Aim For Heaven! - Part 2

This is Michael Carbone with the Truth Network were partnering with Bible league international on open the floodgates Bibles for Africa in many parts of countries like Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and Mozambique as many as 9/10 Christians are denied God's word by corrupt governments majority religions in poverty and remoteness five dollars and the Bible. $100 since $2500 sends 100 call 800 yes word that's 800-937-9673 thank you for caring. Hey this is Mike Swick from if not for God podcast our show stories of hopelessness turned and I hope your chosen Truth Network podcast is starting in just seconds. Enjoy it, share it, but most of all, thank you for listening and for choosing The Truth Podcast Network.

This is the Truth Network do you feel like you're on a religious treadmill, you feel like Christianity is just a system of rules and regulations, I can do this but I can't do that. Do you feel like your efforts to reach God. Find God, and please God, you, do you feel like your faith is dead or alone. Today Pastor Russ Andrews will walk us through Scripture to answer these questions join us on finding purpose of local tribal ministry glorifying God by helping men find their purpose for living.

For more information and to connect with Russ Andrews and finding purpose could visit us online@findingpurpose.net connect with us on Facebook.

Now let's listen to Russ Andrews as he teaches us how to be a Christian without being religious. When I was in seminary and evangelism class. We had during the course of the semester, three months, turning 18. Witness and reports about what we had to get 18 encounters during that semester. We share the gospel. Somebody did, I was. I had not been doing for about 20 years sharing the gospel and the people that get on an airplane in their sit there waiting for the plaintiff, Philip and the pray Lord I pray that you put somebody beside me that needs to hear the gospel you do that, there are the crown of righteousness. Paul's last words when he was in prison were to his his son in Christ Timothy and this is what I really want my times the I have fought the good fight, I finish the rice have kept the faith. Now this is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me but also to all who long for his appearing. Do you long for the appearing of Jesus his heart a long phase appearing. If you're living in sin is long-term is hard to love his appearing. If you're looking for. This world just accumulate things so many Christians and we all this world you listen on the cancer cells of the body where all guilty of of the sanctuary we get caught up in the things of this world.

The stock market, politics, making money, living for the weekend. We don't really longing for Jesus return because were too busy living for the pleasures of this world that describe you you looking forward to the day when the clouds parted and there will be the Lord, are you living a life of obedience. Your longing to see Jesus. If you are in this a crown waiting for you. It's known as the crown of righteousness for the crown of life. This is in James 112 is the fourth crown.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial is one he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God's promise to those who love him. I think about John Erickson not getting think about us and to write in who became a quadriplegic at age 17. She's been confined to a wheelchair. She's about 70 years old and she loves the Lord. She paints with her mouth. She's saying she's also had breast cancer. You think she's not get to the crown of life. All of heaven will stand up and and in the Paul John Erickson when she stands before Jesus at the grid at the judgment seat of Christ ugly that we will all witness when we stand before him. If I got hurt a Joe wanted the code of one year cannot act out what they like Jesus to be sitting there this chair and two angels will be right here and they will bang bang bang Bob Taylor saw the coming day and Bob will stand there and ugly.

Bob will be receiving awards well done my good and faithful servant, Bob could be doing something else, but he I asked him if he would be a group later and it doesn't take some group later is not an easy job.

If it was that with yourself. The subject when Joe why did this. He talked about a Chinese missionary this lady who would share the gospel with everybody. She met in the town that she grew up in, and the angel bang and call it her name and when she comes forward, thousands will stand up who were who knew her, who were led to Christ because of her faith can imagine that's what will be like the Lord is going to reward those who served him, and all believers of all time all witness when you stand there. I believe this I don't how long is Kentucky but we got all of eternity.

As we sit here tonight believers around the world, or endured humiliation, deprivation, persecution and even death. You know why because they're unwilling to deny Christ in the face of death.

This is happening in China, North Korea, Indonesia, India, and in nearly every Muslim country below Muslims are coming to Christ right and left. You had to flee into America know to stay right where they are.

