Living for Eternity: Embracing Our Heavenly Future

### Bible Reading

1. **2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NIV)**: "Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."
2. **Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)**: "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'"
3. **Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)**: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

### Observation Questions

1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, what is the relationship between being "at home in the body" and being "away from the Lord"?
2. In Revelation 21:1-4, what are some of the characteristics of the new heaven and new earth?
3. What does Matthew 6:19-20 say about where we should store our treasures and why?
4. In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe our current life compared to eternity? ([35:22])

### Interpretation Questions

1. How does the assurance of being "at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) influence a believer's perspective on death and life?
2. What does the vision of the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21:1-4 reveal about God's ultimate plan for humanity?
3. How does the concept of storing treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20) challenge our daily priorities and actions?
4. The sermon discusses the importance of living for the "line" rather than the "dot." How does this perspective affect the way we use our time and resources? ([35:22])

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there specific areas where you are more focused on the "dot" rather than the "line"? How can you shift your focus to have an eternal perspective? ([35:22])
2. The sermon mentioned the immediate presence of the soul with the Lord upon death. How does this assurance affect your approach to life's challenges and uncertainties? ([38:10])
3. Considering the rewards and responsibilities in heaven, how can you use your gifts and talents more effectively for God's glory in your current life? ([49:17])
4. The vision of the new heaven and new earth is one of beauty and joy. How can this vision inspire you to live a holy and dedicated life now? ([44:25])
5. The sermon emphasized rescuing others from judgment by sharing our faith. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to share your faith with them? ([01:02:52])
6. Reflect on your current use of resources. Are there ways you can better leverage your finances, time, and talents for God's kingdom? ([57:43])
7. The sermon encouraged living a life that pleases God. What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure you are living in a way that honors Him? ([01:04:45])

### Day 1: Living for Eternity

**Description:**
Our current life is just a small "dot" compared to the eternal "line" that stretches into infinity. How we live in this dot determines our eternity. It's crucial to live in a way that prepares us for eternal life with God. This perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters and live with an eternal mindset. [35:22]

Living for the "line" means focusing on eternal values rather than temporary pleasures. It involves making decisions that reflect our faith and commitment to God, knowing that our actions have eternal consequences. This mindset encourages us to invest our time, talents, and resources in ways that honor God and advance His kingdom.

**Bible Passage:**
"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." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV)

**Reflection:**
What is one area of your life where you can shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal values? How can you start making decisions today that reflect an eternal perspective?


### Day 2: Assurance of Immediate Presence with the Lord

**Description:**
The moment a believer dies, their soul is immediately ushered into the presence of the Lord. This assurance should bring comfort and hope, knowing that death is not the end but a transition into eternal life with God. This truth encourages us to live confidently and faithfully, knowing our ultimate destination. [38:10]

Understanding that we will be in the immediate presence of the Lord upon death provides a profound sense of peace and purpose. It reassures us that our faith in Christ secures our place in heaven, and it motivates us to live a life that reflects our gratitude and devotion to Him.

**Bible Passage:**
"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:6-8, ESV)

**Reflection:**
How does the assurance of being in the immediate presence of the Lord upon death change the way you live your life today? What steps can you take to live more confidently and faithfully?


### Day 3: Rewards and Responsibilities in Heaven

**Description:**
Not everyone will receive the same rewards in heaven. Our faithfulness and service in this life will determine our responsibilities and rewards in the next. This understanding motivates us to use our gifts and talents for God's glory, knowing that our efforts have eternal significance. [49:17]

The concept of heavenly rewards and responsibilities encourages us to be diligent and faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. It reminds us that our actions, no matter how small, are seen by God and will be rewarded accordingly. This perspective helps us to serve with joy and dedication, knowing that our labor is not in vain.

**Bible Passage:**
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

**Reflection:**
What gifts and talents has God given you, and how can you use them more effectively for His glory? What specific actions can you take this week to serve others and store up treasures in heaven?


