Present Help From A Future Hope Series

“Present Help from a Future Hope” Pt 1

Review

X. The Reward and Inheritance Factor

A. PRESENT AND FUTURE REWARD

Remember – you’re not home yet.

B. FUTURE INHERITANCE

Remember – He who has the Son gets it all and the best is yet to come.

C. INTERMEDIATE HOME

Remember – Absent from the body at home with the Lord in a glorious yet temporary place.

Like being housed in a luxury hotel whiles you new home is being built.

While the present conditions may be quite nice, it is still not home.

D. RENEWED HEAVEN AND EARTH – Our permanent home

1. Unimaginable physical aspects of life on the new earth

2. Perfect social and personal aspects of life on the new earth

3. Absolutely fulfilling Spiritual aspects of life on the new earth

E. PRESENT HELP FROM A FUTURE HOPE

Does contemplating a future heavenly existence have any present earthly benefit? Is it possible to be “so heavenly minded we are no earthly good? I have come to the conclusion that a failure to contemplate heaven and our future hope actually diminishes our experience on this present earth. The Present earth is a fallen one. Corruption permeates everything. Nevertheless, life on this earth has eternal purpose. Every tick of time before the last trumpet call announcing the return of Christ has a purpose. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to redeem the time we have because the days are evil. Every moment of life on this present earth is an opportunity to affect our future life on Earth. Every day, we make decisions to use our time for Kingdom purposes or ours. We either live for God’s will or our whims. We either waste time or invest time. Scripture clearly encourages a heavenly focus.

Therefore since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

What will we seek in in the coming year? How we use our time? Many people make New Year resolutions at the beginning of the year. The New Year is a time to evaluate what in the world were doing.

Our culture is so self-focused. Our culture even encourages a man-centered interpretation of Scripture. It’s all about me! John indicated that some will shrink away in shame at Christ’s coming. Some of that shame may be related to the sudden realization of what we could have accomplished, had we kept a “things above” focus rather than an earthly one, compared to what we actually did accomplish. Missed opportunities for service and witness - Wasted time - Fleshly pursuits - Undisciplined life - Temporal values - Wasted resources – just to name a few

Check out the life resolutions of a 19-year-old Jonathan Edwards. These are only a few of the original 70 he wrote just before entering his first pastorate.

Being aware that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ’s sake.

I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live if they were to live their lives over again: RESOLVED, that I will live as I think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age.

RESOLVED, to examine carefully and constantly what is that one thing in me that causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

RESOLVED, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity.

RESOLVED, after afflictions, to inquire how I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

RESOLVED, never to lose one moment of time; but to improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

RESOLVED, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently that I may plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of them.

RESOLVED, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body except what tends to the glory of God.

RESOLVED, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God.

RESOLVED, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

RESOLVED, never to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s. RESOLVED, to ask every night as I am going to bed in what way I have been negligent, what sin I have committed and in what way I have denied myself; also to do this at the end of every week, month and year.