A Place Called Home

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

John 14:1-14

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A1-14&version=NIV;NLT

 

My wife and I are big Michigan State football fans.

 

She grew up going to the games because her Dad had season tickets. Years later, when we were first married and I was still in school there, we bought season tickets. Then, about twelve years ago, we bought season tickets again and have been going ever since. Needless to say, we live and die with every play.

 

I’m only slightly embarrassed to confess that I also record the games on our DVR. Then, sometime during the following week, I watch it again. Only the second time is without stress. It doesn’t matter how many first downs we give up, turnovers we commit, opportunities we miss or points our opponents score; because I already know the final outcome.

 

The same must have been true for Jesus’ disciples after his resurrection. We know that they faced extremely difficult times with many of them ending their life as martyrs. What kept them focused during such extreme persecution? How did they handle the stress?

 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.   NLT

 

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples before he was crucified. When Jesus fulfills this promise, it will be an amazing milestone. Following his ascension, Jesus’ disciples could securely rest in his promise to return for them. The Good News for us is that his words still hold true today.

 

When life is difficult; when you are experiencing pain and suffering; when a loved one suddenly dies or you lose your job or feel rejected or are struck down with a critical illness; you already know the final outcome. You know that Jesus is preparing a place for you to join him.

 

It’s a place called home.

 

 

 

 

The Promise

Revelation 21:1-5, 21-27

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021%3A1-5%2CRevelation%2021%3A21-27&version=NIV;NLT

 

⁵ And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”      NLT

 

Promises bring with them the sense of a new beginning; a fresh start; a new adventure. A wedding, for instance, ushers in the promise of a new life together; of new love; of a future family.

 

We’ve all made promises. And we’ve all broken them. Who hasn’t made a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, only to give up soon thereafter? Or promised to be on time from now on, and ended up late for your next meeting? But God’s word is “trustworthy and true”.

 

God has made a promise to those who believe and follow Him; to those whose name is in the Book of Life. It’s the promise of the New Jerusalem; of Heaven.

 

² I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”      NIV

 

It sounds beautiful doesn’t it? It’s the ultimate promise that brings with it hope for the future, a new beginning, and a new life. It defeats death; stops shame; washes away guilt. This is where believers will live in the presence of God for eternity.

 

Author Stephen Covey wrote, “Begin with the end in mind”. For believers, the New Jerusalem is the end. So if you begin there, how does that affect your life between now and then? How does it affect you on a daily basis; on your decisions, your relationships, your job, or your finances?

 

God has made you a promise that he will keep. He is faithful. His word is trustworthy. Let’s keep His promise... The Promise, at the forefront of our mind.

 

 

 

 

Powerball

Mark 16:15-20

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2016%3A15-20&version=NIV;ESV

 

What would you do if you won $550,000,000? That’s how much the Powerball jackpot was scheduled to be at the time of this writing. Would you buy a new luxury home or

car? Or would you set aside a trust to pay for your grand children’s college? Or would you donate 10% to your church or a ministry or charity?

 

If you are a believer and follower of Christ, in a way, you’ve already won the lottery because you know that eternal winnings are available now, and waiting for you in Heaven. The things of this world will perish, but Heaven is for eternity. It’s priceless. So what will you do with your priceless gift?

 

When Jesus was crucified, the disciples had lost all hope. They were sitting around feeling sorry for themselves, “mourning and weeping”. Even after Mary Magdalene and two other followers had seen the resurrected Christ, the disciples refused to believe; refused to act. They preferred to mope and do nothing. Then this happened.

 

¹⁴ Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. ¹⁵ And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.        ESV

 

Jesus called them to action. He called them to “proclaim the gospel”. Basically, he gave them a swift kick in the pants with the following result.

 

²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.          ESV

 

Jesus is still calling his disciples across the millennia to action. He’s calling you and me to be his hands and his feet. He’s calling us to touch the lepers of this world. He’s calling us to bring a message of hope to the hopeless; to the addicted; to the imprisoned. He’s calling us to share his love, grace and forgiveness with people at work, at school, in our neighborhood and in our family.

