Instructions for Our Journey to Heaven

2002011

Subject: moving closer to heaven

Introduction:

A. A recurring theme throughout the NT is how Christians are strangers/aliens in this world.

1. Heb. 11:9-13 – note the motivation behind Abraham’s actions – knew something better after this life.

2. 1 Pet. 1:1 – Peter speaks to “aliens,”

3. Alien – think of someone w/o permanent residence.

4. So, Christians pictured as those who have left one land and are headed for another.

B. 2:11 – term “pilgrim” used in NKJV.

1. again note the word picture here. Moving to better land.

2. Christians must remember there is something after this life – waiting for us – something never to be taken away…

C. Song before the lesson: This world is not my home…

D. We should be able to sing this hymn w/joy b/c of the hope we have!

1. 1 Pet. 1:3-12 – Peter describes our hope.

a) 1:3 – hope assured by the death of Christ.

b) Looking to an inheritance imperishable/undefiled.

c) Reserved in heaven for you.

2. 1:9 – hope centers around the salvation of our souls.

E. Since this hope motivates us on our journey to heaven – Peter tells us how to travel – 1:13-17.

1. Note there are some instructions we must follow – to ensure that we get home to heaven.

2. If we will do these things – it will help us in our confidence.

3. We often get ourselves into a vicious circle.

a) we fall short – don’t get back up spiritually – discouragement – loss of confidence.

b) Too long – fall prey – why even try?

F. How can I live my spiritual life abundantly? W/confidence? W/joy? W/Hope?

1. I think observing & putting into practice Peter’s words in 1:13 will help us take our spiritual lives to the next level!

2. Note:

I. 1:13 – Prepare Your Minds to Action.

A. NKJV – gird up the loins of your mind. People of Peter’s day would know exactly what he meant.

1. people in day wore long robes – would pull garments close around them when having to run; fight; engage in business…

2. We must get mentally fit. Pay attention to our spiritual life!

a) stay on top of your Christianity – discipline your mind!

b) We should have our minds in constant preparation to discharge duties, to endure trials,

c) We should be prepared for spiritual labor, for a race, or for a conflict.

B. The mind is our spiritual heart. Pro 4:23 – keep heart w/all diligence. This = daily challenge. How?

1. Christians should gather up all kinds of improper thoughts; ill feelings; forbidden activities.

a) will cause us to stumble as we travel.

b) Must work on it – be ready; prepared – because Satan knows where our weaknesses are!

2. Jesus’ warning – Mt. 15:19 – it all starts in the heart!

C. Thought process to be changed! Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:23

D. Learn to love God w/all heart/soul/mind/body – Mk. 12:30

II. 1:13 – be sober.

A. Christianity is serious! Journey we are on will determine our eternal destiny!

1. got one fragile, uncertain lifetime to do it. No 2^nd chance!

2. journey to heaven not just a sightseeing trip!

3. Not just a spectator sport – sit back – watch everyone else

B. Society today: too many view Christianity as important, but not that important.

1. desire to be saved? Certainly!

2. willing to fully commit? Willing to fully sacrifice? Not really.

3. Don’t talk to me about doing more; giving more; attending more.

4. Let someone else do that….no time…

5. If I do decide to do something for the Lord- let everyone else know just how burdensome it is.

C. Rom. 13:11-14 – WAKE UP! Do more! Get involved in your spiritual life & the work of the church!

1. God calls for commitment!

2. 1 Thess. 5:6

D. Sober in 1:13 means “be free from influence of intoxicants.” Vines says it is used here meaning “to be on watch.”

1. Give full attention to. Quit paying attention – just for moment – disaster strikes…

2. blink of eye – Satan attacks.

3. must not be frivolous. Must not show interest in every passing thing. 1:24

4. 2 Pet. 1:5-11 – must work on adding this quality to my life!

III. 1:13 – hope to the end.

A. 1:3-12 – believer has hope! Must be maintained to the end.

1. Why? B/c the inheritance is at the end! 1:3-5

2. journey must be completed!

B. Perseverance is the key! Must run w/endurance.

1. Heb. 12:1-3; Gal. 6:9

2. Must be aware of drifting! Heb. 2:1

3. Press on – Heb. 3:14

IV. 1:14 – travel as obedient children.

A. On a journey – children do not determine the route – or set the rules.

1. Christians = children of God.

2. done through our obeying the truth – 1:22-23

B. Child of God must remain faithful if he is to be an acceptable child.

1. 1:14 – will mean that we must not be conformed to our former lusts.

2. means that we will have to live up to the standard of the gospel!

3. God expects us to be obedient!

V. 1:14-15 – Journey to be made in holiness!

A. How is my behavior? That different from those in the world?

1. We can tend to blend in; b/c transparent if not careful.

2. 1 Pet. 2:11-12 – Christian should stand out!

B. I should strive to be like Jesus.

1. Need to be motivated to be like Him b/c of what He has done for me!

2. Not just any old sacrifice – paid the price w/His blood. 1:18-19

C. So much has been done to enable us to travel!

VI. 1:17 – we must conduct ourselves in fear.

A. Fear here seems to be “reverential fear.”

1. Need to treat God w/reverence & awe.

2. Eccl. 12:13

B. Fear of God needs to be a controlling motive in life.

1. Vines: (this is not) a mere fear of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him…

2. the reverential fear of God will inspire us to be constantly careful in dealing with others!

C. We need a healthy fear of God. This is not emphasized enough today!

1. unpleasant to think about.

2. While God IS love – He will deal out justice to those who disobey Him!

Conclusion:

A. What kind of traveler are you?

1. Won’t you begin if you have not?

2. Won’t you obey the gospel?

B. If you have begun – but stuck in the mud/muck of sin – ceasing to go forward = get rid of your sin! Get on w/the journey!

