Finished “Through John” | Joy’s Eternal Increase

Posted on April 18, 2011 in Blog, Listening, Recommended

This past Friday (April 15, 2011), Pastor Emilio finished up his four year exposition Through the Gospel of John. This was the first book of the Bible that we went through when Sovereign Joy started as a Bible study early in 2007 (read more history here).

During Friday’s sermon Pastor Emilio recommended you listen to the following message that we previously posted on our blog which is below:

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REPOST FROM Jan. 28, 2009:

Pastor Emilio Ramos writes:

I highly recommend a much needed message for the church. Sam Storms delivers a powerful meditation “Joy’s eternal increase: Edwards on the beauty of Heaven“.

When was the last time we have heard a message on heaven? When was the last time you heard a graphic description of the glories and the joys of the heavenly kingdom? Yet it is where we will spend our endless existence with God. Heaven is the realm of ancient days where our vapor like existence in this world will be but a blip on the screen of our existence.

I found this message riveting, challenging, and deeply encouraging. ”Joy’s Eternal Increase” will help you to labor to make this world seem more fleeting and vain, and conversely, heaven more precious and treasure-like.

Q. Why should we even consider this topic of heaven?
A. Philippians 3:19-4:1 – Knowing this enables us to escape the grip of earthly things and stand firm.
A. 1 Peter 1:3-5 – The ultimate purpose of the new birth is our experience of a heavenly hope.
A. 1 Peter 1:13 – It is a commanded obsession.
A. Hebrews 11:9-10 ; Hebrews 11:13-16 – Looking to the heavenly city helped the faith of Abraham and the patriarchs.
A. Revelation 16:5-7 – Enables us to respond appropriately to the injustice in this life.
A. Romans 8:18 – Produces the fruit of endurance and perseverance now in suffering.
A. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – When earthly suffering is juxtaposed with the endless ages of eternal bliss can the suffering in this life become tolerable.
A. Colossians 3:1-3 – We are told to fix our mind on the things of heaven, where our life is hid with Christ.