Introduction

• I Timothy 6:13-16
• Hebrews 9:28 – Jesus is coming back not for sin, but for salvation!

Rest – “By the grace of God, I made it!”

• Hebrews 3:4; 4:1
• Hebrews 4:8-10
• I Corinthians 15:58

Comfort – “No more sickness and death!”

• I Corinthians 15:35-49
• Luke 16:19-31 – The rich man and Lazarus
• Philippians 3:20

Awe – “This is God in His glory!”

• Revelation 4:1-11
• Revelation 20:11
• Matthew 25:31-32
• I Thessalonians 4:17
• I Thessalonians 5:10
• I John 3:2

Vindication – “Finally, Lord!”

• Revelation 6:9-11
• II Thessalonians 1:6
• Romans 14:11
• Our choices in life to serve God will finally be validated.

Gratitude – “Thank you, God!”

• I Corinthians 15:55-57
• Revelation 5:11-14

Conclusion

• II Thessalonians 1:8-10

Parent and child, continued:

Exercise tough love, continued

• Hebrews 12:4-6 – This verse quotes Proverbs 3:11-12. God disciplines us out of love. Just as we should appreciate (and not reject) the discipline that comes from God, we should appreciate the discipline that comes from our earthly parents.
• Hebrews 12:7-11 – Discipline should result in righteousness in our children. We shouldn’t just yell at our kids to blow off steam!
• Discipline is not pleasant for mothers and fathers, but it is something that must be done! Refusing to discipline your children for your own comfort is selfishness.
• Proverbs 29:17
• The Eli mistake
  • I Samuel 2-3
  • I Samuel 2:12-16 – Eli’s sons steal from the people.
  • I Samuel 2:22-25 – Eli’s sons commit fornication.
  • I Samuel 3:13 – Eli was condemned for not rebuking his sons. He spoke to them, but did not go far enough to change their behavior.
  • Discipline may involve some breaks in the parent-child relationship. We can’t be so afraid of short periods of disharmony in the relationship that we fail to discipline our children, though.

Beware the devil!

• Did Jesus make a mistake in teaching Judas that caused Judas to betray Him? No! It was his decision to betray Jesus.
• We cannot force our children to obey God. It is their choice.

Introduction

• II Timothy 1:9

The experience of salvation

• Those who are in Christ are saved
• But this is not just a future prize
  • Ephesians 1:3
  • Luke 19:9
  • Jude 1:3 – “the salvation we share”
• Our relationship with God in Christ
  • John 17:23
  • Colossians 1:27
  • I John 4:15-16
• We should relish and enjoy it
  • Acts 8:39 – “went on his way rejoicing”
  • I Peter 1:8-9
• We should practice it
  • Colossians 2:6-7
  • I John 1:6-7, 9
  • Hebrews 5:8-9 – those who are actively obeying
  • Philippians 2:12-13

What is heaven?

• Being with God, Revelation 21:3
• Praising Him together, Revelation 7:10
• Rejoicing together, Revelation 19:7
• Serving Him, Revelation 22:3
• Living without sin, Revelation 21:27
• Living without fear, Revelation 21:4

Conclusion

• Salvation is our present reality
• Not just the knowledge that we are saved, but the experience of it
• By living the grace, love, goodness, knowledge and truth of Christ

Introduction

• Paul in Philippians
• A Christian life should be a joyous life. God wants us to be joyful!

The mystery of a joyful man

• Philippians, a letter of joy
• Paul was filled with joy
• But his circumstances were awful
  • Paul’s circumstances:
    • A prisoner, Philippians 1:13
    • Wearing a chain, Ephesians 6:20
    • Facing possible execution, Philippians 1:21
    • Harassed by enemies, Philippians 1:17
    • Thorn in the flesh, II Corinthians 12:7
    • Periods of deprivation, Philippians 4:12
    • Brethren in trouble, II Corinthians 11:28-29
• How is this possible?
• Because he found joy in Christ
  • Philippians 4:4 – If you’re not rejoicing in the Lord, you’re not doing it right!
• We need to learn from his example
  • Philippians 4:9
  • Things Paul didn’t do:
    • Complain, Philippians 2:14
    • Hold grudges, Philippians 1:15-18
    • Worry about pointless things, Philippians 3:7-8
    • Let his imperfection bother him, Philippians 3:12
    • Dwell on the past, Philippians 3:13
  • Things Paul did:
    • Expressed gratitude, Philippians 1:3
    • Build and nurtured relationships, Philippians 1:7-8
    • Had hope for the future, Philippians 1:18-21
    • Saw the good in his life, Philippians 1:12
    • Was prepared to die, Philippians 1:21
    • Focused on helping others, Philippians 2:3-4
    • Praying about his difficulties, Philippians 4:6-7
    • Thought beautiful thoughts, Philippians 4:8
    • Was content with what he had, Philippians 4:11-13
  • Your joy in the Lord is independent of your circumstances. Once you learn that, you are free!

Conclusion

• Despite trying circumstances, Paul was able to have great joy.
• This comes from completely giving oneself to the spirit and life of Christ.
• If we follow Paul’s example, we can share his joy.

Introduction

• Luke 9:51 – Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. We, too, need to be resolute in traveling to spiritual Jerusalem.
• Luke 9:57-58

Going up to Jerusalem

• Jesus knew what awaited Him
• Yet He went willingly
• If we want to join Him…
• Then we too much be resolute
• Luke 13:22 – Jesus taught on the way
  • The path is not a direct one
  • It winds through a lifetime
  • It requires that we teach others along the way
• Luke 13:31, 33 – “I must press on”
  • Some will try to turn us away
  • They may even be well meaning
  • But we must not get distracted
  • We must live deliberately
  • We too are on a set path
• Luke 17:11-14 – Jesus helped people on His journey
  • We will meet souls in need
  • We must help them as we can
  • Some will appreciate it
  • Many will not
• Luke 18:31-34 – Jesus knew exactly what would happen in Jerusalem!
  • We too must be prepared to face what lies ahead
  • Some will not understand our commitment
  • That must not deter us
• Luke 19:28 – “He went on ahead…”
• Mark 10:32
  • We should never forget that our Lord has gone ahead of us.
  • He has secured the path
  • There is no need to be afraid
• Luke 19:36-38
  • We too rejoice that our savior went to Jerusalem
  • He is our blessed king and the bringer of peace
  • Because He suffered there
• Revelation 21:2, 14 – Have you washed your robe?
  • Will you follow Jesus and go up to Jerusalem?
  • It is a journey that entails service and sacrifice
  • But you don’t want to miss it