Sermons

August 1, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning. Beautiful day! Lets share in Gods word. Lets do it together! Lets read about the temple tax.

Matthew 17:24. ..................................

We think taxes sometimes today are unfair. Well if you lived back then, they could be really unfair. They “taxed” whoever for however much they wanted or thought they could get. But what we have to remember is Jesus paid our tax for us. The tax for death. Jesus died on the cross for us. He conquered death! He gives us eternal life with Him in Heaven “ IF “ we give ourselves to Him.

Have you? .......Given yourself to Jesus!

Have a Blessed Sunday!!

July 25, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning. Another hot and steamy day in line. But that won’t bother us now. Let’s spend a moment together in God‘s word.

Matthew chapter 1 verse 18 : now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, and he will save is people from their sins.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has spoken by the prophet, behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel

Just like in all scripture there is a lot going on here a lot you can take away. Sometimes we don’t have a clue what God is calling us to do. But there’s a reason things happen. Sometimes we look at things and we can’t see the good in it and somehow out of that comes great things. When we take it all to follow Jesus Christ we have to trust him. We have to know that the things are going on if we are following his word and doing what he’s asking us to do it’s all gonna come out for the good. And that good is for the building of his kingdom.

I’m pretty confident Mary had issues during this time. Joseph had issues during this time. But they trusted God and they trusted where they were being led and they knew good things would happen. Jesus brings us that every day. If we trust in him great things will happen.

It’s Sunday, it’s a great day to praise and glorify God. But remember to do that each and every day. Every day is a blessing from Christ. Which needs to be praised and glorified!!

Have a blessed Sunday and week!

July 18, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Well here we are again, good Sunday morning! It’s a beautiful start to a great new day that the good Lord has created for us. Shall we spend a moment in God‘s word and see what God is doing for us. Let’s do it , let’s do it together.

From the book of Job chapter 12 verse seven

“ but now ask the beast, and they will teach you, and the birds of the air, and they will tell you. And the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?

WOW, do you want to be uplifted today?! Read that again. What a wonderful verse. We all know where everything comes from. We all know where we get our next breath. It all comes from God. It is so cool to get up each and every day and to know that God is walking with us and we are walking with him. Those few short lines just tell it all. God gives us everything. We need to thank him and praise him. Let’s do that this Sunday. Let’s do that every day! Let’s get up and sing praises to the Lord!!!

Enjoy this great day that God is giving us!!

July 11, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning. Looks like it’s going to be a lazy rainy day. But that’s OK. Could probably use a day of rest. Shall we rest in the Lord‘s word together today. Let’s do!

Two Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17... therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. All this is from God. Who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself. Not counting their trespasses against them, and in trusting to us, the message of reconciliation.

WOW. There is a lot here. If you have committed yourself to Jesus Christ and made him your Lord and your Savior he has made you new, he has made you a new creation. He has set the Holy Spirit in force to be with you and to live in you. And this is all amazing because it makes you an ambassador to Christ. So not only do we know we have God‘s favor and we have eternal life we also now have the spirit working with us and in us to bring others to him. And that is a calling he is asking all of us to do. Help spread the gospel. As the Holy Spirit works in you he will lead you to do this. Along with many other great things for the kingdom.

Have a Blessed Rejuvenated Sunday!!

Country Community Church

July 4, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good morning. Happy Fourth of July! Shall we start this day off right? Spend a moment together in God‘s word.

Genesis chapter 17 verse 15. And God said to Abraham, as for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai , but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations, kings of peoples shall come from her. Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, shall a child be born to a man who is 100 years old, shall Sarah, who is 90 years old, bear a child? And Abraham said to God, oh that Ishmael might live before you! God said, No , but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac.

Guess what? God fulfilled his promise to Abraham!! Abraham at 100 years old had a son. Sarah at 90 gave birth to a son. Seems impossible doesn’t it. What you have to understand is with God nothing is impossible. He created this whole universe that seems like much more of an undertaking than having an older couple conceive a child. That’s why you can’t give up on God‘s blessings and God‘s grace and all the things God promises to bless us each and every day if we are followers and believers in Jesus Christ. There is nothing he cannot do. If it’s in his will and it’s for the glory of the kingdom everything is absolutely possible through God. We do not want to forget this or let anything lead us astray. Knowing God is with us at all times and that anything is possible through Christ.

Have a blessed and joyful Fourth of July!!

