Beyond The Horizon "sunsets"

Series: Beyond the Horizon

Video Transition: Sunset at Christian Hills Church

Video Message: We opened the service with a clip of the sunset from here on the hill of Christian Hills Church, we had in that clip people who were beholding the beauty of a sunset which according to Scripture reveals the glory of God, it reveals the work of God’s hands, it causes us to be awe of the wonder and beauty of God. As they gazed and pondered the sunset, they saw the majesty of the sunset created that evening by God speaking to them and then they looked beyond the sunset to what lies beyond the horizon. Beyond the horizon of this natural realm is a placed called Heaven, a place filled with the presence and splendor of God. A place which waits for our arrival. Have you seen it? Have you had those “Aha” moments with the Lord, those gazing moments where your spiritual eyes are opened to see him and experience Him. Has your heart been filled with joy and hope and faith? I pray we all this Easter see “Beyond the horizon” of this world to see a new revelation of Jesus and God’s goodness!

Opening Scripture Text to clarify video:

Psalm 65:8: (NASB) They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.

Psalm 65: 8 (NIV) “Those living far away fear (awe) your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.”

Psalm 65:8: (NLT) “Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.”

Opening thoughts: Have you seen beyond the horizon of this world? If you have a desire, to see Beyond the Horizon you will see past the ripples of sin, the pain of sin, the hurt of sin, you will receive joy in your grief, and find healing for your brokenness. If you choose to see beyond the horizon of this life, you will ignite faith and hope in the God of glory! If you look beyond the horizon, you will see things spiritually others cannot see without Jesus! So, my question is “Do you want to see Beyond the Horizon?”

Thesis: When we get a revelation of Jesus, and we see beyond the horizon of this life, and we get a glimpse of what awaits us in Heaven! Perspective changes, attitudes change, and healing is unleashed! When we choose to see beyond the horizon, we see the glory and majesty of the Lord which awaits us just over the horizon of this life. We need to see beyond the horizon of this world with faith and hope! When we do we experience the presence, the goodness of God.

Scripture verse for series: Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Introduction to series:

Today is Palm Sunday - we celebrate Jesus triumphant entrance into Jerusalem! The people on Palm Sunday are excited, singing, praising, rejoicing over Jesus coming to the city, but the sad fact is they could not see beyond the horizon of Rome, or beyond the natural realm. The result of them having limited vision, tunnel vision, nearsightedness resulted in them missing the mission of Jesus, they also missed seeing the Glory of God, The Word of God right in front of them. There limited vision and lack of faith caused them to praise him on Sunday but then fall away during Passion Week – this then resulted in them shouting out on Friday to “Crucify Him.”

They saw Jesus as the one to deliver them from Roman rule but not as “The One” bringing freedom from the bondage of sin. They missed the Revelation of Jesus as their Messiah or as “The Lamb of God chosen by God to be slain at Passover for the sins of the world.” Yes, the one who would set them free from the bondage of sin and shame was in front of them and they could not see Him!

The truth is we have a natural horizon we see everyday but if you learn to look beyond the horizon with faith and hope, you will see this world is not our home, it is not all there is, there is a better place coming and Jesus came declaring that truth, He declared the message of the Kingdom of God – The Kingdom of Heaven. But they missed it - the One who they were hoping for to come was here but they did not see Him or hear Him.