Reunification of Heaven and Earth: A Christian Perspective

 

Summary

In today's teaching, we explored the profound relationship between Heaven and Earth, emphasizing that the Christian faith is not merely about escaping to Heaven but about the eventual reunification of Heaven and Earth. This narrative begins in Genesis, where Heaven and Earth were one, and continues through the Bible, culminating in Revelation, where they are reunited. This understanding challenges the common misconception that Christianity is solely about the soul's journey to Heaven after death. Instead, it is about God's plan to renew and restore all of creation.

We delved into the teachings of Jesus, particularly His call to store up treasures in Heaven rather than on Earth. This is not a call to abandon ambition or desire but to redirect them towards God's Kingdom. Jesus challenges us to live with a heavenly perspective, where our actions on Earth reflect our hope in God's future reality. This perspective transforms how we view wealth, possessions, and even our bodies, as we anticipate the renewal of all things.

The teaching also highlighted the paradoxical nature of Jesus' teachings, where losing one's life leads to finding it, and being last leads to being first. This paradox extends to our understanding of Heaven and Earth: when we focus on Heaven, it breaks into our earthly reality, transforming how we live here and now. This focus on Heaven is not escapism but a call to live faithfully and purposefully on Earth, knowing that our true treasure lies in God's eternal Kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

1. Heaven and Earth Reunited: The Christian narrative is about the reunification of Heaven and Earth, not just the soul's journey to Heaven. This understanding shifts our focus from escapism to participating in God's plan to renew all creation. We are called to live with a heavenly perspective, anticipating the day when God will make all things new. [08:44]

2. Treasures in Heaven: Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in Heaven, redirecting our desires towards God's Kingdom. This is not about abandoning ambition but aligning it with God's reality and future. Our true treasure is found in living for God's approval and glory, rather than the fleeting security of earthly possessions. [18:11]

3. The Paradox of Life: Jesus' teachings often present a paradox: losing one's life leads to finding it, and being last leads to being first. This paradox extends to our understanding of Heaven and Earth, where focusing on Heaven allows it to break into our earthly reality, transforming how we live here and now. [13:50]

4. Living for God's Future: Building treasure in Heaven involves living as if God's future is more real and significant than this Earth. This means prioritizing God's Kingdom and mission over personal desires and comforts, knowing that our ultimate reward is in Heaven. [22:45]

5. Dying to Self: True discipleship involves dying to self and following Jesus' example of humility and service. This means letting go of worldly ambitions and pleasures to pursue a life of sacrificial love and service, trusting that God will exalt us in His time. [44:28]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to the Series
[00:47] - Reading from Matthew 6
[01:25] - Treasures on Earth vs. Treasures in Heaven
[02:06] - The Rich Young Ruler
[03:15] - The Renewal of All Things
[04:05] - Warnings to the Rich
[05:05] - The Last Days
[06:19] - Heaven and Earth: A Unified Story
[08:44] - The Reunification of Heaven and Earth
[10:11] - Resurrection and Renewal
[12:17] - Implications for Today
[14:18] - The Paradox of Heaven and Earth
[18:11] - Redirecting Our Desires
[22:45] - Building Treasure in Heaven
[44:28] - Dying to Self and Following Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:19-21
2. Matthew 19:16-30
3. James 5:1-6

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean when He instructs us not to store up treasures on Earth but in Heaven, as mentioned in Matthew 6:19-21? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on living with a heavenly perspective? [01:25]

2. In the story of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-30), what does Jesus identify as the young man's true treasure, and how does this challenge his understanding of eternal life? [02:06]

3. According to James 5:1-6, what warnings are given to the rich, and how do these warnings connect to the sermon’s message about the dangers of living for earthly wealth? [04:05]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Heaven and Earth, and what biblical narrative supports this understanding? [08:44]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of storing treasures in Heaven rather than on Earth challenge common societal values about wealth and success? What might this look like in practical terms? [01:25]

2. In what ways does the story of the rich young ruler illustrate the difficulty of prioritizing God’s Kingdom over personal wealth and ambition? How does this story speak to modern-day challenges? [02:06]

3. The sermon discusses the paradox of losing one’s life to find it. How does this paradox apply to the Christian understanding of Heaven and Earth, and what implications does it have for daily living? [13:50]

4. How does the sermon’s teaching on the reunification of Heaven and Earth reshape the traditional view of the afterlife in Christianity? What does this mean for how Christians should live now? [08:44]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current ambitions and desires. How can you align them more closely with God’s Kingdom and eternal values? What practical steps can you take this week to begin this alignment? [18:11]

2. Consider the possessions and wealth you currently have. How might you begin to view and use them differently in light of Jesus’ teaching on treasures in Heaven? [01:25]

3. The sermon emphasizes living with a heavenly perspective. What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to keep this perspective at the forefront of your mind? [12:17]

4. How can you practice the paradox of losing your life to find it in your relationships and community involvement? Identify one area where you can serve others sacrificially this week. [13:50]

5. The sermon challenges the idea of escapism in Christianity. How can you actively participate in God’s plan to renew and restore creation in your local context? [12:30]

6. Reflect on the story of the rich young ruler. Is there something in your life that you are holding onto that might be hindering your relationship with God? What steps can you take to let go of it? [02:06]

7. How can you cultivate a heart that is more focused on God’s future reality than on the temporary pleasures of this world? What spiritual disciplines might help you in this pursuit? [22:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Heaven and Earth Reunited
The Christian narrative is not just about the soul's journey to Heaven but about the reunification of Heaven and Earth. This understanding shifts our focus from escapism to participating in God's plan to renew all creation. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells a story of Heaven and Earth being one, separated by sin, and ultimately reunited through God's redemptive work. This perspective calls us to live with a heavenly mindset, anticipating the day when God will make all things new. By embracing this narrative, we are invited to actively participate in God's mission to restore and renew the world, living in a way that reflects the future reality of Heaven on Earth. [08:44]

Revelation 21:1-3 (ESV): "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'"

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's plan to renew creation in your daily life? What specific actions can you take today to reflect the future reality of Heaven on Earth?