June 27, 2021

Written By Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning everyone. Not sure what today brings. It’s a bit cloudy and overcast but there’s not really much of a chance for rain. We’ll see. But shall we spend a moment in God‘s word. Let’s do it together.

Leviticus chapter 1 verse one. The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying “speak to the people of Israel and say to them, when anyone of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock. This offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be excepted before the Lord.”

How cool was it that the Lord and Moses were able to speak together. God spoke to Moses. And Mose always trying to listen and do what he was asked of. Would it be wonderful today if we got our instruction that way. God speaks to us differently. We have to be very attentive, in the right state of prayer, in the right walk with the Lord. When that happens we will hear what he has to tell us. So it’s not like Moses just getting to hear God. We have to do a little bit more at times. We have to be very attentive and listen really hard. That listening really hard is our prayer time. It’s very important. Giving God as much time as you possibly can so the two of you can know each other better. It’s not the fact God doesn’t know you because he does but we really really need to know him better. And when we know him better we will hear him better. So spend as much time as you can throughout the week walking with God and listening to him.

Have a Blessed Sunday !!

June 20, 2021 Father's Day

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning. Happy Father’s Day to everyone!! Shall we spend a moment in God‘s word. Let’s do it together on this Father’s Day.

There has been a verse on my mind all week it comes from Psalm nine verse nine.

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O’Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

I just know it’s been a tough week for a lot of people. Don’t know if it’s been a tough week for you but I’m sure you know somebody that has been. The whole world‘s climate. Our local climate and just all of our friends and family who have struggles. Where death has crept into our households. For those we know and love who are struggling for whatever reasons like poor health or financial difficulties. But this verse just tells us we have him with us and near us at all times. As long as we know who Jesus is, Jesus is with us. And walking with Him gets us through many difficult times. He is our stronghold and He is our strong hold in times of trouble. Put your trust in Jesus because He will not forsake you, He loves you and He will help you conquer any difficulties that are in front of you. The love of Jesus is everlasting!!

May you all have a wonderful happy and blessed Father’s Day.

June 13, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning. A little nicer out. Some of the humidity has gone away. What a relief. Shall we spend a moment in God‘s word. Let’s do it together.

From the book of Mark chapter 6 verse 30 the apostles return to Jesus and told Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them “ come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

The apostles have been busy. They have been going from town to town preaching about Jesus. They have been working so hard that even at times have not even taken the time to eat. We can all relate to times like this. Times we are so busy we can’t even get the little things done. We work so hard trying to provide and making everything right for those around us. Jesus tells us we need to have some rest. Some might call it a vacation. Weather you call it a vacation or take a vacation we need to take time to rest. But remember whether you’re on vacation or you’re just at home resting or wherever you’re at, Jesus needs to be a part of it. Always remember to take Jesus with you regardless to what you are doing. Working, relaxing, playing, Jesus needs to be apart of it and with you.

Have a Blessed Sunday..... WITH JESUS!

June 6, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning. Shall we spend a moment in God‘s word. And let’s do it together.

One Corinthians chapter 2 verse one... and I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power., So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

We are all sent to spread the gospel. Whether you want to or not it is one of Gods callings for us. And we don’t have to know everything. We don’t have to be the best speaker. We really don’t have to be very smart at all. We just let the Holy Spirit work in us. Let God do the work through us. The Holy Spirit will give us what to say ,will give us what we need to be doing to teach others about Christ. Because we need to be spreading Gods word about Christ being crucified and what that means to all of us. So remember you don’t have to be book smart or have great speech or have anything else out there that you think you are lacking. The Holy Spirit will give it to you. So lets ALL help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ!!

Have a Blessed Week!!

May 30, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning! What a beautiful morning. What a beautiful morning to get together spend a few minutes and God‘s word. Let’s do it together.

From Psalm 22 my God my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me? And from the words of my groaning? Oh my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not hear. And in the night season and am not silent. But you are holy, and enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in you. They trusted, and you delivered them. They cried to you, and were delivered, they trusted in you, and we’re not ashamed.

I know we all have difficult times. Some more difficult than others. When we think we have difficult times all we have to do is look at other people and see how difficult theirs is and then ours don’t seem so bad. But difficult times are difficult times and there are times where it just doesn’t seem like God is with us. Those are the times we really need to sit back and dive into God. God is always with us if you are a believer He is always there the Holy Spirit is with you. There are times when it’s going to seem quiet but you have to trust Him and know that He is there. He will never leave you nor for sake you. Keep praying keep learning His word keep walking with Him and He will walk you through your trials.

