3 things we need to talk about more
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:8 NIV
We’ve been good at championing heaven coming to earth, and rightly so. But one thing we haven’t talked about nearly as much is the returning of Jesus Christ, our home in heaven, and living with an eternal perspective. I’m a big believer that hope for the future brings strength for today. I don’t understand end times, nor do I want to argue about it - but one thing I know, Jesus is coming back and it should massively impact the way I live my life now.
One of the main catalysts for me getting saved was a near-death experience. I crashed into a Chevy Suburban going around 70mph in my 1983 Toyota Corolla hatchback. God protected me and I came out with a few bruises and scratches.
But it shocked me! Who knows what would’ve happened if I didn’t wear my seatbelt?
The point is, life comes into a different perspective when you come near the possibility of death and the idea of eternity. For me, I began searching out God and eventually got saved.
It was Jesus who taught us to pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” So rightfully, we believe God wants heaven to come to earth.
But as I read the New Testament, I notice that eagerly awaiting the appearing of the Lord Jesus was normal for the believers. (Just do a Google search on “bible eagerly waiting” and you’ll find plenty of references).
If we only focus on heaven coming to earth in the here and now, it’s possible we could miss out on one of the values that the early disciples lived with (the expectation of Jesus returning) - and in doing that, we lose part of God’s plan to purify our lives, ignite us with purpose and give us eternal perspective.
So in light of that, here’s 3 things we should talk about more:
1. Jesus is coming back
Ok, I know, I know...starting a conversation on end times is like starting a war…
Here’s what I know - the angels who stood by at Jesus’ ascension said “...“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
Do I know when? Nope.
But because of this statement, and many others, the early disciples lived with an expectation that Jesus is coming back!
Paul said he longed for the appearing of Jesus!
And that perspective affected their here and now.
2. We have a home in heaven
Philippians 3:20 says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (by the way, there’s that phrase again - “eagerly wait”)
What’s the point?
This is not our home. We won’t be here forever. We are citizens of heaven.
Jesus is preparing a place for us.
There’s no pain, no death, no sorrow there.
It’s far better than we could ever imagine.
3. Life with an eternal perspective
James 4:14 says, “...For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
Why is that important to know?
The greater reality of our lives is not here on earth.
Why do you think Jesus said to lay up treasures in heaven?
There’s many New Testament passages that teach us that our hope for heaven actually transforms us in the here and now.
To live lives of purity and righteousness (Titus 2:11-13)
To live with great hope for the future (Titus 2:13)
To live with purpose, being faithful with what God has entrusted us with (Luke 19:13)
The bottom line is this - I’m going to pull on heaven as much as I can in the here and now. I will love my wife, kids and family. I will use what God has given me for His glory, I will preach the gospel, make disciples - But we cannot ignore the fact that our life here on earth is not forever.
Jesus said in Luke 19:13 - “Occupy until I come.”
Question: How has living in light of eternity impacted your day to day life?
P.S. click here to watch the full sermon on this subject 📺