A THEOLOGY OF THE HEREAFTER

1.  The spirit leaves the body.  This is physical death, often referred to as the first death.  It is the only one that a believer has to experience.  When the bible talks about the second death it is the final eternal banishment from the presence of the Lord that is the punishment for the wicked unsaved.  (See #10)

2.  The body returns to the dust; and the spirit of the saved returns to the presence of the Lord.  II Cor 5:6 and 8; Gen. 3:19

3.  In the presence of the Lord, the spirit remains until the time of the rapture. - I Thess. 4:13-17

The spirit of the unsaved goes into torment and hell and there remains until the final judgment (read #10)

4.  At the time of the Rapture, the ‘dead in Christ shall rise first.’  That is, the body shall be called from the grave (see #6).  I Thessalonians 4:13-17

5.  The departed spirit that has been with the Lord shall be brought to the middle of the air and there body and spirit shall be re-united. I Thessalonians 4:13-17

6.  Not as the body deposited into the earth, but as a new glorious body.  I Cor. 15:35- particularly vv.  49 and 52; Phil 3:20.  How does a glorious body look?  I John 3:2

7.  The Lord takes us to be in his presence forever until He prepares the new earth for eternal dwelling by the righteous.  Revelations 21:1-8

However, before we reign on the new earth, the following takes place in the earth

8.  The Great Tribulation: Rev. 4 - 19:  Judgment upon the earth of those who rejected Jesus.

9.  The saints resurrection in Rev. 20:4 are those who have been saved and slain during the resurrection.

10.  The resurrection and the final judgment of the wicked dead from all periods of history - Rev. 20:11 

11.  The earth is scorched and cleansed.  II Peter 3:10-13

12.  After the present earth is dissolved, God will establish the new heaven and new earth that John talks about in Rev. 21.

13.  This is eternal life in the place with many mansions that Jesus talked about in John 14.  It’s where the people of God live forever

“Life Principals that will Prevent you from Popping off Philippians 1:21-24

“Life Principals that will Prevent you from Popping off

 Philippians 1:21-24

In the news, we witnessed people who are facing hard times. People are losing their jobs, businesses are closing, unemployment is at a record high, foreclosures continue to rise, and people are losing their 401K and pension funds. And as result to all the madness, people are committing suicide; some are just throwing in the towel because they are unable to coupe with the storms of life. Yesterday, I read in paper where a man who lived in Markham Illinois killed his girl friend and latter stopped by the police and committed suicide.  People are simply about to pop.  Those who are employed are doing jobs that normally take three people to do.   People are stress, tired, fed up and about to pop.  Somebody here today feel like they are about to loose their mind.  But Jesus will keep you.  Do you know that He’s a keeper?

In the text, Paul is in custody, in chains, in confinement, in prison with no bail and has no idea when he will out of this pinch (see verse 7). He longs to share God’s love and gospel with the Philippians but is held without his will.  Question?  Who or what has a hold on you without your will?  What are you longing to be freed from?

Paul is said “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with the Christ.  In other words, Paul is writing to the Church in Philippi; “I am hard-pressed from both directions…”  In a tight spot, pressured, in a Jam, I don’t know the outcome of this situation, I am in a dilemma, a predicament; Paul is at a tipping point.    Paul is saying don’t push me because I am too close to the edge, I am trying not to loose my head.

When life begins to start grinding on you and the devil begins to play a tone of destruction, you have to remind yourself, His grace is sufficient.   Try to keep sane when everything else seems to fall apart. 

We all have been in this situation where it felt like you were going to pop.  This year, I claimed it as my personal wilderness. I have encountered challenges in life like no other.  I trying felt like I was going to loose my mind.  But I learned Jesus is a heart fixer, minder regulator, a provider, a healer...  I learned Jesus will keep me from loosing my mind, up in here, up in here.

            

We all experience our moments when we are about to pop, or explode.  Jesus Popped when he went into the temple and saw everything under the sun jumping off in the church.  Jesus pulled out his whip and said my father’s house is a house of prayer.   Paul experienced being placed in this situation before.  In Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas who prayer and song hymns unto God while in prison.  But in Philippians 1:23, Paul is by himself. 