Have a blessed Sunday. Enjoy the sunshine!

May 23, 2021

Written By Jeff Roman

Here we are again on a Sunday morning. What should we be doing? We should be praising and glorifying our Lord. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We need to spend time together throughout the week doing this. So let’s do it now!

In the book of Revelation chapter 19 verse 13 he was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses. Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, and with it he should strike the nations. And he himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he has on his robe and on his thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

He is the almighty one. He is the reason for everything. He is why we need to praise and glorify Him without ceasing. Spend extra time today and tomorrow and the next day praising Him and glorifying Him letting Him know He is the answer and He is why we are so thankful for the blood of Jesus!!

Have a Blessed Sunday!!

May 16, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning everyone. Hope your day is starting well. Shall we spend a moment in the Lords word. Together. Let’s!

Genesis chapter seven verse six. Noah was 600 years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth. And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.

Wow, 600 years old. God and Noah had an incredible relationship. Noah at 600 would do God’s will. I would think at 600 he’s pretty tired and had enough. But No! Noah did the will of God. How about you and I ?? Do we get up every day and do the will of God that He has asked us to do. Do we walk with our Lord without fussing or grumbling. And like Noah leading his family to do God’s will.

Are we leading our family too!! A lot to think about.

Have a Blessed Sunday!

May 9, 2021 Mother's Day

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning. Happy Mother’s Day to all! Shall we take a moment and spend it in God’s word? Let’s do!

Genesis chapter 6 verse 13.. and God said to Noah, “the end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them, and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of Gopherwood, make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. And this is how you shall make it:”....

And God said to Noah,” this is how you shall make it.” He gave Noah all the instructions on how to build the ark. From top to bottom, from inside and out, everything that was needed for the ark. God also does this for us. He gives us two things. He gave us His words. The Bible. Which has all the instruction for us. We just have to dive into it and learn its meaning and know what He’s teaching us. The other thing He gives us is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is with us each and every day, each and every moment of our lives. We just have to listen and know the will of the spirit. Be led by it. So between knowing God’s word and living through the Holy Spirit God gives us everything we need each and every day.

Praise God!Have a Blessed Mother’s Day!!

May 2, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning!! Beautiful start of the day. Shall we share a moment in God’s word? LETS!!

From the book of Romans. How to treat people.

Think this should be easy. But we watch people mistreated daily. God gives us direction. Lets follow it. Let Him show the way. He gave us the example.

Lets follow it!! Treat others right. Set the example to others!

Have A Great Day!!

April 25 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Well good Sunday morning to All!

How about a few words and a moment or two in Gods word?! Lets do it together. Here we go.

Genesis 6:5. The Lord saw that’s a wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of His heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him to His heart. So the Lord said, I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

It almost sounds like our news today. How terrible people can be. How the news is all bad. The whole world is in turmoil!! But someone made a difference back then. Yes... Noah. He was not perfect but he loved and believed in his lord God!

And Noah made a difference!

Who can make a difference today? Yes... You!!

I know, your not perfect. None of us are. But by our love and belief in our Lord. God. We will make a difference too. We “ ALL “ need to go out every day and live for Him and show others what a Godly community is capable of!!

Lets show em!!

April 18, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Well Hello on this fine Sunday morning! Shall we share a minute together in God’s word? Lets!!

Genesis 2:15 The lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the lord God commanded the man saying “ You may surely eat of every tree of the garden but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”.

Wow, that's some powerful language. Two thoughts here. God gave us a command here. Live by the rules. When we don't live by His rules, there will be consequences!! Sin brings bad results!! We can, I'm sure, all relate to that. Bad things happen when we do the wrong thing (as sin). And we have to WORK it and keep it. We have to work at keeping His commands and rules. Just like every day life. Everything we do has rules. And consequences when we don’t follow them. So let’s WORK at knowing Gods commands and keep them so sin stays away from us! God loves us! So lets show our love to Him! Work at knowing Him!

April 11, 2021

Written By Jeff Roman

Well good Sunday morning!! Shall we share in a moment with the Lord‘s words together. Lets!

Genesis 2:1. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had done. And He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation.

God rested?? Really?? Do you have time to rest? I know I don’t. Tooooo much to do! At least that's what I think most of the time. God did rest! Really!!

