Something New

Revelation 21:1 – 5

Everything New

The story is told at one Presbyterian General Assembly, the moderator announced; “The next number will be an address by Rev. James McCosh, chancellor of Princeton University. Subject: “the immortality of the soul.” Time allotted: 15 – minutes.” (Joke)

Three (3) things will change in eternity.

A. The physical stuff will change!

1. There will be NEW heaven and a NEW earth.

2. Romans 8:19 – 22

a. “Eager expectation” for the sons of God to be revealed.

b. “Subjected to frustration” as the result of sin in general....

c. “Bondage to decay” (everything deteriorates).

3. Physically we al have an appointment with death and the judgement.

(Ill.) Cathedral of Milan – three archways, entrances have marked on them:

1. “All that pleases is but for a moment.”

2. “All that troubles is but for a moment.”

3. “That only is important which is eternal.”

***** Some have suggested we give a 100 year test: “Will this matter in 100 years?” *****

B. The relational stuff will change!

1. God dwelling with us. (Not just as the Holy Spirit, but also as Father and Son)

2. 2 Corinthians 5:14 – 17

a. Eternal destiny CHANGED = “Convinced”

b. Lifestyle CHANGED = “live... no longer for themselves...” (For Jesus)

c. Mind CHANGED = “from a worldly point of view” (not focused on the flesh)

c. Believes = new creation.

(Ill.) Traveler in China in Kwelin noticed a sign that read “Eternal life for sale.” Looking in the building he saw row upon row of black caskets. It was a coffin/casket factory.

(Ill.) Irishman passing a cemetery on day paused at a startling inscription on a tombstone. It read; “I still live.” After scratching his head in puzzlement the Irishman muttered; “If I was dead, I’d be honest enough to own up to it.”

***** We are born in sin and dead to God by nature. Life is lived for the self. We think like everyone else thinks.

Jesus changes all that! “The old has GONE, the new has come!”*****

What happens is God has initiated an EXCHANGE (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). EVERYTHING we have (sin, death, hell) for EVERYTHING Jesus has (righteousness, life, and abundant and eternal life).

C. The emotional stuff will change! [Revelation 21:1 – 5]

1. The ultimate cure for emotional pain? [God]

a. “EVERY tear” (God will wipe them away.)

b. No grief – no death.

c. No crying (there will be no cause or need to cry)

d. No pain (emotional, physical, spiritual)

2. Problem is we are living in “the society of the victim.”

a. Everybody wants to portray themselves as the victim. Why?

1.) Victims get sympathy and attention. (Explain “slavery”)

2.) Victims get bad behavior excused (and the innocent blamed).

b. The only “victim” in the universe is God.

1.) God owns the world, BUT we rebelled.

2.) God gave us directions and instructions (law) BUT we broke them and are on a path of self-destruction.

3.) God the Father sent God the son (Jesus) to demonstrate His love AND we crucified Him.

4.) God freely gives us His grace offering us love and restoration, BUT we continue to reject Him.

***** God does not want our sympathy, attention or His behavior excused. God DOES want to heal us from our sin, unrighteousness, and pain. *****

D. What now? The person, here, now, and later...

1. The body will die, then be resurrected to one of two eternal destinies.

2. The soul will live in eternity with or without Christ.

3. The spirit (mind) will either glory or suffer now and then later.

(Ill.) There is a rock that is 100 miles by 100 miles. Imagine that once every 1,000 years one little bird comes to sharpen its beak on the rock. When the rock is warn away by a single bird sharpening its beak every 1,000 years... then a single day of eternity will yet to have gone by.

***** God wants you to spend eternity with Him. *****

1. Resurrected to eternal “heaven.”

2. To be eternally with you.

3. To wipe away every tear.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 1:6]

***** What happens in eternity starts now. *****

Sin... failure is the common problem. It causes physical death. It causes spiritual death.. It creates emotional turmoil, chaos, and pain.

What you must do... “A,B,C’s”

Acknowledge the sin in your life. Accept personal responsibility for your actions and attitudes.

Believe in Jesus. Believe in a way that makes a difference in your behavior.

Choose new, abundant, and eternal life in and through Jesus by confessing with your mouth “Jesus is Lord.”