Journeying Home: Embracing Our Eternal Destination
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of home, not as a physical location on earth, but as a spiritual destination designed by God. We began by acknowledging the holiness of God, emphasizing the reverence and respect that should accompany our worship. This reverence is not just a cultural expression but a spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with God's eternal kingdom. We discussed the importance of giving as a spiritual practice that detaches us from materialism and prepares us for our eternal home. Jesus' teachings in Matthew remind us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. This world is not our final destination, and our giving reflects our commitment to a heavenly economy.
We delved into the story of Abraham from Hebrews 11, who stepped into the unknown with faith, looking forward to a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Abraham's journey teaches us that our earthly experiences, no matter how fulfilling, are mere shadows of the eternal reality God has prepared for us. This city, the New Jerusalem, is a place of joy, community, and divine presence, where angels celebrate and the saints who have gone before us await our arrival.
We also touched on the significance of living as citizens of this heavenly city while still on earth. Our lives should reflect the values and priorities of God's kingdom, transcending national and cultural boundaries. The church is a foretaste of this eternal community, a place where all are welcome to experience the love and grace of God.
Finally, we were reminded that our ultimate home is with God, where there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain. This hope should shape our lives, encouraging us to live with purpose and anticipation. As we journey through life, let us keep our eyes fixed on the eternal city, allowing its reality to transform our present.
Key Takeaways:
1. Reverence and Worship: True worship involves a deep reverence for God's holiness, which transcends cultural expressions and aligns our hearts with His eternal kingdom. This reverence is a spiritual discipline that prepares us for our heavenly home. [00:00]
2. The Spiritual Discipline of Giving: Giving is a practice that detaches us from materialism and aligns our hearts with God's kingdom. It reflects our commitment to a heavenly economy and prepares us for eternity, where our true treasure lies. [12:46]
3. Faith and the Unknown: Like Abraham, we are called to step into the unknown with faith, trusting in God's promises. Our earthly journey is a preparation for the eternal city, a place of divine presence and joy. [40:07]
4. Citizens of a Heavenly City: As believers, we are citizens of a heavenly city, called to live out its values on earth. This transcends national and cultural boundaries, uniting us as one family in Christ. [57:28]
5. Hope in the Eternal Home: Our ultimate home is with God, where there will be no more death or sorrow. This hope should shape our lives, encouraging us to live with purpose and anticipation of the eternal city. [01:24:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:30] - Reverence and Worship
- [00:05:15] - Introduction to Giving
- [00:10:45] - Spiritual Discipline of Giving
- [00:15:30] - Matthew's Teachings on Treasure
- [00:20:00] - Preparing for Eternity
- [00:25:45] - Abraham's Journey of Faith
- [00:30:00] - The Promise of a Heavenly City
- [00:35:20] - Living as Citizens of Heaven
- [00:40:07] - The Reality of the New Jerusalem
- [00:45:30] - Community and Unity in Christ
- [00:50:00] - The Hope of Our Eternal Home
- [00:55:45] - Invitation to Faith
- [01:00:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
- [01:05:00] - Final Song: Home
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:19-21
2. Hebrews 11:8-10
3. Revelation 21:1-4
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about where we should store our treasures, and why? How does this relate to the concept of a "heavenly economy" mentioned in the sermon? [12:46]
2. According to Hebrews 11:8-10, what was Abraham's attitude towards his earthly journey, and what was he ultimately looking forward to? How does this reflect the idea of living as "aliens and strangers" on earth? [40:07]
3. In Revelation 21:1-4, what are some of the characteristics of the New Jerusalem, and how do they contrast with our current world? How does this passage support the sermon’s message about our ultimate home with God? [01:24:57]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of reverence in worship. How does the pastor describe the difference in reverence between different cultural expressions of worship? [00:00]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of giving as a spiritual discipline help believers detach from materialism and prepare for their eternal home, according to the sermon? [12:46]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our earthly citizenship and our citizenship in the heavenly city? How should this influence our priorities and actions? [57:28]
3. The sermon discusses the idea of living with purpose and anticipation of our eternal home. How does this perspective change the way we view our current struggles and challenges? [01:24:57]
