Sermon 011198

Heb. 1:8-12                          Thy Throne O God is Forever                                            1/11/98

                                                                                                                            ABCC

I.     Introduction                                                                                                                      605

q      Consider the large number of people in our society that appear unable to clearly distinguish between the temporary & the eternal;  living their life in confusion! (Is. 40:7-8)

q      The naïve optimism of the world (psychology, sociology, humanism, social & moral reform)

-         social programs, reforming public schools, prisons, judicial system, legislating morality, etc.

-         “need education”:  drugs, sex, parental responsibility, hate crimes, diversity, tolerance, caring, etc.

-         “If people only understood & had more education, the world would be a better place”

q      The naïve optimism of unbiblical religion

-         “Religion & moral ethics is to reform the world & it is to eventually become a better & better place”

-         “What the world needs now is love, …”.  Some professing Christians are lovers of this world (2Tim. 4:9)

II.    The Future of the World

A.        The world is like a garment of clothing (Is. 51:6; Heb. 1:10-12) -it will wear out! not…forever

B.        The world is like a drunkard (Is. 24:19-20) – irrational, unstable, volatile, near self-destruction

C.        The world is wicked & evil, it cannot be improved (Eph. 2:1-3; 1Jn. 2:15-17; 2Pe. 1:4;1Jn. 5:19)

D.        Christ clearly prophesied that the world would be destroyed (Mt 24:14ff; Jn 12:31; Mt. 10:28)

E.        The apostles clearly prophesied that the world would be destroyed (2Pe. 3:10-12;

               Rev. 20:11; 21:1; 1Co. 11:32)

Every molecule of matter:  ofc. bldgs, coliseums, the White house, Bill Gates house & every other house, bedroom & all other furniture, computer games, favorite clothes, teddy bears, toys, bicycles, unbelieving relative, friends, neighbors,…will be destroyed by Christ.  What a horrible destiny for the world & the things of the world – yet that’s all that many live for!

Thy Throne O God is Forever, pg. 2

III.   Life Without the World & the Things of the World

Life without Satan, demons, sin, apartments, houses, schools, athletics, automobiles, the President, Congress, police, crime, poverty, employees, bills, hospitals, sickness, death, restaurants, TV, telephone

A.     God Himself is eternal (Ps. 90:2; Matt. 6:13; 1Tim. 1:17)

B.      The throne of Christ our God is eternal (Heb. 1:8) – the eternal rule of Christ w/justice & purity

C.      God’s word is eternal (Is. 40:8; Matt. 5:18; Heb. 6:17-18)

D.     The new heaven & new earth are eternal (Rev. 21:1)

E.      The souls of people are eternal (2Co. 5:8; Jas. 5:20; 1Pe. 1:9; Heb. 10:39)

F.      Righteous deeds are eternal (Matt. 6:20; Rev. 14:13)

Therefore my brother/sister in the words of 2Pe. 3:11ff “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”  ARE YOU LOOKING FOR the new heavens & new earth?  “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind of the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”  As we come to the Lord’s Supper, thank God that because of the cross & Christ victorious death for us, the world has been crucified to us and we have been crucified to the world…