Sermon INTRODUCTION

Romans 8:28-30 [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

[30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 ESV)

[1] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

[3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)

Where the Spirit Reigns, there’s freedom from SHAME; We have a New Name Eternal Fame – We are partakers of GLORY

“To glorify God” means to live in a way that shows that God is most important in our lives.

DESTINATION DETERMINES DESTINY

C.S. Lewis – It is maybe possible to think too much of your own potential glory hereafter. But it is impossible to think too often or too deeply about that of your neighbors. The weight of my neighbor’s glory should be laid daily on my back. So heavy a weight it is that only humility can carry it.

It’s a serious thing to live in a society of immortals. To remember that millions of years from now, the dullest and most uninteresting person you meet may one day an incredible creature, who if you saw him now you would be strongly tempted to worship, or, a horror as you only now meet in a nightmare.

All day long we are in some degrees helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is therefore in light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the proper amount of awe and circumspection

that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.

The GOOD NEWS is that in Christ we have a New Identity that includes life everlasting as beloved children of God. DESTINATION DETERMINES DESTINY and DELIGHT

Love is a Quantum Event We experience it as an emotion, but the feeling of love, the desire to be close to the beloved, is actually an unconscious expression of the dynamic nature of sub-atomic particles eternally trying to regroup into the singularity that was their primordial state before the Big Bang blew them apart.

While this knowledge helps to explain almost all human behavior, it is completely useless for writing song lyrics and Hallmark cards. Don't even think about it for marriage proposals.

"Keep your fork. The best is yet to come.”