R929 Life After Death, Pt.4

Basically a reprint conclusion of this powerful message from Dr. Don Wilton series on life after that.

This is The Encouraging Word the Bible-based teaching of Dr. Don Wilton's they were collecting on our website at tewonline.org while you're there, sign up for the free email from Dr. Don tewonline.org. O RG and Dr. Don Wilton folks are going to need your Bibles this morning. I'm going to ask you to turn with me to Luke's gospel in chapter 9 Luke's gospel in chapter 9. I don't know about you but I have grown up hearing a lot of things about him. Everything just as you have that one can possibly imagine. I'd listen to preachers preach about hip. I read about it in books.

I've thought about it a lot, but kind of images of my own about him.

I've probably heard every joke that you could people use heaven as points of humor in all different kinds of ways we referred to him and in everything. I mean I would have you heard about the pearly gates and for some reason we decided that pizza is the commanding officer and we call them St. Peter and what's going to happen. Folks, the whole 9 yards. I've heard about this claim. Some graduate from the Carolina graduate that it now, I'm not going to go there. That's what I'm just tiny.

I've heard about it, how they both arrived at the Guyton and Peter say is what makes you boys think you can come in here.

I'm not going to give you the Onset of the folks I know you're wanting me to go there I get into enough trouble as it is no, I tell you, I've heard everything you can possibly imagine about hip because the bottom line. The Bible tells us that heaven is as real as you and I looking at each other the day God's word says that God so loved the world that he gave his only son that who ever believes in him should not die but will receive eternal life. You governing the first John chapter 5 going to read the apostle John puts it like this. He says he that has the son of God has life. Folks, this is all about the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm just going to tell you right up front if you've accepted Jesus Christ into your heart. Not only has he forgiven you of your sin, but he is ripping your name down in the Lamb's book of life. There are cults out there there all religious groups out there. They're all people out there of every shape and size that are going to try and tell you otherwise. The Bible is abundantly clear. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. Heaven is about the fact that because Jesus gave his life upon a cross shading his blood that you and I could not only be forgiven of our sin, but that because we are forgiven about seven that the way is open through Jesus Christ that we can come into his presence and live with him forever. Now this is a massive subject. It is very big but we going to try-based over the next couple weeks to really cost some very deep questions because I want to know I want to know how to get things going there. What are we gonna look like, what is it look black. Does the Bible have anything to say about hip want to read to you to passage of Scripture this morning. The first one is found in Luke's gospel in chapter 9 it's a remarkable passage. We know it as the Transfiguration that would Transfiguration. Just think of the word figure. Think of your person, the word strong spam means to change and so what happened here is that Jesus went up on a mountain and something happened.

He not only changed in front of the eyes of those who watch, but he showed us something about life off the day I met a just read this. I know some of you will find it difficult to agree or understand.

I'm not going to comment on it because the next two probably three weeks on that to be going back to this passage constantly arrived and then we just going to have a remind ourselves of a couple of things that were said in Luke chapter 16 what happened in Luke chapter 9 and verse 28 about eight days off to Jesus, save this he took Peter, John, and James with him. They went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of the space changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning to man.

Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure which he was about to bring into fulfillment at Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him as the men were leaving, Jesus, Peter saved a monster. It is good for us to be here.

Let us put up three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. He didn't know what he was saying and while he was speaking a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud, and a voice came from the cloud, saying, this is my son, whom I have chosen listen to him when the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone.

The disciples kept this to themselves and told no one at that time what they had seen not just flip over the Luke chapter 16, Jesus told us a remarkable account of two people in Luke chapter 16. This is what he said in verse 19 that there was a rich man was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day at his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with souls longing to eat what fell from the rich man's type.

Moreover the dogs came and licked the souls the time came that the beggar died and he was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried in Hill when he was in torment, he looked up and he saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side, so he called to him. Father Abraham had petite on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue because I'm in agony in this five but Abraham said, son, remember that you and your lifetime received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony of folks when it comes down to the discussion about heaven.

God's word is food with him in the Lord Jesus. David basically wanted us to know about this incredible place. I want to just give to you right up front just three or four just facts just to lay the table today about him another one that heaven is a place of reward. The place of reward. We know that Jesus cared telling us in Luke chapter 16 was trying to impress upon us. I believe in the reality of this man's life that heaven is a place where God rewards those who belong to him that I tell you, I've been to a lot of awards ceremonies. One of the things that I love about upward is that every child is a winner. I want you to just think about that folks. You know it's no wonder that God is taken up with across the nation around the world. I want you to just think of how significant that is 1180 when we look at these types may not have. I don't see any rising stars. My name is not bungled you watch our boys and girls that I have the best fun you can ever imagine kicking those balls and cheerleading and flag: basketball, and they are out there.

I thank the Lord I thank the Lord front church. I thank the Lord for the vision about church, you know, folks.