           

            There are some things you have to deal with by yourself.  Paul didn’t have Silas to pray with. He did have Silas to sing songs with.   What do you when the saints are not there to help?  When you are at home and the prayer warriors are not there?  The choir is not there to sing your favorite song? What do you do? Do you pop or do you put your trust in God. 

   At one moment, Paul basic said, I am about to pop, but he came to his senses. He was like the prodigal son who came to himself.  Yes I feel like loosing it but but…  I like when God give us “but”.   In verse 24, Paul said Nevertheless / However / But to abide in flesh is more needful for you (the church). Tell your neighborhood I got work to do.  But – is a conjunction, prelude to something to take place.  It’s a turning point from a situation. If you don’t have faith, you can’t get pass But. 

In the sermonic theme, Paul provides us proclamations of empowerment to keep us from popping off.   

1.    Maintain your composure – Philippians 1:27, he reminds us that whatever we face, only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Chris.  In other words, whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.   

1. Don’t let the devil see you sweat
2. Don’t pop off at the boss when he or she test your patience
3. The battle is not yours, it’s the Lords.
4. Before you pop off at the mouth, loose your cool or swag; know that God is working it out in your favor

2. Check your attitude – Philippians 2:5, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (KJV). Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.  When you wake up in the morning, you tell yourself, this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Check your attitude, Whatever a man think, so is he. 

If I am going to be happy, I am expecting to be happy.  If I come in the Lord’s house rejoicing, I expect to leave with joy.   Your attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

3.  Encourage Yourself (Philippians 2:10 – 11)– Paul said if there be any consolation in Christ, if you have any encouragement knowing that you have Jesus by your side.  He will never leave your or forsake you.  Paul did not have Silas with him to sing hymns, but he had a song of Jesus to encourage himself.  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”  Paul’s reminded us through the book to rejoice in the Lord always.  This joy I have, the world did give it and the world can’t take it away.

Be encouraged! Whatever you are facing or going through in life, it is working for your good. “Romans 8:28 “We know that all things work together for the good to them that love God.   Count it pure joy when you are faced with trials, troubles and testing moments (James 1:2, Philippians 1:26).  .   In stead of popping off with anger, bitterness, or even retaliation; pop off praising God.

4.  Don’t Complain – Paul’s reminds us in Philippians 2:14, NIV states; Do everything without complaining.  Do everything without murmurings.  We are troubles on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.  

5. Keep the Faith - (Philippians 3:12) Paul felt as his life was about to pop.  But he is convinced to push pass the pain regardless of the situation.  If you hold on and wait on the Lord, you shall mount up as wings as eagles (Isaiah 40:31).  Keep holding, Keeping pressing through the wilderness.   “I Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”.

·      When keeping the faith, it requires patience (Philippians 4:11). God will provide a way out of your situation.  He will work it out. 

·      Do not be anxious about anything. KJV Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto GOD. 

·      When keeping the faith, we have to be content. Philippians 4:11: Paul said I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.   I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances, well fed or hungry, living in plenty or in want.  Eating steak and Lobster or Peanut Butter and Jelly, Driving a Cadillac or a Toyota, you learned to be content. 

6.  Put your Faith to Practice – (Philippians 4:9)  It’s easy to say, I got faith or sing James Fortune song “I trust You” when the bills are paid, and you have answer.  But can you put your faith to practice when you can’t trace God?  In the text we read, Paul said, I don’t know what to do?  Paul was convinced that God was going to get the glory out of his situation. 

7. Know that you are an over comer -  (Philippians 4:13) Regardless of what the world might say, even when you feel like giving up; know that you can do all things through Christ which strengthened you . You have to remind yourself; greater is he that in me than he that’s in the world.  I am a kings Kid, 1 Peter 2:9

In Chapter One, Paul was about to pop off.  In Chapter four, God gives his a But.  I can testify for Paul, I am about to pop but my Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

When you are tested, he will supply you strength.   When you feel like snapping off, He will supply your peace…, ….

Do I Need This?

Do I Need This?

Scripture: Psalm 73:25 – 26 “Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” KJV

Truth:  We know that God owns everything.  The things we have in our possession belong to God.   God knows our wants, needs and desires.  So, why worry or sweat over obtaining material things when we are going to throw it away.  

