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Turn Your Forward Into Forever

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah

November 22, 2020

27:29

Dr. Jeremiah concludes this special series with a message on how to celebrate your forever!

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Turn Your Forward Into Forever

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a haphazard approach to life.
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You might feel stuck,but you don't have to be.
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Perhaps you're discouraged.
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It's time to deal with that.
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And if you feel uncertain,you can find clarity.
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You may not know what's next,but God does.
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He's there waiting for youin your tomorrow,
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so step into it and discoverGod's presence and purpose
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in your life.
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Starting today, starting now,it's time to move forward.
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male announcer: It's timewe rise above our circumstances,
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conquer our fears,face the future with faith,
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prevail over the past, aspireto accomplish greater things,
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reclaim our birthright,proclaim his power,
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and claim God's promises.
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God has more for us.
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It's not time to stop.
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It's time to move forward.
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Today on "Turning Point,"Dr. Jeremiah shows us
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how our work on Earthprepares us
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for our eternal servicein heaven.
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Dr. Jeremiah: If your heartis right with God
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and you are a Christian,and you die,
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and you go to heaven,
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the Bible says you will meetJesus personally, face to face.
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This is your ultimate goal.
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This will be your singlemost phenomenal moment
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of your entire life.
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This is what you're living for,what you're waiting for,
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and what you're anticipatingwith all your heart.
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This is celebrationwith a capital C.
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announcer: That's coming upon today's special
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"Forward" editionof "Turning Point."
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announcer: In just a moment,Dr. Jeremiah will remind you
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that your work on Earth,whatever God is assigning you
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right now, is preparatoryto eternal service in heaven.
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Find this and nine other waysyou can know God's purpose,
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feel God's power, and accomplishGod's plan for your life
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in Dr. Jeremiah's new book,"Forward:
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Discovering God's Presenceand Purpose in Your Tomorrow."
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You'll learn the biblicalstrategy about how to claim
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the future God has prepareduniquely for you,
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no matter your ageor your circumstance.
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"Forward" is yours when you givea gift of any amount
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in support of this program.
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And in appreciation of your giftof $75 or more,
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Dr. Jeremiah will send youthe "Forward" set,
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including his new book,his entire teaching series
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on CD or DVD,with a correlating study guide,
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and the "How to Move Forward"interview special
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with Sheila Walsh on DVD.
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Plus with your book or set,Dr. Jeremiah will also send you
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his "Move Forward"motivation cards to help you
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keep the lessons of "Forward"front and center each day.
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God has more for you.
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It's not time to stop.
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It's time to move forward.
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Request the "Forward" bookor set
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when you supportTurning Point today.
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announcer: Thank youfor watching "Forward"
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here on "Turning Point."
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In appreciationof your viewership,
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Dr. Jeremiah would liketo send you
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these Move Forward motivationcards absolutely free.
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Contact Turning Point today.
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And now, here is Dr. Jeremiahwith his message,
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"Celebrate: Turn Your Forwardinto Forever."
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Dr. Jeremiah: You might saythat Luke Pittard relished
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his job at McDonald'sin Cardiff, Wales,
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but he walked away from it afterwinning the UK national lottery.
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After all, he wasan overnight millionaire.
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He celebrated his good fortuneby marrying his girlfriend Emma,
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who was alsoa McDonald's employee,
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and they bought a houseand took a long holiday
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in the Canary Islands.
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But after returning to Wales,Luke was bored.
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"To be honest," he said,
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"there's only so much relaxingyou can do.
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I'm young and a bit of hard worknever did anyone any harm."
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So, he asked for his old jobback and now you can find him
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flipping hamburgers againat McDonald's.
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He makes more money from theinterest on his winnings than
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at the restaurant, but he feelsa natural need to work
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and be with his friendsand his coworkers.
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"They all think I'm a bit mad,but I tell them there's more
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to life than money," he says.
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And Emma added,"I can totally understand it.
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We both really enjoyed workingat McDonald's
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and still have good friendsthere,
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so it was very familiar for him,
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something for himto look forward to."
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When you have a relationshipwith God through Jesus Christ,
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you are wealthier than thewinner of the richest lottery.
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Remember, much of our treasureis ahead of us in heaven,
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but many people are afraidthey're gonna be bored there.
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It's remarkable how many peopletell me they'd rather not go
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to heaven becauseit will be boring.
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"What if I get to heavenand I'm bored?"
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they ask me.
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"Well, after all, there's onlyso much relaxing I can do,
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so what if I miss my friends?