He rested to see His awesome creation. Rested from toils and rested to reflect. AND that's what we need to do. STOP! Look at what God has done for us! THANK HIM! Praise and Glorify Him. Spend time with Him and REALLY get to know Him. And do this on a regular basis! Rest in Gods favor. In trust!!

Have a Blessed Sunday!

March 28, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning! Shall we spend a moment together in God’s word?! Lets!!

Genesis 3:21.... Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed them.

It doesn’t matter what we have done. Or where we are at in life. God KNOWS what we need!! He will always provide. We may not understand what He’s doing at times. But He’s always with us and providing for us. Just put your faith in Him!! And thank Him for sending Jesus. Like I said.....

He always provides!!

Have a Blessed Sunday!!

March 21, 2021

Written by Jeff Roman

Good Sunday morning! So glad you are here! Shall we spend a moment in God‘s word? And shall we do it together? Let’s do!!

Genesis chapter 3 verse eight.... and they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God call to Adam and said to him” Where are you?”

So he said,” I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

And He said, “ Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

Isn’t sin an amazing thing to us. We know the rules, we know right from wrong. We know what we should be doing but yet we sin. We convince ourselves that it’s a little sin, that it doesn’t matter much. And then on the big sins, we try to justify those too. But we can’t. We can’t justify little sins or big sins because they are all sin. They are all unclean in the eyes of God. And it takes us away from God. That’s why we feel naked and that’s why we try to hide from God. Because we know the sins are wrong. But the amazing thing with God is He sent His son Jesus to save us. To take all of our sins away. Past present and future. As long as we are a follower of Jesus and we allow Him to lead us and we have our faith in Him, God will continue to forgive us of our sins. Repent and walk with God. Do not feel naked and afraid. He is always with us. Grow your relationship with Him and see where it leads you. It might lead you to a cool day walking in the garden with God!

Have a Blessed Sunday!!

Country Community Church

Highlife Outdoor Ministry

Home-Heaven

By Jeff Roman

Philippians chapter 3 verse 17 through 20 brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 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 there shame - Who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, ( let me repeat that; FOR OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN) from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to HIS glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself.

Isn’t that a wonderful passage? I love that line “ for OUR citizenship is in heaven“ AND “from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. “ Shouldn’t that be our home. Our citizenship in heaven. It says some people are the enemy of the cross and guess where their citizenship is at, it's in destruction! So where is our home. Is our ultimate goal heaven? That’s God’s home. That should be our wanting destination. That’s what I want to talk to you a little bit about today “our home”

My current home or my home on this earth is in Atkinson. For those that don’t know me my name is Jeff Roman . I have a wife Jean we’ve been married for 26 years. I have a stepson Heath who has a wife Cherise and two grandsons Grayson and Vinny ages 12 and 7. And I actually started out in these parts. Not sure if any of you remember Prosper and Fern Roman. He farmed Newman‘s island which later became Copelands Island and the last I knew the Derricks family owned it. It’s down there by the big Ben conservation area I started my grocery career right here in town working for Marv Scott of Scott’s red and white grocery store which I believe now is a funeral home. Which is kind of funny because I have worked at two stores which now house funeral homes . I’m not sure if that’s what happens to old grocery stores they become funeral homes. I have 42 years in the grocery business. 37 years as an owner and 30 years catering. And my body tells me I have 42 years in the grocery business. LOL one of the things I believe the Lord led me to was fishing. Do we have any fishermen here today. You live right here next to the Rock River. And you’re not a fisherman I’m not sure what’s wrong with that. It’s a wonderful fishery. I grew up on the Rock River fishing and then when we moved I had an opportunity to fish farm ponds and from there it lead into bass fishing which led into a compulsion called tournament bass fishing. Do you want to know how to make a small fortune bass fishing. You start with a large fortune. Lol. I was blessed with over 30 years of tournament fishing to have met some very wonderful people from all across this country. And I believe there was a lesson to be learned here, a lesson God was giving me. After many years of being on the water on the weekends I started hearing this voice in my head, any of you probably think if you start hearing voices in your head you should probably seek some help, but I felt it was a different voice, a voice today that said I needed to be doing something for God‘s kingdom. All of these people that I was running around with on the weekends all seem to have a belief in God but we don’t want just a belief in God (because as it tells us in the book of James chapter 2 verse 19 you believe that there is one God, you do well. Even the demons believe, and tremble!) we need a relationship with God, we need to be working to find God's home, and who God is. So we know where to make our home! So Hence came the creation of Highlife Outdoor Ministry. It’s a social network to help outdoorsman or anybody else at seeking and finding and growing their relationship with God. Grow their relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s like God was speaking to me to talk to the unchurched. And that’s who the Ministry is really geared for, the unchurched. And from the unchurched we planted a new ministry called Country Community Church which our slogan for that is “Have Church Will Travel”. I get together a few Lay ministers and we get a whole bunch of food. Because the way to a man’s soul is through his stomach LOL food works wonders. We create a country community church gathering by putting together short sermonettes with a local praise band and spending an evening celebrating and praising God. And we do this preferably in outdoor settings anywhere they will have us. Area farms, conservation areas, old gymnasiums. Anywhere we can spread gods word. This has been very rewarding and has grown immensely up until the pandemic. Our first event had about 50 people, and our last event had about 150 people. What is really fun about watching one of these events is for me anyway it was meant for the unchurched but it was amazing to see all the church people and all the different denominations of people who were attending. Hopefully now with things starting to turn around we’ll get to have some of that scheduled again. I call myself a Lay minister. And I like to help spread the gospel. I’ve been blessed over the last several years to have got to do many church services like this. Little Presbyterian Church in Mendota I’ve been to several times. Congregational Church in Atkinson I have done many church services there when the pastor is gone. And done some other area pulpit supply when they needed it. I’ve done funerals and I’ve been blessed to have got to officiate quite a few Christian marriages the last few years. And how rewarding that is? To be able to be a part of God‘s blessing on a Christian couple . I'm the outreach director and member of Sonrise Bible Church in Atkinson and Jean and I are members of St Anthony’s in Atkinson also. That is All “ home “ for me.