Americans throw away nearly 1 million pounds of materials per person every year.   We produce over 250 trillion pounds of wastewater.  If the entire world live like we do, we would need three earths to live on. 

Americans throw away enough garbage everyday to fill 63,000 garbage trucks.   The wisest man simple put it this way “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless! Why, because there’s a new Kingdom is coming.  A new heaven and earth is coming.  

So, I ask the question again, why sweat over the material stuff.  We have to ask ourselves when anxiety sets when you desire something more on this earth than heaven, “Do I need this?”   Will this glorify God?   Examining what we acquire in our life or purchase is not being cheap. This is worship at it’s best!  This is a lifestyle pleasing to the Lord.

The psalmist Asaph almost slipped by looking at world and considered them more blessed than he was.  He almost lost his Kingdom vision and resulted in measuring himself based on the world standards.  Today, we look at someone and called them blessed because they drive a nice car or the live in a nice house or perhaps they wear nice cloths.  These are all external things in which will be all thrown away.  But as Believers of Jesus Christ, we have to focus and maintain the Kingdom mindset that there’s more to than this life and material possessions.   I must stress that point that the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Roman 14:17.

I have discovered that we based our needs on what others have acquired for themselves.  Our youth are drawn to the life style of the rich and famous based on what they see on the music videos, YouTube and on the streets.  

The new fashion statement is based on what a famous person is wearing.    Asaph found himself in the same trap; looking at what world offered instead of what God is offering.  God offer salvation, serenity and sanctification to the saints.

Do you really want God and what God is offering?  Unfortunately, based on the actions of the world, the answer is no.  The world is going to be indicted for the actions of the wicked when Jesus comes back.   Are you going to say, Lord, I just had to have that ____________ you fill in the blanks.

What are you basing your needs on? Is it what you see? Perhaps what others have around you?  Could it be what you hear or what others are telling you?  Asaph was enticed by what he saw and heard from those who seemed to be doing better in life than he was doing.  He was judging and comparing his life experience according to others who wasn’t on the same path he was on.

Enticed by the Attraction of an Allusion of Prosperity

Asaph couldn’t resist the allure of the life style of the wicked.  He was enticed by an allusion of their prosperity. 

He listed the attractions of the allusion that made him almost slip:

·      V4. They have no struggles – this is very attractive.

·      V4. Their bodies are healthy and strong – They looked like the Rock in his new movie (Pain and Gain). – Ladies may say this is very attractive.

·      V5. They are free from the burden common to man; - They had to be rick and in power.

·      V5. They are not plagued by human ills. – No high blood pressure, no diabetes, no heart disease, no cancer.  This is very attractive.

·      V12 Always carefree, they increase in wealth – Very attractive.

Even though how attractive these may be to us and we say I need this lifestyle; but it’s all an allusion.  What seems to be the good life will soon be completely swept away (verse 19).

Apasph reminds us in verse 20, it’s a dream and we can treat them as fantasies.  Don’t be enticed by the attractions of allusions this world offers.  Don’t be fooled by the devil.  He tried it with Jesus in the wilderness but Jesus did not fall for his tricks.

Lured by the Lord to Safety and Salvation in the Sanctuary of God

Until we realized all we need is the Lord and His presence in our life, we will always be trying to fulfill the appetite of the flesh. When Asaph entered into the sanctuary of God; he realized the beauty of the Lord.  He realized he had everything he needed in the Lord.  He did not need money. He did not need wealth and prosperity.  All he needed was to be in the Sanctuary of God.    

God’s presence and holiness should lure us to his sanctuary.  Today, people run away from the church instead of seeking after God presence in the Sanctuary.   Vickie Winans wrote a song, “As long as I got King Jesus, I don’t need nobody else”!

The God in us should be so attractive that we draw others to the Lord. Our lifestyle should attract nonbelievers to come to church. They should be able say, is that him who used to do that and look at him now. 

In verse 22, Asaph testifies how used to be senseless and ignorant.  He was a brute beast before God.   But it’s something about being in the presence of God how He transforms a beast to a better man.  He transforms a street woman to sanctified, Holy Ghost fill sister.

