SPECIAL DAYS: Third Sunday of Lent

March 15, 1998 - LESSON: Ephesians 1:11-12, NRSV

SERMON TITLE: A Home of Your Own

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Easter is only a few weeks away.

It is no exaggeration to say that it is the most important day in the history of the world.

It is no exaggeration, is it?

It is more important than the asteroid that might or might not hit the earth in 2028.

Now it is only going to come within 600,000 miles.

Easter will receive much less news coverage.

Easter is more important than the trials and tribulations of President Clinton.

What more do we need to know about Paul Jones or Monica Lewinski?

Easter will receive much less news coverage.

Easter is more important that Bosnia or Iraq or El Ninio

These are tragic or serious events

They will gather far more news minutes than Easter.

So, here we are in Lent.

A time to prepare for the most important day in the history of the world.

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Why is it the most important day?

Where would we be without the resurrection of Jesus on Easter?

What kind of world would we be living in?

Of what kind of a community would we be a part?

In preparing for Easter we might ask ourselves a couple of "Why" questions.

We are very good at asking why questions.

We usually want to know the why of things.

Why the resurrection?

We will talk about the resurrection on Easter Sunday morning,

That is a promise.

Why does Jesus have to die?

This is the question that is at the very heart of Christianity.

Why are you a Christian?

What do you hope to accomplish by being a Christian?

What do you hope to gain by being a Christian?

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This morning let us let the word of God speak to us and help us understand one of the most important promises of Easter.

We know that Jesus dies to make atonement; reconciliation.

This is the thought of Romans 5:6-11, NRSV

[6] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. [8] But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. [9] Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. [10] For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. [11] But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Through the death of Christ we may be adopted.

Romans 8:15-17, NRSV, We are children of God and Joint Heirs with Christ.

[15] For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" [16] it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ--if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

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The adopted children of God become heirs.

The children have an inheritance

I once received a check for $12.67

Where did it come from and why.

I received a letter from my Uncle Gerald informing me that the $12.67 was an inheritance from the estate of my late grandmother.

The amount was insignificant

The thought was important,.

What God promises as an inheritance is worth far more than $12.67

Perhaps you have seen the bumper sticker which reads:

"I am spending my children's inheritance."

This is humorous.

God does not treat our inheritance lightly.

Ephesians 1:11, NRSV, We have an heritance according tot he purpose of him, that is God.

[11] In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will,

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Peter also writes of an inheritance kept in heaven for you.

1 Peter 1:3-4, NRSV

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

It is imperishable

It is undefiled

It is unfading

It is kept in heaven for you.

Paul helps us to further refine our understanding of our inheritance.

Galatians 3:27-29, NRSV

[27] As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. [28] There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

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Heirs according to what promise?

The promise to Abraham

The promise described in Hebrews 11:8-10, NRSV

[8] By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. [9] By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. [10] For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Abraham was seeking a city.

He was seeking a homeland.

He did not achieve his objective

Hebrews 11:13-16, NRSV communicates this situation.

[13] All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, [14] for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. [15] If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. [16] But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

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The writer of the Hebrews concludes that they did not receive what was promised during their lifetimes.

Hebrews 11:39-40, NRSV

[39] Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, [40] since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.

They would not, apart from us, be made perfect, i.e. whole complete.

Because what is promised is a real place.

This is how Jesus describes it to his disciples.

John 14:1-3, NRSV

[1] "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.

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Jesus also said to all the people in the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:5, NRSV

[5] "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Perhaps Jesus had in mind the words of God in Isaiah

Isaiah 45:18, NRSV

[18] For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens he is God!, who formed the earth and made it he established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited!: I am the LORD, and there is no other.

What may this place be like?

Let the words of the God revealed by prophets and apostles speak to you.

Revelation 21:1-5, NRSV, describes a city.

[1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; [4] he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." [5] And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."

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Revelation 21:9-11, NRSV describes a beautiful, clean and radiant city.

[9] Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." [10] And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. [11] It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal.

Revelation 21:22-24, NRSV God is resident in this city.

[22] I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. [23] And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. [24] The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.

Revelation 21:25-27, NRSV, The safety of the city and the kinds of people who will live there.

[25] Its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. [26] People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. [27] But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

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Revelation 22:1-2, NRSV Details which help us understand the purpose of the city.

The healing of the whole person.

The healing of all the people.

[1] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:3-5, NRSV, The permanance of the city.

[3] Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; [4] they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Isaiah 65:17, 21-23, NRSV describes the work of the people of God.

[17] For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind...[21] They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. [22] They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. [23] They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the LORD-- and their descendants as well.

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Isaiah 65:24-25, NRSV emphasizes the peace and harmony that will exist between all of life

Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.

Face to face communication

Animal animosity and fear removed.

[25] The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent--its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.

Isaiah 66:22-23, NRSV, Your name and your descendants will remain.

[22] For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, says the LORD; so shall your descendants and your name remain. [23] From new moon to new moon, and from sabbath to sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, says the LORD.

This is a real place with real people and real houses and real work.

This is the inheritance of the children of God.

Remember two of our questions:

What do you hope to accomplish by being a Christian?

What do you hope to gain by being a Christian?

Is this a picture of a possibility that creates excitement in the anticipation of its fulfillment?

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Paul writes in another place:

1 Corinthians 15:19, NRSV

[19] If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

God desires to have us set our hope in him and the inheritance that is being provided for us.

He provides us with a snapshot so that we may be able to develop some idea of what it will be like.

Peter declares his faith and his hope:

2 Peter 3:13, NRSV

[13] But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

You may or may not have received an inheritance.

You may or may not receive an inheritance.

The Christian is guaranteed an inheritance.

It is life beyond life; life beyond our wildest imagination.

Its worth working for.

Its worth hoping for

Its worth waiting for.

Its worth all that we have to possess it.

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