### Day 4: The New Heaven and New Earth

**Description:**
The new heaven and new earth will be a place of unimaginable beauty and joy. It will be a place where we will live, work, and worship in perfect harmony with God and each other. This vision of our future home should inspire us to live holy and dedicated lives now, as we look forward to this glorious reality. [44:25]

The promise of a new heaven and new earth gives us hope and a future to look forward to. It reminds us that our current struggles and sufferings are temporary and that a glorious, eternal home awaits us. This vision encourages us to live in a way that reflects our anticipation of this future reality, striving for holiness and dedication in our daily lives.

**Bible Passage:**
"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

**Reflection:**
How does the promise of a new heaven and new earth influence your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more in alignment with this future hope?


### Day 5: Rescuing Others from Judgment

**Description:**
We are called to show mercy and rescue others from the flames of judgment. This involves sharing our faith and living out the love of Christ in practical ways. Our actions and words can have eternal consequences, and we should be intentional about reaching out to those who are lost. [01:02:52]

Rescuing others from judgment is a call to evangelism and compassionate living. It means being proactive in sharing the gospel and demonstrating Christ's love through our actions. This responsibility reminds us that our lives can have a profound impact on others' eternal destinies, and it challenges us to be bold and loving in our witness.

**Bible Passage:**
"And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." (Jude 1:22-23, ESV)

**Reflection:**
Who in your life needs to hear the message of Christ's love and salvation? How can you reach out to them this week with both words and actions to share the hope of the gospel?

We'll be right back.

If you've ever been baptized in water, or maybe you need to be re-dunked, we're set to do that today. We've got shorts and t-shirts and towels to help you. So if you're interested, if you come right over here and see Pastor Simone, she can hook you up with that. We've got multi-sizes. We've got you all covered. And we've got some great candidates today. You want to introduce them? Since 2014.

Well, good morning again. Happy Father's Day. You know, we've got a real treat for you today. We're going to honor all dads. We have a nice barbecue lunch for you outside. But we decided at the Father's House, because you guys are always so generous, let's have a generous day. And so we just decided to do dinners for everybody today. So it doesn't matter if you're a father, a mother, a child, or come along, whatever that is. Uh, we have lunch for you. And we're so glad to do that.

Uh, I hope you're enjoying this series. After this, I got to encourage you again to be sure you get the books. We sold out last week, but they've already ordered more. They've got them in. This book by Randy Alcorn, Heaven. He read 140 books. This one is kind of like the encyclopedia of questions, and it's all built on a question format. In fact, next week, we'll finish out this series by just answering a bunch of questions. So you'll be asked this week, what question have you always thought about heaven? And we'll try to do our best to answer that.

Also, we have Heaven for Kids by Randy Alcorn. It's a way to sort of break stuff down. Like here's one: will we wear clothes in heaven? Uh, will people get the same rewards in heaven? Uh, will our enemies become our friends? Will we speak just one language or more? What language will we speak? So just some practical stuff. And for those of you who like the bottom line, here it is. Heaven in a condensed little version, 100, uh, 150 pennies for this for today. All right. So you can get those. Be sure you get those, uh, things out.

Wow. Well, listen, let's ask God to be with us today. Man, I've just sensed His presence, and I know He's here, uh, in an awesome way.

Uh, Father, we thank you. We love you. We just commit this time to you. We thank you, Lord, that you're here. We love you. We love you. We love you. We love you. We love you. We love you. You've left us information about what's going to happen after this, but Lord, you want us to live right now in such a way that it impacts our life for eternity. So today, Holy Spirit, I pray that you will anoint me. Don't let me say anything I shouldn't say. Help me to say everything you want me to say. And by the end of this day, Father, may you be glorified. May the saints be edified, and may the enemy be terrified in the name of Jesus.

Well, it is Father's Day. And I know you always look forward to Father's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas, the Mr. Al jokes that he gives, right? So he passed on some to me today.

How did the dad and his kids watch the fishing show on Father's Day? They streamed it live. I goofed that one, didn't I? They live-streamed it. Yeah.

What kind of test is only for dads? Pop quiz. Here's my famous one. Favorite one. What did the father do? What did the mother do? What did the father do? What did the father do? What did the pirate say when he got another tie for Father's Day? Are you kidding me? You got to work harder next time, Al, or I need to deliver a work better.