I read about a man who had a muscle had a vision of Jesus.

He gave his life to the Lord Lord said basically.

I told her, but he in his heart he felt led to go to the largest mosque in Baghdad and hand out Bibles using a safe. I think you left this if you and God's will. Your lot you rate your life is eternal until it's time for him to bring you home seat onto fear mankind if you can walk into the line stand and and survive. If God is not finished with you last crown is the crown of glory first pedophile forces and when the chief Shepherd appears receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

This final crown will be given to those who faithfully teach the word of God and Shepherd. God's people, pastors, Sunday school teachers small group leaders and listen.

I believe fathers who Shepherd their families will receive this award. That is your flock. Your wife and your children, your grandchildren and if you take care of them spiritually and lead them to Jesus. You will probably receive the crown of glory some answers on how you doing how you run the rice listen I hope you're not satisfied, I'm not. So what can we do tonight. We can rededicate LF to Jesus because tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our lives in the Lord is not finished with us and we can run this race in the power of the Holy Spirit because that's what we have if we are in Christ and that brings us to Colossians chapter 3 keys. They'll never get there are number not clear a lot of promise, but I can want to go through the first 17 verse of Colossians 3 because I want to talk about now how to live the Christian life so that when you stand there one day before Jesus you will receive one award, but several. So follow with me. Verse one.

Since then, you've been raised with Christ, set your hearts where on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things for you.your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death. Therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature, sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed which is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming used to walk in these ways in the life you once lived, but now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips shall language like you dropped the F bomb without thinking about it. That's a problem if you can do not live to each other since you have taken off your old self with its practices in a put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge, in the image of its creator to that put on the new self, which is being renewed in the knowledge in the image of its creator. Here, there is no Gentile or too circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian skiff in slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all, therefore, is God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved clothes yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And of all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, what in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him to write him will give you very quickly three is like Paul is running beside us of runs rice and is given you encouragement along the way one might be. Don't give up, but the first lady gives us is look up aim for heaven and keep crossing the finish line in verse one pulse is set your hearts on things above, and then in verse two, he says, set your minds on things above, not on earthly things served twice but here was telling us that we need to focus on the world to come, not of this world and the reason we should do that is because that's where our citizenship lies know what will our citizenship is in heaven therefore should act like were citizens of heaven, which are focused you focus on the things of this world are you as you focus on heaven and the world is Kabbalah. What is you know that there's a New World coming okay. We read about it in Revelation chapter 21 where John again writes, is given a vision of this, New World disorder, listen to what he says then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.

I sell the lease or sell the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bod abroad beautifully dressed for her husband so this Ward knew and he what he says new earth remains, it means restored. It means like the earth's will be born again just not going to school destroy this earth.

He's going to restore it and then again on this. I like Star Wars to Millie.

I don't have to happen, but I believe it somehow, the new Jerusalem, which is where paradise is right now with the thief on the cross that he went to the new Jerusalem. If you are down right now. We got some friends about right there right now Sam Simpson Paul Creech David Lewis filled the home in a milligram you want to know, these are my friends and there right now in the new Jerusalem paradise and somehow God is going to bring that down to this restored Earth and I should believe that the other new Jerusalem will be right there with the current Jerusalem. This that's what would you not going to live in that city be ready for that. Cannot cannot explain it. Now you can understand it.

Know the desk will be credible. Look at what God did when he created this world in seven days. Jesus been working on new heaven that the new city for 2000 interests in verses one and three because this is where it gets really exciting. Paul gives to conditions that are true of every believer be ready first. A believer has been raised with Christ and seated with him at the right hand of God's even raise with Jesus, and second, a believer has died with Christ, and if you're in Christ then is your life is now hidden in Christ. So what does Paul mean by this.

Well when a king wanted to honor someone he would have that person come and sit with him on his throne right next to him.

