What is your address in heaven?

Statement: Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Illustrate: The picture here is one of depending upon the activities and the good deeds of religion to please God – instead of depending upon proper worship in a NTC to please God . . .

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

To please God is to satisfy God “completely and entirely” . . . the way to draw near unto God – the way to actually visit God is through proper

Worship . . . and what we are told here is that for God to be completely and totally satisfied with our lives – it is necessary that we have more confidence in obedience than we have in our good

works – the idea is that it requires faith to actually commit our lives to the idea of being rewarded for seeking God – instead of being rewarded because we work for God . . .

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses (good works) are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

The reference in Matt 7: 21 to entering into “The kingdom of heaven” is not talking about going to

heaven when are saved . . . this verse is talking about entering into the city after we “get” to heaven . . .

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (beyond measure)

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven” is reminding us that not everyone in heaven is going to have the same address . . some of God’s children will live

in the city very close to Jesus – and some of God’s children will live outside the city and their address in heaven will not very close to Jesus at all . . .

For example: If we were to measure the distance that each one of us lives from the church – we would find that some live much closer to the church than

others . . . this is something that is completely in our control – every single one of us could sell our houses and move to Dardanelle within a few

blocks of the church . . . but some of us enjoy living in the country too much to move to town . . . some of us enjoy being close to our children and

grandchildren – so this is why we choose to live closer to them than the church . . . I suppose that I live further away from the church than anyone . . . and I often think about how convenient it would

be to live right next door to the church instead of 30 miles away . . . I know that the physical distance that we live from the church has nothing to do

with how much we actually love the church . . . but the point is – that our address in heaven is determined by the attitude we have toward the

church here in this life . . . the closer we live to the church (in our heart)  – then the closer we will live to Jesus in the eternity of heaven . . .

Applicate:  Re 22:14 Blessed (happy or well off) are they that do his commandments, that they may have right (privilege) to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

The lesson for us here is that just like we are able to choose our address here . . . we are also able to choose our address in heaven . . . If we love sin more than we love God – then in heaven we will

not have the privilege of living within the city – but if we love God so that we regret our sins and repent of them – then we will live within the city

Statement: Rev 22: Re 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

1)    He that is unjust, let him be unjust still – To be unjust is to do wrong or to be an offender who walks contrary to the truth . . . when Jesus returns – His children that are doing wrong will not have time to “change” the direction of their lives

a)    The man that has an injured life outside of the truth will continue to be injured after Jesus returns . . . and what he carries with him into heaven will be something of little value (wood – hay – stubble)

b)    I Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

2)    and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still – To be filthy refers to a life that is soiled or dirty  . . . when Jesus returns – His children who are caught with dirty lives will not have time to take a bath and clean their up their lives before they enter into the pearly gates

a)    The man who has a dirty life when Jesus returns will continue to be dirty afterward . . . and he will not be able to hide the dirt that he carries with him into heaven . . . (wood – hay – stubble)

b)    1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day (of judgement) shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try (test) every man's work of what sort it is.

3)    and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still – To be righteous does not refer to the absence of sin in our life . . . but rather it refers to being innocent – it refers to being set free by another or to being justified

by the judge which is GOD . . .

a)    For a child of God to be righteous – refers to how it is possible for us to either walk in the direction of God’s will – or to walk against the direction of His will . . .

i)     The idea here is that at the return of Jesus – the man that is caught walking in the direction of God’s will for his life – will carry this “righteousness” with him into heaven (gold – silver – precious stones)

ii)   And as long as he is in heaven – the direction of his life on this earth will not be forgotten . . .

iii) 1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

4)    and he that is holy, let him be holy still – To be holy is to be pure – to be morally blameless – or to be consecrated to fulfill God’s will as opposed to living to fulfilling our own will . . .

a)    The man who has dedicated his life to the true worship of Jesus Christ . . . when Jesus returns and catches this man living that type of commitment . . .

i)     Then after he walks through the pearly gates to enter into heaven . . . throughout eternity – this man’s dedication is something that will never be forgotten . . . (gold – silver – precious stones)

ii)   1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

5)   And, behold, I come quickly – The word “and” connects this verse with what we have just read . . .

a)   The sudden return of Jesus is connected with the condition of the lives that we are living today. . .

b)   At the return of Jesus - If we are caught with our hand in the cookie jar . . . we will not have time to remove our hand and drop the cookie . . .

c)   “Notice” . . . “See” . . . when I return – when I appear . . . it will be sudden . . . like a flash of lightening – what the sudden flash of lightening reveals – is what you will take with you into eternity.