Pastor Kevin and I got in a long conversation yesterday about heaven. I hope that this series that we've been in has brought conversations up in your life about heaven. And we talked a long time yesterday, you know, because when his son died several years ago, Kevin went on to like a year study of heaven and what it's like and what will happen and some really great stuff. So we chatted a little, and we came to this agreement that there's a lot of things that we don't know about heaven. We can't say for sure, like, uh, you know, what kind of clothes are we going to wear in heaven? Well, I think that if it would be like the earth now, everybody has different clothes. I think you'll see that as we are on this new earth.

But there's one thing that we do know. There's one thing that we do know. We're all going to die. That's the encouragement today. All right. For whatever you're facing, you're going to die. But the important thing is that we live in such a way that our life changes our eternity.

In that book, Heaven by Randy Alcorn, he says worldwide, three people just died. Three people just died. Three people just died. 180 a minute. 11,000 an hour. This day, 250,000 people will go into eternity. And I wonder how many of them are not ready for eternity.

We, several weeks ago when we started this series, I know it feels like eternity for you, but we talked about this rope, and we talked about this rope here behind is eternity past. Like, time has never begun. There has been, and in this chaos, in this place where God lived, God's always lived. I mean, I've always tried to think about that. Let's say God never started. God's always been. How can that be? God's always been. That's the thing about eternity past. I don't understand, but I do believe that He exists.

And I do believe that God came along and said, I don't want to just live in eternity like this by myself, but He created. And so we said this little red part, He said, I don't want to just live in eternity like this by myself, but He created. This little red part of the rope talks about life as we know it now with Adam and Eve being created, the fall, the garden of Eden, Noah, Moses, all of the things that you've witnessed in your life, the many wars, the many tragedies that we've had.

And then we came over here to the end, and we said, this little blue spot represents our life. But you know, as we looked at that, I thought, it's not really that blue spot. I don't know if you can see it or not, but there's a little white dot that's there. That's your life and my life compared to eternity past and compared to the eternity that's ahead of us.

And so in this series, we've been talking about death. And the question is, why is it that we're doing all the talk about death? Because what you believe determines how you live, whether you live for the dot or live for the line.

So my goal today is to simply say, yeah, we may be living right now in the dot, but let's remember how I live in this dot prepares of how that I'll live for eternity. I mean, it's not enough that I just said yes to Jesus. Yes to Jesus means that, yeah, forever I'm going to spend ever and ever and ever with Him. But if I said no to Jesus, that means that I'd spend eternity in hell, lake of fire and brimstone separated from God.

But not only does how I live in the dot determine my future, but it determines what kind of future that I live, what kind of rewards that I live, what I do for God in the next heaven, the next earth. So today we want to just kind of review some things and talk about some things. For instance, what happens the moment that a believer dies?

So I just want to kind of look in, put this sort of in order, uh, and sort of review that what we've already talked. Well, as soon as you leave this earth and this flesh, uh, this flesh that you see here, it's getting more wrinkled by the days, but anyway, it's still housing this body, right? But one of these days, it's going to be a day where you're going to be able to say, Oh God, soul, the real me is going to leave this body, and whatever they decide to do with my body, that's going to be on hold till the resurrection. You can do what you want to this body, but God knows how to get all the molecules, the DNA, everything else to put it back together on that resurrection morning.

How many of you believe in a resurrection morning? But as soon as I die, the angels come, and they usher my soul into heaven, into that intermediate heaven that we talked about last week, Luke 16 and 22. Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet or in heaven.

So if you're a believer today, the moment that you take your last breath, you have a heart attack, whatever you do, poof, angels come. And they ask, wow.

So the second thing is you're with the Lord. You're with the Lord. If you don't know the Lord, you're not with the Lord. You're separated from Him. But if we're with the Lord, the second Corinthians says, so we're always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies, we're not at home with the Lord for we live by believing and not seeing. Yes, we are confident that we would rather be away from these earthly bodies. For then we would be at home with the Lord.

So Paul says, again, here it is. When I die, my soul, the real me immediately is in the presence of the Lord, in the presence of the Lord. And another thing we're going to do is participate in an awesome worship service. I mean, read Revelation four and five. I want to focus in on verses nine through 11.

