Many think of heaven in terms as they remember from the book of Revelation, specifically chapter 21.  Images come to mind such as, ‘the pearly gates, streets of gold and the endless day.’  The scriptures do read, “The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold…the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl.”  It’s true that we visualize heaven in terms as John described it.

But Sunday morning, July 7th, we’ll consider what we will see based on heavenly IDEALS such as ‘no mourning, or crying, or pain.’  After all, it was God who told John (Revelation 21:5), “Behold, I am making all things new.”  Join us as we look through ‘the pearly gates.’

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, July 7, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Awesome God” -38

Do we truly hold God as an awesome God?  Can we say we are honestly ‘in awe of Him?’  Be careful not to dilute the word ‘awesome’ by describing a movie or even an experience as awesome.  Our God is an awesome God; Deuteronomy 10:17 and Nehemiah 1:5 are two great examples of who is awesome.

“You Are the Song that I Sing” – 238

As part of this morning’s ‘medley’ we’ll transition from singing that “…our God is an awesome God!” to praising Him as ‘the song that I sing…”  Later this week, when you’re singing in the car, will you be singing about God, or are you singing world’s tunes.  Perhaps we should be giving back to God our voice, our song, the very reason of our hope to Him who gave us a song to sing.

“When All of God’s Singer’s Get Home” – 859

Have you ever walked into your home after Sunday morning services and immediately caught the whiff of a roast cooking?  The aroma wafts through the air and we realize there is something wonderful waiting for us.  But, as we sing, ‘…the joy can’t compare with the glory up there…’ our songs of praise and encouragement should be a sweet reminder of how beautiful heaven must be. “What a song of delight in that city so bright will be wafted ‘neath heaven’s fair dome…”  Like the lingering smell of roast as it drifts through the air, so is the heart-felt singing of praise to our God.  “When all of God’s children get home…”; coming in the pearly gates we can anticipate, hear and almost smell what’s been cooking and what is waiting for us!

 “Worthy is the Lamb” – no book

The tune from the song “Just As I Am” is used with the words to this hymn taken from the book of Revelation. 
“O Holy Lamb, Thou Son of God most Holy Lord, most worthy Lord.  Standing in the center of God’s throne. Oh worthy is the Lamb, the Lamb.”  It’s interesting that these ‘recent’ words, taken from Revelation and written/arranged by Jeff Nelson are blended with the music of William Bradbury written long ago.  Nelson penned the words 150 years after Bradbury penned the music.  But John recorded the image of ‘the Lamb’ over 2000 years ago.  And the singer (sinner) still bows in response…“O Lamb of God, I come!”

“Earth Holds No Treasure” – 884

Where do you put your treasures?  Maybe you should ask yourself; ‘what are my treasures?’  What do you value most in this life?  The most important things in our life are kept in a safe and secure location.  But is this world really secure?  How ‘safe’ can a safety deposit box really be? Time and storms will ravage our homes and the field can be easily flooded beyond recognition. Is this earth where we hold our treasures?  Maybe we are holding on to something that’s not worth our grip?  Tillet S. Teddlie says it best in the third verse of this song; “Why should I long for this world and it’s sorrows…?”  Good question.

“Sweet By and By” – 878

In the sweet by and by (heaven) we trust there’s a land that is fairer than anything we’ve ever experienced.  Do we know that for sure?  Has anyone been there and returned with pictures of the beautiful shore?  John gives us our best glimpse into that realm as we read the book of Revelation.  No one has seen heaven, “but by faith we can see it afar.” 

“Where the Gates Swing Outward Never” – 864

Before our lesson we’ll sing this old spiritual song about gates that don’t ‘swing outward.’  What an image that the gates of heaven (Revelation 21:25) will never close!  Humbled we should considered that in ‘a few more days’ or ‘a few more years’ we’ll ‘wake to see Him for whom my (our) heart is burning…’  How many of us can honestly say we have a heart that is burning to see the Savior, a heart that is yearning to go home?

“In the Land of Fadeless Day” – 890

The chorus of this song has always brought encouragement to me; “God shall wipe away all tears…” .  It echoes the words of Revelation 21:4, but continues on into the 16th verse and provides the title for this spiritual song.  “The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width…” (four square) Perhaps not a traditional invitation song, but what a great reminder that the gates of heaven (vs. 3)  never close.

“Just Over in the Glory-Land” – no book

“What a joyful thought that my Lord I’ll see, just over in the glory-land; and with kindred saved there forever be, just over in the glory-land!”  Kindred saved…what (who) is kindred?  We don’t use that term much today, ‘kinfolk,’ but that is a term used to identify family.  We are the family of God so it makes since to say we’ll go home to be with our kin when this life is over.  Where is home?  Just over the way…in glory-land!