Let’s face it, even 90 years is a drop in the bucket compared to eternity. By the way, yesterday, I had the privilege of preaching one of our oldest church members’ funeral, Bro. Claude McGee. Do you know how old he was when the Lord took him? He was 98. On Oct 3rd, he would have been 99 years old! That is a long life.

Speaking of heaven, check out our devotion for today. If you are not already, you can be “Heaven bound.”

The word “conversation” is πολίτευμα: pronounced po-LEE-tyoo-mah. It can mean citizenship, community, or form of government. Interesting, huh?

Did you know that the word used here—πολίτευμα—is found nowhere else in the New Testament? Also, here is a quote from the Ethiopic version: “We have our city in heaven.”

Now consider for a moment what this meant to the Philippian CHRISTians. Did you know that they were considered “citizens” of Rome, even though they lived hundreds of miles away from Rome? Therefore, as citizens from a faraway country, they were to adopt and embrace Rome’s culture—lifestyle; i.e., dress, language, etc. Do you get the picture?

Since we are “citizens” of a faraway country called HEAVEN, then we too should embrace its culture with our “talk and walk.”

Speaking of that, it is said that Alexander the Great once had a rebellious soldier named Alexander who was completely defiant. After calling the soldier in his office, Alexander the Great shouted to the young man, “Sir, what is your name?” His response, “Alexander, sir.” To which Alexander the Great said vehemently, “YOUNG MAN, either CHANGE your NAME or CHANGE your WAYS!”

The answer is “we look for the Savior!” Check out what this word “look” means. It means “eagerly wait.” It is the word ἀπεκδέχομαι, which means to fully expect.

In other words, since we are HEAVEN BOUND, keep watching for Jesus to return with great expectation!

1. Fresh Fruit is produced by the Holy Spirit! (Galatians 5:22–23) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:”

2. Fresh Fruit comes from Jesus Christ—the Vine! (John 15:4–5) – “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Conclusion: Isn’t it interesting that in God’s plan we can still bring forth “Fresh Fruit” in older age?“They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.” (Psalm 92:14)

1. Worshipping Jesus Christ with the UP LOOK! (John 4:21–24) – “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

2. Walking Away from Sin with the IN LOOK! (John 4:16–19) – “Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.”

Like a skilled surgeon, Jesus cut quickly and accurately to the woman’s greatest need—unconditional love. No doubt, she had tried to find fulfillment by marrying one man to another, searching for identity and security but always leaving her empty.

3. Witnessing to Others the Great Love of God with the OUT LOOK! (John 4:28–30) – “The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.”

She had to GO and TELL! Unable to contain it or keep this life-changing truth to herself, she left her old lifestyle and started on her new journey.

1. Those in the race and running well! (Philippians 3:15–16) – “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”

2. Those watching the race while criticizing those in the race! (Philippians 3:18–19) – “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”

3. Those in the race helping others who are in the race! (Philippians 3:17) – “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”

The word “walk” is interesting. It is the word στοιχέω, which means to walk in line, or it can mean to follow. Furthermore, it can mean to conform. Paul seemed to be saying, as he followed Jesus, the believers should follow Jesus; subsequently, they would become role models for other CHRISTians. Are you a good role model? How can we be examples for others? Are there any changes that need to occur?

1. Jesus Made It Clear! (John 14:6) – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

To all of these questions, only Jesus could do those miracles. Therefore, we conclude that He was not a “mad man,” a “bad man,” but the “God-man”!

You and I must choose to either reject His invitation or accept it. Which will it be? If we reject Him, then we die in our sins and owe a payment for sin (Romans 6:23; John 8:24; Hebrews 9:27).

2. Paul Refuted False Religions (Acts 17; 2 Timothy 2:4; 3:1–7) – “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.”

Clearly and unapologetically, the once-murderer who was turned into a missionary stood boldly to declare that Jesus Christ was God. And since He was God, all men need to repent:

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

Did you notice that he did not say… only be “REMORSEFUL” or “SORROWFUL” you got caught? Instead, he said “

“REPENT”! That means making a U-turn! That is—from sin to the Savior. Meaning a godly sorrow for sin—which ultimately nailed Jesus to the cross—should lead to a trusting in the God of the Bible.

3. Luke Verified That Through Jesus Christ Was the Only Way to Be Saved! (Acts 4:12; Luke 19:10) – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Does that make sense? Unmistakably, Jesus Christ is the only name—person—whereby we can be forgiven. Why? Because He satisfied the holy demands of a thrice-holy God.

Blood was shed (Hebrews 9:22; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5).

4. John Made It Crystal Clear That Jesus Christ Paid the Ultimate Price for Our Sins! (John 3:16– 19) – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

After sharing three personal illustrations—about a Sheep, Silver, and Son—which mirrored man’s lostness but also God’s goodness in seeking and saving the lost sheep, silver, and son—Jesus included another elder son. Ironically, He was pointing to the self-righteous crowd.

1. How Can We FALL PREY to AAA? (Luke 15:25–29)

Anger – “…he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.” (v. 28)
After getting the news that his father threw a big party for his long-lost brother, the elder brother is enraged! He could hardly believe his ears because he had never had a party. Filled with anger, he exploded!! He was not about to be HAPPY about his brother returning home!!! The BIG BAD BUG BIT him!!!!

Anxiety – “…therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.” (v. 29)
Afraid of losing his inheritance or worse—his brother “one-upping him”—he exploded when his father tried to console him. Perhaps he thought if his sinful brother had never returned home, then he would get everything. Regardless, he threw a FIT!

2. Why Should We STAY and PRAY for this AAA? (Luke 15:30–32)

Affection – “And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (v. 30)
Surprisingly, the gracious, loving father did not immediately reprimand his disrespectful son. Instead, he gently called him “son.” Obviously, he did not deserve it. But neither do we! Please do not be too hard on the elder son, because we have some of him in us!

Affirmation – “…and all that I have is thine.” (v. 30)
Rather than tell him how wrong he is for being mad, the father reminds him that he is an heir. What about it? Do you remember that we are heirs and joint-heirs with Christ?

1. One thing I do – forgetting some things! (Philippians 3:12–14) – “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

2. One thing I do – remembering some things! (Philippians 3:12–14) – “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

How can you move forward? Last week while speaking at a men’s meeting in Social Circle, GA, one of the men spoke up and regretfully acknowledged some sins that he had committed—but he could not forgive himself.

Conclusion: The real question is not, “Have we forgiven ourselves?” but the real question is: Are we going to depend—rely—trust the Word of God more than our FEELINGS?

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1–5)

And the church said, “Amen!”

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19)

Yet, with all that, we are still tempted to be UNGRATEFUL.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

In fact, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes about that very characteristic that would mark the end times:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…” (2 Tim. 3:1–2)

Yet he also wrote this:

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess. 5:18)

So bottom line: Don’t forget the blessings of the Lord!

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Rom. 1:21)