Whenever the living beings gave glory and honor and thanks to the Lord sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the 24 elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever. I love how it keeps saying that forever and ever. And they lay down their crowns before the throne and say, actually, would you read it with me out loud?

You are worthy, O Lord, our God, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things, and they exist because you created them. You created what you pleased. There was a time when nothing existed, but you began to create what you please. And we can't see everything, but right now we're living in this dot, and we know, Lord, in this meantime that we're with you.

So when we get to heaven, there's going to be some time you just spend in worshiping God. And then there'll be times of reunion and fellowship. Say reunion. You ever had a family reunion? Yeah, those are never really much fun to go to. But anyway, you go because, you know, I say, well, look how you've grown. Look how fat you've gotten. Look how gray you've gotten. Look how many wrinkles you've gotten. You know, all those family reunions.

But guess what? There's going to be a family reunion in heaven that's going to beat all of them. Wow. You'll be in that perfect body, whatever that looks like, at whatever age that God decides that we are at that particular time. And you're there, and it's going to be a good reunion.

See, relationally, we have conflicts in this world. Anybody besides me have any conflicts this week? Have any relational conflicts this week? Had any conflicts with your spouse this week? Okay, not just me, but I see we have several of us. So we're in good shape. But we worked it out. I like the working out part, don't you? You know what I'm saying?

I may be old, but I'm not that old, okay? But in this life, we all have had conflicts. And we've tried to bring healing. But some of those, we've just decided, I just got to live with it. That's how they are. It'll never change. But I'm going to tell you, on that day, when you get to be home with the Father, and there's a reunion, in fact, He comes and He makes His home with us, so that you don't have to live with Him.

And I'm going to tell you, when you go looking for God, you can just drop in on God. How cool does that sound? You just drop in on Him. You don't have to have a reservation. All through the Old Testament, everybody wanted to see Jesus. And everybody wanted to see God. They wanted to look upon Him. But God said, you can't look upon Me because I'm holy and there's sin in your life. But on that day, guess what? We can look at Him face to face. We can see Him as He is. We can know Him. What a reunion that's going to be.

We're not going to come just holding hands. We're not going to come just holding our head down, feeling, well, I'm just so unworthy to be here. But we realize the reason we're made worthy is because of Jesus Christ. And when you come into the presence of God, it's not with your head held low. It's your head held high. Because you know, it's that song we sang a few minutes ago, God redeemed, and He took care of all of that. And what a reunion that will be. If you believe that, give Him a hand clap. Amen, amen, amen.

And then there'll be the rapture, the rewards, and the resurrection. Remember, I die. My soul goes to be with the Lord. I'm there in the intermediate heaven for how long that is. But then at the end of time, when Jesus, the trumpet sounds, He comes back to this earth to resurrect those who are believers that have died.

So, I mean, here's what's good. You got to see this movie when you, you got to experience it, okay? That's first of all. Here you are in this intermediate heaven. In your soul. And all of a sudden, you hear the trumpet blast. And in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, you're no longer there anymore. But your soul now is in this resurrected body as it comes out of the grave to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we always be with Him. We can give Him a hand clap there and say amen.

And then He gives out rewards. And then we get to experience the new heaven. The new heaven on earth. Let's look at Revelation chapter 21. This is a vision that John had of heaven, of what it was like. But not just heaven, not the intermediate heaven, but the new heaven and the new earth.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea also was gone. And I saw the holy city, say, holy city. The new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, look, God's home is now among His people. In other words, you don't have to say, thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Boom. He said, no, I've come to bring my kingdom. And I'm going to bring my kingdom. And I'm going to bring my kingdom. And I'm going to bring my kingdom. I'm on this earth with you right now.

There is no separation. There's no isolation. I choose not to stay in heaven, but I choose to come and to be at home with you on a new earth. And He'll live with us, and we'll be His people. God Himself will be with them. And boy, look at this one. And He'll wipe away every tear from their eyes. No more death, no more funerals, no more funeral homes. No more dying, nor pain. All these things are forever.