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What if I long for the kindof activity
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that enriched my lifeon this Earth?"
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And I wanna say to them,"Don't worry.
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You won't be bored,and for one reason:
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God is not boring."
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Heaven won't bore you.
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It will bring fulfillmentand celebration.
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All your dreaming and praying,all your focusing
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and risk taking and investing,all your forward momentum
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on Earth is a preludeto greater service,
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happier work,and richer fulfillment
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in your heavenly home.
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God's children are alwaysmoving forward,
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even as they depart Earth.
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Now, the heroes of Scripturethought of heaven constantly,
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confessing they were strangersand pilgrims on this Earth,
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that they were seekinga homeland,
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desiring a better country,a heavenly one,
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and looking forward to the citywhose foundations
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and builder and maker is God.
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And Jesus longed for heavenas he approached
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the end of his life, too.
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He told his disciples,"If you loved me,
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you would rejoicebecause I said,
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'I'm going back to the Father.'"
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The Apostle Peter said somethingimportant about this.
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He said, "You ought to liveholy and godly lives
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as you look forward to the dayof God and speed its coming.
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That day will bring aboutthe destruction of the heavens
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by fire, and the elementswill melt in the heat.
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But in keeping with his promisewe are looking forward
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to a new heaven and a new earth,where righteousness dwells.
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So then, dear friends, sinceyou are looking forward to this,
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make every effort to be foundspotless, blameless,
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and at peace with him."
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Three times in that passageI just read,
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Peter told us to look forward,to anticipate
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what God has for usin the future:
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the return of Christ,the creation of the new heavens
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and the new earth,and our eternal home in heaven.
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Our anticipation empowers usto live holy, godly,
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and purposeful livesin this present age.
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The Bible says it this way:
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"Seek those thingswhich are above,
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where Christ is, sittingat the right hand of God."
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What kind of celebrationswill we discover
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in God's eternal home?
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Well, first of all, we can lookforward to a rousing welcome.
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Expect a rousing welcome.
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Most of us are apprehensiveabout dying,
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but the Bible is fullof information
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to alleviate your concern.
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The Apostle Peter saidthat if you serve
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the Lord Jesus faithfully,
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"You will receive a rich welcomeinto the eternal kingdom
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of our Lord andSavior Jesus Christ."
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A rich welcome.
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It's easier to underestimatethose words.
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Recently, a little boy in Ohionamed Grady
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went back to school after havingbeen diagnosed with leukemia.
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He'd missed a whole yearwith his classmates
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because of his treatments,but finally he was able
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to return for a few hours a day.
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On his first day back,the principal met him
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and opened the door,and in front of Grady
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were all the studentsand teachers lining the hall,
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holding strands of brightcrepe paper.
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They yelled and cheeredas eight-year-old Grady ran
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between them, and at the endof the hall there was this big,
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giant sign that said,"welcome back, Grady."
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The children clappedand laughed,
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and teachers wiped tearsfrom their eyes.
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Arriving home later that day,Grady said,
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"This was the best day ever,Mom.
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I had so much fun.
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I didn't know dayscould be this good."
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Now, I tell you that storybecause if schoolchildren
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can pull off a welcomecelebration like that,
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just think of what Almighty Godand his angels can do.
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You are promised a rich welcomeinto heaven.
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It will be your best day ever.
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You can't imagine thata day could be so good.
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Your rich welcomeactually begins
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before you arrive in heaven.
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In our Lord's parable of therich man and the beggar Lazarus,
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we're told, "The time camewhen the beggar died
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and the angels carried himto Abraham's side in heaven."
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I believe that the Lord Jesussends an angelic escort
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to accompany his departingsaints to heaven.
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You'll not be forgotten,forsaken,
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or alone for a single second,and you'll arrive there
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to find your home at last.
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If you want to imaginehow you'll feel when you see
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your amazing new home,
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listen to what the martyrStephen said.
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As he died, he looked upto heaven and he saw
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the glory of God,and Jesus standing
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at the right hand of God,
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and he shouted, "Look!
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I see the heavens openedand the Son of Man standing
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at the right hand of God!"
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As the first person to givehis life for Christ,
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Stephen's experience is unique,but to some extent
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it surely anticipatesthe rich welcome that you and I
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will receive the momentwe're transported to heaven.
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We will enter into the joyof our Lord.
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So, as you look forwardto celebrate what
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God has done in your lifeand is doing in your life,
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look forwardto a rousing welcome.
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Then, look forwardto a rich reward.