 

We’ve already won a bigger jackpot than Powerball. Let’s share it with those that God brings into our life. Let’s get up off the couch and do something. We don’t have to go around the world… just next door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Biscuit

Revelation 22:1-6

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2022%3A1-6&version=NIV;AMP

  

My daughter Tara had a pet labradoodle that was like a big kid; a VERY big kid. Kendal was hyperactive and had very little discipline to resist jumping on you and licking you when you walked in the door. Despite this, Tara was able to teach her a good trick.

 

When Kendal would sit still for a minute, Tara would put a doggie biscuit on her nose and tell her to wait. Kendal would sit there wistfully looking between Tara and the biscuit on her nose. Finally, when Tara would give the command, Kendal would inhale the biscuit.

 

This is a perfect example of delayed gratification. We all practice delayed gratification every time we resist buying another pair of shoes or the perfect golf club. Or limit what we eat instead of eating without limit.

 

As followers of Christ, we practice delayed gratification when we resist the temptation to act out on our sinful thoughts in hope that one day we will enjoy the presence of God in Heaven. John paints a picture of Heaven as Eden restored; a paradise without blemish.

 

Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [Christ], ² in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ There will no longer exist anything that is cursed [because sin and illness and death are gone]; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve and worship Him [with great awe and joy and loving devotion]…         AMP

 

The Amplified Bible titles these verses, “The Perfect Life”. This is what waits for those who follow Christ. Everything will return to how God intended it to be in the beginning; to live in His presence, in a constant perfect relationship.

 

Like Kendal, if we are patient and disciplined and willing to practice delayed gratification, we will enjoy the “perfect biscuit” that is waiting for us.

 

 

Welcome Home

Revelation 21:1-7

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021%3A1-7&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

Where is home for you? Several years ago, my siblings and I had a family reunion in Charleston, WV. All of us were born there, although we moved when I was four. For my older brother and two sisters though its home.

My brother and sisters at Panther Rock in 2014.

 

Still it was fun to watch them reminisce as they walked down Valley Road. Each house seemed to be the home of a memory; the memory of a friend and some mischief they got into like building rockets that were more like a bomb made from steel pipes and gun powder. Later we visited Panther Rock, a great place to climb around as a kid, although not so much when you’re a senior.

 

Home is where the heart is. Home is where we belong. Home is where we are going. John draws a great picture of this for us.

 

³ I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among

his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. ⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”      NLT

 

Life on earth is temporary and can often be like running on a treadmill. We can invest our time and energy on advancing our career. We can drive our kids from sport to sport, never ending. We can fight with personal demons that debilitate and destroy. We can do all this and more, but never find home.

 

But there will come a day when none of it matters anymore. And on that day when we do go home, our Heavenly Father will be at the door to welcome us. To take us into His arms and say, “Well done my faithful daughter; my faithful son. Welcome home.”

 

 

 

(Feel free to use the link below to enjoy the song Home by Chris Tomlin.)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtUTa5Nc-e0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Face of God

Revelation 21:22-22:7, 20-21

 

 

In 1991, I met Greg Lashutka when he was running for mayor of Columbus for the first time. We were passing each other in a church hallway. Being a good politician, he stuck his hand out to shake. Afterwards, I was so nervous that I couldn’t think of anything else to say other than, “Boy you’ve got big hands”.

 

Being in the presence of someone who is famous, successful and powerful can sometimes be intimidating. And in Lashutka’s case, he had something else going for him. He played tight end for Woody Hayes at Ohio State, and later in the NFL. Needless to say, he was a big man… with big hands!

 

In Exodus 33:20 God spoke to Moses saying, "You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." After being in God’s presence Isaiah wrote, "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." When Simon Peter fell at Jesus’ feet, Luke wrote, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

 

What is it about the face and presence of God that is so difficult, if not impossible, for us as humans to encounter?

 

In today’s passage John is describing Heaven. In it, he makes this amazing statement: “They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads”. Despite how people have always reacted in the presence of God, in Heaven we will see His face. We will be in His very presence.

 

I am reminded of the song “I can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me.

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.

 

In Heaven we will see the face of God and rejoice; not hide in shame. In Heaven we will

be in His presence; not in a temple. In Heaven, the River of Life will wash over us; not sin and guilt. In Heaven, no longer will there be a curse; but only joy in the presence of God.

 

John wrote these words in Revelation 21:  ^“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people,

and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

Thanks be to God! Amen.