Some 10 years ago. If you went around that time our church acted in faith went out and bought some gold fields. We just did it invite what we got a problem right now we run, we don't have enough we don't have enough gymnasiums. We got a way to put kids we gotta turn them away which we never do because we don't want to turn away anybody because we believe in our young people and I love it in the service so many about boys and girls are playing upward leaks and then the next service. This place will be packed out with boys and girls in moms and dads are.

I know they'll be a lot more in the next service because we providing lunch for them.

Often that's the most important part, but folks just think about rewards Jesus said Jesus say that when we come into heaven. He's going to look into our faces and he's going to say well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord of folks that applies to every single person who has confessed basin and by faith you've placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. There are no exceptions. There is no such thing as a second-class Christian I want to announce that again there is no such thing as a second clause Christian God's word say is that Jesus Christ died upon the cross so that you'll who know him by received the award of eternal life.

We are actually a reward driven people is an incentive not you want me to talk to you about heaven. I'm going to tell you something.

There is an incentive involved in giving my heart and life to Jesus, the number one incentive is that my sins are going to be forgiven. That's incentive number one there are many people today who are living in this world and they live is being bound and encrusted and overtaken by sin and I signed what I do. Is there any hope for me any deliverance cannot go anyway. Listen, I messed up in my marriage got mixed up in my morality.

I may stop in my life I've messed up in this. The number one reward folks for putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ is that if you confess your sin.

He will forgive their sin, and he proclaims and you'll take your sin as far as the east is from the west and he remembered no more. But watch this folks you write your name in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation chapter 20 very clear on that that your names are written down, and if your name is not written down in God's book in heaven.

You can't go to be with. It is a practical action would talk about that later because I was one of the wind will did God have to write down nine is God. He knows who I am. I don't think he's doing it because of himself.

I think he does it because he knew me because so many people according the word of God. Matthew seven verse 21 are going to arrive quote unquote outside the pearly gates and if indeed Pete is going to be standing there as the guardian they going to say but Lord you got understand something Peter. I did this in your name and I did that in your name to which our Savior will say, depart from me, you do iniquity, because I never knew you. I cannot reward you because you've never given your heart to me you've never trusted me as your personal site.

It's a place of reward number two. It's a place of companionship. It's a place of companionship. I love this. Did you notice something folks about what Jesus said here in Matthew chapter 19 is this man Mitch is calling Billy Bob, I mean he's beautiful Bible tells us. I think that Jesus was trying to tell us that poor people go to heaven and rich people don't want for one.

What he was trying to show as folks that this man was pitiful.

Yes, he was pitifully Nice poverty, but he was pitiful in his loneliness. Someone told me one time that one of the most difficult things to deal with when you're down and out his lonesomeness do know that people all over the world, cry out for companionship. What I love about families love about living in a place like this love about having friends I was with a group of friends yesterday and I thought about the fact that we all frames together.

One incredible thing companionship.

Now, to be perfectly honest with you folks when in my mind for years and years when I thought about Dave, one of the things that scares me today about Dave is the lonesomeness. The darkness about it. The abandonment for years. When I saw someone dial or I thought about day to me. The big issue was this darkness, this box, this being on your own. I've heard precious people say if there's one thing please I don't want to die alone.

Jesus care once to make a point folks about eternal life. He says you will never die alone. You will never be alone.

Isn't it amazing that Lazarus was immediately transported) to the presence of Abraham by name. What if you go back to Luke chapter 9, which we going to look at quite a lot in the Transfiguration. Just think about it. Jesus called three disciples, Peter, James and John Bailey here. With two people hello Moses and Elijah.

I'm in a come back to that among so yes, this company standing around. I want you to just think about the company. The living in the day.

Why would Jesus have all denies this collective company if he were not trying to tell us about ultimate companionship. Why I had a lady say to me. I've had this many times you have to will I see my husband again, absolutely years when I see my son absolutely years loss not about 9 o'clock or something.

I put on the television Larry King live, they had the singer Eric Clapton only I didn't listen to a lot of it but if you remember Eric Clapton in 1991 went through tragedy. His he saw four years of age, was killed and he wrote a song about heaven. I wanted to climb through that television Satan talk to Eric Clapton about the reality of heaven about the companionship about what God's Word says about being together, folks, this what Jesus is talking about is blood and stuff. Eric Clapton loss not say well we don't know where the we just become a force off the we die.

Jesus never mentions becoming just a force, Jesus talks about real people talks about companionship number three number three. Heaven is a place of life. Love this. It's a place of my just consider Lazarus for a moment.

First of all, you had a royal escort folks. How to describe it, but the Bible says in Luke 16 in verse 22 that when the beggar died, the angels carried him to Abraham's side. Now I'm just going to lay my bosses write phenomena tell you something straight up.

Jesus said that I don't know how to describe it. I've tried to other altars of tried to when I started writing that book the absolute certainty of life after death and I got to that point there and Billy Bob came to the point of day it I knew that God's word told me that we are carried by the angels folks here is what I believe.