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Among the joys of heavenwill be the rewards given
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for faithfulness on this Earth.
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If you live accordingto biblical principles
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such as the onesthat I've talked about
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in previous messages,
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there's a series of rewardsfor you described in the Bible.
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Jesus often said things like,"Whoever gives one of these
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little ones a cup of coldwater in the name of a disciple,
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assuredly, I say to you,he shall by no means lose
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his reward."
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Luke 6:23, "Rejoice in that dayand leap for joy!
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For indeed your rewardis great in heaven."
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Luke 6:35, "But loveyour enemies, do good, and lend,
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hoping for nothing in return,and your reward will be great."
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Paul picked up the theme,saying,
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"Whatever you do,do it heartily,
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as to the Lord and not to men,knowing that from the Lord
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you will receive the rewardof the inheritance."
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The Bible describesheaven's rewards as crowns.
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There's the victor's crowndescribed in 1 Corinthians 9,
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where we're told to run ina way that we may obtain it,
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and that "everyone who competesfor the prize is temperate
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in all things.
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Now they do it to obtaina perishable crown,
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but we do itfor an imperishable crown."
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This is God's rewardfor those Christians
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who live a disciplined,godly life on Earth.
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And then, there's the crownof rejoicing.
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Paul describes thisin 1 Thessalonians chapter 2.
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He says, "What is our hope,or joy, or crown of rejoicing?
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Is it not even youin the presence
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of our Lord Jesus Christat his coming?"
00:11:55.064 --> 00:11:58.167
This is the joy of seeing thosein heaven who were influenced
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for Christ by our livesand our deeds and our words.
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And then, there's the crownof righteousness.
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The key to this reward isdeveloping an intense desire
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for the Lord's return.
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The Apostle Paul said itthis way:
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"Finally, there is laid up forme the crown of righteousness,
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which the Lord,the righteous Judge,
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will give me on that day,and not to me only
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but also to all who have lovedhis appearing."
00:12:25.194 --> 00:12:29.198
Next there is the crown of life,given for those
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who endure temptationsand trials.
00:12:32.168 --> 00:12:34.937
Here we read, "Blessed isthe man who endures temptation;
00:12:34.970 --> 00:12:38.374
for when he has been approved,he will receive
00:12:38.407 --> 00:12:40.976
the crown of life."
00:12:41.010 --> 00:12:43.412
And finally,there's the crown of glory,
00:12:43.445 --> 00:12:45.481
and Peter describes it this way:
00:12:45.514 --> 00:12:47.383
"When the Chief Shepherdappears,
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you shall receive the crownof glory
00:12:48.918 --> 00:12:51.387
that does not fade away."
00:12:51.420 --> 00:12:54.290
The greatest reward in heavenwill be seeing those
00:12:54.323 --> 00:12:58.160
who've been influencedby your work.
00:12:58.194 --> 00:13:00.796
That's when you'll understandthat you've achieved something
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in life far more thanyou realized,
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for your labor in the Lordis never in vain.
00:13:06.268 --> 00:13:08.971
And the Bible tells usthat we're all gonna get
00:13:09.004 --> 00:13:11.106
a reward for the part we play.
00:13:11.140 --> 00:13:13.142
I've often wondered howhe's gonna divide it all up,
00:13:13.175 --> 00:13:15.945
but if he can create all of usout of the dust of the earth,
00:13:15.978 --> 00:13:19.648
I figured he can probablyfigure out the reward system
00:13:19.682 --> 00:13:22.184
for which we allwill be benefitted.
00:13:22.218 --> 00:13:25.788
So, when you look forwardto celebration,
00:13:25.821 --> 00:13:29.291
look forwardto a resurrected body.
00:13:29.325 --> 00:13:31.594
Oh, my goodness.
00:13:31.627 --> 00:13:32.928
Listen to this.
00:13:32.962 --> 00:13:34.263
It's important to remember thatwe aren't going to be ghosts
00:13:34.296 --> 00:13:36.799
or angels or disembodied spiritsin heaven.
00:13:36.832 --> 00:13:40.536
Philippians chapter 3 saysthat the Lord Jesus,
00:13:40.569 --> 00:13:43.639
"Will transform our lowly bodiesso that they will be
00:13:43.672 --> 00:13:47.843
just like his glorious body."
00:13:47.877 --> 00:13:51.213
I don't know about you,but, for me,
00:13:51.247 --> 00:13:52.882
that's really good news.
