Download Series: Heaven

Series: Heaven
CDOBC – beginning on 1/6/08
Title: “Our Eternal To-Do List”
Selected text ~ May 25, 2008
Chap. 21 & 22 - Alcorn
OBJECTIVE:
That we would be encouraged and excited about reigning with
Christ in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Announcements
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Welcome / guests – communication cards.
VBS kid sign-ups at table in courtyard
Weekend to Remember Conference on June 20-22 at the Starr Pass Marriott. Deb Wylie has agreed to be the group
coordinator. Couples who register under the group number will receive $80 off the regular conference fee of $258 (final
cost per couple will then be $178
Between Time Snack Bar next Sunday – June 1st
Children’s Min / Nursery needs – see blue insert – place in offering plate
Heaven Q & A – for concluding sermon in June 1
Check bulletin for ministry details
Opening prayer
What do you want to do when you grow up? This is a question
that all of us answered in our elementary school days. The most
popular answers are still:
Boys:
A pro athlete / policeman / fireman / doctor
Girls:
Teacher / nursing / hairdresser / dancer
But what if you’re already ‘grown-up’?
 Have you ever thought about what you will be doing for
eternity?
 Have you ever realized that the Bible gives us some details
about what our career will be in Heaven?
Not only does the Bible share this insight with us, but it also gives
us some direction on how to prepare for our eternal career!
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This morning, we will look at the “careers” God has planned for us
– and we will then find out how to prepare in this life for what
eternity holds in store.
Your career: to rule and reign with Christ.
The Bible has numerous, clear passages that teach God’s plan
for the saints – those who have faith in Christ.
“God created Adam and Eve to be king and queen over the earth.
Their job was to rule the earth, to the glory of God.
They failed.
Jesus Christ is the second Adam, and the church is his bride, the
second Eve. Christ is king, the church is his queen. Christ will
exercise dominion over all nations of the earth: ‘He will rule from sea
to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth…All kings will bow
down to him and all nations will serve him” (Psalm 72:8, 11). As the
new head of the human race, Christ – with his beloved people as his
bride and co-rulers – will at last accomplish what was entrusted to
Adam and Eve. God’s saints will fulfill on the New Earth the role
God first assigned to Adam and Eve on the old Earth. “They will
reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 22:5).”
Heaven, by Randy Alcorn, p. 207
Daniel 7:13-14
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a
son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the
Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given
authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of
every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting
dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will
never be destroyed.”
1 Cor. 6:2-3
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“Do you not know that the saints will judge (3rd person future active indicative
plural) the world?...Do you not know that we will judge (3rd person future
active indicative plural) angels?”
Rev. 2:26
“To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give
authority over the nations…”
Rev. 5:9b-10
“…with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and
language and people and nation. You have made them to be a
kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the
earth.”
Romans 8:16-17
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs
with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may
also share in his glory.”
God is the sovereign King of the universe. Nothing is
outside of His rule – He own every square inch of the
universe. His Kingdom is all-inclusive of the entire creation.
As sovereign King, His first-born son has the right to reign
on His behalf with His full authority. Jesus, is the firstborn
of all creation (Col. 1:15) and every knee will bow and every
tongue confess that He is Lord (Phil. 2:11). If you have faith in
Christ, then you are a co-heir with Him – and you will also
rule and reign in God’s Kingdom!
What if you don’t want to rule?
Some of you may be thinking, “Boy, that sounds like a lot of
work. I thought Heaven would be a place of rest and never-ending joy
and pleasure.”
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Let me try and address these concerns.
First, acknowledge our sin.
Understand that in our fallen state – in our curse-filled world,
we are tired and worn out. Like all creation, we long for not
only our spiritual redemption, but our physical resurrection.
We get up in the morning thinking about the endless list of
responsibilities that the day will bring, and we put our head
on the pillow at night thinking of the work we never
completed that day, and worrying about the next days tasks.
Acknowledge the bias we have due to our sin nature – our
sinfulness – and that our life experiences twist pervert our
views and thoughts of ruling and government.
Second, have an attitude of obedience.
Realize that our assigned task of ruling is not a human
invention – it’s God’s good, perfect, glorious plan. To say
“no” to God’s eternal plan for us is to reject Him and His
will. It indirectly says to God that you want Heaven, but
nothing to do with the King of Heaven and His Kingdom.
