HOPE

Part of Pastor Mark’s sermon this past Sunday focused on the hope of God’s servants, as found in the last chapter of Revelation 22.  As a side note, and to clarify the difference between wishing and hoping – wishing grows out of our earthly desires; hope grows out of our faith.  Hope is oriented toward what God is doing; wishing is oriented toward what we are doing.   Now, back to the hope of eternity with God, emphasis on verses 3-5 of Revelation 22 (ESV): “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  And night will be no more.  They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

God says you were made to last forever.  If Christ doesn’t return before then, one day your heart is going to stop.  But that’s not going to be the end of you.  You’re going to go on forever, reigning with fellow servants and God for eternity.  You may get 60, 70, 80, or maybe even 90 years here on this planet but He wants you to get to know Him now so you can spend eternity with Him afterward.  Our life here is preparation for eternity.

If you develop a relationship with God through Jesus Christ on this earth you’re going to spend eternity with Him.  God has done everything possible so that you can get to know Him.  Even coming to earth Himself, which is why we celebrate His birth this time of year.

I remember the first Christmas I experienced at Mosaic four years ago.  Treopia and the choir sang “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child,” just as they did this past Sunday.  It was an instant tradition for me and I knew immediately I was in the right place.  The lyrics truly hit home – “New life, new hope, new joy He brings.”  That hope lives in all of us Mosaic Christ-followers today.