We're going to have pain one day? Nope. Not if I'm a believer. It's all gone forever. And the one sitting on the throne said, look, I'm making everything new. And then in verse seven, and all that are victorious will inherit all the blessings, and I will be their God, and they'll be my children.

But cowards, believers, corrupt, murderers, immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and liars, their fate will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

So He took me by the Spirit, verse 10, to a great high mountain. And He showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. And it shone with the glory of God and sparkled like precious stone.

And then in verse 15, the angel talked to me, held his hand, a gold measuring stick to measure the gates and the wall. And I found that this new Jerusalem coming down was the same length, width, and height. It was a cube of 1400 miles in every direction. And let me put that in perspective. 1400 miles would be the distance from Florida to Maine.

This city, New Jerusalem, is the size of our moon. And it's coming down. Remember Jesus said, I'm going to prepare a place for you. He's been preparing that. You say, wow, they did a great job. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit in six days and how they created this world. And we look at this and we see the magnificent things that are around us. But can you imagine? For centuries now, He's been preparing. He's been preparing a city that would be so big. It would be as high as it is wide, as deep as it is, and cover the whole span of like Florida to Maine distance.

Its walls made of jasper. There was gold. There were 12 gates, one of, and they were all made of one pearl. I saw no temple in the city for the Lord Almighty was the temple. And the city had no need of sun or moon for the glory of God illuminates the sky and the land.

And I saw no temple in the city for the Lord is the light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of this world will enter the city in all their glory. Remember there's a millennial reign on this planet earth of a thousand years. So that means that the gates will always be open. They're not closed because you're not going to spend all your time in that city. You're going to have a residence there for sure that when you want to come to the city, but then you're going out to the country, wherever that is, and you'll rule and reign where there'll be gardening, where there'll be building, where there'll be mending, where there'll be architecture, where there'll be teaching, where there'll be food, hot light laws beyond Renee, it never goes off.

And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry, dishonesty. Chapter 22, verse three, no longer will be their curse upon anything for the throne of God and the lamb will be there and servants will worship Him.

That word servants there will be serve Him. That means that what used to be, you remember before the fall of man, work was not a curse. Work was a joy. That's why we were created. That's why Adam and Eve were created.

So you see when this new heaven, this new earth comes, the way God really created it to be, work is not a chore. Work is what you were created for of what you made. And you're going to be coming in and out of the city and all around the world, the new world, however God creates that new.

And you're going to be coming in and out of the city and all around the world, the new world, whatever that you want to, because you got to work to do. You got something to do. The gifts that you used here, that's why growth track is so important. We help you to discover your gifts and your talents because you see what you do in the dot is going to affect how you live forever.

Everybody's not going to be rewarded the same. You think the thief that gave his heart to the Lord in the last hour of his life has the same reward that some of you that have been serving the Lord for 40 and 50 years? No, heaven's going to be enjoyable, be great, but not everybody's going to receive the same reward.

That's why it's so important that while you live in the dot that you work for the line. You say, are you working for rewards? Yes, I'm working for rewards because I want to hear Him say, well done one day, well done. You're good and faithful, Terry. You used the talents that I gave you. Now come on in. I've got greater things, and you've been faithful over a small thing. I'll make you ruler over something bigger. Did you see this? Do you understand this?

So this concept that we have of heaven, because a lot of people say, well, I don't want to go to heaven, float around a cloud, play a harp. It's nothing like that. It's this earth, this earth, this new heaven, this new earth on steroids, the best that you can ever imagine it to be. Imagine the colors that you've never seen. Wonder how many dimensions there really are. We have all eternity to learn. We don't know it all at the same thing. We get to experience this new earth. Heaven comes down to earth. It's an upgrade.

1,400 square miles. That's 2,250,000 square miles in just the new Jerusalem. Henry Morris, who is a scientist and an engineer, did his best at calculating that as man was created until now, probably we've had about 40 billion people that have existed. Assuming that during the millennial reign, the thousand years, that another 40 billion people will be born and add to that some 20 billion that were aborted or died at a very early age.

So if you had all those together, that would be a hundred billion. But Jesus says not many will enter in. So let's take a low figure of say 20% make it. So when he looked, he looked at that and he said, okay, if 20% make it in this city as big as it is. And if only 25% of that city is used for housing and the rest is used for public spaces, parks, roads, public buildings, public buildings.

