24-0526a Transcript

Preacher: Tom Freed

(1:17) Good morning. It’s my turn to preach today.

For those of you who haven’t, we’re taking turns, (1:32) since we don’t have a full-time preacher. My sermon is called, This World Is Not My Home. (1:39) Have you ever been on a long road trip to a vacation destination and it felt like it took forever to get there? (1:46) It could have been multiple hours or days, and you did all you could to keep occupied and pass the time to arrive.

(1:55) Nowadays, you know, kids have it easy. They’ve got their phones, their laptops, their games. (2:02) In my day, all we had was a ball and a stick.

You know, we just had to hit the ball. (2:07) I’m just kidding. I’m not that old, but we didn’t really have that even in my day.

(2:12) You know, we had a few things, but it was boring, you know. (2:16) You usually just harass your brother and sister and upset your parents on the trip, you know. (2:23) But one of the things that would keep you going on the trip are the thoughts of how much fun you would have (2:30) when you finally got there and all the things you would do.

(2:33) And when you finally arrived at your destination, most of the time, the trip really felt like it was pretty short. (2:41) You forget about how long and painful it was to get there. (2:47) So as a Christian, I feel like this could be the same way with our time on earth, (2:51) waiting to get to our final destination in heaven.

(2:55) The trip can seem long and boring and painful at times, but when you finally reach your final destination, (3:02) all the struggles of life will be forgotten. (3:05) Revelation 21.4. (3:08) They might hear from their eyes. (3:11) There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the older things that have passed away.

(3:18) We’re going to see when we finally make it to heaven, there will be no more pain. (3:22) There will be no more crying. (3:24) There will be no more struggles.

(3:28) Sometimes, like Paul, we just want to skip to the end and be with Christ as soon as possible. (3:34) Philippians 1.23-26. (3:38) I’m highly impressed between the two. (3:41) Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

(3:46) Nevertheless, remaining in the flesh is more needful for you. (3:49) And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith. (3:58) That your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

(4:05) Well, Paul had it a lot rougher than we do. (4:09) He was beaten. (4:10) He was whipped.

(4:11) He was basically stoned almost to death. (4:15) He was harassed wherever he went. (4:17) He was thrown in jail.

(4:18) He was shipwrecked. (4:21) So, yeah, I can see why he wanted to depart and be with Christ. (4:24) But sometimes, life can be painful for us too.

(4:27) We just wish, man, I wish we could just be in heaven. (4:30) Why do I have to go through all this in this world? (4:34) Just like Paul, we’re here on earth for a reason. (4:39) God has a plan for each one of us.

(4:43) Jeremiah 29.11. (4:46) I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. (4:49) Plans to prosper you and not harm you. (4:52) Plans to give you hope in a future.

(4:56) We’re all here for a reason. (4:58) God doesn’t make any mistakes. (5:00) None of us are here accidentally.

(5:03) We all have gifts and talents given to us to help advance the kingdom of God. (5:09) Romans 12.6-8. (5:13) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. (5:17) Let us use them.

(5:18) If prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith. (5:22) Or mystery, let us use it in our ministering. (5:26) He who teaches in teaching.

(5:28) He who exhorts in exhortation. (5:30) He who gives with liberality. (5:33) He who leads with diligence.

(5:35) He who shows mercy with cheerfulness. (5:39) We all have gifts. (5:40) We all have ways to help.

(5:41) Even if it’s just showing mercy or giving. (5:44) Everybody has their part. (5:46) Everybody has different talents.

(5:48) And we need to use them. (5:51) You know, we have a short time here on earth. (5:53) We need to focus on God’s plan for us.

(5:56) And doing His will, not other things of the world. (6:01) So since the devil can’t stop you from becoming a Christian, he does his best to frustrate you. (6:07) And make you focus on the things of the world.

(6:10) Instead of what God has in store for us. (6:14) As a Christian, you need to set your mind on the things above. (6:18) Not on the things of the earth.

(6:20) Colossians 3.2 (6:23) We need to have that target to start for. (6:26) We need to look to heaven. (6:28) We need to look to the cross.

(6:29) We need to look to the Bible as our compass to make sure we’re headed in the right direction. (6:35) We need to focus on, you know, heavenly things. (6:39) Not on the earthly things.

(6:40) It’s easy to get lost in the world and focus on worldly things. (6:45) We’re bombarded every day, non-stop. (6:48) In the world, and it can be overwhelming.

(6:53) But we have to keep in mind that, you know, it’s just temporary. (6:58) But life here can go one of two ways. (7:00) We might be miserable and depressed most of the time.

