Can We Go Fishing In Heaven? Series

Sermon Series “Belief and Faith Coming Together”

Week Seven – “Can We Go Fishing in Heaven?”

Pastor John Bright – delivered 8/25/19

Philippians 3:17-4:1 “17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”

This is the end of my sermon series on the Apostles’ Creed. We have covered the past and the future:

• PAST - God created the universe & Jesus raised from the dead

• PRESENT - Promises of the Holy Spirit in us, the Church, and of salvation

Now we get to the future:

• FUTURE - resurrection of the body and the life everlasting

Many scriptures speak of the future reality for Christians - both a spiritual and physical reality. There are lots of ideas out there about what the future holds…

There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him. God finally got tired of his pleading and agreed he could take one suitcase full of gold. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.

Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. St. Peter seeing the suitcase says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"

But, the man explains to St. Peter that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough, St. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."

St. Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "The guy is here to fix the potholes!”

Like this man, I want parts of this earthly existence to continue – fishing! Others would like to golf, or scrapbook or whatever you enjoy here.

We think of streets of gold and pearly gates and St. Peter and his book – we all have ideas about heaven – some of these taken from descriptions of the new Jerusalem and some are Roman Catholic beliefs.

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I want to look this morning at the future for us as Christian Believers and what impact that future has on our present reality.

The scripture today offers a stark contrast between the folks described in v. 18-19 and those who have hope in v. 20-21. I believe both groups are part of the house churches in Philippi. Which is sad… these who have their minds set on earthy things. As Christian Believers we have a great hope: (not three)

• Heavenly citizenship

• The return of Christ

• A glorified bod

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I remember going fishing without any electronics. No GPS. No depth finder. No fish finder. Instead, a fisherman knew the patterns of the lake or river and the patterns of the fish at each time of year. We hoped for what wed could not see below the surface!

In Phil. 3:17, Paul mentions a pattern set for us by others in our Christian walk. That walk is leading us in sanctification - a pattern for controlling the soul (mind, emotions, desires). This phrase is a simple way to understand the need to control the soul:

I am a spirit being, temporarily housed in a body,

Attempting to control the soul.

If I do not control the soul, the soul controls me.

As a Citizen of Heaven, most of our thoughts should center on “heavenly/spiritual” matters. Do you have heavenly mindset?

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Most of the problems I see among Christians today come from self-defeating attitudes and thought patterns – fear, unforgiveness of self, feeling unworthy.

As a Citizen of Heaven, you have rights and privileges. (Just like those in the churches of Philippi had their Roman citizenship.) You have Spiritual Authority that offers you wonderful assurance in the midst of uncertain times.