelings can lead us down wrong paths. 

2.  God's will is not a formula.

3.  God's will is not weird.  It is beautiful.

What is God's will?

God's will is a relationship.  Read Ephesians 2:10 again.  God has created us anew.

To know God's will is to know God.  The will of God is more "being" than "doing."  To know God's will is to know Jesus and to be like Him - to behave, respond, and desire like Jesus.

Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4

To know God's will is to know God so well that we desire the things God desires.  Let's not look at God's will as a roadmap, but instead a relationship.  Do you have a relationship with the Lord?

The will of God comes from God.  God is not reluctant to reveal His will.  We just need to go to God and ask Him.

Make me know Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day. - Psalm 25:4-5

The will of God is not about our happiness.  It has everything to do with our holiness. 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2

God's will is pleasing and perfect.  His will is not absent from problems but is in the presence and guidance of the Lord.  God will use our trials to grow and sanctify us.  If you are in the middle of a difficult time, it doesn't mean you are out of the will of God.  God will sometimes allow us to be in a dark place, but He will never waste a hurt.

The will of God is revealed when we are willing to do it.  We like details but God wants our devotion, our trust, and our surrender. 

The devil wants us to believe that God is not always good.  That is a lie.  We can trust God. 

In the garden of Eden, Jesus surrendered to the will of God.  Are you surrendered to God?  Do you trust Him? 

Surrender is not a one time event but a daily choice. 

The will of God is clearer than you think.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. - Matthew 7:7

Ask, seek, and knock, but ask with the right motive.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. - James 4:3

Sometimes we don't ask because we are stubborn.  We don't want to change.

Seek the Scriptures.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:105

This item is available here.

God's will and His Word never conflict with one another. 

Pray for the Holy Spirit's leading.

Listen to wise counsel.  Who in your life shoots straight with you?  Talk to that person.

Knock:  Pursue what God has placed on your heart.  He is our provider.  He will open doors. 

The will of God is bigger than our mistakes and regrets.  Failures are not final with God.  Jesus redeems and restores.  He wants the prodigals to come home.

Come to God in the middle of your mess.  Pray, "Not my will, but Your will be done, Lord."

God's will is for you to follow Jesus Christ and be totally surrendered to Him.

Read all posts in this series here.

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How Can You Know God's Will? (Asking for a Friend Series)

Why Does God Allow Suffering (Asking for a Friend Series)

Why Does God Allow Suffering (Asking for a Friend Series)

This is a question many of us ask all the time, even seasoned Christians.  The question is "Why does God allow suffering?"

My pastor helps us answer this question in his sermon titled "Why Does God Allow Suffering?"  The following are my Bible study notes based on his sermon.

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

My pastor refers us to Romans 8.  You can read those verses here.

Let's focus on Romans 8:18 for a moment and hold onto its truth.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. - Romans 8:18

This Romans 8:18 wall art is available here.

Suffering is temporary.  Glory awaits us.

When we experience suffering, we tend to point fingers at God.

When things are good, we say God is good but when things are bad, we blame God.  Some people think God allows suffering because He doesn't care about us.

The Bible tells us that God cares about us so much that He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.  

The Bible also tells us that we are to love others because God first loved us.

We love because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

This Scripture artwork is available here.

 
God doesn't just care about us.  He LOVES us.

But still, why is there suffering in the first place?  Suffering is brought on by:

- Our sinful choices.
- Other's sinful choices. (drugs, suicide, affair, etc.)
- Satan himself brings havoc into our lives.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. - John 10:10

John 10:10 is the verse on which I am building this blog.  Satan intends to steal, kill, and destroy us but Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly.

Our world is deeply broken.  Ask God what He wants to tell you through your suffering.

How do we make sense of suffering?

Truths About Suffering

1.  This world is not right.  It is broken and in need of a Savior.
2.  We are not innocent.  No one is guiltless.
3.  God is not indifferent.  His grace is sufficient.
4.  This life is not ultimate.  Heaven awaits us.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

5.  God never wastes our hurt.  He can use our hurt for good.

Good Things That Come Out of Suffering

Suffering can turn us back to God and eternal things.

