Dwelling with God
FILING INFORMATION:
2002052
Subject: Heaven
Preached Originally: 10/13/02 –
Rapid City, SD
Introduction:
A.
There is an
appointment that all will keep – Heb. 9:27
1.
all will die
– Job 10:23
2.
we are powerless
over this – Eccl. 8:8
3.
The only thing
that could alter this appointment is the return of Christ - 1 Thess. 4:16-17
4.
But we know we
cannot stay on earth – because earth will be destroyed. 2 Peter 3:9-11
B.
It is while on
earth that our eternal destination is determined.
1.
Of course, our
desire is heaven!
2.
John 14:1-3
3.
God wants us to
dwell with Him! The principle
thing about heaven is that God will be there!
C.
“Eternal Life”
primarily has to do with “knowing” God. Jhn. 17:3.
1.
Being with Him
– what a wonderful thought!
2.
Tonight…we’ll
talk about dwelling with Him & what that means.
3.
We’ll also talk
about what dwelling with God will involve on our part.
I. “Dwelling with God” is a promise.
A. This should be a source of comfort and
hope!
1.
Rev. 21:3
2.
Imagine living in
the actual presence of God!
B.
Ever been in the
presence of the president?
1.
Feeling of
importance; anticipation; excitement!
2.
Leader of free
world; world focused on his visit – of which I was a part of!
3.
Bush’s Mt.
Rushmore visit in August.
4.
Now, imagine
being in the presence of God!
a)
Creator of the
universe.
b)
All powerful
& all knowing.
C.
Note,…we’re
talking about living with Him through the luxury of His home throughout all
eternity!
D.
Paul believed he
would dwell with God. Phil. 1:21-23.
1.
To be with Christ
is to be in the presence of God.
2.
This fact is borne
out in Acts 7:55-56. See also
7:59. “Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit…”
E.
When a faithful
Christian dies, our spirit is taking into the care & keeping of God.
1.
Colly
Caldwell: We do not die in the grave. We do not cease to exist. We are alive and well in the presence of God.
II. Dwelling with God Described:
A.
Revelation is a
misunderstood book. Largely unread
by many Christians as they feel it cannot be understood.
1.
One of the
greatest objectives of the book is that it seeks to comfort Christians who
suffer themselves & whose loved ones have suffered – many to the
point of death.
2.
Jesus wanted to
secure their faith in the fact that their loved ones would be with God!
B.
God is
powerful! God is caring! God loves us more than any other
person! I believer “dwelling with
God” is described in Rev. 21:1-7.
C.
In heaven, God
will identify us with Himself personally.
1.
Rev. 21:3; 22:4;
2:17
2.
At marriage
– the greatest identifier is the husband giving his new wife his name…and
the wife taking his name as her own.
3.
In the same way,
God will identify with us!
D.
IN heaven, God
will take care of and provide for us … forever!
1.
Rev. 21:4; 2:7;
7:17
2.
Imagine how
wonderful this will be!
E.
In heaven, God
will make all things new and perfect for us.
1.
Rev. 21:5.
2.
“New” things are
special. Usually possess few
problems for us.
3.
“new” home = no
plumbing/roof leaks
4.
“New” car = no
mechanical problems.
5.
In heaven all
things will be perfect! Nothing in
need of repair!
6.
See also Rev.
22:3
F.
In heaven, God
will glorify us as His children.
1.
Rev. 21:6-7
2.
This includes the
“crown of life.” See Rev. 2:10; 2
Tim. 4:6-8; Rev. 14:13
III. Dwelling with God is a conditional Thing.
A.
Existence w/o God
is unthinkable!
1.
Existence with
God in eternity is conditional upon our dwelling with God NOW!
2.
Most NT passages
that speak of “dwelling” or “abiding” with God discuss a “present” relationship
with the Lord.
3.
“Dwelling with
God” in this life is the only way to lead a satisfying and fulfilling life in
the world.
B.
See also 1 John
4:12-16. It is conditioned on our
love; confession; and belief.
C.
Jhn. 14:23
– Jesus said it is conditioned upon our obedience.
Conclusion:
A.
There will be no
dwelling with God eternally unless we dwell with Him now.
B.
Let us be willing
to do whatever it takes to have His presence in our life NOW – so that we
may eternally be able to look upon His face!
C.
I N V I T A T I O
N