In fact, one man said he calculated it and there was like, I forgot how many stories high it would be, but you probably wouldn't even need an elevator. You would just be able to be at the next floor that you wanted to be whenever you wanted to be.

So he said, if you use that calculation, then that means in that new Jerusalem alone, not counting what's on the earth, everybody who'd ever been born that had given their heart to the Lord would have a place to live that would be 75 acres of their own.

In the last service, somebody in the back said, yeah, out to the villages move in. So anyway, I mean, can you imagine? No wonder the early church spent so much time thinking about heaven. They didn't have a little dot to enjoy. They were being persecuted. And so when you go to the catacombs in Rome, which is a great visit for you to go sometime, you'll see all these pictures on the wall of what heaven was like. Kids rejoicing, parties, and celebration because they were thinking about heaven all the time.

But I'm afraid that we've got so adjusted to living in the dot. We think more about our next condominium, our next car, our next motorcycle, our next phone call, that we're so focused on this that we're not really thinking about eternity on that new heaven and the new earth.

My only job today is to try to get us to wake up, not be so focused on the dot. They're not we're living for the line. So we want to rejoice that heaven is real, right? It's not a figment of our imagination. Heaven is real. Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you. I mean, it's a real place. It's a right place. No pollution, no slow drivers in the left lane, no terrorism.

Here's what you won't find in heaven. You won't find nothing that is abrasive, irritating, agitating, or hurtful. You'll find nothing harmful, hateful, upsetting, or unkind. You'll find nothing sad, bad, or mad. You'll find nothing harsh, impatient, ungrateful, unworthy. You'll find nothing weak, sick, broken, or foolish. You'll find nothing deformed, degenerate, depraved, or disgusting. You'll find nothing polluted, pathetic, poor, putrid. You'll find nothing dark, dismal, dismaying, or degrading. You'll find nothing blameworthy, blemish, blasphemous, or blighted.

No, you won't find anything faulty, faithless, frail, or fading. Nothing grotesque or grievous, hideous or assiduous. Nothing illicit or illegal or lustful. Nothing marred or mutilated, misaligned or misinformed. Nothing nasty or naughty, offensive or odious. Nothing rancid or rude. Nothing spoiled or soiled. Nothing taunty or tainted, tasteless or tempting. Nothing vile or vicious, wasteful or wanton. You will find only the good that is there.

And if you believe that, give God a hand clap and say, yay, God. Heaven is a place of relational healing. It's a place of rewarding, being faithful. So it's a place that we want to live in the line and not for the dot. Live for the line, not the dot.

Titus 2 verses 11 through 13. For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we're instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this world with wisdom and righteousness and devotion to God. While we look forward with hope to a wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

So listen, when we walk out of here today and we get that great barbecue lunch that's provided for us out there, we get in our car and we drive home, let's remember how I live this week in the dot is going to determine how I spend eternity.

So what do I need to do? I need to refocus my energies. I need to refocus my energies to living the life here that God wants me to live. I need to leverage my life. Use my life for His glory. I need to leverage my finances, leverage my gifts for His glory.

Matthew 6, 19 through 20. I love this verse. It says, don't store up treasures here on earth where moths eat and rust destroys them, where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

He's saying, I want you to live now. Live your life in such a way that you're going to hear God say, well done. You used your gifts the way that I wanted you to use them. I can just see God saying to you, I just want to thank you for the text you sent to Brandon years ago. You see, because that day, Brandon was so desperate. He was so desperate. He was so desperate. He was so desperate. He had already picked up a pistol to take his life. But I moved. God says, I moved on your heart to send him a text. And you sent him a text and said, hey, just thinking about you. I love you. I believe in you.

And for all eternity, there's going to be these random acts of kindness that God brings remembrance for things that you've done. Say, hey, I want to thank you. I want to thank you for serving one at the church and worshiping one. I want to thank you for going over there and rocking those babies and changing their diaper and having a smile when their parents come to pick them up. And you're so glad they finally picked them up.