Here’s another way of looking at home and what’s important about the correct home.

How many of you here are sports fans? Do you like football? How about college football? Jean and I are huge college football fans. I’m not sure if you’re aware of it or not but there is only one true college football team, and I hate to tell you this but it’s not the fighting Illini, its the Oklahoma Sooners. Walk through our house and the evidence will show you that. We were blessed to meet Chuck Long about 15 years ago and he got us our very first tickets to a Oklahoma game. Not sure if you remember Chuck or not he was the quarterback for Iowa back in his college days and then he went on to play for the Detroit Lions in the pros and then when he retired he became the quarterback coach for the Sooners back in the late 90's. And helped Oklahoma win the national championship in 2000. Chuck had a brother who had some disabilities and Chuck somehow got hooked up with the Quad city Children’s Therapy Center where Jean and I have been volunteers for many years. So one of our events we got to meet Chuck and he was kind and got us some tickets. And then Jean and I started our own voyage finding the closest away game each year and getting our tickets and going to one game a year. Barring a pandemic of course LOL. They talk about the home team and the away team in sports. If you guys are fans I’m assuming you probably end up going to the home games. That’s a nice thing about being an Illini fan or a Hawkeye fan or a Badger fan the home games are fairly close. But there’s a whole different setting when you are the away team. And that’s the way it is here in life we are actually the away team. We are the ones confronted each and every day with sin, disease, illness, sadness, work, And all the other plagues of life. Even though being the away team you can still have comfort and joy but here in this life we are actually the away team. The home team which here we are talking about the riches of heaven where all those bad things are taken away and all we have to do is enjoy the joy of being with Jesus Christ. If you’ve never been to an away game it’s a whole different experience. You go from being the favorite to not being liked or not wanted there. I’m not saying it’s not fun or enjoyable because it is and we have met many many wonderful people. But it doesn’t matter who you are what colors you wear if you’re the away team it’s a whole different atmosphere. But it’s one you need to experience. It’s like our lives here on earth. This is our earthly home. But we are the away team . What happens when you tell somebody you are a Christian who is not? What kind of response do you get? It’s being the away team here because they believe their home is here. They believe their home is the house they are living in. With all the hardships we have to endure each and every day. Sickness illness, protest, unrest, pandemic and the list goes on and on and on and yes we have joys and comforts but this is our away game. We want to talk about our home team. We want to talk about heaven

One John chapter 2 verses 15 through 17 ...Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but He who does the will of God abides forever.

One Peter chapter 2 verses 11 and 12 ....Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lust which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evil doers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Here was a couple of scriptures of not becoming a part of this world. And a couple of statements that resound. The will of God abides forever; and the day of visitation. How sweet those signs are. We will be with God in heaven forever!

