Longing for Our True Home in Christ
Summary
In our series "Obsession and Euphoria," we explore the deep-seated sense that the world is not as it should be. We yearn for a euphoric existence, a life filled with joy and peace, yet we find ourselves in a world marked by pain and chaos. This longing leads us to chase temporary pleasures—possessions, popularity, prestige, and power—hoping they will fill the void. However, these pursuits only offer fleeting satisfaction. We are love-driven beings, created by Christ and for Christ, and until we experience His love daily, we will continue to feel an emptiness inside.
Today, we delve into the concept of "home." We all have memories of places we've called home, places that evoke feelings of safety and comfort. Yet, these earthly homes are mere shadows of our true home. We are predestined for a singular somewhere, a perfect home designed by God. This longing for a place we've never seen is a divine stirring, urging us to look beyond our current existence to the home God has prepared for us.
Abraham, despite not having a Bible, looked forward to a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. This city represents our true home, a place where we will be face-to-face with our Creator, free from sin, sorrow, and death. Our earthly homes, no matter how comfortable, are temporary stops on our journey to this eternal home.
The Bible warns us not to become too attached to this world, as it can dull our spiritual senses. Instead, we should live as foreigners, looking forward to the city that is to come. This heavenly city is a real, tangible place, a new heaven and a new earth where God will dwell among His people. It is a place of unimaginable beauty and joy, where every tear will be wiped away, and there will be no more pain or death.
Jesus is preparing a home for each of us, tailored to our deepest desires. This home will be a place of perfect safety, security, and love. Until we are in this singular place with our singular someone, we will never truly feel at home. Let us hold on to this hope, allowing it to strengthen and encourage us as we navigate the challenges of this world.
Key Takeaways:
- Our yearning for a euphoric existence is a reflection of our spiritual longing for God. We often chase temporary pleasures, but true fulfillment comes from experiencing Christ's love daily. [49:33]
- Earthly homes are temporary and imperfect. They serve as reminders of our true home, a perfect place designed by God where we will be face-to-face with Him. [53:57]
- Abraham's faith in a city built by God teaches us to look beyond our current circumstances and trust in God's promises for a heavenly home. [56:19]
- We are called to live as foreigners in this world, not becoming too attached to its pleasures, but looking forward to the eternal city God has prepared for us. [01:03:09]
- Jesus is preparing a home for each of us, tailored to our deepest desires. This home will be a place of perfect safety, security, and love, fulfilling our deepest longings. [01:18:55]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Series Introduction
[02:30] - The Five P's of Temporary Euphoria
[05:15] - The Search for a Singular Someone
[08:00] - The Concept of Home
[12:45] - Memories of Home
[16:30] - The Journey Home
[20:00] - The Significance of Home
[23:45] - The Real Home
[28:00] - Abraham's Faith and the City of God
[32:15] - The Warning Against Worldly Attachments
[36:00] - The Promise of a Heavenly Home
[40:30] - Jesus Preparing Our Home
[45:00] - The New Heaven and New Earth
[50:00] - The Tangible Reality of Our Eternal Home
[55:00] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:8-10 (NIV) - "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
2. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV) - "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
3. John 14:2-3 (NIV) - "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the five "P's" mentioned in the sermon that people often chase for temporary euphoria? [49:33]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "home" in relation to our spiritual journey? [53:57]
3. What was Abraham looking forward to, according to the sermon, and how does it relate to our understanding of a heavenly home? [56:19]
4. How does the sermon explain the warning against becoming too attached to this world? [01:03:09]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Abraham's faith in a city built by God challenge our current understanding of faith and trust in God's promises? [56:19]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our earthly homes are reflections or shadows of our true home with God? [53:57]
3. How does the sermon interpret the longing for a euphoric existence as a spiritual yearning for God? [49:33]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of Jesus in preparing a home for us, and how does this affect our daily lives? [01:18:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the five "P's" of temporary euphoria mentioned in the sermon. Which of these do you find yourself most drawn to, and how can you redirect that longing towards experiencing Christ's love daily? [49:33]
2. Think about a place you have called home in the past. How do the feelings associated with that place compare to the idea of a heavenly home as described in the sermon? [53:57]
3. How can Abraham's example of looking forward to a city built by God inspire you to trust in God's promises for your life today? [56:19]
4. In what ways can you live as a "foreigner" in this world, as the sermon suggests, without becoming too attached to its pleasures? [01:03:09]
5. Consider the idea that Jesus is preparing a home tailored to your deepest desires. How does this promise influence your perspective on current challenges or uncertainties in your life? [01:18:55]
6. How can the concept of a heavenly home provide comfort and hope in times of pain or sorrow? Reflect on a recent experience where this perspective could have been helpful. [01:22:08]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to focus more on your eternal home rather than temporary earthly attachments? [01:03:09]
Devotional
Day 1: The Pursuit of True Fulfillment
Our yearning for a euphoric existence is a reflection of our spiritual longing for God. We often chase temporary pleasures, but true fulfillment comes from experiencing Christ's love daily. This longing is a deep-seated desire for something more than what the world offers. We often find ourselves pursuing possessions, popularity, prestige, and power, hoping they will fill the void within us. However, these pursuits only provide fleeting satisfaction, leaving us feeling empty and unfulfilled. The truth is, we are love-driven beings, created by Christ and for Christ. Until we experience His love daily, we will continue to feel an emptiness inside. [49:33]
"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." (Psalm 107:9, ESV)
Reflection: What temporary pleasures are you currently pursuing, and how can you shift your focus to experiencing Christ's love more deeply today?
