“When I get where I’m Goin” Sunday 05/29/11 sermon three of sermon series “In My Father’s House”, by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

Pastor Richard A Daughtridge

Today’s Sermon: “When I get where I’m Goin” sermon by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

Where?

Psalm 78:23  Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

Isaiah 14:13-14  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

(a) Christ calls it his “Father’s house”

John 14:2  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

(b) It is called “Paradise”

Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Rev. 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

(c) “The heavenly Jerusalem”

 Hebrews 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Rev. 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

(d) The “Kingdom of Heaven”

Matthew 25:1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

James 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

(e) The “Eternal Kingdom”

2 Peter 1:11  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

(f) The “Eternal Inheritance”

1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Hebrews 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

(g) The “Better Country”

Hebrews 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Hebrews 11:16   But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

(h) “Abraham’s bosom”

Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Hebrews 4:10-11  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. [11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

(i)  “Absent from the Body”

2 Cor. 5:8-9   We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. [9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Welcome Home

Announcement:  This Sunday 29th is Blue Grass Sunday. Memorial Day  Tribute Song “More Than a Name on a Wall”   Blue Grass Worship this Sunday  

“The Exit Journey to Home, Death” Sunday 05/22/11 sermon two of “In My Father’s House”, sermon series by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

Pastor Richard A. Daughtridge

“The Exit Journey to Home , Death” sermon two of  “In My Father’s House”, sermon series by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

Ever drive to Disney? I did a number of times and it never got easier. With three children and a creatively energized wife it was an interesting journey.  We didn’t have a DVD in the back seat.  We played punch bug, alphabet animals, told stories, drank coffee, sang the same songs over and over again. One I remember: “Who put the bop in the bop ju bop who put the ram in the ramadam-a-ding dong.” Radio stations only lasted a few miles then you go through the dial trying to find another one. Once I remember listening to the static unconsciously and wondered how long since I heard a station on it. It took forever to get there.

I hold the world record for hearing the question, “Are we there yet?”, probably over a million times. Second only to that is the question, “How much longer?’

Life is much the same.

Last week we found death to be a journey. The journey begins at Calvary where eternal life was gifted to us. Then we were  empowered at the tomb where we were raised with Christ in resurrection, made alive again as eternal spirits to finish our work on earth. Now  we continue our journey to eventually arrive in a place  much more fascinating than Disney. We will arrive at what Christ called, “My Father’s House”.  The exit sign ahead reads Death but that word has been crossed out on the sign and above it written, “Welcome Home”. A note is attached underneath that reads  John 3:16. Yes this our exit and we are at our Father’s House. Next week we’ll go inside but today we examine the exit ahead that leads from life on earth  to life in Heaven.

Following Christ means  everything .  Our works on earth will make eternity even more enjoyable because we’ll be there with those we’ve served. .

John 14:2  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Ok how do we get there?

As we come to the end of our journey on earth we meet two things that have loomed over us all our life.  Death and the Grave. Good news! Listen to these words.

Hosea 13:14  I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

If I could paraphrase God is saying, ” I will destroy death. Revelation 21 says there will be no more death, no more pain, and everything is new.

Death is a Hebrew word,  maveth that means  to die; pestilence; ruin.

It is this power of being ruined that God will deliver Christians  from.  Satan had this power until Christ conquered him (Hebrews 2:14-15).  God will destroy death (1 Cor. 15:24-28) These scriptures are found below.

Grave  is  a Hebrew word   sh^e‘owl.  It means ruined or disposed of. The  subterranean place, world of the dead ,  grave, hell, pit. A place designed for the wicked.

Ransom is a Hebrew word, padah, which means sever. The chains are cut by Christ. There is no more power that the grave or hell has over me. I was raised with Christ in the resurrection. My earthly temple  may one day go to the grave but I won’t live there. The moment by spirit leaves my body I will be in the presence of my Savior.

Redeem is a Hebrew word ga’al which means to marry, to purchase, become next of kin by adoption.  

   Hebrews 2:14-15  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; [15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

1 Cor. 15:24-26   Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. [25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Psalm 136:24  And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Rev. 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

2 Cor. 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 Daddy are we there yet?

 Hebrews 12:22-26  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, [23] To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Sermon song:  He Keeps Me Singing

Announcement: Don’t forget next week is Blue Grass Sunday May 29th , Memorial Day Week End

“Shalom, Taste of Heaven on Earth”, sermon one of “In My Father’s House” , sermon series by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

Christ is knocking.

