FC- 1-live for now, not eternity

2- try to bring the Kingdom on our own

3- weariness of life

CS- 1 and 2 realize how great Jesus is and how wonderful the new heavens and new earth will be, and prepare for that now- prepare- come to Jesus- live for Jesus- live for the line not the dot- Roger Hershey

2- the King brings the Kingdom

Intro: Bride illustration? Dot and line- Roger Hershey

Eternity is long

Hell is real

Heaven is great

Jesus is worthy

Seeking the City that is to Come

-Intro- are you weary of the brokenness and fallenness of the world

-work

-not able to pay bills

-debt

-school

-family

-health

-systems

-abortion

-racial injustice

-police brutality

-police being killed

-war

-threat of war

-terrorism in Africa, middle East

-totalitarian rulers

-sex trafficking

-slavery

-hunger

-homelessness

Not only that- but what about our own hearts- pride, lust, hatred, anger, strife, coveting

What will we do?

-distract ourselves, entertain ourselves to death while ignoring this all- pretending like it doesn’t exist- live only for me and only for now- indulge in pleasure, do what I want because the world is brutally hard

-save the world- work with all our might through education, programs, human goodness, hard work, sacrifice to make this world the best possible world- haven’t we been doing that for a long time? It hasn’t worked yet?

-wait for Jesus

-that doesn’t mean laziness as we’ll see- it doesn’t mean we build a bunker- it means that we work for the good of our city while earnestly pleading with Jesus to make all things new, it means we trust in Jesus that he is bringing the Kingdom and not us. It means that we recognize that even if everything was fixed, we would break it again apart from God glorifying us- it means that while we serve our city, we seek the city that is to come

What will that be like?

Read the passage

Glory of the New Heavens and New Earth

No longer will there be a curse upon anything

provision

work

justice-justice will reign- that is good news- unless you are a sinner- complete justice, not partial justice- reality of hell

relationships

peace

no more death

no more sorrow

no more crying

no more pain

no more war- harmony among the nations- every tribe tongue nation and people represented- all peoples- no war- and not no war and segregated people- real harmony and relationship- a global community under one king- King Jesus

healing of the nations-

Glory of Jesus

Not only do we get all of these things- we get Jesus- God will dwell with his people

Not only will our tears be gone- they will be wiped away by Jesus

no sun- why- glory of Jesus

everything wonderful and precious in this picture is great- but then you look at Jesus- glory- just like when you look at anything amazing- then look at the sun- doesn’t even compare- so glorious we can’t even really look at it safely

Why will nothing be cursed- because the throne of God and the Lamb will be there- and you worship him

How do we get to that glorious place?

-Trusting in Jesus- you are wicked- you must have your name written in the book of Life- anyone can come- Rev. 22:17

Revelation 22:17 NLT

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

-Make no mistake- Jesus came in humility at his first coming- as a baby- at his second he comes on a white horse- dressed in white with his robe dipped in blood and a sword coming out of his mouth- he comes in glory to judge- get right with God through Jesus or face the wrath of God for your sins

Now What?

-still 3 options-

-be content with lesser things- distract yourself to death with selfish pursuits-

are you going to live for the dot or the line?- Roger Hershey

-try to bring that Kingdom on your own

-Join Jesus in his suffering now to join him in his glory later

Hebrews 13: 12-14

Hebrews 13:12–14 ESV

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

And know- he is coming soon-