Day 2: Earthly Homes as Shadows of the Eternal
Earthly homes are temporary and imperfect. They serve as reminders of our true home, a perfect place designed by God where we will be face-to-face with Him. Our memories of home evoke feelings of safety and comfort, yet they are mere shadows of the home God has prepared for us. This longing for a place we've never seen is a divine stirring, urging us to look beyond our current existence. Our true home is a place of unimaginable beauty and joy, where every tear will be wiped away, and there will be no more pain or death. [53:57]
"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you remind yourself today that your earthly home is temporary and that your true home is with God?
Day 3: Faith in God's Promises
Abraham's faith in a city built by God teaches us to look beyond our current circumstances and trust in God's promises for a heavenly home. Despite not having a Bible, Abraham looked forward to a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. This city represents our true home, a place where we will be face-to-face with our Creator, free from sin, sorrow, and death. Abraham's faith serves as a powerful example for us to trust in God's promises, even when we cannot see them. [56:19]
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you find difficult to trust in, and how can you take a step of faith today to trust Him more fully?
Day 4: Living as Foreigners in the World
We are called to live as foreigners in this world, not becoming too attached to its pleasures, but looking forward to the eternal city God has prepared for us. The Bible warns us that becoming too attached to this world can dull our spiritual senses. Instead, we should live with the mindset of foreigners, knowing that our true citizenship is in heaven. This perspective helps us navigate the challenges of this world with hope and purpose, as we look forward to the eternal city where God will dwell among His people. [01:03:09]
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you become too attached to the pleasures of this world, and how can you begin to live more as a foreigner today?
Day 5: The Promise of a Heavenly Home
Jesus is preparing a home for each of us, tailored to our deepest desires. This home will be a place of perfect safety, security, and love, fulfilling our deepest longings. Until we are in this singular place with our singular someone, we will never truly feel at home. This promise of a heavenly home is a source of hope and encouragement as we navigate the challenges of this world. Let us hold on to this hope, allowing it to strengthen and encourage us in our journey. [01:18:55]
"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" (John 14:2, ESV)
Reflection: How does the promise of a heavenly home change your perspective on your current struggles, and how can you hold onto this hope today?
Quotes
"The premise of the series is this, that we kind of all sense on some level, at least at times, this is not the way it was supposed to be. The world was not meant to be this harsh, difficult place with so much pain, so much struggle, so much chaos, and we sense that if there's a God and a good God, that he would want his people to live on a much higher plane, a much happier life, even a euphoric existence." [00:44:42] (27 seconds)
"But what if the truth is, as warm and good as some of our experiences of home are, and they are, what if every home we've ever had is just a sign? It's pointing. It's trying to get our attention on to something. It's trying to get our attention on to something. It's trying to get something else. In other words, what if every home that we have in this life, it's just a stop in the journey?" [00:53:20] (25 seconds)
"It's just a small, imperfect fragment of our real home. In other words, what if we have a real home, we've never seen it before, and it's our real home. It's the perfect match. It's the perfect fit. It's like nothing that we could clear-mindedly put together ourselves, but when we see it, we will know that's our real home. It's the perfect match. It's the perfect fit. It's the perfect fit. It's the perfect fit. It's the perfect fit. It's the perfect fit. That's exactly what I always wanted and didn't exactly know. I finally feel completely at home." [00:54:37] (32 seconds)
"Do not love this world or the things it offers you. These things it offers us, we are susceptible and vulnerable to them. For when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. It's saying, man, if you can love this world as it is, God's love is not in you because he does not love things the way they are. There's too much pain. There's too much evil. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, a pride in our achievements and possessions." [01:02:39] (30 seconds)
"When God says that something is sin, he is trying to protect us. God doesn't make up arbitrary rules just to see if we'll jump when he says jump and run when he says run. He designed us. He knows exactly what builds us and develops us. He knows what tears us down and deteriorates us. When he urges us to abstain from something, it's because he loves us. We do the same thing with our kids. We tell them, oh, no, no, no, no, don't do that. That's going to bring so much trouble on you. Don't do that. Do this instead. This is going to bring so much trouble on you. Don't do that. Do that. going to be good for you it's the same way with god so these sinful desires we have to do battle with them because they will dull our spiritual senses which make us more prone to fall into yet further sin which is always self-destructive and usually socially destructive to others as well so we're to live in this life