The Unseen Crown: Expectation of Eternal Glory
Brothers and sisters, let us lift our eyes from the fleeting shadows of this world and fix them upon the radiant promise of eternal glory. Today, we delve into the heart of our Christian hope, the anticipation of a future so magnificent, it defies earthly comprehension.
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1. The Promise of Eternal Life (John 14:2-3)
"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." Jesus, in His tender love, comforts His disciples with the assurance of a prepared dwelling place. He promises to return and take us to be with Him. This is not a mere wishful thought, but a firm declaration from the very Son of God. This promise is the bedrock of our hope.
2. Our Citizenship Is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20)
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." We are sojourners on this earth, exiles longing for our true home. Our allegiance is to a kingdom that transcends earthly boundaries. Our hearts should yearn for the heavenly city, where our King reigns in glory.
3. Heaven Is a Place of Joy and Reward (Matthew 25:21)
"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'" Heaven is not merely a destination, but a place of profound joy and reward. Our faithful service, however small it may seem, will be recognized and rewarded by our loving Master. We will share in His joy, a joy that surpasses all earthly pleasures.
4. The Transformation of Our Bodies (1 Corinthians 15:52-53)
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality." Our current bodies, subject to decay and weakness, will be transformed into glorious, imperishable bodies, fit for eternity. Death will be swallowed up in victory. We will be clothed in immortality, free from the limitations of our earthly existence.
5. The New Jerusalem: Home of the Saints (Revelation 21:2-3)
"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'" The New Jerusalem, a city of unimaginable splendor, will be the eternal dwelling place of the saints. God Himself will dwell among us, in perfect communion. This is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to be with His people.
6. The End of Suffering and Pain (Revelation 21:4)
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." All the sorrows, pains, and injustices of this world will be forever banished. No more tears, no more grief, no more suffering. Only perfect peace and joy in the presence of God.
7. The Reward of the Faithful (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." Like Paul, we are called to run the race with perseverance, to fight the good fight of faith. A crown of righteousness awaits those who remain faithful to the end. This is not a reward earned by our own merit, but a gift of God's grace, bestowed upon those who love Him.
8. The Glorification of Believers (Romans 8:18)
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Our present sufferings, however difficult, are but a fleeting moment compared to the immeasurable glory that awaits us. We are destined for glorification, to share in the very glory of Christ.
9. The Hope That Sustains Us (Titus 2:13)
"Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." This blessed hope is the anchor of our souls, the light that guides us through the darkness. It sustains us in times of trial, giving us strength to persevere. We live in anticipation of Christ's glorious return.
10. Jesus Will Return to Take Us to Glory (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." This is the ultimate culmination of our hope. Jesus Himself will return, not in humility this time, but in glory and power. We will be caught up to meet Him, and forever be with Him.
- Sermon on Emmanuel God is With Us
- Sermon on Armor of God Ephesians 6:10-18
- Sermon on Ephesians 1: The Riches of Our Inheritance
Conclusion
Let us, therefore, live with an unwavering expectation of eternal glory. Let this hope transform our lives, shaping our priorities and empowering us to live for Christ. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and anticipate the day when we will share in His eternal glory. Amen.
