Luke 10-Rejoice That Your Name is Written in Heaven

Eternity.

What does that word do to you reader? If nothing then I pray that God would shake your world as you read this morning.

In Luke 10 we find Jesus sending out 72 of his followers. Telling them to preach that the kingdom of God is near. In verse 17 we see that "the seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."" They were excited about ministry success. They were excited about experiences that God had given them. They were excited about the authority that they had because of their closeness with Jesus. But Jesus quickly changes their focus... "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Jesus says, "I have all authority and can give it to you freely. You can, in my name do all sorts of miraculous things. But you want to know what is really exciting?! HEAVEN."

The word eternity is what should drive Christians. The thought of spending forever with Him. It is hard to wrap your mind around it. But, it is extremely freeing. Our lives are but a hand breadth. They are brief and then we get eternity. That gives us the courage to sacrifice. That gives us the strength to endure persecution. To preach boldly. To love recklessly.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21)."

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:20)."

C.S. Lewis says it like this, "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were precisely those who thought the most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this." -excerpt from Mere Christianity

"What must we do in the holy place? To whom it was answered, you must there receive the comfort for all your toil, and have joy for all your sorrow; you must reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your prayers and tears, and sufferings for the King by the way. In that place you must wear Crowns of Gold, and enjoy the perpetual sight of the Holy one, for there you shall see him as he is." -excerpt from Pilgrim's Progress

Does eternity get you excited? It helps you to live righteously! It helps you to love sacrificially! It equips you to worship the King recklessly! It moves you to live courageously! It fits you with readiness, fills you with anticipation, gives you hope, gives you strength, and brings you clarity. You will be with the King forever! ETERNITY. Let that resonate with your soul this morning. My heart is racing even thinking about it! Dear reader, do not allow yourself to settle in here. If you are making excuses for what you should accomplish here, even good Godly reasons are coming to mind of things that concern this present life, then be warned by Jesus... "but rejoice instead that your name is written in heaven!"