00:13:52.915 --> 00:13:55.050
Some of you who are listeningto this message are battling
00:13:55.084 --> 00:13:58.053
illnesses and disabilitiesand ravages of aging.
00:13:58.087 --> 00:14:02.658
Medical science is grapplingwith all these issues,
00:14:02.691 --> 00:14:05.494
and some of our advancesare amazing.
00:14:05.527 --> 00:14:09.098
Sergeant John Peck isan American marine who lost
00:14:09.131 --> 00:14:12.234
all four limbs to an explosionin Afghanistan in 2010.
00:14:12.268 --> 00:14:18.407
At first, he thought he'd spendthe rest of his life wearing
00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:21.110
prosthetic arms and legs,but I can hardly believe this.
00:14:21.143 --> 00:14:25.414
In 2016, he receiveda double arm transplant.
00:14:25.447 --> 00:14:30.519
The limbs came from a young manwho was declared braindead
00:14:30.552 --> 00:14:33.689
and whose arms were rushed inice packs to an operating room
00:14:33.722 --> 00:14:37.693
in Boston for the 14-hourtransplant surgery performed
00:14:37.726 --> 00:14:42.131
by a team of 60 surgeons,nurses, and technicians.
00:14:42.164 --> 00:14:47.002
When Peck woke up the next day,he had someone else's arms.
00:14:47.036 --> 00:14:53.208
Today, John Peck is ableto perform many daily tasks
00:14:53.242 --> 00:14:56.512
with his new arms,including signing copies
00:14:56.545 --> 00:14:59.715
of his book,"Rebuilding Sergeant Peck."
00:14:59.748 --> 00:15:03.052
If human medical technology cando so much to help our bodies
00:15:03.085 --> 00:15:06.956
recover from horrific tragedies,imagine what God can do
00:15:06.989 --> 00:15:11.727
instantaneously at the momentof the resurrection.
00:15:11.760 --> 00:15:15.831
1 Corinthians says it this way:"We will all be changed--
00:15:15.864 --> 00:15:19.435
in a flash, in the twinklingof an eye, at the last trump.
00:15:19.468 --> 00:15:23.272
For the trumpet will sound,and the dead
00:15:23.305 --> 00:15:26.008
will be raised imperishable,and we will be changed."
00:15:26.041 --> 00:15:32.915
Consider what we know aboutthe resurrection body of Christ.
00:15:32.948 --> 00:15:37.252
It was his own natural body,recognizable
00:15:37.286 --> 00:15:40.656
with his unique DNA.
00:15:40.689 --> 00:15:43.192
His personal essence and hispersonal qualities were intact.
00:15:43.225 --> 00:15:47.196
It was the same body he acquiredin embryonic form at conception,
00:15:47.229 --> 00:15:52.034
but in a flash of Easter gloryit was transformed
00:15:52.067 --> 00:15:55.637
into an imperishable bodywith new capabilities.
00:15:55.671 --> 00:16:00.042
It was capable of passingthrough doors,
00:16:00.075 --> 00:16:02.644
ascending into the air,eating food,
00:16:02.678 --> 00:16:05.447
touching his friends.
00:16:05.481 --> 00:16:06.982
His resurrection body is the wayour bodies are gonna be
00:16:07.016 --> 00:16:10.152
when we go to heaven.
00:16:10.185 --> 00:16:11.487
We're going to have bodiesjust like the Lord.
00:16:11.520 --> 00:16:14.390
Now, you can contemplatethat all you want.
00:16:14.423 --> 00:16:16.492
The next time you're consideringcosmetic surgery,
00:16:16.525 --> 00:16:19.294
just remember if you waitlong enough you won't have to
00:16:19.328 --> 00:16:21.563
do that, 'cause Jesus Christis gonna change everybody
00:16:21.597 --> 00:16:25.000
to be just like him.
00:16:25.034 --> 00:16:27.836
So, when you goto your celebration,
00:16:27.870 --> 00:16:30.806
you will look forwardto a rousing welcome,
00:16:30.839 --> 00:16:33.342
you will look forwardto a rich reward,
00:16:33.375 --> 00:16:35.644
you will look forwardto a resurrected body,
00:16:35.677 --> 00:16:38.313
but here's one that surprisesa lotta people:
00:16:38.347 --> 00:16:41.183
you will look forwardto a renewed assignment.
00:16:41.216 --> 00:16:44.720
You'll need your resurrectionbody because you're gonna have
00:16:44.753 --> 00:16:47.589
a lotta work to dowhen you get to heaven.