Some believe that it’s arrogant or prideful to desire a position
of ruling, and they believe it is more spiritual to humbly deny
this future task – to turn down a part in the future hierarchy
of Heaven. However, the true spiritual response to God’s
call and plan for the saints to rule and reign is to eagerly
anticipate and accept God’s blessing of leadership and
responsibility.
Third, absolute joy is found in God’s plan.
It is a false assumption to assume that ruling and reigning is
devoid of joy and pleasure. Because of the realities of our
life in this fallen world, you might associate ruling and
reigning with speaking in front of large groups, with solving
problems all day long, mediating conflicts, etc. It’s vital that
you don’t make the mistake of transferring your experiences
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in a sinful world onto the perfect, sinless world of the New
Heaven and the New Earth. Also, remind yourself that in
Heaven you will have a sinless, resurrected, glorified body.
The things that you don’t like – that you don’t enjoy in this
life – may not be a part of your new, eternal life. Just like
you may enjoy foods today that you hated as a child – as a
child, you believed the other gender had the plague – before
becoming a parent you swore you would never drive a minivan!
Remember, that God’s plan is always the best, most perfect
plan for you. His plan is the place where you will experience
the most joy and fulfillment – and where He will be glorified
the most. He created humanity to rule and reign over the
Earth. What could be more joyful and pleasurable than
fulfilling your God-created role and purpose?
God has a specific plan for you – He has a tremendous gift /
blessing for you – and it involves some level of ruling and
reigning in His Kingdom.
Another difficulty some people have with the Bible’s
teaching on this topic is that they equate government and
positions of authority or power with corruption, greed, and
selfish ambitions. “Absolute Power Corrupts” is a creed we
have heard often. Once again, we must be careful not to
transfer our experiences in this sinful world onto the next
world.
Leadership, ruling, and government are not inherently
evil.
Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve were given the
command to rule and reign over the earth.
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God Himself sovereignly rules and reigns over all creation.
He has established a hierarchical structure in Heaven among
the angels in which there is no sin.
Leadership, ruling, and governmental structure are part of
God’s original order – they are a part of His economy. These
things have been perverted and polluted by sin in our present
world, but there will be no sin in Heaven. There will be no
imperfection in Heaven. Think of what a joy it will be to rule
over a city that has no sin! What if God gave you the Mayorship of Chicago or Detroit? If you were given that job in this
life, the corruption, the crime, the greed would be
overwhelming and they would be obstacles to your
governance. However, on the New Earth, any city or cities
God gives you would be populated with perfect, sinless
people. There will be no crime, no police, no jails, no
parking tickets, no riots, no corruption among the city
officials, no selfishness and no greed! Imagine what it will
be like to serve the King – to serve God – by governing one
of the great cities of Heaven!
We’ve seen some of the passages in Scripture that speak to
what our “career” will be in Heaven – a career of ruling and
reigning with Christ over the Kingdom of God. But how can
we prepare for what God is preparing and planning for us?
Our current life is preparing us for Heaven.
John 14:1-2 – Jesus is preparing our eternal home, but He is
also working to prepare us for the home we will occupy for
all eternity!
Parable of the talents – Matt. 25:14-30
T3 – time, talent, tithe
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The Bema (Judgment) Seat of Christ - 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10;
Romans 14:10-12
The only way to have your sins forgiven – to be
justified in the eyes of God is to have faith. No amount
of good works can ever gain God’s forgiveness.
However, all who have faith in Christ - all who are in
the family of God are called to a life lived in obedience
to the King. We are commanded to obey the Word of
God – to use what He has given us –
time/talent/finances to strengthen or expand His
Kingdom and thereby bring glory to Him. These
passages speak of the judgment of believers. This is
not a judgment of destination – this is not a judgment
that determines if you will go to Heaven or Hell – it’s a
judgment of your works and whether or not you were
faithful in this life with what God entrusted to you. I
believe it is on the basis of this judgment that will
determine your position of authority in Heaven. I
believe this will occur during the Tribulation period and
that we will begin to rule with Christ during the
Millennial Kingdom – and our Heavenly career will
continue on into eternity.
Will we be jealous or covetous of those who have a greater
position of authority and honor that we do?
Application
1. Anticipate your heavenly career.
2. Faithful obedience is preparation for your heavenly career.
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