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Instructions for Our Journey to Heaven 2002011 Subject: moving closer to heaven Introduction: A. A recurring theme throughout the NT is how Christians are strangers/aliens in this world. 1. Heb. 11:9-13 – note the motivation behind Abraham’s actions – knew something better after this life. 2. 1 Pet. 1:1 – Peter speaks to “aliens,” 3. Alien – think of someone w/o permanent residence. 4. So, Christians pictured as those who have left one land and are headed for another. B. 2:11 – term “pilgrim” used in NKJV. 1. again note the word picture here. Moving to better land. 2. Christians must remember there is something after this life – waiting for us – something never to be taken away… C. Song before the lesson: This world is not my home… D. We should be able to sing this hymn w/joy b/c of the hope we have! 1. 1 Pet. 1:3-12 – Peter describes our hope. a) 1:3 – hope assured by the death of Christ. b) Looking to an inheritance imperishable/undefiled. c) Reserved in heaven for you. 2. 1:9 – hope centers around the salvation of our souls. E. Since this hope motivates us on our journey to heaven – Peter tells us how to travel – 1:13-17. 1. Note there are some instructions we must follow – to ensure that we get home to heaven. 2. If we will do these things – it will help us in our confidence. 3. We often get ourselves into a vicious circle. a) we fall short – don’t get back up spiritually – discouragement – loss of confidence. b) Too long – fall prey – why even try? F. How can I live my spiritual life abundantly? W/confidence? W/joy? W/Hope? 1. I think observing & putting into practice Peter’s words in 1:13 will help us take our spiritual lives to the next level! 2. Note: I. 1:13 – Prepare Your Minds to Action. A. NKJV – gird up the loins of your mind. People of Peter’s day would know exactly what he meant. 1. people in day wore long robes – would pull garments close around them when having to run; fight; engage in business… 2. We must get mentally fit. Pay attention to our spiritual life! a) stay on top of your Christianity – discipline your mind! b) We should have our minds in constant preparation to discharge duties, to endure trials, c) We should be prepared for spiritual labor, for a race, or for a conflict. B. The mind is our spiritual heart. Pro 4:23 – keep heart w/all diligence. This = daily challenge. How? 1. Christians should gather up all kinds of improper thoughts; ill feelings; forbidden activities. a) will cause us to stumble as we travel. b) Must work on it – be ready; prepared – because Satan knows where our weaknesses are! 2. Jesus’ warning – Mt. 15:19 – it all starts in the heart! C. Thought process to be changed! Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:23 D. Learn to love God w/all heart/soul/mind/body – Mk. 12:30 II. 1:13 – be sober. A. Christianity is serious! Journey we are on will determine our eternal destiny! 1. got one fragile, uncertain lifetime to do it. No 2^nd chance! 2. journey to heaven not just a sightseeing trip! 3. Not just a spectator sport – sit back – watch everyone else B. Society today: too many view Christianity as important, but not that important. 1. desire to be saved? Certainly! 2. willing to fully commit? Willing to fully sacrifice? Not really. 3. Don’t talk to me about doing more; giving more; attending more. 4. Let someone else do that….no time… 5. If I do decide to do something for the Lord- let everyone else know just how burdensome it is. C. Rom. 13:11-14 – WAKE UP! Do more! Get involved in your spiritual life & the work of the church! 1. God calls for commitment! 2. 1 Thess. 5:6 D. Sober in 1:13 means “be free from influence of intoxicants.” Vines says it is used here meaning “to be on watch.” 1. Give full attention to. Quit paying attention – just for moment – disaster strikes… 2. blink of eye – Satan attacks. 3. must not be frivolous. Must not show interest in every passing thing. 1:24 4. 2 Pet. 1:5-11 – must work on adding this quality to my life! III. 1:13 – hope to the end. A. 1:3-12 – believer has hope! Must be maintained to the end. 1. Why? B/c the inheritance is at the end! 1:3-5 2. journey must be completed! B. Perseverance is the key! Must run w/endurance. 1. Heb. 12:1-3; Gal. 6:9 2. Must be aware of drifting! Heb. 2:1 3. Press on – Heb. 3:14 IV. 1:14 – travel as obedient children. A. On a journey – children do not determine the route – or set the rules. 1. Christians = children of God. 2. done through our obeying the truth – 1:22-23 B. Child of God must remain faithful if he is to be an acceptable child. 1. 1:14 – will mean that we must not be conformed to our former lusts. 2. means that we will have to live up to the standard of the gospel! 3. God expects us to be obedient! V. 1:14-15 – Journey to be made in holiness! A. How is my behavior? That different from those in the world? 1. We can tend to blend in; b/c transparent if not careful. 2. 1 Pet. 2:11-12 – Christian should stand out! B. I should strive to be like Jesus. 1. Need to be motivated to be like Him b/c of what He has done for me! 2. Not just any old sacrifice – paid the price w/His blood. 1:18-19 C. So much has been done to enable us to travel! VI. 1:17 – we must conduct ourselves in fear. A. Fear here seems to be “reverential fear.” 1. Need to treat God w/reverence & awe. 2. Eccl. 12:13 B. Fear of God needs to be a controlling motive in life. 1. Vines: (this is not) a mere fear of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him… 2. the reverential fear of God will inspire us to be constantly careful in dealing with others! C. We need a healthy fear of God. This is not emphasized enough today! 1. unpleasant to think about. 2. While God IS love – He will deal out justice to those who disobey Him! Conclusion: A. What kind of traveler are you? 1. Won’t you begin if you have not? 2. Won’t you obey the gospel? B. If you have begun – but stuck in the mud/muck of sin – ceasing to go forward = get rid of your sin! Get on w/the journey! C. I N V I T A T I O N