REHEARSAL FOR HEAVEN

TEXT: 2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

INTRODUCTION: Life is full of rehearsals. Our business is to teach people the Word of God, aiding them in living victoriously and so preparing them for the place called Heaven. We are rehearsing for Heaven. We are rehearsing for eternity. The subject, "Rehearsal for Heaven," brings to mind three challenges

I. THE CHALLENGE OF LIVING FOR CHRIST

A. Living for Christ means worship

John 4:19-24 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

B. Living for Christ means giving yourself

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

C. Living for Christ means giving your means

1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

D. Living for Christ means separation from the world

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

E. Living for Christ means witnessing

Mark 5:18-20 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

II. THE CHALLENGE OF LIVING LIKE CHRIST

A. Living like Christ means getting a vision of Him

John 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

B. Living like Christ means doing what he commands

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

C. Living like Christ means dying to self

John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

D. Living like Christ means being filed with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

E. Living like Christ means praying

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

III. THE CHALLENGE OF LIVING WITH CHRIST

A. Living with Christ involves looking for His second coming

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

B. Living with Christ involves refusing to live beneath your position