In his presence, there’s safety.  (Psalm 91:1) he that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Asaph was enticed by the world but the Lord lured him into the Sanctuary where he found satisfaction in the Sovereign Lord.

 

Satisfaction in the Sovereign Lord

It’s my prayer that we become to the point as Christians that we get to the maturity level where we can say “there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”  Do I need this; what the world is offering?  If I can be satisfied in the Sovereign Lord, he will take care my every need.  Asaph learned to be satisfied in the Lord and disregard what the world was offering.   If we can get to the point where we don’t desire riches but the Redeemer, when we don’t desire fame but the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, when we don’t desire money but the Maker of Heaven and earth, we will be able to enter in the Lord’s Rest.    

 

Satisfaction In the Sovereign Lord says, “my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.   

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire nothing but you. My heart and flesh may fail but you are the strength of my heart. You are my portion forever.   

“Whatever things were gain, I have counted loss for the sake of my Reward more than that I’m counting everything a loss compared to this to knowing Christ my Lord!”  Shane & Shane My portion.

Application:  Seek the Face before you seek his hand and don’t be distracted by what the world offer but the Kingdom of God is providing now and forever. .   

I don’t need…  

I need nothing but you!

It’s All-Good!

It’s All-Good!

Scriptures: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Keep on reading to verse 39).  Romans 8:28 - 39

Truth:    We are going to experience all types of hardships but good is going to use every experience of our life for His Glory.

In the recent news, we have seen mass killings, unjust killings, children being killed on the streets of Chicago, Government Shutdown, Financial structure crumble, Stock Market taking a dive, war and rumors of wars, massive job lay offs and so on.  

Jesus said in Matthew 24:6-14

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.

⁹ “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

¹⁰ At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

¹¹ and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

¹² Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

¹³ but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

All these things were foretold in the Scriptures.    In the past, I preached a series called “Be on Guard”.   There were four sermons in this series:

1. Be Careful!  - 

2. Watch the Signs 

3. Be on Alert 

4. Stand Guard! – 1 Corinthians 16:13  – Jesus is a night watchman over our souls.  When you are on Guard, you "detect, deter, observe and report".   Often time you have to patrol your area to determine if there any threats in your life.  

As Believers, we will encounter trials and tribulations in life. Yeshua, Jesus declared that we will encounter pain for His name sake.

We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). 

I posted on Face Book what I heard from the spirit of the Lord:

"It's a time for change".

When everything change in your life, it's time for you to change.

If your health change, change your activities.

If your finance change, change your lifestyle.

If people change in your life, change your relationships.

If your environment change, change your location.

Change is coming! Some good and some bad. But it will be a change worth while to mature the saints in the body of Christ.

It's All Good!

Often times we us Romans 8:28 out of context; everything is working for my good. That’s not what the Scripture say.   All (Colossians 1:15) things are working out for the furtherance and completion of God’s design and our destiny.

Have you ever been through hard times? While you were going through the storm, it did not seem that your predicament / situation was going to get better.

That was only half of the story. 

 But after the storm is over and when you make it through, you look back and give God the praise because he worked it out for your good.  After the storm, you are able to discern the complete picture and God's revelation in your life.

If it had not been for that situation, I would of wreck myself.

If it had not been for that hurt ache, I wouldn’t know how to deal with this current pain.

If it wasn’t for that break up, I would of married the wrong person.

If it weren’t for my Xs, I would know how to treat my current blessing.

It’s all-good.  

The Apostle Paul said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:18- 21).

Don’t minimize your sufferings because your future reward will outweigh all present sufferings.    It’s all-good.

The Apostle Paul life included beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, assassination attempts and chronic illness.  But he counted all joy for the sake of the Kingdom. 

An Olympic athlete will endure years of eight-hour practice sessions and much discipline and pain for the goal of winning a gold medal.  Our life  here on earth may consist of many difficulties and challenges but the end result will make them seem worthwhile.   

That’s why I can say, It’s all-good. 

There’s painful progress in Jesus

·      James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. Have you been through all types of trials?

·      Matthew 24:9  - You will be hated and persecuted for Jesus

·      Matthew 10:22 – All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

·      2 Timothy 3:12  - In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

·      Matthew 5:11 - 12– Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the sane way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.