It was a place of honor was reserved only for those who are friends of the King. So Jesus has been raised in a seated at the right hand of the father and this is a fundamental truth that every believer in here must grasp the essence of being a Christian is not that you obey in Jesus, although that's very important is not that your loving him that's often very important is not that you're trying to be like him, you and your guests have been a Christian S is that you are in Christ and Christ is in the room is a nine year talks about that. You must be indwelt by the Holy Spirit to belong to Christ. So when you believe Jesus takes up residence in you, the Holy Spirit, but you're also in him. Apologies. This phrase over and over you.

You must be in Christ will in him.

So what is it mean to be in Christ is remains. It means that everything that is actually true of Jesus Christ is legally true of the you place your trust in him, united with him you and him. If you're truly in Christ than right now. Again, I can explain this but if you're in Christ, a major seated right beside God. Your receipt of honor dear why because you are God's son, God is your heavenly father and in Christ. Now you see the right beside God you heavenly father. When Jesus died on the cross by faith. You died with him. This you have been set free from guilt and the power of sin. This is the essence of salvation. Jesus substitute himself for you and me. So listen when you when you place your trust in Jesus when he died, you died you down to your way of life so that you no longer guilty of sin, and sin no longer has power over you.

And when he arose and ascended to heaven. You arose and ascended with him so the father treat you as his son, and you have his power available to you to live the Christian life is what you have to be brought by the Holy Spirit. Romans 814 through 17 says, because those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God, for you do not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sun ship, and by him we cry out what Abba father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

If we are children, then we are heirs. Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his suffering that we may also share his glory seeking. Think about that coming when you when you become a believer.

God, because you have a father and that's the only time when you can truly say the Lord's prayer and it means anything a nonbeliever resend those permits. Nothing is God is not as heavenly father, so you your godson and your Jesus is your elder brother and your Nalco a or whatever. Jesus will inherit you going to inherit.

One day the mouse is, we will reign and rule over the earth.

The Lord's gospel to re-create the earth, returned back to a new garden and you guys will say our children to let their man have dominion over the earth and we will be able to explore and work and play and all that is the way you worship God you live your life in worship to him about being the man that he created you to be the that's what I'm looking for today public all the things in this world that I love to do in their mostly sports surfing and water ski can and playing basketball and tennis and kayaking down a river, canoeing, rolling boating, swimming some you guys like to fish and hunt our will kill animals in heaven, but you might do nice.

We will be eating something that I generally slip don't get the idea.

And so what world are you living for the Bible says, for this world in its present form is passing away and then James 440 Mrs. Yuri missed a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes would live; John Wayne so he disappeared in a toss it is 91.

Think about him. That's what happens demand that we we vanish were grown and people stop thinking about you, but if you are in Christ you will be in heaven. Gospel you heavenly father you will enjoy him forever ma'am have time to finish, but I do the best I can. Matthew 619 to 20 doesn't to something good. Do you want to know how to store up treasure in heaven. Do you I will tell you how to. Jesus said this in Matthew six. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and with these break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal for your treasure is, there will be your heart also did awesome. Many men work so hard because they their treasure is in their work and their money to listen as a Christian you should work hard if God blesses you and prosper you financially what should you do that to three. Thank you.

Today give to God first, save and spend wisely, in that order. Give say spend and you do it all for his glory. God's and Octavius Moore Junior for your generous you are giving them wobbly. He will supply that I believe that number today.

Paul says to aim for heaven.

He says to take off to put to death the sins guys that we there were so you know in bondage to make every man I talked to is having trouble with what these two things don't talk about the eyes. We have trouble with the tongue we have trouble with what we think is somewhat God is in the business of doing it is cleaning us up. I guess he had a lot of work doing the PCs been scrubbed only for 50+ years and you know why I'm so joyful tonight him finish the work with me but he took me through the ringer and he's clients may scrub me up, and I'm a new man. After I got been born again and I'm a new man. I've never had so much joy and peace in my life because I learned it whole and this is where you find happiness if you want to find joy and peace in this life. My talk about the football field vessel court, the 10 Commandments of the boundary you live within the boundary where you free today. Anything you won't age. Roger said I can sin allow long because I want to.