But there'll be a day, Danielle, that God will say, I've seen every day that you got up and you did that when you didn't want to go. And God comes by just randomly and says, thank you. And Tim, He comes by randomly and says, thank you, Tim. For all those times, I've seen you. I've seen you. I've seen you. I've seen you. I've seen you.

Sometimes you went out there to the National Cemetery and you performed funerals for people that didn't have a pastor. I just want to thank you, Tim. You made a difference. But am I leveraging my life here in light of eternity? Or am I just thinking about myself and living for myself?

Who have I shared with this week of how wonderful Jesus is? You say, oh, but I'm an introvert. No, look, you know one thing really good. You. I learned a long time ago on how to win friends and influence enemies. You ask somebody about themselves, and they'll talk forever. Right?

Can you imagine the day that you just really feel like today's the day to talk to somebody about Jesus? And you say, hey, you know, I don't really want to impose on you, but I just got to tell you because you're a good friend of mine. I want to tell you about a miracle that's happened in my life when, man, I just, I had nothing to live for. Yeah. You, you were that way. Yeah. I had nothing to live for. And somebody told me about a man by the name of Jesus and that He came to this life and He lived a sinless life to die for my sins.

I can't tell you how it happened, but I just know the day that I prayed and invited Him into my heart, my sins were forgiven. I had reason to live, and I don't want to spend eternity without you. I'd love to pray with you if you'd let me.

How awesome would it be when you get to heaven? There's a long line outside of your residence. People say, I just wanted to come by, say, Sam, I wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for you. I mean, we think of a lot of things in heaven, but I'm telling you, those are little random things that you thought you just did. They weren't random. They were moved by the Holy Spirit.

What will He say to you today when you leave this service? Who will you add value to? Who will you call? Who will you let them know? Who will you invite next week back to the series as we finish it out? It's going to be so often.

So in light of that, I want to refocus on how I'm living now. And here's what I want to do. I want to reach out. I want to do everything short of sin to win as many people as I can to heaven. Jude, only one chapter in Jude verses 22 and 23 says, and you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others, say rescue. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sin that contaminates their lives.

Jude says, I see a time when talking about you and me, you're going to show up in somebody's life at just the right time to snatch them from the flames of judgment. And I'm going to show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.

I don't know what snatch means. I just know growing up when my mother would say to me, you look at me again like that, I'm going to snatch you up from where you are, boy. So I always known it was something happened pretty quick if you didn't change your life.

But I wonder how many people will rub shoulders with this week that are just one breath from the flames. So I want to do everything I can to reach as many people as I can for the kingdom and the glory of God.

And so my friends, while you're waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living. Read it with me. Peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight.

I've just got to talk to you about that. I don't know how many of you have that. I don't know how many of you have that. Talk to those of us that are Christians. Are you living a pure life?

You say, yeah, well, you know, Terry, years ago when I first became a believer, you know, I was really, I really was close to God. But somehow I've, I guess I've really got so focused on living in the dot that I don't have that same, I don't have that same pure life with Him that I had before.

That I'm going to encourage you today in this first prayer that I pray. That you rededicate your life to the Lord. Yeah, I've been a Christian, but, you know, I've kind of wavered and I thought, well, this is all right and that's all right. And I've just become a person that, you know, I lie.

Yeah, I know. Well, everybody lies, right? Not, it said there, the liars wouldn't be able to make it. Well, you know, I have these, you know, are we pure?

In 1952, a young woman by the name of Florence Chadwick stepped off Catalina Island into the Pacific. She was going to swim the 21 miles from the island to the coast of California. It was a very foggy, chilly morning. She could barely see the boats that were going alongside of her to keep her safe for that 21 miles.

She swam for 15 hours without being able to see, just keep going in the direction where she knew that California was. After 15 hours, she told herself, her mother who was in the boat beside her, I'm finished. I can't swim another stroke.

Her mother said, you can make it, Florence. You don't have that much farther to go. You can make it. She said, no, you don't understand. I want out of this water.

So reluctantly, they pulled her out of the water. When she got on the boat, she realized that she had already finished 98% of the journey. She was only a half of a mile away from the coastline. And she said, but all I could see was the fog.

