HAITI Next Haiti trip Dec. 10-18 Stay tuned for more details…

The Light of the Gospel Last Week  The Gospel is REAL NEWS that inherently requires proclamation to all…

The Gospel & Eternity This good news impacts eternity John 3:16-18  16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. “The safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” – C.S. Lewis

The Gospel & Eternity This good news impacts eternity John 3:16-18  16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. “The safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” – C.S. Lewis Big Idea -- If we are going to be “all-in” for the Gospel, we must resiliently hope in God’s promises about eternal life.

Examples of this Mindset 2 Corinthians 4:16-18  16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Examples of this Mindset Philippians 1:20-25  20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith…

Examples of this Mindset Philippians 1:20-25  20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith… Paul -- “I prefer death so that I can be fully with Christ, but I will delay this joyous situation so that I may serve others with the Gospel.”

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do Dynamic & with time/space…with much to do…

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do Dynamic & with time/space…with much to do… Loss of all desire

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do Dynamic & with time/space…with much to do… Loss of all desire Continuous fulfillment of desire

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do Dynamic & with time/space…with much to do… Loss of all desire Continuous fulfillment of desire Mere absence of the bad

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do Dynamic & with time/space…with much to do… Loss of all desire Continuous fulfillment of desire Mere absence of the bad The presence of all that is true & good

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do Dynamic & with time/space…with much to do… Loss of all desire Continuous fulfillment of desire Mere absence of the bad The presence of all that is true & good Heaven is just wishful thinking

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do Dynamic & with time/space…with much to do… Loss of all desire Continuous fulfillment of desire Mere absence of the bad The presence of all that is true & good Heaven is just wishful thinking The hope of resurrection is rooted in the promises of Scripture and the historical resurrection of Jesus

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do Dynamic & with time/space…with much to do… Loss of all desire Continuous fulfillment of desire Mere absence of the bad The presence of all that is true & good Heaven is just wishful thinking The hope of resurrection is rooted in the promises of Scripture and the historical resurrection of Jesus Big Idea -- If we are going to be “all-in” for the Gospel, we must resiliently hope in God’s promises about eternal life.

How could Paul be so confidently assured that life with Christ is better? Our Assumptions Biblical Reality Non-earthly, non-physical, disembodied A new earth with resurrected bodies Totally foreign & strange Home to the fullest extent Static & without time/space…nothing to do Dynamic & with time/space…with much to do… Loss of all desire Continuous fulfillment of desire Mere absence of the bad The presence of all that is true & good Heaven is just wishful thinking The hope of resurrection is rooted in the promises of Scripture and the historical resurrection of Jesus 1 Peter 1:13  Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

How do we do this? 2 Peter 3:3-7  3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

How do we do this? We must fix our AFFECTIONS upon Christ… 2 Peter 3:3-7  3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. We must fix our AFFECTIONS upon Christ…

How do we do this? 2 Peter 3:3-7  3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. Our zeal for Jesus’ return fades when our hearts desire something or someone more than we desire Jesus.

“The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie “The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie.  It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world.  It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality that we drink in every night.  For all the ill that Satan can do, when God describes what keeps us from the banquet table of his love, it is a piece of land, a yoke of oxen, and a wife (Lk.14:18-20).  The greatest adversary of love to God is not his enemies but his gifts.  And the most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth.  For when these replace the appetite for God himself, idolatry is scarcely recognizable and almost incurable.” –John Piper in A Hunger for God How do we do this? 2 Peter 3:3-7  3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

How do we do this? We must become more AWARE of the realities of Christ’s return…

How do we do this? Our zeal for Jesus’ return fades when our minds are filled with misinformation about His return.  2 Peter 3:8-10  8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

How do we do this? Our perspective on time is different than God’s. Our zeal for Jesus’ return fades when our minds are filled with misinformation about His return.  2 Peter 3:8-10  8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Our perspective on time is different than God’s.

How do we do this? Our zeal for Jesus’ return fades when our minds are filled with misinformation about His return.  2 Peter 3:8-10  8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Our depth & breadth of redemptive concern is different than God’s.

How do we do this? Our timing is not God’s timing. Our zeal for Jesus’ return fades when our minds are filled with misinformation about His return.  2 Peter 3:8-10  8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Our timing is not God’s timing.

How do we do this? We must take ACTION in speeding Christ’s return…   2 Peter 3:11-15a  11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…

How do we do this? We must take ACTION in speeding Christ’s return…   2 Peter 3:11-15a  11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation… Our zeal for Jesus’ return will flourish as we intentionally invest in Jesus’ agenda.

Action Points??? Give your life to Christ “he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance… Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…” Give your life to making Christ known “what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”

Action Points??? Give your money to making Christ known Matthew 6:21  where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Give fellowship with believers priority in your schedule Our destiny as believers is to enjoy God and His community forever… Why not prioritize this eternal reality now???

Action Points??? Give your money to making Christ known Matthew 6:21  where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Give fellowship with believers priority in your schedule Our destiny as believers is to enjoy God and His community forever… Why not prioritize this eternal reality now??? Big Idea -- If we are going to be “all-in” for the Gospel, we must resiliently hope in God’s promises about eternal life.