Day 2: Treasures in Heaven
Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in Heaven, redirecting our desires towards God's Kingdom. This is not about abandoning ambition but aligning it with God's reality and future. Our true treasure is found in living for God's approval and glory, rather than the fleeting security of earthly possessions. By focusing on heavenly treasures, we are encouraged to evaluate our priorities and desires, ensuring they align with God's eternal purposes. This shift in perspective challenges us to invest in what truly matters, seeking to glorify God in all aspects of our lives. [18:11]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "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, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What earthly treasures are you holding onto that may be hindering your focus on God's Kingdom? How can you begin to redirect your desires towards storing up treasures in Heaven today?


Day 3: The Paradox of Life
Jesus' teachings often present a paradox: losing one's life leads to finding it, and being last leads to being first. This paradox extends to our understanding of Heaven and Earth, where focusing on Heaven allows it to break into our earthly reality, transforming how we live here and now. By embracing this paradox, we are invited to live counter-culturally, prioritizing God's Kingdom over worldly success and recognition. This perspective challenges us to trust in God's wisdom and timing, knowing that true fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with His purposes. [13:50]

Matthew 16:25-26 (ESV): "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you striving for worldly success at the expense of your spiritual growth? How can you embrace the paradox of losing your life to find it in Christ today?


Day 4: Living for God's Future
Building treasure in Heaven involves living as if God's future is more real and significant than this Earth. This means prioritizing God's Kingdom and mission over personal desires and comforts, knowing that our ultimate reward is in Heaven. By living with this future-oriented mindset, we are encouraged to make decisions that reflect our hope in God's promises, trusting that He will fulfill His purposes in His perfect timing. This perspective invites us to live with intentionality and purpose, seeking to glorify God in all that we do. [22:45]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can you begin to prioritize God's Kingdom and mission over your personal desires and comforts today? What specific changes can you make to live with a future-oriented mindset?


Day 5: Dying to Self
True discipleship involves dying to self and following Jesus' example of humility and service. This means letting go of worldly ambitions and pleasures to pursue a life of sacrificial love and service, trusting that God will exalt us in His time. By embracing this call to die to self, we are invited to live in a way that reflects Christ's love and humility, seeking to serve others and glorify God in all that we do. This perspective challenges us to let go of our own desires and ambitions, trusting that God's plans for our lives are far greater than anything we could imagine. [44:28]

Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you holding onto selfish ambitions or desires? How can you begin to let go of these and embrace a life of sacrificial love and service today?

Quotes

Heaven and Earth were created and they were one. Heaven and Earth were one, that's how the Bible starts. But then in Genesis chapter 3, sin breaks that apart, and then there's a separation of Heaven and Earth. They're not one anymore. [00:07:24]

The Bible is about from Genesis 3 to Revelation 20 is the story of God moving towards Humanity to make all things new. From Genesis 3 onward, God is moving toward Humanity, toward Earth to redeem and to reconcile and to renew. [00:08:27]

If your basic understanding of the Christian faith is about how your soul is going to float to heaven when you die, you might be misinformed. Yes, if you are a follower of Jesus and you die, your soul goes to heaven when you die, and your body goes into the Earth. [00:09:37]

The implications of this in the here and now today is that we can't look at Heaven as escapism, like this Earth doesn't matter since my soul will go to heaven anyways. That's the implications. Earth matters. It's rather myopic to think that Earth doesn't care about or Heaven. [00:12:20]

Jesus teaches in Paradox a lot. For example, on the screen, he teaches lose your life and you will find it. He teaches deny yourself and you will gain a self. He teaches be last and you shall be first. These are all Paradox teaches in the Paradox. [00:13:07]

When you focus on heaven, heaven breaks into Earth. When you live for heaven, heaven comes to live here. When you live for heaven, Heaven breaks down into here. When you're trying to bring Heaven here by like I'm going to or orchestrate and I'm going to architect Heaven here. [00:13:47]

Jesus isn't just saying that we're to desire nothing. Like he's not saying, um, that I think that would be Buddhism. That's not Jesus. Jesus actually goes the other way. He's not saying, okay, now don't desire anything. He doesn't do that. He goes, I want you to collect Treasures. [00:17:11]

Jesus redirects our desire. He channels our desire to want what God wants. See, every person has like some sort of ruling ambition. Every person has Treasures. Every person invests somewhere in this room. This fact is not disputed or even combed by Jesus. [00:17:43]

The follower of Jesus is to be ambitious. The follower of Jesus is to be passionate, is to be enterprising, but to do all of this for heaven, for God's reality, for God's Kingdom, for God's future, for God's approval, for his approval, his glory. [00:18:18]

How do you build a treasure in heaven? Well, you start living like God's future is more real and matters more than this Earth. That God's future is more real and matters more than this Earth. [00:22:43]

Following Jesus is about letting go of your old life, dying to yourself, and being consumed with him and following him. Like what he says, you know, if you live for this life, you're going to lose it. If you try to hold on, you're going to lose it. [00:28:28]

The Christian life is about empty, empty, empty, empty, EMP, empty because we know one day God will exalt us. It's this waiting for it, wait for it, wait for it. You know, it's just like ah ah I'm just giving more and more of myself, but I know it's coming. [00:45:20]

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Transcript
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