Hebrews 11:13-16 “These
all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having
seen them afar off were assured of them,
embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly
that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to
mind that country from which they had come out, they would have
had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a
heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Pastor Kyle continues his
Sunday sermon message on “measuring up” by stating that the Gospel costs us
everything. Jesus said in Luke 9:23-25 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save
his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save
it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is
himself destroyed or lost?”
We must lose our egocentric
life; freely give it up and give it back to the Lord as a “living sacrifice”. God
meets us where we are at, but loves us enough to not leave us where we are at. God
comes first and foremost. No more knowing what Jesus did and what the Lord
requires, but not practicing it in our life. Acknowledge what Jesus has done
and live it out daily. A better life and heavenly country awaits in the kingdom
of God, as a child of God. This is not out home; as citizens of Heaven, we are
just passing through. Jesus said in John 12:25, “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life
in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Jesus stepped out of eternity and
into our reality. God stepped down from Heaven to Earth to save us and asks
for one thing … our whole life; the greatest gift and the sweetest offering. Everyone
wants the free gift of eternal life, but many do not want to give up their autonomous
freedom, but following Jesus costs everything.
John 12:26 “If
anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant
will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”
This life is temporal, but
eternity is forever; never-ending by definition. One day our existence shall
end. Our last breath here will be the true Christians first breath in Heaven.
When the child of God passes here on earth, it will be amazing there. But, here
and now, disciples of Jesus Christ are filled with the Holy Spirit, stable and
grounded in their faith and life because they measure up. This side of
eternity, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wants to honor us. Our power and authority
comes from serving God. Follow, trust and obey the Lord because you measure up,
are accepted and are blessed now.
In Christ, Brian
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