I believe that when you come to that point to die that Jesus Christ points, trees, angels, and says it's okay you can go and get my sister my child my daughter you can get that person you can get John and Susan and whoever that person you can go now gone get them. The Bible says this man was carried by the angels what what a royal escort uniting and after walk to heaven folks you don't even have to know the directions if you given your heart to Jesus you receive those direct please forgive you the ropes will be back in just a moment with the rest of today's message with Dr. Don Wilton, but Dr. Don Wilton to know where you 24 hours a day. If you call 866899 word you find someone ready to talk with pray with and connect with great resources at 866899673 or online@twonline.org is a matter fact great resources like this.

My book Saturdays with is about an extraordinary relationship with a precious man who impacted lives across the you don't want to miss this opportunity to be inspired by his life to just one of many great resources on our website EW online.org that's TE double online.org. Now back to Dr. Don Wilton. I believe with all my heart listen when I went to boarding school in July in South Africa. This the school tonight was Mrs. Catherine Filby if I will be why always have a fun place in my heart is a little eight-year-old boy for Mrs. Catherine Fu be. She was always so kind to us. Her husband Ronnie phobia Mrs. Catherine Filby served as missionaries in the African nation of Angola and he died of cancer and just before Ronnie phobia died right there at that moment of day, he lifted up her hand and he pointed into the heavens and he's face broke into the most incredible smile and he said Jesus is Jesus Jesus and Ronnie phobia died say to me pasta. What happened I don't know I wasn't there, but I believe with all of my heart, Ronnie phobia, together with old people who have died at that moment when we think this is closing us over the God's angels arrive in their radiant brilliant glory and we are picked up and placed in a chariot such as what you and I can't even describe and we are given a royal escort writing to the presence of the King of Kings and the Lord of loads. I believe that with all of my heart. Don't you that's what heaven is all about. I want you to note in the second place that he had his name. He was gold Lazarus by the way, what was his name before he died. Anybody know Bible says in verse 20.

His name was Lazarus. All right, this is a test.

Now folks, one would taste this will improve your SATs's name Jesus said his name was Lazarus before he died. Okay, often he died was his name.

Joe George all Lazarus.

Lazarus, you got it.

Now watch this watch this if you go back to Luke chapter 9 okay to the Transfiguration, who appeared with Jesus in front of three disciples.

Moses and Elijah everybody say that Moses and Elijah. I don't know somebody needs to gone figure out how many years prior to that, Moses and Elijah had died. If I was here in the south which I am just say a bunch of years is that good enough. I mean those two boys got a bunch of years earlier folks. They were dead. Now here they all would Jesus in Luke chapter 9 and they appear all right if you go back into the Old Testament. What were their names before they died.

Moses and Elijah. What is Jesus.

This is with Jesus folks. What were their names when they suddenly appeared right now Moses and Elijah. I didn't make that up. Was Jesus playing with us. So I'm going to make a conclusion, I believe, if any of you want to know what my name is its Dawn. I absolutely believe when I get to heaven.

My name is going to be. That wasn't convincing at all. My name is Don, my name is Donald.

Okay listen folks, only one person calls me Donald.

And that's my mother when she got to the Donald part of dawn it was time for me to get up and come up with gone gone gone when I got to the Donald I was there in a heartbeat. I believe with all my heart. You can say that is the silliest stuff I've ever heard in Montana.

Jesus made this point.

I wish that I could give you some kind of spiritual description will try to engineer it, that actually this is just a just a way of helping us to identify on this is just symbolical Jesus did this. Why would Jesus appear be transformed. Give them a demonstration of these resurrected body and carry with them to man by the name of Moses and Elijah who were identified by name as Moses and Elijah Jesus did well.

He had his name, number three, he had his body. Now we have regarding the construction business. Again, if you have a look at Lazarus now in heaven we can construct these bodies.

He had eyes in vocal cords.

Yet a finger folks is not one little bit where the Bible says there was this finger floating around and all of a sudden the rich man look and said I see that finger and would you let that finger. I'm not being facetious folks he said would you send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. Here we have two man by the name of Moses and Elijah, can you construct a bodies Bible says they talked Bible says they looked they were recognized exactly for who they are. He had a body I thought that these three men Lazarus, Moses and Elijah thought they were all dead in order and he had a body but he had abilities such powerful teaching from the pulpit. Dr. Don Wilton now open your heart to what he wants to share with you next. Are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why don't you pray this prayer with me right now. Dear God, I know that on and I know that Jesus died for me on the cross today. I repainted my sin and by faith I receive you into my heart. In Jesus name, my friend.

I welcome you today into the family of God. This is exciting. You welcomed I'm convinced someone just gave your life to Christ praying with dedicated free resources at 866899868967. Let us know what that's doing in your life. You can also meet us on our website as well.

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