6)   and my reward is with me – God’s reward does not refer to salvation . . . because salvation is not a reward – it is a gift . . .

a)    Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

b)   God’s reward literally refers to pay for service . . .

c)   the idea being that when “the flash” of His return reveals an unjust life . . . then we will get paid for an unjust life . . .

d)   When “the flash” of His return reveals a filthy life – then we will get paid for a filthy life . . .

e)   When “the flash” of His return reveals a righteous life – then we will get paid for a righteous life

f)    When “the flash” of His sudden return reveals a holy life – then we will get paid for a holy life . . .

g)   My reward is with me means that God has already written the check – He has signed it – and when He returns – He will hand deliver it – to every single one His children

7)   to give every man according as his work shall be – To give means to deliver . . . or to put in ones hands

a)   according means right now with all speed . . .

b)   as his work shall be – refers to how our effort – and how our occupation in life is literally going to follow us into the next life . . .

Illustrate: The picture we have here is – for a sudden unexpected flash of light catching us unaware – and revealing the direction of our life at that particular instant of time . . .

For example – If I suddenly turned the lights off during my lesson today . . . and if a picture of your thoughts the instant that the lights went out

could be displayed on a screen . . . would the screen reveal that you were saying a prayer . . . Would the screen reveal that you were day dreaming

about what you would do after service . . . would the screen reveal that you were thinking bad thoughts . . . Suppose that you got a job and a new house for the rest of your life based on what the screen

revealed at that one instant in time . . . would you get a good job in a nice neighborhood – or would you get a bad job in a bad neighborhood  . . .

Now we might say . . . that is not really fair – I kept my mind on the sermon the entire time . . . I only day dreamed at the very last when the lights went out – most of the time my thoughts were good . . .

Well fair or not . . . this is exactly what “he that is unjust/filthy will be unjust/filthy still means” . . .

the reward of the child of God who is unjust/filthy – will not be good . . . (wood – hay – stubble)

1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The heavenly address of the child of God who lived an unjust/filthy life – will not be in a very good neighborhood . . . and neither will it be in the city close to Jesus . . .

Re 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Applicate: So the lesson for us here is – that we are told to take an inventory of our lives . . . and if our life is directed in same direction as God’s will – then we should continue . . . but if our lives are pointed

in a direction that is against God’s will . . . then we have an opportunity to turn around . . .

The dogs – the sorcerers – the whoremongers – the murders – the idolaters – those that loveth and maketh a lie . . . are not sinners that are in hell

But these are those whose rewards were burnt up in I Cor 3 . . . as they suffered loss – but were saved yet-so-as by fire . . .

Now it may not seem fair . . . but I want you to listen very closely to these next scriptures . . . they tell us that God does not care about our past

God does not care if our past is filled with good . . . God does not care if our past is filled with evil . . . but in the scriptures we just read . . . God clearly tells us that TODAY is the only thing that He is concerned about . . .

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.)

If God sees humility and repentance in my heart today – then the evil that He saw in me yesterday is forgotten 

If God sees pride and rebellion in my heart today – then the righteousness that He saw in me yesterday is also forgotten . . .

Eze 33:17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.

18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.

20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.

Re 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Are your eyes upon Jesus?