This wire money. I don't want us anymore if I could if I if I get some on my phone. You know you know if someone wants to just something that unite us with a look at.

I will be used to connect click on it just to get a quick look get what ever coming out. Click on anymore. What should you do the same thing turn away from all that stuff it means to get rid of it. Romans 646 and seven says for we know that our old self was crucified with him to the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin, is anyone who is God has been free from sin does not been set free and that they were freedom is the best place in the Lord of the free, but I got it I forget my test so is what John MacArthur says about this as you say, Russ unloaded him say, but what so what I keep on sunny John MacArthur answers this question like this. We have died to sin's penalty, but since power still can be strong in our flesh is weak, younger, without that is why we must continually put sand to death by yielding to the Holy Spirit. Sin is like this for questionnaire sin is like a deposed monarch who no longer arranged was the ability to condemn but works hard to do, debilitate and devastate all his former subjects. Sin is still potent and success against it demands the spirits power in the spirits weapon is what the word of God more time he spent in this book. In prayer the stronger you will become.

John Elwood said the killing sin or sin will be killing you almost done.

Keep your focus on heaven put sand put to death. Sin in your life and family pulses put on cloak yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience for the put off sin and to put on godliness requires a supernatural work of God upon our hearts towards men. This is what happened to me and I'm almost on a guy got to do the work and you he someone who will transform you but you got to yield to him. Your life is so is taking a long time with me. I was ready to hear whatever night is never over like it takes its long time and it takes discipline. So here are five practical disciplines that I have in my life, ready for the five split, and so this is what I've been doing over the last 40 years, not perfectly, but this is what I've been doing, spending time in the word of God every day. Spending time alone with God in prayer everyday nothingness. Someday, for this is that this one you won't spending time in a men's Bible study not to do that for the past 42 years, spending time with other believers in a Bible believing church. I can't emphasize that enough and spending time socially with Christian friends that does not mean that you don't have non-Christian friends, but you need to fellowship with you with fellow believers lipids one success being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry own to completion to the day of Christ Jesus. Some just close with this you ready for the day when your life come to an end. I hope so, because you never know when is one of the so how do you prepare for that day you aim for heaven. You put to death any sin in your life. You can only do that they would God have a list. One of thing you need an accountability person. A friend of Jim Briggs is one of my accountability I can share anything with Jim and Jim can answer the tough questions you need to keep an accountability friend that some of that you can trust that you can be transparent with someone tell me that intimacy means into many city know what you are intimate with this person and they get to see inside of you the things you struggle with your heirs of temptation. They have permission from you to pick up the phone and call you every day how you doing have you look at anything. You should've looked at. If you use language that she should have used if you lost your temper with someone and for heaven put to death any sin in your life, cloak yourselves with all of these Christlike virtues and then man run to win the spry Jimmy father since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses Was to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and help us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Lord help us to fix our eyes on you because you are the author and perfecter of our faith and what we need you so much. I print what you perfect in us what still is to be perfected is Lord you endured the cross with joy scorning its shame, and then you set down the right hand of the throne of God, help us to consider you, who endured such opposition from sinful man so that we meant that we will not grow weary and more that we will not lose heart. Jesus (being a Christian is not about being religious but about having a dynamic alive relationship with Jesus Christ you been listening to finding purpose with pastor Russ Sanders local triangle ministry glorifying God by helping men and their purpose for living. You can discover more about finding your purpose in life by checking out the resources@findingpurpose.net will connect to finding purpose on Facebook pastor Russ would also like to extend a special invitation for you to join him in over 300 other local tribal men study God's word together every Tuesday night at 7 PM in downtown Raleigh. Find out more finding purpose.net. This is the Truth Network