When We All Get To Heaven

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Imagine what it will be like when we see the face of Jesus, to hear His voice,  to feel His touch. 

Imagine bowing at His feet and thanking Him for the cross, the blood, the empty tomb, the Bible, the Holy Ghost, the Church, and the blessings of life. 

Does the thought of the Lord’s coming comfort your heart? It sure does mine. 

Paul is telling us to remind one another that this life with all its pains, sorrows and problems is temporary. 

He tells us to find our hope, our comfort, and our encouragement in the coming of Jesus.

When we all get to Heaven. . . . . 

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“Sing the wondrous love of Jesus;   —  Sing His mercy and his grace.   —  In the mansions bright and blessed   —  He'll prepare for us a place.

Chorus:

“When we all get to heaven,   —   What a day of rejoicing that will be!   —   When we all see Jesus,   —   We'll sing and shout the victory!

“While we walk the pilgrim pathway   —   Clouds will overspread the sky,   —   But when traveling days are over,   —   Not a shadow not a sigh.

“Let us then be true and faithful,   —   Trusting, serving everyday    —   Just one glimpse of Him in glory    —   Will the toils of life repay.

“Onward to the prize before us!   —   Soon His beauty we'll behold;   —   Soon the pearly gates will open;   —   We shall tread the streets of gold.”

Eliza E. Hewitt 1898  

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Sheltered In The Arms Of God

Psalm 61:2-3 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 

[3] For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

David wrote this Psalm while hiding from his enemies on the prowl to kill him.

No doubt he recalled the amazing victories of killing a lion, a bear, and a giant; knowing “Only God” could’ve helped him. Those thoughts increased his faith.

Have you ever had “Only God” moments? I often have.

Many years ago Gale was stationed overseas with the Air Force. He called me every Saturday. I had two small children and it was Wednesday and I urgently needed to talk to him but didn’t know how. 

I was at work that day, and he called me. “I don’t know why I’m calling,” he said, “but Something told me to call you,” 

Think about your “Only God” moments and perhaps those you knew nothing about. That’s shelter that God gives. It increases your faith. Trust Him.

Sheltered in the arms of God.

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“I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender.   —   They're leading me in paths that I must trod.   —   I'll have no fear when Jesus walks beside me,   —   For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.

Chorus:

“So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise;   —   They won't worry me,   —   for I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God.   —   He walks with me and naught of earth shall harm me,   —   For I'm sheltered in the arms of God

“Soon I shall hear the call from Heaven's portals,   —   “Come home, my child, it's the last mile you must trod.”   —   I'll fall asleep and wake in God's new Heaven,   —   For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.”

Dottie Rambo and Jimmie Davis

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

I Believe In A Hill Called Mt. Calvary

“The Passion Of The Christ”, produced and directed by Mel Gibson several years ago, revealed the most horrific and bloody   depiction of the death of Jesus ever caught on film. I cried. 

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus suffered greatly at Calvary when He died on the cross, Isa. 52:14; Isa. 53:1-6.  

As He hung there in agony and shame, dying for the sins of humanity, He reached out in love and compassion to this poor, lost thief hanging beside Him and saved His soul. 

I’m glad Jesus reached out and saved me when I called on Him for salvation. 

He will do the same for all who believe.

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary.

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“There are things as we travel this earth’s shifting sands   —   That transcend all the reason of man;   —   But the things that matter the most in this world,   —   They can never be held in our hand.

Chorus:

“I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary.   —   I’ll believe whatever the cost;   —   And when time has surrendered and earth is no more,    —   I’ll still cling to that old rugged cross.

“I believe that the Christ who was slain on the cross   —   Has the power to change lives today;  —   For He changed me completely, a new life is mine,    —   That is why by the cross I will stay.

“I believe that this life with its great mysteries  —  Surely someday will come to an end;   —   But faith will conquer the darkness and death    —   And will lead me at last to my Friend.”