It is good for me that I was afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes. - Psalm 119:71

Suffering can grow us and prepare us for greater things.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance. - Romans 5:3

Suffering produces perseverance,  character, and hope.

Suffering can be used to help others.

Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. - 2 Corinthians 1:4

We can disciple others out of suffering because of our own suffering.

God can take our suffering and brokenness and turn it into beautiful things.  We need to stop wallowing in past grief and let God us us.

Suffering can bring our worst or our best to the surface.  Do we love God when things are good AND when things are bad?

Job is a good example for us.  He didn't curse God through his suffering.

We don't need an explanation for our suffering.  We need a Savior.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. - Romans 8:1

All the suffering we have gone through doesn't begin to compare to the suffering of Jesus.  

How do we prepare for suffering?  We cling to Jesus.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16

We are all fellow sufferers.  We ALL need Jesus.

Without Jesus, your suffering will never end.  

With Jesus, you can look forward to an eternity in Heaven.

Are you ready for eternity?  Learn more here. 

Read all posts in this series here.

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Why Does God Allow Suffering (Asking for a Friend Series)

Should Easter Be Cancelled (Asking for a Friend Series)

It's Easter Sunday in the year 2020.  Due to the COVID19 virus, the country is on shut down.  Restaurants are closed.  Theaters are closed.  Factories are closed.  Retail stores are closed.  Pretty much everything is closed except for government declared "essential" businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations.  Even our churches are closed to gathering in person.  Basically . . .the United States and much of the world is cancelled and closed.  BUT, should Easter be cancelled?

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Should Easter Be Cancelled?"  This is the first installment in his "Asking for a Friend" series.

You are invited to listen, watch, and worship with us here.

Should Easter Be Cancelled?

In 1 Corinthians 15, we learn the facts about Christ's resurrection.

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
 
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.  For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. - 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Friend, Easter CAN NOT be cancelled . . . ever.

Why?  Because . . . 

Easter is something that has already happened.  It is a fact.  Refer to 1 Corinthians 15:4 above.  Jesus was dead but now He is alive again.

I'm reminded of an old song we used to sing at church titled "Because He Lives."

 

Easter is our foundation.  We stand firm on the fact that Easter has already happened.  We stand firm on the gospel.

Because of Easter, we know that Jesus is who He says He is.  Jesus keeps His promises.  There is life after death.

The risen Jesus comes to where you are.

Jesus first appeared to Peter.  Then, He appeared to all the disciples who were hidden in a home because they were afraid.  Jesus brought peace to His disciples.  He will bring peace to you too.

You can read more about Easter morning, the empty tomb, and Jesus' appearances here in John 20.

The risen Jesus calls you by name.

The Bible tells us that He keeps a record of our tears.

You have taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Your bottle.
Are they not in Your book? - Psalm 56:8

Jesus appeared to many.  Is He appearing to you?

Who in your family may come to Jesus during this Corona-virus crisis?

Jesus came to Paul while Paul was in a state of rebellion. (Acts 9:1-19)

Are you in the middle of something right now, a situation that seems hopeless?  Jesus come to you right where you are.

This item is available here.

Easter is an event but it is also an experience.

There is nothing wrong with dressing up in new spring clothes, enjoying egg hunts, and bunny treats, but Easter is SO MUCH MORE!  

Easter is a personal event.  Has Easter happened to you?

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. - Philippians 3:10

What does it mean to experience Easter?

*My sin is forgiven.  (1 Corinthians 15:3)
*My present has been transformed.  I am different. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
*My future is totally secure.  (1 Corinthians 15:22)

We are all going to physically die, but because of Easter, we can live eternally.

Where will you spend eternity?

Do you have a relationship with Jesus?  Learn more here.

In closing, I'm reminded of a more recent song that beautifully illustrates my relationship with Jesus.  I hope that you will choose to begin or deepen your relationship with Jesus too.

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Should Easter Be Cancelled?

You might be interested in this FREE Easter mini lesson.