There are bad parts of this world. Enough Scriptures tell us so. Trust me when I say I love my home. But how much do we love our homes? Jean and I have one square acre on the north west corner of Atkinson. We can pick a baseball up and throw it in any direction and not hit a neighbor. And we are in the city limits. It’s a very unique piece of property, it’s an older two-story farmhouse that’s been well-kept. Has crops growing up around us during the summer but yet we are in the city limits. We absolutely love it. But could I walk away from it. Absolutely! Because I know where my true home is, it's in heaven!! So.....Where is your home??

In the book of John chapter 14 verse one let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Fathers house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there YOU may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

Isn’t that great! As a Christian, as a believer in Jesus Christ, and knowing that because Jesus shed his blood for us and died on the cross He has a place for us. A place in his Fathers house already set aside for us. He has told us this is true and He has told us that we can believe this because we believe in him! We know where our home is at and we know how to get there. By Believing in Jesus.

So many people today say they love Jesus. I’m assuming everybody in this room loves Jesus. I love Jesus, Jean loves Jesus. But where would we rather be? Here on earth in our earthly homes, or would we rather be in our home in heaven with Jesus. How many of you get up each and every day saying “Jesus I can’t wait to be with you.” That’s what we should be doing. Not worrying about the things of today, and in the flesh of today, we should be wanting and feeling that joy that Jesus will bring us that day we come to him.

So we need to listen to Jesus.

In John, chapter 18 verse 37 ... pilot therefore said to Him “are you a King then?” Jesus answered “you say rightly that I am a King. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” ..... ... so each and every day that we are here on earth in our regular homes we need to be learning God‘s truth learning what Jesus wants us to know. And Jesus has a lot to teach us.

Matthew chapter 6 verses 19 through 21 .....Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroyed and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. .......

It is so easy to get caught up in this world. Am I not right? I do it every day. Work consumes me. I forget about all those that are around me. Where your treasure is at is where your heart is at.

I have to work really hard not to make work not my treasure. And anybody who knows me knows I fail at this. I don’t work for money I never have, even though we all know it takes money to survive, money to pay the bills. I do work for those that are around me and make sure that they are taken care of. This might sound like a good thing. And it is if it doesn’t take away from anything else. If it doesn’t take away from God. When I get up in the morning and I start running and scurrying and I don’t get my prayer time in or my alone time with God and He gets left out. That’s not a good thing. When I put in an extra long day and I had a church event or something scheduled with Jean or another commitment and I didn’t make it. That’s not a good thing that’s putting my treasures somewhere else. It’s not putting my treasures in heaven and that’s where all of our treasures need to be. Are we building up our treasures in heaven. He’s up there looking down on us and saying like it was saying in Matthew chapter 25 verse 21. His Lord said to Him, well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things, I will make you a ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. Isn’t that what we are all after, God telling us well done good and faithful servant.

And I mustn’t forget about our other home. And it is very important, our earthly home, and that is our church. In the book of acts there are many meaningful scriptures about church. Acts chapter 2 verse two and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues as of fire and one sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as a spirit gave them utterance.

Verse 42 then those who gladly received His words were baptized, and that day about 3000 souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine in fellowship in the breaking of bread and in prayers. Chapter 5 verse 42 and daily in the temple, and in every house, that they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. ..... Church is so important. But Church is not a building, it is about a body. The New Testament meaning for church is, assembly or belonging to the Lord. Ii is about the body of those who share and build and support the glory of Christ. Is that what we are doing? Is our fellowship and gathering for that purpose. For the spread of the gospel and for the glorification of Christ. Church is not about the building. It’s about those in the building. And what we are doing each and every day.

So what will heaven be like. Why should we be so committed at getting there? The book of revelations gives us some hints!! Chapter 7 verse 15

“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore, the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat, for the lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” .....— God will wipe away every TEAR from OUR eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Aren’t those the blessings that we want?? These are the blessings that we know we will receive once we get to our true home with Him. Revelations 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me. “Write, for these words are true and faithful. — revelation 22 verse three- and there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him, they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there, they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Wow, doesn’t heaven sound amazing. No death, no curses, only the light of God. God‘s throne is so lighted we won’t even need the sun. That is amazing in itself. To know that God is illumination alone! He is all we need! Isn’t this what we should be after? Isn’t it what we should be seeking??’!! Shouldn't we get up each and every day and want to be here? As I started out saying from the very beginning don’t we want our citizenship to be in heaven!

Revelation chapter 21 verse six and He said to me, it is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to Him who thirst. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be His God and He shall be my son.

Do we thirst for our home. Our true home. And That is the home we share with God.