Homecoming - Part 6 [Notes]

Many learned the children’s song “Heaven is a Wonderful Place” in Sunday school. The song begins, “Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I want to see my Father’s face. Yes! Heaven is a wonderful place.”  Although the song is simple, it captures a remarkable truth. The most wonderful aspect of heaven will be seeing the face of the One who loves us so much. But this is only the beginning...

Today's Takeaway // We need to invest in eternity.

A verb used to describe giving payment in return for something. This word refers to a reward that is given as an appropriate compensation for a particular action.¹
– J.A. Crutchfield
_{1 Crutchfield, J. A. (2014). Reward. In D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Lexham Press.}

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.²
– Hebrews 11:8-10 (HCSB)
_{² The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Heb 11:8–10). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.}

These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.... But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
– Hebrews 11:13, 16 (HCSB)

“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
– Matthew 6:19-21 (HCSB)

For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them.
– Hebrews 6:10 (HCSB)

Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!”
– Matthew 10:41-42 (HCSB)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.
– 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (HCSB)

“Crown of righteousness” can mean either that righteousness itself is the crown or reward (in other words, God will declare the fact that we are righteous ones), or that this crown is the reward for righteousness.³
– Litfin
_{3 Litfin, A. D. (1985). 2 Timothy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 758). Victor Books.}

"You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
– Matthew 5:11-12 (HCSB)

“Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
– Matthew 5:12 (HCSB)

Now the one planting and the one watering are one in purpose, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building... each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.
– 1 Corinthians 3:8-9,13-15 (HCSB)

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous money so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings.
– Luke 16:9 (HCSB)

“One should use money to win people into the kingdom.” ⁴
– J.A. Martin

_{⁴ Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B.Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 246). Victor Books.}

1. What do you think it means to live in light of eternity?
2. Read Hebrews 11:13-16. How might someone live differently if they realized they were merely traveling through.
3. Why do you think we struggle to live in light of eternity?
4. Pastor Tim focused on six ways we can store up treasure in heaven:

• When we take care of those in need
• When we privately practice our devotion to God
• When we serve other believers
• When we live in anticipation of Christ’s return
• When we are persecuted because of our faith in Christ
• When we participate in the work of the gospel

Which of these comes most naturally to you? Which one might be the most difficult for you to do?
5. What investment in eternity do you think God might be calling you to make as a result of this study?

We Praise You / Same God / Let It Be Real (I'm Ready) / Worthy of My Song / The Blessing

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