Audio

Mt 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

24 But the ship (containing the disciples) was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night (between 3am – 6am) Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 BUT when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Now as we begin our lesson today – I want to point out that there are ‘many questions’ that we could ask - about different things that are

revealed to us throughout God’s Word . . . In the Genesis account of creation – God does not explain the specifics of HOW – but He does tell us WHO did it . . . in the beginning GOD

The story of Jonah and the whale – God does not tell us the specifics of HOW a whale was able to swallow a man – and HOW someone could

survive for three days inside of a whales belly . . . but again it is not necessary for us to be told how it was done – because we are told WHO

did it . . . the story of Daniel in the lion’s den is another story that lacks details explaining HOW it is possible to avoid being eaten by

these wild animals . . . but again we need no scientific explanation when we are told the WHO behind the story  . . .

Many of ‘the specifics’ of various things that are found in The Bible – are things that we just have no way of knowing – Now I totally

understand that it is scientifically impossible for any man to walk on water . . . according to the laws of physics it is simply not possible – but

God tells us here in His Word that it actually happened . . . and we either believe it – or we doubt it . . . If we believe it – we do so in spite of never having seen something like this

happen ourselves . . . and if we do believe it – then we do so in spite of every scientific principle that we know and understand – telling

us that it is simply not possible . . . However if on the other hand we doubt this scripture – then we doubt it because we can say that we have

never seen anything like this happen ourselves – OR we can doubt it because we have more confidence in science – than we have in God’s Word . . .

You will notice in this opening passage – that as long as Peter kept his eyes upon Jesus – everything was OK . . . but when Peter took his

eyes off of Jesus – and based upon his own knowledge of the sea and of storms – began to look at the waves – he became afraid and

started to sink . . . Everyone here today – does exactly what Peter did  – When we read The Bible through eyes of faith – everything is OK  

BUT when we approach God’s Word with the eye of a skeptic – with our eyes upon science – with our eyes upon what WE understand in our

flesh – it is then that like Peter we sense fear – and we begin to sink into doubt and our lives become afraid . . . For example if we look at Gen 3: 1 we read the following . . .

Ge 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he (the serpent) said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

We read here about how ‘a serpent’ was able to “talk” to Eve – The Bible says that the serpent communicated with Eve – through speech and

that he even quoted scripture . . . God offers no explanation – He just tells us what happened . . . God could have explained this further – but

He didn’t – so all we know about this particular incident is that God tells us that the serpent talked to Eve . . . so when we read “things like

this” that according to science can’t be explained – we just have to be content with what God has told us about it . . . Another thing that we have

no way of knowing - is whether or not “the serpent” was actually Satan himself in disguise – or whether the serpent simply gave Satan permission to control him . . . once again – God

just tells us what happened without any detailed explanation . . . God didn’t  elaborate about it – He just said that the serpent was more “subtle”

than ANY beast of the field and then He tells us what the serpent did to ‘trick Eve’ into disobeying God’s commandment

Remember – that all of this took place long before the flood – and things as they physically exist today – were totally different than they existed

back before flood . . . so we can’t apply “the way” things are today – to “the way” things were so early in our history . . . For instance - the earth

existed for 2000 years before it finally rained in the days of Noah and ark . . . we can use our knowledge of science and speculate on how

everything was able to survive without rain by way of underground springs – or by way of heavy dew in the mornings . . . but even so – it is not possible to know for sure

The lifespan of humans was 8 to 9 hundred years but – we have no idea how long a tomato plant lived – or how long a dog or cat lived . . . or where dinosaurs came from . . . we only know

for sure ‘what God determined’ that we should know . . . so as we study the scriptures – it is important that we make sure that we are

satisfied with the type of things that God ‘in His wisdom’ has chosen to reveal to us and to avoid using too much of our time trying to

figure out things that are “just not intended” for us to know with any type of certainty – our faith in God should NEVER be dependent upon the

level or upon the degree of own personal understanding . . . And we commit a sin when we say in our heart – well I don’t believe Gen 3:1 because I can’t understand how serpents

could possibly talk or be smart enough to quote scripture . . . OR we sin when we say that - I ‘would’ believe it if I had ever seen ‘another  

serpent’ who could ‘think and reason’ in order to solve problems - like how best to deceive Eve into eating the forbidden fruit.

Faith is not based upon sight – but faith is based upon something that we CANNOT see . . .