(7:03) Or we might even love this world too much. (7:08) I think if we sway too far one way or the other, we’re in trouble. (7:13) So it’s best to stay in the middle.

(7:14) It’s best to be even-heeled. (7:17) Markers 38-9 (7:19) Remove falsehoods and lies far from me. (7:23) Give me neither poverty nor riches.

(7:25) Feed me with the food allotted to me. (7:29) Lest I be full and deny you and say, Who is the Lord? (7:33) Or lest I be poor and steel and profane the name of the God. (7:38) It’s best to kind of stay in the middle.

(7:41) Don’t have your emotions fluctuate. (7:43) Don’t be, can’t help being bipolar. (7:46) But, you know, some people make themselves bipolar.

(7:49) When things are going good, they feel amazing. (7:52) And when things are going bad, they feel horrible. (7:53) So it’s best to stay, you know, in the middle.

(7:58) Some people have good and bad moments in life. (8:02) And the rest may be pretty much nothing but some boring, like that long trip. (8:08) You know, it seems like, especially with the job we have sometimes, (8:11) it seems like Groundhog Day where we just do the same thing over and over.

(8:16) And it’s like, man, this can be pretty boring. (8:20) Some of us, though, might have exciting jobs and lives, (8:24) but I think a lot of us is, you know, pretty monotonous. (8:30) So one thing for sure is, and at the end of it all, life is going to seem short.

(8:41) Job 40, 14, 1 through 2. (8:44) Man who is born of a woman is a few days and full of trouble. (8:48) He comes forth like a flower and fades away. (8:52) He flees like a shadow and does not continue.

(8:56) So the older we get, we think, whoa, what happened in the last 20 years of my life? (9:02) You know, it just seems like it’s just a blink of an eye. (9:07) And all of a sudden, you’re older. (9:10) A lot of older people say, yeah, the older you get, the time seems to go a lot faster.

(9:16) As a kid, you know, you think it’s going to take forever to get older. (9:20) But as you get older, you think, oh, man, life’s flying by. (9:23) And it really, really does.

(9:26) We’re living in an amazing time with awesome technology (9:31) and arguably the greatest country that ever existed. (9:35) You know, I don’t care what the media, the schools teach the kids nowadays. (9:39) This is a great country.

(9:42) You know, we wouldn’t have millions of people flooding across the border (9:46) trying to get here if it wasn’t. (9:48) But even though this country is great, unfortunately, (9:51) we still have stressful and crazy time right now. (9:55) And we can see our great country falling before our eyes.

(9:59) There’s a lot to worry about in this country with the government, taxes, inflation, morality, (10:05) and the economy and political turmoil. (10:09) It almost seems like everybody’s at each other’s throats (10:11) and there’s a sense of something bad headed our way. (10:14) You know, people argue about everything now.

(10:20) Politics, religion, Israel and Gaza, Ukraine, (10:24) whether a man is a man or a woman is a woman. (10:28) So now we’re arguing about the most ridiculous things you could ever think of. (10:34) And on top of that, we have our everyday stresses, (10:36) our jobs, our kids, relationships, (10:40) battles with sin, sickness, financial problems, loved ones dying.

(10:43) I mean, the list goes on. (10:47) You know, life isn’t always bad, (10:49) but everybody here has their list of problems and stresses that can really weigh them down. (10:56) Like I always say, you can look at our prayer list, (10:59) and it’s growing a lot faster than we’re growing our membership.

(11:03) I mean, it’s bigger every week, it seems like. (11:07) We have people like Sal, Kevin and Pam, (11:10) and others that are constantly going through health problems, (11:13) and it seems like something always new pops up. (11:17) Their struggles never end.

(11:21) Life can be hard. (11:22) It can be filled with stresses and anxiety (11:25) and the problems we have. (11:29) But the main thing we have to keep in mind is life is just temporary on Earth.

(11:33) We’re just passing through this life, and our final destination is not far away. (11:38) 1 Corinthians 29.15 (11:42) We are strangers before thee and sojourners, (11:45) as all our fathers were. (11:48) Our days on the Earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.

(11:53) We can see that life is but a vapor. (11:56) James 4.14 (11:59) You do not know what will happen tomorrow, (12:02) for what is your life? (12:04) It is even a vapor. (12:06) For a little time, it vanishes away.

(12:10) Sometimes it feels like, you know, life flies by. (12:14) If we compare our life to eternity, it’s just going to be a blink of an eye. (12:20) We can’t even comprehend eternity.

