A Tour of New Jerusalem

Comparing the visions of Revelation to Dorothy visiting Oz opens the door to a renewed sense of wonder and amazement at what God has done for us through his Son. The tour through New Jerusalem helps us "visualize" the things that are at the very heart of God. I love how John's final vision is full of the reminder that God gives life (not death) abundant food (not starvation) thirst quenching water without cost, and healing for all the nations. This is what God has always been about and in the End we will see a new Beginning - the garden of Eden fully restored.

By the way, Katie Thompson wins the Inquisitive Bible Reader award today. While I was reading the list of jewels that are part of the New Jerusalem she thought that they sounded familiar. She had been reading in Exodus recently so she turned back to re-read the description of the High Priest's breastplate. It is not coincidence that John uses some of the very jewels that the High Priest wore over his heart as he ministered before the Lord in the Most Holy Place. Revelation is full of surprises like that for the discerning reader.

Five Statements About Heaven

There may possibly be more Bible study going on this week at the Clear Lake Church of Christ than ever before. One of the great strengths of our Restoration heritage is the call for people to lay aside preconceived ideas and simply believe what they can see being taught in their own Bibles. This series of lessons on the End Times will be challenging to a lot of assumptions that have been made. I think you will find, however, that what the Bible actually teaches is much better than anything we may have previously thought.

Please use this blog for questions and comments concerning this series. If you would like to talk about something privately contact me by visit, phone, or e-mail me at byron.fike@clearlakechurch.com. As promised here is the outline from today's sermon with a list of all the scriptures used.

1. Heaven is God's Dwelling Place (Deut. 26:15; Matt. 5:16; 6:9; 1 Kings 8:27, 30)
Earth will be liberated to enjoy freedom at the End - Romans 8:18-25
Heaven and Earth united at the End - revelation 21:2-3

2. Jesus Reigns From Heaven (Luke 24:50-51; Isa. 6:1; Matt. 19:28; Rev. 3:21)
Jesus is coming back to earth (Acts 3:21; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16)

3. The Dead in Christ are in Heaven (Luke 23:42-43; Phil. 1:22-24)
Jesus will bring them with him when he returns - 1 Thess. 4:14

4. Treasure Can be Stored in Heaven (Matt 6:19-20; Mark 9:41)
This does not mean we go to heaven to "obtain" or "use" it. The treasure is simply being stored so it will be secure when the End comes (1 Pet. 1:3-5)

5. Names are Written in Heaven (Heb. 12:22-23)
They are written in the Lamb's book of life which will be in the New Jerusalem that comes down to earth - Rev. 21:27

I referenced 2 Pet. 3:10 as the place where we got the idea that the earth will be annihilated. The NIV reads, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." The KJV read "burned up" instead of "laid bare." The comparison Peter makes is to the Flood, "By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed" (3:7). We know that the world was not annihilated by the flood, therefore when says it was "destroyed" he must mean something else. What Peter is saying is that in the End all evil will be done away with, just like in the Flood. We should not take the word "disappear" literally as he is speaking in an apocalyptic manner (similar to when Scripture says the moon turns to blood or mountains throw themselves into the sea). Peter adds to his thoughts, "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (3:13). This is the re-newed earth of which we read about in Romans 8 this morning.

What's the Big Idea?

To properly prepare a lengthy series of sermons (like the End Times series we started this morning), I like to spend a long period of time (generally a year or more) reading, studying, and pondering the significance of what I am learning. I never feel completely ready to begin putting the mass of information into sermons, but finally just have to "bite the bullet" and begin.

As I have studied the End Time material of the New Testament my thinking has been challenged in ways that I didn't expect. My previous understanding has gone through a dramatic shift. I must admit that I am a bit fearful as I now am faced with the task of presenting these "strange" teachings to the congregation. However, as I have come to accept my new understanding of the scriptures as true to God's plan from the beginning, it has set me free to really appreciate the magnificence of God's sending Jesus to the earth. We just scratched the surface this morning and Lord willing, we will dig deeper in the weeks to come.

Giving as a Defense Against Idolatry

I felt a bit like Art Linkletter having those kids up there with me today. (If you don't know who Art Linkletter is he did an old tv show called "Kids Say the Darnedest Things".) I can't wait to see how those kids spend their $5.00. I was origionally going to give each one 3 one-dollar bills but thought that would be too easy. Five dollars doesn't divide by 3 easily so it should make it more of a challenge. The real question, however, is how are we as a church going to respond with the money God has blessed us with?