4. How does the pastor use the story of Abraham to illustrate the journey of faith into the unknown? What lessons can be drawn from Abraham's example for our own spiritual journeys? [40:07]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you are storing up treasures on earth rather than in heaven? What practical steps can you take to align your heart with God's eternal kingdom? [12:46]
2. Consider your approach to giving. How can you make giving a more intentional spiritual discipline in your life? What changes might you need to make to reflect a commitment to a heavenly economy? [12:46]
3. Think about a time when you faced an unknown future. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Abraham's example of faith? How can you apply this lesson to a current situation in your life? [40:07]
4. How does the idea of being a citizen of a heavenly city influence your interactions with others, especially those from different cultural or national backgrounds? What steps can you take to live out the values of God's kingdom in your community? [57:28]
5. The sermon emphasizes the hope of an eternal home with God. How does this hope shape your daily life and decisions? What specific actions can you take to live with greater purpose and anticipation of the eternal city? [01:24:57]
6. Reflect on your worship practices. How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God's holiness in your personal and communal worship experiences? [00:00]
7. Identify one area of your life where you feel "stuck" or overly attached to worldly things. What steps can you take this week to detach from these and focus more on your spiritual journey towards your eternal home? [12:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Reverence as a Pathway to God's Kingdom
True worship involves a deep reverence for God's holiness, which transcends cultural expressions and aligns our hearts with His eternal kingdom. Reverence is not merely a cultural expression but a spiritual discipline that prepares us for our heavenly home. It is an acknowledgment of God's holiness and a commitment to align our hearts with His eternal kingdom. This reverence shapes our worship, guiding us to approach God with the respect and awe He deserves. As we cultivate this discipline, we prepare ourselves for our ultimate home with God, where reverence will be a natural response to His presence. [00:00]
"Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence in your daily worship practices, acknowledging God's holiness and aligning your heart with His eternal kingdom?
Day 2: Giving as a Detachment from Materialism
Giving is a practice that detaches us from materialism and aligns our hearts with God's kingdom. It reflects our commitment to a heavenly economy and prepares us for eternity, where our true treasure lies. By giving, we acknowledge that our earthly possessions are temporary and that our true wealth is found in God's eternal kingdom. This practice helps us to focus on what truly matters, freeing us from the grip of materialism and preparing us for our eternal home. [12:46]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current approach to giving. How can you intentionally use your resources to reflect your commitment to God's kingdom and detach from materialism today?
Day 3: Faith in the Journey to the Unknown
Like Abraham, we are called to step into the unknown with faith, trusting in God's promises. Our earthly journey is a preparation for the eternal city, a place of divine presence and joy. Abraham's journey teaches us that our earthly experiences, no matter how fulfilling, are mere shadows of the eternal reality God has prepared for us. By stepping out in faith, we align ourselves with God's promises, trusting that He is leading us to a place of joy and divine presence. [40:07]
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you trust Him more fully in this journey today?
Day 4: Living as Citizens of Heaven
As believers, we are citizens of a heavenly city, called to live out its values on earth. This transcends national and cultural boundaries, uniting us as one family in Christ. Our lives should reflect the values and priorities of God's kingdom, demonstrating love, grace, and unity. By living as citizens of heaven, we offer a glimpse of the eternal community God has prepared for us, inviting others to experience His love and grace. [57:28]
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally live out the values of God's kingdom in your daily interactions, transcending cultural and national boundaries to reflect your heavenly citizenship?
Day 5: Hope in Our Eternal Home
Our ultimate home is with God, where there will be no more death or sorrow. This hope should shape our lives, encouraging us to live with purpose and anticipation of the eternal city. As we journey through life, let us keep our eyes fixed on the eternal city, allowing its reality to transform our present. This hope provides comfort and strength, reminding us that our current struggles are temporary and that a glorious future awaits us with God. [01:24:57]
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can the hope of your eternal home with God shape your perspective and actions today, especially in the face of challenges or sorrows?