Statement: Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Illustrate: The phrase “now faith is the substance of things hoped for . . .” refers to how faith is the reality – or how that faith is the foundation of  “the things” that we all hope for in our lives

Faith ‘or hope in Jesus’ is the central anchor of our lives – which means that faith is the only ‘certainty’ that any of us has in our lives . . .

Think about what it means for the very foundation of our lives – for the only sure thing in our lives – to be something that no man can see

“the evidence of things not seen” refers to how that faith is the PROOF of  “things” that cannot

be seen with the eyes or understood with the educated intellect of the human mind . . .

If we go back to Gen 3: 1 . . . faith in God’s Word is the only proof that we have regarding how the serpent spoke with Eve and actually quoted

Scripture . . . our faith in God’s Word regarding this – is the only evidence that exists – that it is in fact the real truth and actually happened . . .

Applicate: So the lesson for us here is this . . . science may be able to explain many things to us – but there are some things like serpents

intelligent enough to quote scripture that science cannot explain . . . So the point is – we should never use our own understanding of science to

prove The Bible – but we should instead use The Bible to prove science . . . and if it can’t be proven in accordance to our understanding –

then just accept what it says . . . we all believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead – so why doubt God about something that is much more

simple ‘like a serpent that is really – really smart’- lions who aren’t hungry . . . or whales that can actually swallow a man . . .

Statement: John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Illustrate: I will not believe Gen 3: 1 until I see a serpent talk with my own two eyes . . . I will not believe in the ‘worldwide flood’ of Noah –

unless I can figure out to my own understanding how the whole world could literally be submerged under water . . . when science tells

us that enough water to do this does not even exist on our planet . . . either God is wrong – or the science that we are depending  on to strengthen our faith is wrong . . .

I will not believe in the resurrection of the dead – unless I see with my own eyes a body that I know is dead – come back to life . . .

Applicate: What goes through our mind when we read John 3:16 . . . which tells us of Jesus’ resurrection – do we doubt – or do we believe?

Statement: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Illustrate: To believe – is defined for us here as the eternal salvation of our soul . . . while to doubt is defined for us as eternal damnation in hell

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not (the man who doubts concerning the resurrection of Jesus – that man) is condemned already, BECAUSE he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

I will remind you – that God is under no obligation to EXPLAIN anything that He says . . . He begins The Bible with no explanation at all about The Beginning . . . He simply says

In The Beginning GOD . . . and He then leaves it up to the individual person – to base their belief upon ‘the substance’ of what they can

understand about the creation using their own reasoning . . . OR whether or not they base their belief upon ‘the substance’ of what

CANNOT be seen and whether or not they base their belief upon ‘the substance’ of what CANNOT be understood by their mind . . .

Applicate: So the lesson for us here is this . . . In John 3: 16 – God does not try to explain the resurrection of Jesus . . . He merely says that

God so loved the world – that He gave . . . this of course referring to the giving of Jesus as a sacrifice on the cross . . .  God then simply

leaves it up to you and I on an individual basis – to just take Him at His word regarding the resurrection . . . or to doubt what He has told us

to doubt because of how the same science which tells us that serpents can’t talk - also tells us that it is impossible for anyone to be raised from the dead . . .

I have no explanation for how Jesus was raised from the dead – except that The Bible says that He was raised by the POWER of God.

I have no scientific explanation about Jonah and the whale – all I have is the WHO in God’s Word . . .

I have no scientific explanation about Daniel and the lion’s den . . . all I have is the WHO in God’s Word . . .

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We have learned from John 3: 18 that without faith it is impossible to be saved . . .

And here in Heb 11: 6 we learn that without faith – it is impossible for those of us who have already been saved – to please the God that has saved us . . .

Jesus invited Peter to step out onto the water . . . the water that Peter walked on represents all of the bad things that are out in the world . . . and

To walk on top of the water – represents how FAITH is able to keep us from sinking down into the depths of sin . . .

Jesus also invites you and I to step where Peter once walked . . . Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and began to sink . . .

Have we made the same mistake that Peter made?

Click for audio