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…, ….