I think if I could have seen the shore, I would have made it. And that's all I'm trying to do in this series. So I'm trying to help us to see the shore where we're going to spend eternity forever and ever.

So in this dot, I want to make a decision that I spend eternity with Him. And in this dot, I want to live forever and ever. I want to live in such a way that I please Him in all that I do. And in this dot, I want to win my friends and my loved ones to Jesus. Because eternity matters.

Let me pray for us today. If you're a believer today, I'm going to ask you to just rededicate your life to the Lord.

Father, I pray for the believers that are in this house today. I pray, Lord, that we won't get sidetracked, but that we will live our life fully. I pray for you and God today that we'll be open to people that we need to share the gospel with. Invite to church, just be good and kind to show them the love of God.

With every head bowed and every eye still closed, praying about you. I want to pray and talk to those of you who've never given your heart to the Lord. You're not sure today if you would die, you would go to meet Him.

Well, you've come to church. You've read the Bible. You've done those things, but you've never surrendered your life to Jesus. You're still in charge. And today He's saying, today's the day. Allow me to come into your life in this moment of the dot. Surrender the line of your life for eternity.

If you're here today and you're not sure, you say, Terry, I'm just not sure that I'm ready to meet the Lord. Would you raise your hand and make eye contact with me today? I want to pray with you. I won't embarrass you, but I want to pray with you and believe today that today would be the day that you get everything right with the Lord.

Also, those of you who are watching online, just raise your hand right where you are. Raise your hand. Let me see that today. Let me pray with you as we end out this service today.

Would you pray this prayer with me today?

Father God, thank you today for sending your son Jesus to die for my life. I confess that I am a sinner in need of a savior. I confess with my mouth and I believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord and He's my savior. Fill me with your spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray.

Hey, let's celebrate today with those who prayed that prayer.

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "There's one thing that we do know. We're all going to die. That's the encouragement today. All right. For whatever you're facing, you're going to die. But the important thing is that we live in such a way that our life changes our eternity." [31:56](21 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




2. "When I die, my soul, the real me immediately is in the presence of the Lord, in the presence of the Lord. And another thing we're going to do is participate in an awesome worship service." [38:10](15 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




3. "Heaven is real. Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you. I mean, it's a real place. It's a right place. No pollution, no slow drivers in the left lane, no terrorism." [55:55](15 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




4. "I want to do everything short of sin to win as many people as I can to heaven. Jude, only one chapter in Jude verses 22 and 23 says, and you must, show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others, say rescue. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment." [01:02:52](24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




5. "So listen, when we walk out of here today and we get that great barbecue lunch that's provided for us out there, we get in our car and we drive home, let's remember how I live this week in the dot is going to determine how I spend eternity." [57:43](27 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




### Quotes for Members

1. "So my goal today is to simply say, yeah, we may be living right now in the dot, but let's remember how I live in this dot prepares of how that I'll live for eternity. I mean, it's not enough that I just said yes to Jesus. Yes to Jesus means that, yeah, forever I'm going to spend ever and ever and ever with him. But if I said no to Jesus, that means that I'd spend eternity in hell, lake of fire and brimstone separated from God." [35:22](32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




2. "And then there'll be the rapture, the rewards, and the resurrection. Remember, I die. My soul goes to be with the Lord. I'm there in the intermediate heaven for how long that is. But then at the end of time, when Jesus, the trumpet sounds, He comes back to this earth to resurrect those who are believers that have died." [42:45](24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




3. "So you see when this new heaven, this new earth comes the way God really created it to be work is not a chore. Work is what you were created for of what you made. And you're going to be coming in and out of the city and all around the world, the new world, however God creates that new." [49:17](16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




4. "So in light of that, I want to refocus on how I'm living now. And here's what I want to do. I want to reach out. I want to do everything short of sin to win as many people as I can to heaven." [01:02:52](24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)




5. "So in this dot, I want to make a decision that I spend eternity with him. And in this dot, I want to live forever and ever. I want to live in such a way that I please him in all that I do. And in this dot, I want to win my friends and my loved ones to Jesus. Because eternity matters." [01:07:48](22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)