00:16:47.623 --> 00:16:49.758
One of the greatest aspectsof heaven involves
00:16:49.792 --> 00:16:52.094
the prospect of more service.
00:16:52.127 --> 00:16:54.630
Revelation 7:15 says,"Therefore they are before
00:16:55.297 --> 00:16:58.934
the throne of God, and serve himday and night."
00:16:58.967 --> 00:17:03.172
And Revelation 22:3 says,"And there shall be
00:17:03.205 --> 00:17:06.508
no more curse,but the throne of God
00:17:06.542 --> 00:17:09.311
and of the Lamb shall be in it,
00:17:09.344 --> 00:17:11.580
and his servantsshall serve him."
00:17:11.613 --> 00:17:14.817
You know, we're not gonna goto heaven and sit on a cloud
00:17:14.850 --> 00:17:17.219
and strum a ukuleleor whatever it is that you think
00:17:17.252 --> 00:17:20.289
we're gonna dowhen we get there.
00:17:20.322 --> 00:17:22.758
No, we're gonna go to heaven,and we're gonna work.
00:17:22.791 --> 00:17:25.928
Work won't be difficult.
00:17:25.961 --> 00:17:27.329
It will be the greatest joyof heaven,
00:17:27.362 --> 00:17:29.264
to be able to work withoutanybody pushing back on you,
00:17:29.298 --> 00:17:32.134
anybody trying to tell you to dowhat you don't wanna do,
00:17:32.167 --> 00:17:34.570
because God puts within you thedesire to do the right thing.
00:17:34.603 --> 00:17:37.940
You will be able to get upand work every day,
00:17:37.973 --> 00:17:40.442
and it will be the joyof your life.
00:17:40.476 --> 00:17:43.078
When you get to heaven,when you attend the celebration
00:17:43.112 --> 00:17:46.115
at the end of what happenshere on this Earth,
00:17:46.148 --> 00:17:49.318
you will have a rousing welcome,you will get a rich reward,
00:17:49.351 --> 00:17:54.156
your body will be resurrectedand changed completely,
00:17:54.189 --> 00:17:58.127
you'll get a new assignment,and you will look forward
00:17:58.160 --> 00:18:00.896
to a royal throne.
00:18:00.929 --> 00:18:03.031
By far, the greatest energyand enthusiasm in heaven
00:18:03.065 --> 00:18:06.101
will be aroundthe throne of God,
00:18:06.135 --> 00:18:09.004
when we cast our crownsat his feet and worship him
00:18:09.037 --> 00:18:12.741
with full understanding and joy.
00:18:12.774 --> 00:18:15.711
We have a previewin Revelation 4 and 5,
00:18:15.744 --> 00:18:18.280
when the saints and angelsof heaven sing in a loud voice,
00:18:18.313 --> 00:18:22.117
"Blessing and honor and gloryand power to him who sits
00:18:22.151 --> 00:18:26.555
on the throne, and to the Lamb,forever and ever!"
00:18:26.588 --> 00:18:31.994
Dr. Vernon Whaley has beentraining worship leaders
00:18:32.027 --> 00:18:35.264
for decades.
00:18:35.297 --> 00:18:37.065
His passion for worship stemsfrom the small Alaska church
00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:41.103
he attended as a child.
00:18:41.136 --> 00:18:43.305
His parents weremissionaries there,
00:18:43.338 --> 00:18:45.674
and they had a deep concernfor people with disabilities.
00:18:45.707 --> 00:18:49.778
When they met for the services,it was a remarkable crowd:
00:18:49.811 --> 00:18:53.916
an alcoholic turned deacon,a prostitute transformed
00:18:53.949 --> 00:18:57.553
into a Sunday school teacher,a blind man
00:18:57.586 --> 00:19:00.656
who played the piano,a former fugitive
00:19:00.689 --> 00:19:03.358
who kept the church grounds,a young woman lame from birth,
00:19:03.392 --> 00:19:07.062
a young man with Down syndromewho helped take the offering.
00:19:07.095 --> 00:19:10.599
But they all sang praisesto God.
00:19:10.632 --> 00:19:15.304
Vernon Whaley says,"My father was a great one
00:19:15.337 --> 00:19:17.906
for having extended timesof singing
00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:20.509
during the Sunday nightservices."
00:19:20.542 --> 00:19:22.711
I know about that.
00:19:22.744 --> 00:19:24.546
My father was a pastor, and weused to have Sunday night sings.
00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:28.517
Sometimes, they lastedfor the whole service.
