A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ
Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417
(home/office)
Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
Check out the web site:
(I Corinthians 10:31 and I Peter 4:11)
The title of this article is a quote from Hebrews 13:14. The hope of Christianity is in what is to come, not what is currently here. Christians look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ and our meeting Him in the air (I Thessalonians 4:13-17). A faithful Christian is not at home in this world (Romans 12:1-2 and I John 2:15-17). A faithful Christian realizes that the world as they know it is temporary and the works contained therein are as well (II Peter 3:10). There are two ways in which our lives on this earth could end. First of all we could die. As James said our lives are but a vapor (James 4:14). The second thing that could occur would be that the Lord could return and judge us in this generation. Either way, our hope is not lost when this world passes away, that is when our hope is realized (Matthew 25:34). For we know the Lord has gone to prepare for us a home and He will return to take faithful Christians there.
The Lord Has Gone to Prepare for us a Home
(John 14:1-3) “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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.” What the Lord is preparing for us is not temporary: (II Corinthians 5:1) “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” We can find comfort in that Heaven will be our eternal home. However, we must be sure that our minds are set on spiritual things and being prepared so that when the Lord does return we will be ready to meet Him (Matthew 25:1-13), or that if our lives end we will be prepared to answer for what we have done (II Corinthians 5:10).
Conclusion
(II Timothy 4:6-8) “For
I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the
faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me
only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” It would
sure be great if all men everywhere could say what Paul said to Timothy
near the end of their physical lives. However, we know that the majority
of mankind will not be able to rightfully express those words (Matthew
7:13-14). It certainly is not the Lord’s will that the majority of
mankind be lost (II Peter 3:9). Knowing what great joys await the
faithful, we should be able to set our focus on finishing this life in
a faithful state (Revelation 2:10). Are you focused on the city that
will last an eternity?
Quick
NotesThose In Need of Our Prayers:
Kaitlyn Canter (Katrina and Brian’s niece
was born premature March 14th and is in the hospital), Kathren Lucas (in
KY visiting her daughter), Joan Croyle, Nancy Green (Barb’s cousin that
has cancer), Marie Glunt (a friend of the Papp’s also suffering from cancer),
and the Lockwood family (Mike will be leaving anytime now for the likely
destination of Kuwait).
Gospel Meeting / Brian out of town:
Brian will be preaching a meeting in Alliance,
OH beginning next Sunday through April 4th. Bill will be preaching
and teaching on Sunday, and Wednesday night will be a sing night with Terry
giving the invitation.