Dale Oldham, Gloria Gaither, and William J. Gaither

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

The Longer I Serve Him

The song, “Time Has Made A Change In Me” hit home. 

Seems like one day I awoke with my eyes straining through my glasses and my weak legs leaning on a cane. 

A hand full of pills had altered my morning routine not to mention the many doctor appointments on the calendar. 

I love all the church hymns, but “Never Grow Old” is now among my favorites. 

On the bright side, there are more answered prayers to remember  and more storm victories to recall. 

That gives me joy as I praise the Lord.

Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.

The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows.

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“Since I started for the Kingdom,   —   Since my life He controls,   —   Since I gave my heart to Jesus,   —   The longer I serve Him,

The sweeter He grows.

Chorus:

“The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows,   —   The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;   —   Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,   —   The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

“Every need He is supplying,   —   Plenteous grace He bestows;   —   Every day my way gets brighter,   —   The longer I serve Him,

The sweeter He grows.”

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Jesus Is All The World To Me

Jesus is the best friend I ever had. He saved me. He loves me. 

He answers my prayers — big and small, and when I’m weak He gives me strength. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Did I mention that the good Lord has carried me through many trials?

Jesus is all the world to me.

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“Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all.   —    He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.   —    When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so.   —    When I am sad, He makes me glad, - He's my Friend.

“Jesus is all the world to me, my Friend in trials sore;   —    I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them o’er and o’er.   —    He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest’s golden grain;   —    Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, - He’s my Friend.

“Jesus is all the world to me, and true to Him I’ll be;   —    O how could I this Friend deny  when He's so true to me?   —    Following Him I know I’m right, He watches o’er me day and night;

   —    Following Him by day and night, - He's my Friend.

“Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend;   —    I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when Life's fleeting days shall end;   —    Beautiful life with such a Friend; beautiful life that has no end;   —    Eternal life, eternal joy, He’s my Friend.”

Will L. Thompson

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Because He Lives

Truly, those who are saved by grace have many reasons to rejoice in who they are and what they have in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

But It seems that our world is in a mess. Sometimes we allow it to steal the glory that God has placed in our hearts. This shouldn’t be.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Thank God, three days after His death on the cross, Jesus came out of His tomb, victorious over death, Hell and the grave - Matt. 28:1-6.

With this in mind, the saints of God can face death with confidence, knowing that one day, these bodies will live again. If the body dies, the spirit lives on, 2 Cor. 5:8.

Because He lives, we can face the uncertain days in this world and after.

Because He Lives

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“God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus   —  He came to love, heal and forgive.   —  He lived and died to buy my pardon.   —  An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Chorus:

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.   —  Because He lives, all fear is gone.   —  Because I know He holds the future,   — 

And life is worth the living   —  Just because He lives.

“How sweet to hold a newborn baby   —  And feel the pride and the joy he gives.   —  But greater still the calm assurance   —  This child can face uncertain days because He Lives.

“And then one day, I’ll cross that river   —  I’ll fight life’s final war with pain.   —  And then as death gives way to vict’ry    —  I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He reigns.”

William J. Gaither and Gloria Gaither

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Faith Of Our Fathers

Today being “Fathers Day”, I think about my father, Gene Watson,  taking my rather large family to church, sometimes walking the mile or so when the car didn’t run.

I’m thankful for that, because I heard the gospel there and accepted Christ as my personal Savior at the age of ten. 

I sometimes wonder what my life would be if I had not heard the word of God as a child. 

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Faith of our fathers.

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“Faith of our fathers! living still   —   In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword.    —   O how our hearts beat high with joy    —   Whene'er we hear that glorious word!

Chorus

“Faith of our fathers, holy faith!   —   We will be true to thee till death. 

“Faith of our fathers! we will strive   —   To win all nations unto thee.   —   And through the truth that comes from God   —   We all shall then be truly free: 

“Faith of our fathers! We will love   —   Both friend and foe in all our strife,   —   And preach thee, too, as love knows how   —   By kindly words and virtuous life.” 

Frederick W. Fabre 1849

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.