Sunday, May 30, 2010

WHERE IS JESUS?

‘Where is Jesus now, physically,
and what is the significance of this to us today?’

Answer to question:
Physically in heaven (many verses, Acts 1:9 being one)
Spiritually in Christians on earth (Col 1:27, for one)
Jesus is physically in Heaven, but spiritually lives on earth in us by his Holy Spirit.

Significance:
(John 16:7 among others)
He sends the Holy Spirit from heaven. John 14-16 contain much information about the what this Holy Spirit will do. Also Acts 1:8 and others. Jesus said it was expedient that he must go, so he could send the Holy Spirit. He told his disciples to go into the world and make disciples, but to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from on high, the promise of the father, the Holy Spirit.

Point 1:
Jesus from his place in heaven sends the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us power to live holy lives and to be a witness to Jesus.

Point Two:
It means that we physically live on earth, but spiritually live in Him in heaven (Eph 2:6).

This means we are not bound by earthly viewpoints and understanding, but have a view from heaven through Jesus eyes and heart, if we will learn to see, hear, and understand not with our physical senses but through the spirit.

This is why we walk by faith, not by sight. Our faith is not blind faith, but faith in what we see from this heavenly perspective, in the spirit. We can see the promises of the Bible, and it is faith in this spiritual vision that we live by.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

TICKET TO HEAVEN

Someone was explaining how when he was a ‘young Christian’ he thought of Christ as the ticket to Heaven. Now, he realizes it is much more than that. He gave the example of a little girl, perhaps 4 or 5, coming home from school, seeing her father sitting on the couch reading. With a scream of delight, she ran across the room, slippers flying off her feet, bounding off the coffee table in front of her daddy, leaping onto his lap, then being smothered with affection. He talked for some time about this affection of the father, and while he was talking, thoughts raced through my mind about how Jesus is much more than the ticket. .

JESUS IS THE TICKET - No passage to heaven without the ticket of being washed in his blood.

JESUS IS THE PASSPORT - Cannot cross the border from earth to heaven, from darkness to light, without this passport!

JESUS IS THE TRAIN (or boat, or plane, or car, or whatever transportation you might envision for the journey. I think it is a roller coaster that does not return to where it started, but reaches another destination). Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!

JESUS IS THE JOURNEY Not only is he the transport, he is the sights, sounds, experiences along the way.

JESUS IS THE WELCOME PARTY When we arrive, there is a chorus of angels singing, and much celebration upon arrival.

JESUS IS THE ARRIVAL BANQUET - After arrival everyone gathers for the feast prepared by the King - it’s different than the welcome at the station, or port of entry.

JESUS IS THE CONTINUING EMBRACE OF THE FATHER . . . forever