Monday, October 3, 2016

8/21/16 Heaven: Experience It Today!

Have we missed something big about heaven?
     If we focus too much on heaven as a place for us to go in the future, then we might miss that heaven is special because it is full of God's presence. If we focus too much on heaven as a place for us to go in the future, then we might miss that God's presence can be found among us even today (we get a glimpse of heaven on earth).

     We sometimes get the idea that we will one day leave this cursed earth to go to the wonderful place called heaven. Notice some of the Scriptures we looked at within the last 2 weeks and what they focus on... Revelation 21:1-5, 10, 22-24; 2 Peter 3:10-13


I believe the key can be found the Lord's model prayer – Matthew 6:9-13
“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (v.10)

Daniel2 – prophecy about God's kingdom spreading over EARTH! (see v.35 & v.44)
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2, 4:17, 10:7)

Matthew 13 parables
- sower (3-9, 18-23): the entire parable takes place here on earth! (v.23)
- wheat & weeds (24-30, 37-43): “the field is the world...” (v.38)
- mustard seed (31-32): seed growth – takes place here on earth or in heaven?
- leaven/yeast (33): spread of the kingdom – does it happen on earth or in heaven?
- hidden treasure (44): Where was this treasure found? - heaven or earth?
- pearl of great price (45-46): Do we go to heaven before we find this pearl?
- dragnet (47-50): Where are the fish caught – on earth or in heaven?
    * Sometimes, when we focus the most on heaven is when we turn our attention to the earth! At least that's what ALL those parables indicate.


The Temple: God Among His People

God was working in the early church
Is God working among the church today? Is His presence here among us / within us?
If the answer is yes → why can't we enjoy this NOW & look forward to future
If the answer is no → what are we going to do to change it & what do we look forward to?


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