00:19:28.550 --> 00:19:31.520
Mr. Whaley said,"My father entered the ministry
00:19:31.553 --> 00:19:33.755
during the 1940s,when Youth for Christ rallies
00:19:33.789 --> 00:19:36.558
were held all over the country.
00:19:36.592 --> 00:19:38.594
He never lost the excitementof those rallies
00:19:38.627 --> 00:19:40.762
and their impact on his life."
00:19:40.796 --> 00:19:42.564
So, he said,"Almost every Sunday night,
00:19:42.598 --> 00:19:44.433
our congregation sang hymnafter hymn after hymn."
00:19:44.466 --> 00:19:48.203
And if you know those days,you know you sang
00:19:48.237 --> 00:19:50.339
all the verses, all four verses,or five sometimes.
00:19:50.372 --> 00:19:54.776
Dr. Whaley recalls oneSunday night when there was
00:19:54.810 --> 00:19:58.447
a puzzling stir from the middleof the congregation.
00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:01.717
He turned around to seea significantly disabled girl
00:20:01.750 --> 00:20:05.787
slowly steering her wheelchairto the front of the church.
00:20:05.821 --> 00:20:11.026
The converted alcoholic got upand helped her roll
00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:14.596
to the front of the pulpit.
00:20:14.630 --> 00:20:16.698
Reverend Whaleycame down near her.
00:20:16.732 --> 00:20:19.234
Using her alphabet slate,she told him
00:20:19.268 --> 00:20:22.170
she wanted to sing a solo.
00:20:22.204 --> 00:20:25.240
She wanted to sing,"Amazing Grace."
00:20:25.274 --> 00:20:29.478
The blind pianist struck upthe tune for "Amazing Grace,"
00:20:29.511 --> 00:20:34.449
and the girl began making groansand moanings in time
00:20:34.483 --> 00:20:38.153
with the music.
00:20:38.186 --> 00:20:40.022
"I was not able to clearlyunderstand a word she sang,"
00:20:40.055 --> 00:20:42.958
Dr. Whaley said, "but somehowthe musicianship
00:20:42.991 --> 00:20:47.162
and the articulation of wordsdid not matter.
00:20:47.195 --> 00:20:50.365
All of us understood intuitivelywhat she was doing and,
00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:53.702
more important,why she was doing it.
00:20:53.735 --> 00:20:56.071
There was no doubt.
00:20:56.104 --> 00:20:57.739
We all knew she was singing fromher heart to the living God.
00:20:57.773 --> 00:21:01.076
There was not a dry eyein the audience.
00:21:01.109 --> 00:21:03.745
Even the children were capturedand stilled by that moment."
00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:08.817
Can you imagine the momenttens of millions of us
00:21:08.850 --> 00:21:12.020
join tens of millions of angels?
00:21:12.054 --> 00:21:14.790
All of our disabilities gone,all of our problems solved,
00:21:14.823 --> 00:21:18.427
all of our burdens lifted,and we lift our voices
00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:21.263
in a choir of billions, and wesing of God's amazing grace.
00:21:21.296 --> 00:21:26.902
Yes, we look forwardto a rousing welcome,
00:21:26.935 --> 00:21:30.305
and a rich reward,and a resurrected body,
00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:33.842
a renewed assignment,a royal throne,
00:21:33.875 --> 00:21:37.446
and a rapturous reunion.
00:21:37.479 --> 00:21:40.615
Here's something else.
00:21:40.649 --> 00:21:42.050
As you gather around the throne,you'll look over,
00:21:42.084 --> 00:21:45.420
and you'll see your dearestloved ones in Christ.
00:21:45.454 --> 00:21:49.157
You'll instantly knoweach other,
00:21:49.191 --> 00:21:51.293
and you'll begin to fellowshipin heaven
00:21:51.326 --> 00:21:53.228
where you left off on Earth.
00:21:53.261 --> 00:21:55.530
All the saints of all the ageswill be there,
00:21:55.564 --> 00:21:57.999
plus all the angels.
00:21:58.033 --> 00:21:59.368
No more separation.No more sorrow.
00:21:59.401 --> 00:22:01.603
I'll see my dad and my momagain and the dearest ones
00:22:01.636 --> 00:22:06.541
who have preceded me to glory.
00:22:06.575 --> 00:22:08.944
Our lives are orderedby the Lord,
00:22:08.977 --> 00:22:10.946
and he brings us togetheron Earth in friendships and
00:22:10.979 --> 00:22:13.515
marriages and family units andrelationships and fellowship.
