U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Fort Stewart, Georgia
BIG IDEA: UPON DEATH, CHRISTIANS IMMEDIATELY STEP OUT OF TIME INTO ETERNITY …
REFERENCES: 1 Cor. 15:52-54; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; John 11:25-26 (I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live…).; Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 (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 (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); James 2:19 (But, the devil also believed, and tremble; … and remain devils); Luke 16:19-31 (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 is readdress in heaven.
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
II. READ THE PERICOPE: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
III. READ THE TEXT: 2 Corinthians 5:1 (For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens).
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that upon death, believers Step-out of Time immediately into eternity.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “Life After Death”
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) Victory Chapel has great deacon ministries. Many of you know that I had to go TDY this past week to South Carolina, and Dedra went along with me. While we were there, I received a call from Deacon Carter informing me of Deacon Gregg’s hospitalization, room, and phone number.
Afterwards, I called Deacon Gregg. Dedra and I talked with him; and we informed him that we would stop in Savannah the following day on our way back from South Carolina. Upon our arrival, we saw Deaconess Smith, Sister Thomas, and Reverend Hines (a long time friend of Deacon and Sister Gregg). .. after a while, they left. We were left along with Deacon Gregg … and as expected we talked about many things … one of which … was DEATH.
He didn’t chide away from the subject … Instead, he plausibly stared at me for a moment. Then he said … I’m not sure if it’s correct of not … and I’m not even sure of what all happens … but, I believe BECAUSE I’M ABOUT GOD’S BUSINESS – WHEN I DIE - I’m going to be WITH THE LORD.
* My conversation with Deacon Gregg reminded me that in the Theological Community … Theologians have said for years: “If a man chooses a CHEAP HEAVEN (here on earth), he can hardly expect to have a REAL HEAVENLY LIFE, after death ….”)
So … what is a Cheap Heaven On Earth? In my opinion, a cheap heaven “on earth” is chasing women – or being chased by men if you’re a woman. As a man, it means living everyday to see what HOTTIE (married or single) you can get into bed next. Or (if you’re a woman) what handsome STUD (married or single) can you can lure into your perfume sheets?
Cheap Heaven On Earth … is living ONLY to say, THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY … I’m going to party all weekend. Drink … Eat … Smoke … and be happy. Get up Sunday – wash the car, watch the game, and get ready for WORK on Monday.
Cheap Heaven On Earth … is doing whatever feels right and FEELS good … It’s caring only about yourself, your money and your time.
In contrast … Being about God’s Business … spells dedication to your wife (if you’re a man); and to your husband (if you’re a woman); and to your God (if you’re single).
Being about God’s business … means becoming a living sacrifice for Jesus for Lord to use “In The Grand Picture of Life” … however, and whenever he chooses.
When we are about God’s business … Sometimes GOD chooses to use our life through our economic status/rank … and sometimes He chooses to use our life through our unfortunate circumstances (like the death of love ones and significant others) ; while there are still other times … God chooses to use our life through our illnesses, and hospitalizations.
Still, being about God business … means regularly feasting off of Sunday School, Bible Study, and Worship Services. It means biting your tongue; when would you would prefer to bite an ear. It means loving and forgiving those that took advantage of you … continues to talk negatively about you.
Being about God’s business … means you’ve chosen a HEAVENLY LIFE AFTER DEATH, rather than a CHEAP HEAVEN ON EARTH.
For who can ever forget the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (in Luke 16:19-31)?
IN CONTRAST … IT SHOWS a glimpse of a … RICH MAN … dressed in the most expensive clothes of his erra … richly clothed.
At a glimpse, it shows a HEALTHY RICH MAN dining in the best of restaurants and eating the best of foods.
He clearly enjoys a Cheap Heaven on earth – NO SERIOUS MEDICAL BILLS, AND NO SERIOUS SACRIFICES for God; while Lazarus is too hungry to even refuse the pieces of crums that the RICH MAN
wipes into his napkin … as he wipes his face … while he’s eating.
Lazarus IN SPITE OF HIS FAITH AND HIS SPIRITUAL TRAINING THAT DOGS WERE repulsive, NASTY AND BENEATH HIM … HE WAS too ill and physically weak …. to even stand on his feet and fight off the Dog … that licked his open sores and wounds …
Still, both men eventually died. But only one had a funeral. At that time, everyone wasn’t deserving on a burial …
The Rich Man was given a burial… because it was A cultural disgrace and embarrassment not to be BURIED.
So … in spite of the lack of spiritual sacrifices …. the Rich Man received a Cheap Heaven on Earth; while Lazarus … in as much as his PHYSICAL HEALTH allowed … had been about God’s Business.
IN FACT, THE SCRIPTURES TELLS US THAT the life lived “ON EARTH” by the Rich Man and Lazarus was INDIVIDUALLY reversed AFTER DEATH….
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MOVE 1: THE RICH MAN STEPPED-OUT OF EARTHLY TIME INTO ETERNAL DAMANATIONN…
a. WHEN HE LIVED ON EARTH … HE DID ALL THAT HE WANTED TO DO …
b. AND HE PAYED FOR IT … FOR THE BIBLE SAYS THAT WHEN HE DIED … SWEAT SCHRINGED … AND SCREAMING … HE PAINFULLY … LIFTED UP HIS EYES IN HELL …
c. IT DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING … IN THIS PASSAGE … ABOUT PERKATORY …
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MOVE 2: BUT, WHEN LAZARUS DIED …
a. The Bible says Lazarus went to His Heavenly Home …
b. He didn’t have the worry about being mistreated … anymore
c. Lazarus … didn’t have to worry about gossip anymore …
d. He didn’t have to worry about being hungry anymore … because his NEW BODY … was incorruptible …
e. and it feast off of EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDED OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD …
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MOVE 3: LIKEWISE, IN OUR TEXT TODAY, PAUL (with his many thorns in the flesh) IS EXPERIENCING AN EARTHLY BRUSH WITH DEATH ….
a. Something happens …. AND GOD ALLOWS HIM … TO TAKE A BREAK FROM DYING … TO PAINT A BRIEF … WORD PICTURE … OF LIFE AFTER DEATH …
b. SO HE SAYS … AS BELIEVERS … WE KNOW THAT, IF OUR EARTHLY TENT IS DESTROYED (and our bodies die)… BEFORE THE LORD BREAK THROUGH THE CLOUDS …
c. WE HAVE A BUILDING (and another home) that is not made with hands.…
d. PAUL SAYS …. SOMETIMES … IN THIS EARTHLY TENT … THAT WE CALL A BODY … WE GROAN …
e. You know its true: THINGS JUST AREN’T THE WAY THEY USE TO BE …
f. …I USE TO RUN UNTIL I GOT TIRED … NOW I GET TIRED, BEFORE I RUN . …
h. Paul says … as death gets closer … he looks forward to the time that he will put on his heavenly body … and be at home with THE LORD.
i. BEFORE THIS PASSAGE, in 1 Corinthians 15:52-54) HE SAID: IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMP: FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND, AND THE DEAD SHALL BE REAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED.
j. FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY.
k. ….AND WE SHALL BE ABLE TO SAY … DEATH IS FOLLOWED UP IN VICTORY.
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CELEBRATION: ……