like like we're people in exile like foreigners we're just kind of passing through we're here but this is not our real home and we should not think of it as our real home because if we do we will put down roots and every day that we live we'll be getting a little closer to leaving our home behind you follow what i'm saying you see people they get get my age especially and they're like oh i don't have many more days to be in my home i'm going to have to leave it all behind unless we believe that god has our home and we're just passing through here we're going to cling to our home here and the closer we get to the end of life's journey the more fearful it will be the more uncomfortable it will be as opposed to i'm getting closer to my home i'm about to leave my home behind you you track it with me you don't understand when we get too attached when this world is all it is when this life is all we can get out of it we're not trusting the promises of god we will fear leaving this home because we're not looking forward to the real home so we're either getting close to leaving behind our home depending on how our mindset is or we're getting closer to going to our home okay you look puzzled are you clear is everybody clear on that okay all right let me go on what is it about this place that causes this yearning so so we're meant for a singular someone in a singular some place it's a city it's a it's a country it's a different place that god is building establishing but what is it about this place that makes us desire it and we may not be clear about it if i think about the things you like about your home well you like i said earlier you feel a little safer you feel a little secure the things you want are there you know where things are at everything makes you just feel a little bit better you relax a little bit you have some peace at least on some days depending on who's in the house um and what's going on but what is it about this place that causes this yearning the place that causes this yearning the psalmist gives us a lot of tips it says the lord it says lord i'd love the house what does it say where where you live the singular someone you see the singular some place is attractive to us because the singular someone is there the lover of our soul is in this place you cannot i cannot we cannot ever ever really be at home until we are face to face with our creator again i and i'm" [01:08:19] (0 seconds)
"On some level, all of us want that. We want to go back to the garden. We want Eden. We want face-to-face with God. That's home. It's where you live, the place where your glory dwells. When we read about the glory of God, we get confused. We think, well, that kind of means the radiation of light that comes out of his being, or it means his power. Well, yeah, kind of, sort of. But when you really study it scripturally, the glory of God, it's his character. It's the beauty that this almighty being, and he is almighty. He can do anything he wants. What a temptation that would be to us. But he can do anything that he wants, and nobody can call him down. He is almighty, omnipotent, omniscient. He can do whatever he wants, but he doesn't do whatever he wants. His almighty power is bridled by his sacrificial love. He only does what is good. He only does what is loving, and that's what makes him not the scariest person in the universe, but the most powerful. But the safest, the one that we can always run toward in any condition we're in, and never have to cringe and run away from, as long as we're humble-hearted and repentant in his presence." [01:11:53] (66 seconds)
"Seeing the beauty of the Lord, when we finally see him face-to-face and all the filters. All of us are removed from what's in here, and we can actually apprehend his glory. It says in 1 John, it says someday, it says we're going to know him just like he knows us. When we see him with clarity, we're just going to be blown away. It's going to overwhelm us. The overwhelming beauty of his heart, of his character, it's going to fill us with euphoric joy. The singular place, our real home is where he is, and that's what's going to make it so wonderful. We're going to be safe. We're going to be protected. We're going to be provided for perfectly forever. His will is going to be done in heaven, on earth, forever and ever. One more passage that reiterates this thing about the presence of the Lord, Psalm 23, such a famous psalm. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Your home, my home, your real home, my real home. Everything we're trying to accumulate and put into our existing homes, it's really this. We want to be in the house of the Lord. We want his house to be our house. We just don't know it because we don't think it's feasible, but it is feasible. We just have to be willing to wait." [01:14:43] (79 seconds)
"Jesus is going to shock us when we see our dwellings. You may be a person that, maybe you love the ocean. You know, you love seashore. You love waves. Maybe you're a mountain person. You love seeing mountains. Maybe you like lakes. Maybe you like rivers. Maybe you have certain color schemes that you love and we all have differences. Every detail of what comes out of your heart, your deepest core desires, you and I will be shocked. Jesus has created a place that has everything. It's going to be instantaneous. It's going to be absolutely familiar to every one of us. We're going to know it's our home. We're going to know we've always been connected to this place somehow. It's going to be very specifically for you, for me, for our unique desires. And it's a real tangible place. We've got to get that in our heads. It's tangible. It's real." [01:19:54] (54 seconds)