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Illustration
Object:
Where is your citizenship? Day to day we think only of what we are going to do this day. How many of you think of what we will do when our time is ended on this earth? Is our other citizenship in order? Most of us Christians have dual citizenship but how many times do we think of our other citizenship in heaven?
We had a home in Hawaii a few years ago, and we often thought of it. It was beautiful and we went back and forth every year to take a break. Some of our kids were there and they minded the place when we were gone.
What if you were looking for a job or a place of retirement and had never left the US? Then suppose you went off to check out the property and the environment. Those who were left behind would be sad to see us leave, but they also would have joy in knowing that sometime they would be going there to live also. Wouldn't that affect our feelings of loss for a loved one, knowing we would meet again in a fantastically wonderful place?
The big difference is that we have seen pictures of Hawaii and talked with some who visited there and returned. The only one I know who has been to heaven and told us about it was Jesus. His words were short: "Rejoice!" Paul tells us to "hang in there!" Our day to rejoice is coming if we don't muff up!
Who is our example? An Olympic star? A famous movie star? A wealthy CEO? A great statesman? Or is it your pastor? A great Christian like Billy Graham? The Pope? The list could go on, but I bet it would most likely be someone you know or have seen on TV in your lifetime.
It is harder to idolize someone like Paul or Peter or another biblical character because we only have their writings to go by. If the Lord is our example, as he was to his disciples, then we need even more than the words. Words may help! Two of our children met their future mate on the internet. They communicated with words until one day they met and that clinched it. At least it was a two-way street! When we talk to our Lord, his answer is written in his word! That's where I found him.
There are also some who even call themselves Christian but whose lives are very sad examples. Their lives may even turn people off so that they don't even want to meet their Lord. One was the fellow in Norway who killed all those children. He said he was a Christian who hated Muslims! What kind of examples was he following? What kind of example was he setting?
Be careful who you choose and then check God's word to see if they conform -- then you be an example for others!
We had a home in Hawaii a few years ago, and we often thought of it. It was beautiful and we went back and forth every year to take a break. Some of our kids were there and they minded the place when we were gone.
What if you were looking for a job or a place of retirement and had never left the US? Then suppose you went off to check out the property and the environment. Those who were left behind would be sad to see us leave, but they also would have joy in knowing that sometime they would be going there to live also. Wouldn't that affect our feelings of loss for a loved one, knowing we would meet again in a fantastically wonderful place?
The big difference is that we have seen pictures of Hawaii and talked with some who visited there and returned. The only one I know who has been to heaven and told us about it was Jesus. His words were short: "Rejoice!" Paul tells us to "hang in there!" Our day to rejoice is coming if we don't muff up!
Who is our example? An Olympic star? A famous movie star? A wealthy CEO? A great statesman? Or is it your pastor? A great Christian like Billy Graham? The Pope? The list could go on, but I bet it would most likely be someone you know or have seen on TV in your lifetime.
It is harder to idolize someone like Paul or Peter or another biblical character because we only have their writings to go by. If the Lord is our example, as he was to his disciples, then we need even more than the words. Words may help! Two of our children met their future mate on the internet. They communicated with words until one day they met and that clinched it. At least it was a two-way street! When we talk to our Lord, his answer is written in his word! That's where I found him.
There are also some who even call themselves Christian but whose lives are very sad examples. Their lives may even turn people off so that they don't even want to meet their Lord. One was the fellow in Norway who killed all those children. He said he was a Christian who hated Muslims! What kind of examples was he following? What kind of example was he setting?
Be careful who you choose and then check God's word to see if they conform -- then you be an example for others!