Quotes
"You don't have to worry about anything. Holy. Holy. Santo is a beautiful word in Spanish for holy. If you've ever worshiped in a Spanish church, you will hear that word. Many times. And it's. something about some, often in the Latino community, there's believers, there's just a degree of reverence and respect that often can be missing in some of our non-Latino congregations. I appreciate the Lord just teaching us to reverence him. He's a holy, holy santo, santo, so he's here, and it's always a good day at the vineyard when Jesus decides to come to church." [00:31:23] (45 seconds)
"Where your treasure is, that's where your heart will be. So basically, giving is a spiritual discipline to help untie or sever allegiances to materialism that become a trap to keep believers from looking forward to being with Jesus in eternity. And so there'll come a moment when Christ returns, and we won't have an opportunity to disentangle at that point. You're either going to be ready to go meet the Lord, or you're not going to be ready." [00:34:33] (32 seconds)
"All right, we're on this series called Stepping Into the Unknown, which the more you walk with Jesus, it's normal. It's normal to go, I'm not sure what God's doing. I just, I'm waiting on him to show me. I know I'm learning. I want him to guide me. I don't know where I'm going always. I don't know how I'm going to get there. Have you ever heard this phrase, I used it a lot in the past. The journey is the destination." [00:37:55] (28 seconds)
"I want to talk to you about home this morning, and I want you to know where it is. I want to talk to you about not knowing the next step. I want you to know the last step, because if you don't know the last step, and if you don't know where you're going, it doesn't really matter what your journey is here, because if you don't know where you're going, you'll never get home." [00:41:50] (26 seconds)
"so we're uh we're looking for another place that's home that god's put in us as a as believers a homing device called the holy spirit who lives in us to say this isn't it there's more there's something better don't don't don't put your roots down so deep here that you can't move anywhere because there's something better. There's going to be a going home day. There's going to be a day that you say goodbye to this earth. And if you don't know where home is, if you haven't figured out yet what's eternal that has foundations, that's not going to get blown away with a flood. It's going to get wiped out with a war. It's not going to get destroyed with a stock market crash. The only place that's secure and known is Adam. Abraham wasn't like, well, I hope it's real. He said, I'm going. I'm putting all. Is faith risky? It'll cost you everything." [00:50:09] (63 seconds)
"To trust God for the future means you've got to put all your chips into the center of the table and say, I'm all in. Because I'm going where God is. I'm not going to make my home where he isn't. Because we're not going to make our home where he isn't. We're not going to work. You know what? If you take God out of anywhere, you know what you have? Hell. I don't care if you live in a big, beautiful home. If God's not in it, you'll be hell. There's no peace. There's no joy. There's lots of people living in really nice homes that are miserable, that commit suicide. They're bankrupt spiritually. They think that they finally got everything they wanted to get, and they're still empty. Why? Because this isn't home." [00:51:11] (42 seconds)
"Why did the birds fly thousands of miles to lay their eggs in the same place every year? Because they have a homing device that God puts in them, an instinct that's in them. They know the salmon know they're going to swim up that stream, whatever it takes to get up there, because that's where they're going to multiply and lay eggs. How do the sea turtles and the whales travel thousands of miles to have their babies in the same place? Well, evolution has come along. That's the lesson. That's the lesson. That's the lesson. That's the lesson. That's the load of crap. People that believe that, they'll believe anything. Sell them something that you don't own, because they're not smart. It's God -designed. It's supernatural, and he's built a city that's going to be an incredible city. So what do I want to do?" [00:51:49] (46 seconds)
"one chapter over, chapter 12. The chapter opens with this admonition that we're surrounded with a great cloud of witnesses. Those are the saints and believers that have gone on before us. But then he compares the Old Testament giving of the law and how terrible it was as far as the strictness and the rigidness and the terror if you do something wrong or touch the mountain, you know. And he says, no, we're not coming to that. He gives an alternative. So let's pick up in chapter 12, and this is a tour, a guided tour, to the heavenly city. He begins in verse 22. But you have come." [00:55:42] (42 seconds)
"to Mount Zion. Now that's a term used for where Jerusalem was built. So it had several hills. One of them was called Zion, and that's where they built the house of David. But then they also had the hill of Moriah. That's where Abraham sacrificed Isaac. That's where the temple was built. And so you've got this, he's comparing to the old with something totally new. He said, you've come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. Now, let me just start with this word, you have come. It has the meaning in the tense, in the Greek language, is that you've come and you're there, but you're still coming because you're going to be there in a much fuller way. So when you come to Jesus, you've come into the city. You'll see that in the Greek language. You've come into the city. You've come into the city. that in a little bit. You become a citizen of heaven." [00:56:24] (64 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?