What we Look Forward To

Let’s pray…

Thanksgiving just passed. We're thankful for many things…our families, friends, jobs, possessions, and our brothers and sisters Christ. We are a species that can be thankful. The baser species are instinctual survivors. They don't know about being thankful. Some may say that our pets can show gratitude, but if they are treated well by another person other than their owner, they will show that person love. Not taking away from our pets. They are part of our families. It is instinctual survival. We’ve seen this in humans as well. We are thankful to our parents and families for everything that we receive. We love the stuff and the laughs. Yet, at times, we forget to show gratitude. It seems that we may show gratitude to someone that is less involved than our families. Where am I going with this? Wait...It’s coming.

The title of this message is “What We Look Forward To.” I’d like to tell you a story that will help explain the message.

There was a young man named Peter. He's about 12. Peter is one of those kids who wanted to know about everything going on around him. He liked being in things, whether it was working with his Dad, helping his Mom, hanging out with his friends or hanging with his family. He always wanted to know what was going on, not wanting to hide from things going on. Every morning he woke up, smiled, and thanked God for the day and what was going to come. He was a great kid, very helpful, kind, and sweet.

This day was very special. His Mom told him about a model train show. Peter loves all trains and got very excited. She told Peter that his Dad got the tickets but could not take him that day and that she would take him. It was the next Saturday afternoon, 6 days away. Peter was so excited. He told all of his friends at school that he was going to that show.

Saturday came. Peter and his mom went to the show. He was so excited. He had a great time. When they got home, his dad was home and asked how the show was. He said, “Dad, it was a great day!” His dad said, “I'm glad you two had a great time.” Peter was wearing his train hat. That's what he likes to wear. He got it from his Dad when they went to a train show.

Peter's dad was thinking that Peter didn't thank him for the tickets but still had a great time.

So…hmmm...

1 We look forward to getting together with people. Holidays, birthdays, afternoon BBQs, anniversaries, etc.

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2 We look forward to going on trips or vacations. Hopefully, we get to see new things and relax. Sometimes alone, as a couple, or with friends or family.

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3 We sometimes look forward to shopping for things for others or for ourselves. Gifts for special events like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, engagements…great uplifting events.

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Some look forward to going to school. I was someone who liked going to school. Learning new things, being with friends.

That’s what we ALL look forward to. We’re Christians …lovers and believers of Jesus Christ. What else do we look forward to? We look for to a few more things...

We look forward to the fellowship. This is very important to our spiritual growth and edification. Without it, we could go, down the wrong path.

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We look forward to breaking bread. There’s nothing better than a nice meal, some laughs, thanking God for family, and the opportunity to show God’s love to others around us in a public restaurant. Maybe give some hope by saying something uplifting to someone. Maybe pray for someone on the spot.

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We look forward to hearing a great sermon or message from a pastor or someone else we like to hear. A great explanation of scripture to encourage us. Not someone's opinion. We get too much of that.

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So what else, do WE look forward to? {Wait for an answer}

How about this…we look forward to the rapture getting caught up with Jesus. In 1 Thessalonins 4:17, Paul say... Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

We get to go home. That is something to look forward to. Where we live now is nothing to where we will be living. But, that’s a topic for many more sermons.

Jesus said in John 14:2-4 ““In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.“”

We look forward to going home…our true home. And our master is building a house for us? How great is that? We're not building it for Him. We are building His kingdom. He trusts US to disciple others…US!!!

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We’re Christians…Jesus’ workers. We have been told who we are. We are the salt of the earth. Jesus said in Matthew 5:13 says…” You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” We are the seasoning that the world needs. We fill in what is missing. How? By being Jesus to everyone. Show love in all things at all times. Forgiving what most think is not worth forgiving. Not exploding when most would. Giving to those who most usually don’t stop to give to.

We are also the light of the world. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16...“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Have you ever put a candle out with two wet fingers? It burns a little, not much, but a little. That is how we burn satan. Individually, as we imitate Jesus, we burn him a little. Corporately, we’ll burn satan a lot.

John 1:5 says...The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

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So, let’s go back to the story…did it remind you a little about yourself? Me included. Are you thankful enough to our father God? Our Lord and Savior? The Holy Spirit? I’m not casting the first stone. Without Jesus, I am broken, a sinner, not redeemed. But with Jesus., I am able to be with the Father. I am washed clean. I am not a sinner. I’m being repaired. WE ALL ARE!!! But we are not thankful enough.

So, everything that I mentioned, gives us hope. This is what we all want and think about it. Hope for the next day, hope for the next event, hope for Sunday mornings or evenings, hope for a great meal…hope.

What is hope? It's looking past what happened, what's happening now, and looking forward to what is coming. But where is there hope around us?

Let's be straight with this…the world has no signs of hope. It is hard to watch the news. It's hard to go to an event. It's hard to go to work. Wherever we go, there are people, and being near people is scary. With Covid, monkeypox, RSV, shootings, bomb threats… it's tough to be hopeful. We’re trying to survive. The hidden agenda of our leaders is scary but expected. Jesus warned about all of this that is coming to pass. Jesus said in John 16:33....“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Paul did in 2 Timothy 1:7…For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and discipline.

So…what do we ultimately look forward to? The moment when our Lord and Savior says Well done my good and faithful servant. As Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8...I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Will we all get that crown? I pray for all of us we do. Let’s do this work for the Kingdom, as a unified Body of Christ. AMEN???!!!

This gives us hope. If you cannot find hope, please, look me up and we’ll talk about it.

Let’s pray...