"A Glance Of Heaven" Series

2 Corinthians 5:1-5:10

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

Ord Military Chapel

Seaside, CA

10 January 2008

Memorial Service for Joaquin “Kin” Santiago Quenga

BIG IDEA: When believers catch a glance of their Heavenly Homecoming Celebration, they can hardly wait to leave their Temporary Home to enter their Permanent Duty Station.

REFERENCES: I Corinthians 2:9 (KJV) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him; Romans 8:18 (KJV) I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us; 1 Corinthians. 15:52-54 (KJV); 2 Corinthians. 5:1-10 (MSG); John 11:25-26 KJV (I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live…).; Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 KJV (Everything has its time: To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven; A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted); Job 14:1 KJV (Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble); Job 2:9 (Mrs. Job’s dealing with the loss of 7 boys and 3 girls; and what looked like the imminent death HER HUSBAND – JOB); Luke 16:19-31 KJV (This parable of the Rich Man (Dives) and Lazarus (God helps) is not “theology” but it’s a clear story that gives us some insight into “life after death”). It tells us that our behaviors on earth are readdressed in heaven.

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (MSG)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 MSG

III. READ THE TEXT: 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 MSG (For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven – God made, not handmade – and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move – and so we cry out in frustration).

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the bereaved family to affirm to others that because Joaquin had caught a glance of his Heavenly Homecoming Celebration, he could hardly wait to in-process Heaven.

V. SERMONIC THEME: “A Glance of Heaven”

INTRODUCTION: (LET US TALK ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH. Surely there is not a person here who has not at some time thought about what happens to him when he dies. You cannot live very long without at least having some thoughts and questions about it. WE CANNOT ESCAPE IT, FOR IT CONFRONTS US ON EVERY SIDE. It is imperative, therefore, to examine a subject like this from time to time; even though some folk try to ignore “all together” the whole subject of death.

(Parallel) Nearly two weeks ago, SPC Steve Brown and I, traveled to Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital to visit Kin. I had received an email from our commander - Colonel (Pamela) Martis - informing me of Kin sudden illness turn-around. Apparently, he had been ill, hospitalized, and then released to return home.

In fact, it’s my understanding that “Kin” had an awesome Christmas 2007 with his family. And when I say family,… I really mean family in the Biblical Sense – the entire household: children, grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

After arriving at the hospital and being greeted and escorted by “Brenda” (Kin’s sister-in-law and Janet’s Sister) to Kin’s room, I too saw a glance of heaven in that hospital room. On one-side of the bed, I saw the oldest daughter sitting at the head of his bed, while the youngest daughter was sitting at the feet.

************TAKE 5 BEATS *************

MOVE 1: On the other side, I saw his loving and devoted wife Janet … and one of their sons stroking their father’s hair.

a. I saw all five children, one of Kin’s brothers and sister-in-law …

b. … all in the same room. I saw a glance of heaven.

c. Now, my brothers and sisters, … I might have been the only chaplain in the room; but, on that day,

d. …. at that moment … I wasn’t the ONLY … ONE that got … a glance of heaven.

***********TAKE 5 BEATS *******

MOVE 2: And … I’m not sure if the Quenga Family is aware of the gift that they have given to their… father prior to him PCSing from this life to the next.

a. In fact, I don’t think that there’s a father in this sanctuary that wouldn’t love to have a family do unto him as the Quenga’s has done unto Kin.

b. Can I get a witness? …

c. For don’t you remember, It was Saint Paul that said, in I Corinthians 2:9 (KJV), … and I quote …