September 15, 2024

BRINGING HEAVEN TO EARTH

ICEBREAKER
Where in this country or world have you seen the most beautiful places or people? Describe what you experienced.

DISCUSSION

1. What are some insights from this Sunday's message that you really appreciated?
2. How do these insights change our perspective on God's vision and our mission as the church?
3. Heaven is the dwelling place of God. God desires to have his dwelling among us, thus bringing heaven to earth.
   How does God dwelling among us bring "heaven to earth"?
   Here's a summary. Read through this if you think it would be helpful for your group's discussion.
   
   1. It started in the Garden of Eden. God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden. Heaven and earth were united.
   2. Because of sin, heaven and earth were divided.
   3. God consecrated the Tabernacle and Temple and made his dwelling there. (Exodus 29:44-46)
   4. God commanded the people of Israel to obey his commands, to be holy as he is holy, and he would make his dwelling with them. (Leviticus 26:3, 11-12) But people disobeyed and God brought the exile.
   5. The prophets of Israel prophesied that with the coming of the Messiah, God would make his dwelling with us. (Ezekiel 37:24, 26-28)
   6. Jesus — The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:1-14)
      1. Jesus preached the good news that the kingdom of God had arrived on earth in him. (Mark 1:15; Matthew 4:23​)
      2. Jesus taught his disciples to pray "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9-10​)
   7. Holy Spirit
      1. Jesus "breathed" on his disciples and they received his spirit, making his dwelling within them. (John 20:21-22​)
      2. Paul taught us that we are the "temple of the Holy Spirit," God's dwelling within us. (2 Corinthians 6:16)
   8. New Heaven and New Earth
      1. One day, God will restore his vision and bring the new heaven and new earth. (Revelation 21:1-4)
      2. Until then we continue our work of bring people to Jesus and heaven to earth through our faithfulness, holiness, and pursuit of God's kingdom. (Romans 8:18, 25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:58​)
4. Heaven is filled with God's holiness and God desires that his holiness to fills us, as well. How does this holiness in us bring "heaven to earth"?
5. Heaven is where true peace is experienced and God desires that we experience this peace now on earth.
   
   1. In what ways does our faith in Christ give us peace?
      
   2. In what ways do we as Christians bring peace to earth and, therefore, "heaven to earth"?
6. How does a better understanding of the rapture and "apocalypse" help with understanding God's desire for "heaven on earth"?
   
   1. We don't get "caught up to meet the Lord" and stay there. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) We return with him to the earth. 
      
   2. God doesn't want to destroy the earth. He wants to restore the earth. (2 Peter 3:6-7)
      
7. One day God will finish the work of bringing heaven to earth (Revelation 21:1-4) and those of us who have been faithful in following Jesus will be able to enjoy that day with him.
   
   1. How does knowing this give us hope today?
   2. How does knowing this inspire us to press on despite our present struggles? (Romans 8:18, 25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:58)

MISSION

1. Our church's past mission statements are below.
   1. With Pastor Tim: The vision of First Covenant Church is to be actively missional, connecting people of all ages to the transformative power of Jesus Christ and to each other.  Living out this vision will challenge us to better reach those who do not yet know Christ while remaining faithful to those already in the body of Christ.
   2. With Pastor Marc: Our Vision: CONNECT to God, CONNECT to one another, CONNECT to the world.
      At First Covenant Church, we seek to CONNECT TO GOD by worshiping together and engaging in heartfelt prayer, to CONNECT TO ONE ANOTHER by deepening our relationships in small groups, and to CONNECT TO THE WORLD by preaching Christ through intentionally meeting needs in our community and around the world.
   3. The mission statement we're considering as a church now with Pastor Jim is below. It seeks to express the heart of the past statements in simple, memorable, and general terms that appeals to a broad spectrum of people, ignites curiosity, and fosters hope.
      "Our mission is 'Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth.'"
   4. You can read and watch more about this on our website—"Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth."
      
2. What are your thoughts about this statement?

PRAYER
Take time to ask for personal prayer requests. Then pray for our church's efforts to fulfill this mission of bringing "heaven to earth" followed by the other prayer requests.

CONTINUE THINKING ABOUT "BRINGING HEAVEN TO EARTH"
You can read and watch more on our webpage titled "Bringing People to Jesus and Heaven to Earth." You can find it on the website under "Teachings" and the title of this series. There are some short videos and a podcast series from the Bible Project, some past sermons, and some book recommendations.