(12:25) We have to keep in mind how short life really is (12:27) compared to where we’re going to spend eternity for. (12:32) No matter how things, no one’s going to pass. (12:37) Hebrews 13.14 (12:40) For here we do not have an enduring city, (12:42) but we are looking for the city that is to come.

(12:47) So Jesus had the right mindset when he was on Earth. (12:52) He came down from heaven, and he knew he wasn’t going to be here for very long. (12:57) John 6.38 (12:59) For I have come down from heaven, not to do my will, but to do the will of him who sent me.

(13:06) We came to do his father’s will, and that was his sole purpose. (13:10) He didn’t care about money, power, status, material things, sex, or anything else most people care about. (13:18) He didn’t care about, you know, pleasing the flesh, only the spirit.

(13:24) We need to be the same way, focusing on God’s will for us and doing our best to please him. (13:31) In three years, Jesus turned the whole world upside down. (13:35) And did so many things, if every one of them were written down, (13:39) I suppose that not even the whole world would have enough books, (13:44) to have the books that would be written.

(13:46) John 21.25 (13:48) But Jesus did so many things that not even all the books written in the world could contain it. (13:53) And that’s just in three years. (13:56) Imagine if we focused just like he did, (13:59) on doing God’s will instead of pleasing ourselves.

(14:01) How much we could do in 30, 40, 50 years. (14:06) It’s easy to get caught up in the things of the world, (14:09) and lose sight of what we should be doing as Christians. (14:14) But believe me, I get distracted with my problems, (14:18) video games, sinful behavior, (14:20) you know, my job, and many other things (14:23) that should keep me focusing on God and his will.

(14:26) There’s a ton of things that take your attention nowadays. (14:31) There’s limitless things, you know, with all the computer technology, (14:34) the TV shows that are out there, (14:37) all the other entertainment, (14:40) golf or whatever, basketball, sports. (14:44) We need to be more like Jesus and abstain from the passions of the flesh.

(14:49) 1 Peter 2.11 (14:51) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, (14:54) abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. (15:00) Jesus had the right mindset, and he knew his kingdom was not of this world. (15:05) John 18.36 (15:08) Jesus answered, (15:10) My kingdom is not of this world.

(15:12) If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight (15:15) so that I would not be delivered to the Jews. (15:19) And now my kingdom is not from here. (15:23) We need to make sure not to love this world (15:26) because it is passing away along with its desires.

(15:32) 1 John 2.15-17 (15:35) Do not love the world or the things in the world. (15:38) If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (15:43) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, (15:46) the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, (15:49) is not of the Father but of this world.

(15:51) The world is passing away in the lust of it. (15:55) But he who does the will of God abides forever. (15:59) We need to focus on the lust of this world.

(16:03) We need to realize that those who do God’s will will abide forever. (16:07) Let’s not waste our time and energy on fleeting things (16:11) that only bring momentary pleasure. (16:15) We need to make sure we lay our charges in heaven (16:19) so that they can be taken away.

(16:22) Matthew 6.19-21 (16:24) Do not lay up for yourselves charges on earth, (16:28) neither moth nor rust, destroying, thieving, breaking, and stealing. (16:31) But lay up for yourselves charges in heaven, (16:34) neither moth nor rust, destroying, thieving, breaking, and stealing. (16:39) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be.

(16:44) We see that the things we can’t see in life are temporary. (16:49) The things we can’t see are eternal. (16:52) But we do not look at the things which are seen, (16:55) but at the things which are not seen.

(16:59) Temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (17:03) 2 Corinthians 4.18 (17:05) We can’t see heaven, we can’t see God physically, (17:09) because he’s a spirit. (17:12) But they do exist.

(17:14) We have enough information to know that heaven is going to be great. (17:18) We need to think and focus about those things. (17:22) We need not to be conformed by this world, but transformed.

(17:26) Romans 12.2 (17:27) And be not conformed to this world, (17:29) but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. (17:33) You may prove what is good and acceptable in the perfect will of God. (17:39) But life is short on earth.

(17:42) We need to make the most of it and do the best we can (17:44) to be a good Christian and do the will of God. (17:48) Let’s keep in mind that we’re just passing through this world, (17:52) and our citizenship is not here in heaven. (17:55) Philippians 3.20 (17:58) Our citizenship is in heaven, (18:00) and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

(18:06) We are fellow citizens of the saints and members of God’s household. (18:10) Ephesians 2.19 (18:12) Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, (18:16) but fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God. (18:20) We’re in the household of God.

(18:22) We’re adopted. We have an inheritance. (18:26) We have an inheritance of the mind.

