When Jesus Says Thank You
When Jesus Says Thank You
November 13, 2004 and November 14, 2004
Introduction
Many people don’t know who said I go to prepare a place for you but almost everyone knows who said, “I’ll be back”. Jesus is returning. There is a lot we can say about that. I want to focus on some things that happen after His return.
I have spent a lot of time and will spend a lot more talking about the events of Jesus’ return and world conditions leading up to that event.
I was thinking this week that there are going to be people at Wal-Mart saying “do you have any more of those lime chickens and boom; in an atomic second they are going to be in eternity beholding Jesus the Messiah!
You may be talking to someone and suddenly they are gone and Jesus is there! We need to live that way! Are you looking forward to eternity?
We are told to fix our eyes or focus on eternity. We are to set our hearts and minds on things above. Otherwise the world can swallow you up. You start thinking that your only hope is the right president or the right future. Jesus is our hope. Whoever has this hope purifies himself.
John 14 NKJV
/“Let anot your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many 1mansions; if it were not so, 2I would have told you. bI go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, cI will come again and receive you to Myself; that dwhere I am, there you may be also.[1] /
-Someone said we would be:
· Reunited (with those we have lost)
· Rewarded (for what we have done with our lives)
· Reassigned (this is just the beginning)
-At the risk of driving you all crazy by repeating this; C.S. Lewis said at the back of the Narnia books something that captured the spirit of eternity:
“…But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world…had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever and in which every chapter is better than the one before.”
Matthew 25:34 NIV
/‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. [2] /
-We don’t know the full extent of all that is going to happen in eternity. Is it mansions really? What is it going to be like? We won’t be married yet we will know those we were married to. What relationship is better than marriage?
1 Thessalonians 4 NIV
16 /For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. [3]/
“Believers in their spiritual bodies will be inhabitants of a sphere never before existing-not simply heaven (the sphere of God and the angels), but “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1)! Thus being both spiritual (heavenly) and corporeal (earthly) in their nature, they will be adapted to live in this wondrous new creation.”
(Williams from Renewal Theology)
-What will that be like?
-Sometimes we think of eternity as sort of a “Disney Heaven”.
-It is much beyond that. We were created for eternity and God is creating a special place for us. He had to get a place ready for us. The place is almost ready.
So what is going to happen to us after Jesus returns?
2 Corinthians 5 NIV
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
/6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. [4]/
1. WE MUST FIRST BE SWALLOWED UP BY LIFE
2. WE MUST APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
1 Corinthians 3
11 /For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. [5] /
3. WE ATTEND THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB
Revelation 19 NIV
9 /Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” [6] /
-This is like a big wedding reception. It is a big party with the apostles, Moses, David, Ruth, Paul, Peter, the woman with the issue of blood, the madman of Gadara, Jesus and hopefully you.
-I hope there is an invitation for you.
-Let’s go back to the rewards.
Hebrews 9 NIV
28 /so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. [7]/
-We were saved by grace through faith and even the faith was a gift.
-When Jesus returns for us it isn’t to JUDGE SIN. Sin was judged on the cross.
-He is coming for us to JUDGE WORKS. It doesn’t determine your salvation but your future destiny.
-The Bible uses earthly rewards so we can relate to them.
-He talks about crowns.
-A crown in the original is “στέφανοσ2 [stephanos /stef·an·os/]”
-It literally means a wreath given to the victor. It is a symbol of victory.
-So in order to receive a crown we have to have a victory in some area of our lives.
-What are they?
-What should we be aiming at? What are gold, silver, and precious stones?
-Some believers will be “ashamed at the judgment seat of Christ”. How can we build on the foundation of Jesus in such a way that we aren’t ashamed?
1. Crown of Exultation (JOY)
1 Thessalonians 2 NIV
19 /For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy. [8] /
NLT
/After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again. 20 For you are our pride and joy.[9]/
-This is the soul winner’s crown.
-When you get to eternity and see whoever that is there because of you will be your reward.
Daniel 12 NLT
2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever. [10]
-Whoever wins souls is wise.
2. Crown of Righteousness
1 Corinthians 9 NIV
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.[11]
(these two look the same to me)
2 Timothy 4 NLT
/8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.[12] /
1 John 3 NIV
/2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, a we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. [13] /
-This is the crown of righteousness. It is given to those who master their own body.
-Paul said he buffeted his body and made it his slave.
-This reward is given to those who live righteously.
-You are saved because of Jesus’ works but you are rewarded for how you act with your new life.
3. Crown of Glory
1 Peter 5 NIV
/To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. [14] /
-This is a reward for caring for God’s people. I believe everyone can participate in this by being a blessing to others and being a blessing to leadership.
Hebrews 13 NIV
17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage (no reward/no profit)/ to you. [15] /
-Faithful leaders get rewards and people participate in that reward according to whether they were a joy or a burden to their leadership.
3. The Crown of Life
James 1 NIV
12 /Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. [16] /
-This is rewarded for beating trials and standing the test.
-This is given to those who let God turn their weakness into strength.
-In its ultimate form it is a martyr’s crown.
-This is facing the afflictions and going on.
-Someone said this is the “lover’s crown”.
Revelation 2
10 /Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. [17] /
Revelation 3 NIV
11 /I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. [18]/
-We are entering soon into 2005. It is a year of judging ourselves and making adjustments.
-This is a great time to get real with your life. You will be glad you did in eternity.
-I am examining my life. I need some adjusting. I’ll bet you do too.
-Why don’t you take care of it alone?
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a [John 14:27; 16:22, 24]
1 Lit. dwellings
2 NU would I have told you that I go or I would have told you; for I go
b Matt. 25:34; John 13:33, 36; Heb. 11:16
c [Acts 1:11]
d [John 12:26; 1 Thess. 4:17]
[1]The New King James Version. 1996, c1982 (Jn 14:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[2]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Mt 25:34). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[3]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (1 Th 4:16). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[4]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (2 Co 5:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[5]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (1 Co 3:11). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[6]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Re 19:9). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[7]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Heb 9:28). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[8]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (1 Th 2:19). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[9]Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997 (1 Th 2:19). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.
[10]Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997 (Da 12:1). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.
[11]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (1 Co 9:24). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[12]Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997 (2 Ti 4:7). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.
a Or when it is made known
[13]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (1 Jn 3:2). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[14]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (1 Pe 5:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[15]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Heb 13:17). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[16]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Jas 1:12). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[17]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Re 2:10). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[18]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Re 3:11). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.