“Shalom, Taste of Heaven on Earth” 

A local doctor friend recently asked me, “Richard, if you Christians believe in Heaven like you say why do you pray so much to stay alive?”

I replied, “Life is so valuable because of the mission we have on earth and the Lord’s prayer.” Lord’s prayer?

“Thy Kingdom Come” is a part of life also, not just a place where we go when we die.  A part of sacred life for every believer is God’s  invisible sacred kingdom . When we are finished our work on earth we’ll go home or as you put it die. Until that moment that he chooses we cherish life.

I’ve always said, “ You’ll never understand death until you understand life.

Life both refines and defines our eternity. To make it simple we spend an entire life preparing for eternity.     

John 14:1-6 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:16-18   And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

“Understanding life changes our view of death.”

As Christians we are more than just messengers of salvation but agents of peace, (shalom- hebrew) (.eirene- greek)  Shalom  is more than a warm and fuzzy feeling. It is the source of compassion, justice, health, dignity of life, purpose, and love.

Being such an agent is like a divine calling or eternal opportunity to invest into

It is like finding the missing part that fallen man has  longed for and searched for for years.

Shalom is as Walter Brueggemann put it, “the dream of God” for a redeemed world and an end to our “division, hostility, fear, drivenness, and misery.”

Isaiah 35:5-6  “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy”

Isaiah 57:18  “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to them,”

The Father’s Dream

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; [2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; [3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Jeremiah  30:19 “From [the broken] will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing”;

Zechariah 10:7 “Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD”.

Are we agents of this kind of healing and restoration in our world?

Before we are ready to go into The Kingdom of God through the door of death we must allow that same kingdom to rule our lives here.

Let’s listen to the kingdom cry:  “Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth”.

Shalom was God’s dream. Your availability and faith is part of this dream coming true on earth.

God loves us. May we be his children making the dream of shalom alive in our world.

Here’s the list again.

1. compassion
2. justice
3. health
4. dignity of life
5. purpose
6. love.

Why life because Christian are the agents of shalom, the proponents of good that God dreams for man. Jesus called us the Salt of the Earth.

Now that we understand life,  next week we will examine death,  our exit journey, to our new home. It’s a place in heaven with my name on.it (john 14:3   Like the country song says,  “When I get where I’m going to the far side of the sky.”  First thing that I’m gonna do is _____________?

sermon song:  I Love to Tell the Story

“Influences of Godly Women, Choice ” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge Mother’s Day Sermon 05/08/11

Pastor Richard Daughtridge

“Influences of Godly Women, Choice ”  by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

We live in a day in which we hear the word choice used a lot. Freedom of choice is used in everything from, credit card ads, restaurant ads, and unfortunately even in laws presiding over life and death. Choices are not something new. They were given by God to every male and female. He created us free will beings. The problem is with every choice comes responsibility and consequences.

Can we be blessed by God if we violate his laws in our choices? 

We all have a responsibility to make right choices. They effect us, our families and even our nation.

There are many ladies that have influenced our world by their choices. In honor of our mothers I’d like to talk about two of the many listed in the Bible, Deborah and Hannah.

The Bible tells the story of many women. Some seduced, some nurtured, some were leaders, some became victims and some against all odds helped to make a better world. All had opportunities that executed choices.

Judges 4:1-5

And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead. [2] And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. [3] And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

[4] And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. [5] And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

 

The underlined word Ramah means height. We are at our highest when we are on our knees as was the case of Deborah and Hanna in the Bible.

 

Deborahs husband’s name was Lapidoth.       (Married to a boy named Sue)

Lappiydowth,  lap-pee-doth’; feminine plural of Hebrew 3940 (lappiyd); Lappidoth, (torch)

Judges 4:14  And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

Judges 5:1-3  Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, [2] Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. [3] Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

Choices of a Seduced Warrior

 Judges 5:25-28   He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. [26] She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples. [27] At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.

 Consequences of a Seduced Warrior

[28] The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?

Judges 17:6   In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

More choices of a mother.

Hannah’s choices.

 1 Samuel 1:5  But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.

Ego of a husband

 1 Samuel 1:8   Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

Misunderstood

 1 Samuel 1:15  And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunken neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

God answers a mother’s prayer

 1 Samuel 1:19-20  And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her. [20] Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.  And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.

What can you learn from these?

Will you allow God’s intimate leading as they did?

Will you look beyond the circumstances and obstacles , pray and allow God to help you influence the world?

Sermon Song Song : Fill my Cup Lord