1 Corinthians 2:9 10/27/2020*

“… No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Do you find yourself clinging to this world instead of anticipating eternity?  It’s not your fault - you have no idea what is waiting for you…you aren’t capable of knowing what is waiting for you.
 
God created the universe in just six days.  But Jesus has been preparing a place for us for over 2000 years (John 14) - so the splendor of what awaits us is literally beyond our imagination. This makes one of my favorite songs technically incorrect …I cannot “only imagine”. 

Simply put, our minds have nothing to draw from to achieve this level of magnificence. We imagine Heaven as us sitting in boredom playing a harp…when in actuality Heaven will be more exciting than any last-minute championship win.

  
The Grand Canyon, the Northern lights, white sandy beaches – these are all just preliminary sketches.  No one has ever seen anything close to the masterpiece God is preparing…We are destined for a place that will amaze us for an eternity.
 
So how should this impact us?  

To begin with we should be less frantic about this world and more focused on the next one.

  
If I have a hot dog - but know a filet mignon is on the way - I am less possessive of the dog.  If my coloring book is damaged but my Rembrandt is safe on the wall – I simply focus on the treasure.

 
People should notice you have a different perspective.  It should make them curious that you are not consumed with the trinkets of this world.

 
The only thing of eternal value on this planet is other people’s souls. The only news events that matter are those that impact those soul’s eternal destiny. The hysteria we generate over temporary events and possessions is unjustifiable.

Spend more time today anticipating the gourmet meal being prepared for you …and spend less time worrying about the fast food of this world. 

 
An amazing eternity is being arranged for you, and your job is to bring as many people as you can with you ...  

When people see your peace and ask you to explain your lack of anxiety in this world – this verse will be an excellent place to start.

“The love of heaven makes one heavenly.”
-  William Shakespeare

2 Corinthians 5:17 10/20/2020*

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

We usually look at this verse in the context of the freedom we have in Christ. He has made us new.  Our past is gone, our guilt is removed, and we walk in His righteousness.

This is the gospel, and we read this verse joyfully and acknowledge that we are redeemed and without guilt…

But this morning I want to look at it from a different angle. This morning let’s look at the fact that this verse is not only about how I see myself – it is also about how I see you.

 
We are quick to claim amazing grace and apply the blood of Christ to our sins - but we are slower to apply that same grace to the sins of others. 

This verse says I am a new creation – brand new. …But how can I claim that promise without extending it to you as well? 

Are there people in your life that you have forgiven for their sin - but not forgotten it?  Do you see them as “repaired” instead of brand new?

Even some in the church today, will say “don’t hold a grudge - but don’t forget what they did either”. But is that forgiveness?  

Should God see you that way?  Should He forgive your sin but keep you at a distance?  Should your account be wiped clean, but your value be reduced because you faltered?

We can’t have it both ways…. If “new creation” means “new” – then the old is gone away …Paul says “Behold the new has come” … he says look for yourself, I am a different person. 

I realize this sounds like a good way to get hurt again…and it is. 

Love is hard - and sometimes people fail us twice… sometimes they fail us seventy times seven times.  But that does not change the requirement 

If I believe I am new and redeemed – I must believe you are too. 

It creates great internal conflict when you define the word “forgiveness” one way for you, and another way for those who hurt you.

God will do the accounting for others - that is His job…He has wiped your account clean, so your assignment is to forgive, forget, love, and be free.  

“Forgotten is forgiven”. — F. Scott Fitzgerald

1 Corinthians 12:26 10/13/2020*

 “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

At some point we should all be involved in a team sport. Our culture pushes individual rights, and accolades so strongly that most of us need something to teach us unselfishness.

Many will have a “team spirit” if that will bring them individual recognition, but that is not humility. That is the equivalent of saying, “my humbleness is what makes me great”, and that statement invalidates itself. 

Self-centeredness creeps into our spiritual life as well, and Paul spends this chapter telling us that we have missed the point. 

The church is a team of one … We do not keep personal stats, we don’t hand out MVP awards, and we all have the same name on the back of our jersey … Nothing draws attention to us individually. We celebrate and suffer together…as one.

In fact, scripture teaches that if we do good things for others, we should do them secretly. It is as though we are to blend so perfectly into one body that the world sees a single entity where the pastor, nursery worker, and custodian are all equally important.

Arguments in the church should be the opposite of what we hear in the world. Instead of seeking recognition - we should be pushing others to the front and insisting on giving them credit. 

This not only edifies the church; it is the most liberating thing you can do for yourself.  There is nothing that reduces anxiety more than humility. Nothing brings freedom like elevating someone else’s needs above your own because your Father loves them.

When I coached our moto was always “an Audience of One”.  And that is the key to this passage. Only God can meet your need for recognition. He is the only spectator in the stands of your life that matters. 

If you recognize this it will eliminate the useless stress you have been carrying and make you a more effective member of your family, church, business, and friend group. 

But most importantly it will set you free for God to use to fulfill His plans. Because in the end - the “One” who is your audience…is the only One who actually deserves applause. 

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” - Harry S Truman

Philippians 3:20 10/6/2020*

“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

We must never forget that this is an “away game”.

If we do not feel at home in this world - it is because we are not…  We should not expect a home field advantage. 

When you play an away game, you do not anticipate applause. You come prepared to be harassed and taunted…It does not discourage you it motivates you.   

As a Christian if you are looking for applause you have overlooked where the game is ... If you are surprised at what you see on the news you have forgotten where you are...

The fact that this is not our home becomes clearer every day, but that should not depress us…it should inspire us…Some people are enemies of the cross. But we do not despise our opponents because we were once enemies of the cross ourselves.

We are not here to defeat them – we are here to rescue them. We are here to bring them truth even though that will not always make us popular. That’s OK because that’s not the goal - our mission is to make followers of Christ, not followers of us. 

Jesus is coming back, but until He does we are behind enemy lines. We cannot forget that we are “in this world” not “of it” …In fact, if you are universally accepted and appreciated it may be because they do not know what team you’re on…Make sure it is evident Who your King is…We’re not here to make enemies - but we are here to be different.   

Live boldly in this foreign land - Be salt and light – Refuse to blend in, knowing your King is coming soon. 

You are not a tourist - and your popularity is not the goal … your objective is to never water-down the truth…and get the gospel to as many people as you can…That, after all, is the only reason you are still here. 

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” - Jesus