00:22:13.548 --> 00:22:17.953
And the same God who brought ustogether the first time
00:22:17.986 --> 00:22:20.789
will reunite us again, and we'llpick up where we left off,
00:22:20.822 --> 00:22:24.459
minus all the disagreements andall the personality conflicts.
00:22:24.493 --> 00:22:28.964
Oh, my friends, the celebrationthat awaits us,
00:22:28.997 --> 00:22:31.233
if we continue to go forward,is beyond description.
00:22:31.266 --> 00:22:34.770
It includes a rousing welcome,a rich reward,
00:22:34.803 --> 00:22:37.639
a resurrected body.
00:22:37.672 --> 00:22:39.841
It includes a royal throne,a rapturous reunion,
00:22:39.875 --> 00:22:43.311
and a risen Savior.
00:22:43.345 --> 00:22:45.747
Oh, yes, all of the thingsthat happen to us in heaven
00:22:45.781 --> 00:22:48.950
are peripheral, becausethe main thing in heaven is
00:22:48.984 --> 00:22:53.588
we get to see Jesus.
00:22:53.622 --> 00:22:56.024
That's the greatest anticipationabout heaven, our risen Savior.
00:22:56.057 --> 00:23:00.862
The Bible says you will seeJesus face to face.
00:23:00.896 --> 00:23:04.366
There is no more glorious versein the Bible
00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:07.202
than Revelation 22:4,"They shall see his face."
00:23:07.235 --> 00:23:11.907
One day in the future,if your heart is right with God
00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:15.644
and you are a Christian,and you die
00:23:15.677 --> 00:23:18.146
and you go to heaven,the Bible says
00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.881
you will meet Jesus personally,face to face.
00:23:19.915 --> 00:23:24.419
You can turn your forwardinto forever.
00:23:25.987 --> 00:23:30.158
Don't miss the celebrationand eternal joys of heaven.
00:23:30.192 --> 00:23:33.528
Jesus died and rose againto take you to heaven,
00:23:33.562 --> 00:23:36.965
and he's gone ahead of youto get everything ready.
00:23:36.998 --> 00:23:39.634
The whole human raceis poisoned by sin,
00:23:39.668 --> 00:23:42.938
but the blood of Jesus Christis the cure.
00:23:42.971 --> 00:23:45.907
He died on the cross,and the Bible says,
00:23:45.941 --> 00:23:48.376
"If you declare with your mouththe Lord Jesus,
00:23:48.410 --> 00:23:50.879
and believe in your heart thatGod raised him from the dead,
00:23:50.912 --> 00:23:53.849
you will be saved.
00:23:53.882 --> 00:23:56.318
For it is with your heart thatyou believe and are justified,
00:23:56.351 --> 00:23:59.754
and it is with your mouththat you profess your faith
00:23:59.788 --> 00:24:02.457
and are saved."
00:24:02.491 --> 00:24:04.626
So, hear me carefullyin this last message
00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:07.195
in this ten-message series.
00:24:07.229 --> 00:24:09.931
There's no going forwardwithout Jesus,
00:24:09.965 --> 00:24:12.801
and when you have Jesus,there's no turning back.
00:24:12.834 --> 00:24:17.205
Amen.
00:24:17.239 --> 00:24:18.573
female announcer: Dr. Jeremiahwill return in a moment
00:24:19.708 --> 00:24:21.776
with one more inspirational wordto close today's program
00:24:21.810 --> 00:24:25.180
right after this.
00:24:25.213 --> 00:24:26.715
announcer: Thank youfor watching today.
00:24:29.885 --> 00:24:31.853
Did you know that this programis just one part of the ministry
00:24:31.887 --> 00:24:35.223
of "Turning Point,"which is committed
00:24:35.257 --> 00:24:36.958
to deliveringthe unchanging Word of God
00:24:36.992 --> 00:24:38.894
to an ever-changing world?
00:24:38.927 --> 00:24:41.229
This program is only possiblebecause of the generous
00:24:41.263 --> 00:24:44.232
and faithful supportof viewers like you.
00:24:44.266 --> 00:24:46.868
When you support the ministryof "Turning Point,"
00:24:46.902 --> 00:24:48.970
you partner with usto reach across the world
00:24:49.004 --> 00:24:51.606
with the gospeland with a strong Bible teaching
00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:54.476
of Dr. Jeremiahthrough television,
00:24:54.509 --> 00:24:56.678
radio, print,and digital ministry
00:24:56.711 --> 00:24:59.047
in several languagesand to multiple generations.
