Kids are eager for things like…
- Christmas
- Birthdays
- The End of School
Adults are eager for things like…
- A Vacation
- A New Job
- Marriage or a New Baby
How many times have we said, “Boy, I am so eager for the Lord’s return,” or “I wish I could go to heaven right now.” Those aren’t phrases we use much anymore. In fact, sometimes we get so comfortable in this world that the end doesn’t even cross our mind. Are we too busy living in the here and now?
If you want to follow along on this weeks lesson, I’ve included 3 reasons why we’re not eager for the Lord’s return; and 4 reasons why heaven is going to be FANTASTIC! I hope you’ll listen when you get time.
(Sermon: “The End is Near – Aren’t You Excited?”)
(For my friends up north I’ve included another “southern word” this week … “britches.” Can you find it in the sermon?)
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 22 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
Hey Trey, Katie and I have enjoyed looking at your site.
I just posted some thoughts on my site…I’m interested to get your feedback on them. Maybe this could turn into a lesson somehow.
Believe it or not, northerners know the word britches too.
My dad used it all the time: “Bet your britches!!”
By the way, I am VERY excited about going to heaven! I think my posts about heaven were the first time you visited my blog. So you’ll probably remember that I feel the same way you do about it. LOVE this passage from 1 Thessalonians 4: 13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.
I love that Paul tries to encourage the Thessalonians to believe in the better life they have to look forward to after death. Life to another degree. Looking forward to listening to your sermon. Maybe I’ll have more to say after I do.
Lisa, Glad you’re out on a Sunday afternoon. Wasn’t sure if you used the word britches or not. But the second I used it in my sermon this morning, I thought, “Oops, that may be a word Lisa doesn’t use.” ha
Trey, Like the addition of your LIVESTRONG bracelet! Almost four years! Yea!
-NB
Seriously I hope you aren’t thinking about words that will throw me off while you’re preaching!
Brandon, Glad you came by. I’m looking forward to stopping by http://www.brandonandkatie.com
Lisa, Hey, I’m up for buying coffee anything you’re in town. As for the word … it honestly crossed my mind that you guys would give me a hard time about it. ha
NB – I like the new livestrong sign. Four year anniversary is coming up. Hopefully in 3 more years I can get some normal insureance.
Trey,
I hate to be both so off subject and so self promotional, but I am posting things on MG that directly deal with some discussion you and I have had in the past. I HOPE my post is meaningful to those discussions now, though again they feel self centered after a fashion. And I invite you to come over for a looksie and will value your input.
Many blessings…
Trey, I understand about the insurance thing. Hang in there!
It made me laugh to think about you being preoccupied during your own sermon!
-nb
What’s the livestrong sign y’all are talking about?
Trey,
I am very excited about heaven. There are so many things I want to experience–but mostly, walking and talking with God—I want to tell Jesus how much I appreciate His sacrifice and how grateful I am. I want to sing with the angels. I really could care less about the streets of gold or the pearly gates—I just want to be with Them.
Thanks for the post.
Peace
neva
PS. When we lived in NP, the teens used to give Ned a word every Wednesday night and he had to work it into his sermon. They were words like dental floss, corrugated cardboard, labyrinth, etc. It was fun and guaranteed the teens listened to the lesson. He never had to use the word “britches” though–but it is in Nebraska.)
n
LIVESTRONG bracelets were developed by Lance Armstrong, (famous cyclist and cancer survivor), to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
Look down to the lower left of Trey’s blog.
-nb
Oops! I meant lower right.
-nb
Neva … too funny. I like that. I’d like to try and work that in somewhere, but I’m not sure I could pull it off. Great story!
Trey,
We felt so honored to hear this one live! I always enjoy hearing you speak and we LOVE the word britches and folks. It was good to see you and always good to be home. Everytime we are home we talk about how blessed Childress is to have you.
Do you guys need anything that we could help with for LTC? We will be swinging over at some point in the weekend.
Mon … I wish you guys weren’t 8 hours round trip away. I like it when you guys drive home for a weekend. I wasn’t expecting you … it was good to see your sweet family.
Looking forward to ya’ll coming by to see us at LTC. We’ve got 95 going from Childress. Looks like a busy weekend.
Better go get some sleep or I’ll be too tired for my “britches” and you “folks” won’t know what to do with me. ha
Trey,
I preach on the same subject a few weeks ago. How we shou be eager for Heaven. I preached the text of 1 Thess 4:13-5:11.
And as a youth minister I was suprised at how many teenager who were baptized but unsure about their savation. So, even to adults I have preached 1 John 5:13.
Sounds like it was a great sermon. I pray for you alot brother and hope that one day we can meet together in Abilene for coffee or dinner some time.
I’ll take you up on that sometime, Preacherman. Will it include a Krispy Kreme?
Blessings.