Knowing how to use a tool ensures that we will get maximum benefit from it's use. The same is true for money. If one can learn how to use money to 1) Buy, 2) Save, and 3) Give they will be well on their way to using money appropirately. Unfortunately many of us never learned how to use money properly and have been hurt as a result. Bad credit, crippling debt, or simply using every penny we bring home just to get by, are all symptoms. Of course I understand there are emergency situations that may made it difficult to get by financially; but I am talking about how one uses money as a lifestyle.

For those who have had trouble managing money I would suggest that you simplify your lifestyle. We just don't need all the things the world tells us we need. When you must cut corners to make ends meet don't forget about the small things that really add up. Cable T.V., internet access, excessive eating out, are a few ways one can trim their spending to save money. FPU has a very workable plan to get out of debt and teaches one the tools necessary to use money properly. I just finished reading Dave Ramsey's, Total Money Makeover and recommend it for anyone who wants to gain better control of their money.

Jesus said, "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" (Luke 16:11). Money is not True Riches! But we must prove that we can handle money well so that God will give us the riches that are really valuable. What are those riches? I don't know the full extent of what God has in mind, but I do that a proper use of money brings peace, contentment, and joy. How rich is the person who has those things in their life!

Giving to Support the Local Church

I appreciate so much Kyle and Ginger's willingness to stand and give testimony to how God keeps his promises. I was thinking as they were talking how I never cease to be amazed at the creativity of God. God has promised to provide for us when we tithe but doesn't tell us how that blessing will come. Kyle and Ginger reminded us that things we might be tempted to chalk up as "coincidence" are really God's creativity coming through. May we never stoop to the pagan level of thinking we are just lucky! When you trust God by giving generously HE provides what you need. Period!

I also appreciated Tommy's willingness to let me read his response to last week's blog. Who else is reading this right now that is willing to respond to God's invitation to test him by giving generously and regularly? I promise I won't read anything publicly you write unless you give me permission. But, it is so encouraging when people share as Tommy did, the conviction they have experienced and the resulting decision to make life style changes. May God bless you richly Tommy as you "put your money where your faith is."

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10)

Giving as a Response to God

I have heard several comments regarding the report that only 37% of our congregation's families give regularly to church. (The actual number of families this percentage represents is 88 out of 233.) It is my desire to see this number increase in 2009. Although we talked about tithing two weeks ago; I recognize the difficulty of moving from 0% regular giving to 10%. I think a better strategy is to first develop the habit of regular giving and then move toward generosity.

On the plus side we did find that 68% of the congregation gave at least one recordable contribution in 2008. I know that some contribute cash only (which is not recordable) so we could realistically bump that percentage up a little. This is the group that I would like to encourage to move from sporadic giving to regular contributing. The difference is truly amazing. Say, for instance, that one gives a one time contribution of $500. That is a wonderful gift and will certainly help the congregation's financial needs. However, if that same person gave just $25 a week by year's end they would have contributed $1300 for the year.

That the church needs money is obvious since we function only by the generosity of our members. However, if this becomes the primary motivation for one's giving - one will give based on whether or not one perceives that the church needs money. The past two weeks we have talked about two other biblical motivations for financial giving: 1) Giving as an expression of faith; and 2) Giving as a response to God. May 2009 be the year that all of us stretch our faith and give in a way that tells God we are truly appreciative for all that He has given for us.

Giving as an Expression of Faith

People make interesting comments after sermons. Some time ago I told the congregation that my favorite after sermon comment is, "What a Savior!" Since that time several have come up to me after the sermon and made that exact comment. Sometimes people want to tell me "What a Savior!" but forget exactly how the phrase is expressed. A few weeks back one of our teenagers got really confused. He wanted to give me the ultimate compliment but instead what came out of his mouth was, "You're the Savior!" God help us all if anyone really believes that!

As promised, here are the scripture references that I left out of today's sermon to save on time. I guarantee it will bless your life if you take time to read over these and contemplate what God is wanting his children to learn in regards to giving.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

Tithing Before the Law of Moses was Instituted:
Abraham - Genesis 14:20
Jacob - Genesis 28:22

Two Tithes Required by the Law:
Priestly Tithe - Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:20-32
Festival Tithe - Deuteronomy 14:22-27; 26:12-15

Gifts Required by the Law:
Firstfruits - Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Gleanings - Deuteronomy 24:19-22
First Male Offspring - Exodus 13:11-16

Laws that Restricted One's Earning Ability:
Sabbath - Exodus 20:8-11
Sabbatical Year - Leviticus 25:1-7
Year of Jubilee - Leviticus 25:8-22

God's Promise to Bless Israel's Obedience - Deuteronomy 28:1-14