00:24:59.080 --> 00:25:02.717
Please consider supportingthis program
00:25:02.751 --> 00:25:04.786
and the worldwide ministryof "Turning Point."
00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:07.055
When you do, Dr. Jeremiahwill thank you
00:25:07.088 --> 00:25:09.257
by sending his new book,"Forward:
00:25:09.291 --> 00:25:11.326
Discovering God's Presenceand Purpose in your Tomorrow."
00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:14.329
And if you give $75 or more,he will send you in appreciation
00:25:14.362 --> 00:25:18.500
his comprehensive Forward set.
00:25:18.533 --> 00:25:21.069
Your gifthelps move the ministry forward.
00:25:21.102 --> 00:25:23.972
Contact "Turning Point" today.
00:25:24.005 --> 00:25:26.241
announcer: And nowwith one last word
00:25:28.276 --> 00:25:29.945
for today's program,here is Dr. Jeremiah.
00:25:29.978 --> 00:25:32.981
Dr. Jeremiah: No matterwhat season of life
00:25:34.115 --> 00:25:35.550
in which you find yourself,your brightest day can be
00:25:35.584 --> 00:25:39.120
just around the corner.
00:25:39.154 --> 00:25:41.489
Take hold of it,let go of the past,
00:25:41.523 --> 00:25:44.826
and get out of your rut.
00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:46.928
Choose to run forwardtoward everything
00:25:46.962 --> 00:25:49.431
God has plannedfor the next phase of your life,
00:25:49.464 --> 00:25:52.567
but rememberthis forward journey
00:25:52.601 --> 00:25:54.970
is not one we do alone.
00:25:55.003 --> 00:25:57.172
We need Jesus Christto take even one step.
00:25:57.205 --> 00:26:01.376
So I hope you know Jesus Christwell; but if you don't,
00:26:01.409 --> 00:26:05.580
I'd like to introduce himto you today.
00:26:05.614 --> 00:26:08.316
I would like to send youtwo resources
00:26:08.350 --> 00:26:10.986
to start your journeywith Christ.
00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:13.021
The first is a booklet called"Your Greatest Turning Point,"
00:26:13.221 --> 00:26:17.025
and the second
00:26:17.058 --> 00:26:18.526
is our monthlydevotional magazine,
00:26:18.560 --> 00:26:20.261
"Turning Points."
00:26:20.295 --> 00:26:22.063
These resources are yourscompletely free
00:26:22.097 --> 00:26:24.866
when you contact"Turning Point" today.
00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:28.403
announcer: Also availablefrom Dr. Jeremiah,
00:26:28.870 --> 00:26:31.339
the Jeremiah Study Bible,the culmination
00:26:31.373 --> 00:26:33.675
of more than four decades
00:26:33.708 --> 00:26:35.410
of Dr. Jeremiah's studyand teaching
00:26:35.443 --> 00:26:37.779
available in NKJV, NIV, and ESV;
00:26:37.812 --> 00:26:41.983
plus Dr. Jeremiah'sairship Genesis Kids Study Bible
00:26:42.017 --> 00:26:45.820
for the young ones in your life.
00:26:45.854 --> 00:26:47.822
Order a Bible for yourselfor as a gift
00:26:47.856 --> 00:26:50.325
for someone you know.
00:26:50.358 --> 00:26:51.693
Contact "Turning Point" today.
00:26:51.726 --> 00:26:54.029
announcer: Next timeon "Turning Point."
00:26:56.231 --> 00:26:57.899
Dr. Jeremiah: Paul says,"Forgetting those things
00:26:59.668 --> 00:27:00.969
which are behind,I press toward the mark
00:27:01.002 --> 00:27:03.738
for the high calling of Godin Christ Jesus."
00:27:03.772 --> 00:27:06.675
And what Paul wasn't saying isdo away with my past,
00:27:06.708 --> 00:27:10.345
but what he was saying isI'm not gonna let the past
00:27:10.378 --> 00:27:13.048
control my presentor my future.
00:27:13.081 --> 00:27:15.250
announcer: Thank youfor being with us today.
00:27:16.184 --> 00:27:17.986
Join us next time for an encorepresentation of Dr. Jeremiah's
00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:21.690
powerful, "How to Move Forward"interview with Sheila Walsh,
00:27:21.723 --> 00:27:26.061
here on "Turning Point."
00:27:26.094 --> 00:27:27.595

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Turn Your Forward Into Forever

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