(18:30) When this earthly tent we live in is destroyed, (18:33) we have a house not made with hands ready for us in heaven. (18:36) We know if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, (18:40) we have a building from God, (18:42) a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (18:45) 2 Corinthians 5:1 (18:47) We have mansions ready for us.

(18:50) This earthly tent, this body, is going to vanish away. (18:55) We’ll have a new body when we get to heaven. (18:59) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, (19:01) at the last trumpet, (19:03) the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised, incorruptible, (19:06) and we shall be changed.

(19:08) 1 Corinthians 15.52 (19:11) Do not marvel at this, (19:14) for the hour is coming which all who are in grains (19:17) will hear His voice and come forth. (19:19) Those who have done good to the resurrection of life, (19:22) and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation. (19:26) John 5.28-29 (19:28) So there is a time of final judgment.

(19:32) We’re going to be, (19:33) the people on earth are going to be raised up (19:35) and the people from the grave are going to be raised (19:38) with a new body to face judgment (19:40) and decide we’re going to spend eternity. (19:45) So we’re all going to be judged from the same book (19:47) whether you believe in God or not. (19:50) But like the rock says, (19:52) it doesn’t matter what you believe.

(19:53) Because, (19:55) like a guarantee you’re going to face Christ one day, (19:58) you’re going to have to answer for how you lived on earth. (20:02) Even if you don’t believe, it doesn’t matter. (20:05) Because this is reality.

(20:07) Reality is the Bible. (20:09) The Bible is the truth. (20:12) It’s the truth on how the world is.

(20:15) You’re definitely going to have to answer for what you’ve done. (20:19) There was a time in the Old Testament (20:20) that God overlooked ignorance of His Word. (20:23) But not anymore.

(20:26) 1730. (20:28) The time of ignorance, therefore, God overlooked. (20:31) But now He commands men that they should repent.

(20:35) That all should repent. (20:38) So ignorance is not an excuse. (20:40) Just like if you got arrested and got a ticket.

(20:43) You told the cop, well I didn’t know the law. (20:46) You think they’re just going to say, oh that’s okay. (20:48) No, they’re going to give you a ticket and you’re going to have to go to court.

(20:51) Just like ignorance is no excuse for not knowing the Bible or obeying it. (20:56) When you face God, He’s not going to accept that you didn’t know. (21:01) But God wants, He does want all of us to be saved.

(21:05) Isaiah 45.22. (21:08) Turn to me and be saved. (21:10) All you ends of the earth. (21:12) For I am God and there is no other.

(21:15) God does want everybody to be saved. (21:17) But it’s your choice. (21:18) He’s not going to force you to be with Him for eternity if you don’t want to.

(21:24) That’s not love to kidnap somebody and force them to be with you if they don’t want to be with you. (21:30) That’s called, you know, that is kidnapping. (21:33) That’s wrong.

(21:34) So God gives us a free will. (21:36) He wants you to choose to be with Him. (21:38) He wants you to choose to love Him.

(21:42) The life is short and it will be over in an instant. (21:45) You don’t want to spend eternity in a devil’s hell. (21:48) I stole that phrase from Mike, his last sermon.

(21:53) The devil’s hell, it is made for the devil. (21:55) Matthew 25.41. (21:58) Then He will say to those on the left, depart from Me, you who are cursed. (22:04) And to the eternal fire, prepare for the devil and his angels.

(22:08) The devil is prepared for the devil and his angels, not for humans. (22:15) Unfortunately, if you’re deceived by Satan, you’ll spend eternity being tortured day and night. (22:21) Revelations 20.10. (22:23) The devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.

(22:28) He’s in a false prophet ark and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (22:34) That’s the last place you want to be. (22:36) Why would you want to go through this life, living in sin, suffering, having pain? (22:43) And then on top of that, spend eternity in a hell.

(22:46) That’s going to be absolutely miserable. (22:49) The best is to choose that way of life, when you can just have the best life, be a Christian, (22:55) have God on your side, your sins forgiven, and live life in heaven. (23:01) So we deserve death, we deserve hell for our sins.

(23:05) But God is merciful and has given us the free gift of salvation. (23:09) For the one who sinned his death, his death was the gift of God, (23:14) his eternal life is Jesus Christ our Lord. (23:17) Romans 6.23. (23:20) The free gift, Jesus paid for our sins.

(23:25) Now all we have to do is obey him. (23:29) So why not accept the free gift, if you have not become a Christian? (23:35) You just have to trust and obey. (23:37) It’s only a step away.

(23:39) So if you want to become a Christian or need our prayers, now is the time to come forward.