How do I get to heaven? (November 14th, 2021)

I think as most of you know, Sandy and I have four children are all grown up and gone. Now. Our youngest is the 28th. And our oldest is a 33 and Ashley were growing up. I noticed that Cindy and I were just losing track of what's going on in children's world. So, for instance, when we took that car seat out of the van for the last time we kind of lost track of what the current design for car seats is cuz we don't have any kids in car seats, last track of what's going on in Children's, Entertainment and children's music, and so forth, just completely lost track of it. and then the grandchildren started to come that we started to get reacquainted and we have become aware of the baby shark. That is such an ear worm. Once you get it in your head. You can't get it out.

A very good reason that is an earworm and here to explain more is our worship leader, David.

Well, when Pastor Don asked me this week about baby shark in this. Nature of it very much, but the scale that makes up the provides the building blocks of music.

7 Notes. And it repeats. But you'll notice if you go.

And if you stop there you notice there's there's an urgent desire to hear. If you stop.

You don't have to be a musical. Genius has come on. Come on, please play that last. Thank you. In fact, the pool of tea to do is so strong that when music theorists gave names to the notes of the scale. They name that won the leading tone because it leads to the tonic which is though.

A infant. I mean, this is such a visual thing. You don't have to be a musician if I'm going to use it as an example. So we'll have to pretend we're traveling if you're traveling in Germany and you were to walk up to somebody and you were to sing them. The last phrase of, Oh, Canada doesn't you could be the most musically illiterate person could go up to the beggar, on the street and play them.

For 20 year olds. What's the last note? Google.

Absolutely natural. This is the pull of the leading tone to the tonic. Sol-fa. A baby shark with something like baby shark, baby shark, baby shark.

You don't want to stop their you're waiting for and then you're unsettled until you hear it. And then on it goes.

And so on and so forth, it goes in circles like that. So that's a little bit of the phenomenon of of baby shark.

The reason I mention that is because we have leading tones in our heart. They're waiting for the natural completion. That last note a baby shark is not this resolution to the leading tone.

That's not what I'm expecting. I'm waiting for a resolution. So we listen to it, again.

Turn turn, turn.

We have leading tones. There's a leading tone in our heart that asks, where did all this begin? Like, I see creation. It is unbelievably complex. It is more of an enormous that I can comprehend. Where did it come from? I want a Cheesy, something came out of nothing, and then through random chance. We see all this order dun, dun dun. That's not what I'm expecting. That that is very unsatisfying. So we're left with this leading tone. How did this all begin? Then? It's on results that we mustn't. Do it again and again, and again. And again, we have a leading tone. What went wrong.

I don't know how I know there's something wrong, but I know there's something wrong. I've never seen a perfect world and yet, it's in my heart to want a perfect world. I know you're not perfect. I know. I'm not perfect. I know the world isn't perfect. What's the answer? Well, what went wrong is? We just need a better a better economic system. If only we had better tax law. So that people wouldn't take advantage of each other dun, dun dun. That's not a resolution. I'm still left hanging. That's not a satisfying answer. We have. Something in our heart, a leading tone in our heart. Is there any hope? Is there any hope at all for us? Purser's old save up. All your money have a comfortable in retirement. And then when you die will put you, I will bury you. Dun, dun dun. There's something more. I know there's something more. That is not a result. That does not resolve the tone for me. I know, there's something more to this question. Is really hope what's my future.

There's no future. Cute. Simply pass into non-existence. Dun, dun dun. It's not a resolving tone. I know that's not right. Print want to tell you that the Bible has the resulting tone. It answers all these questions. How did all this begin? What went wrong? Is there any hope? What's my future? In the Bible answers, this in for act, you know, the buy was a big book. There's thousands of chapters tens of thousands of versus a hundreds of thousands of words, but basically it's a book with for apps and when you understand these act, you'll be able to understand the message of the Bible. And more importantly, you'll have the results. You know, how old is answer this ends? The First Act is called creation, is better. The opening words of the Bible are in the beginning. God. Which really is surprising because we would expect in the beginning, man. We think the stories about us. The story is not about us. This isn't even our story in the beginning. God. The story of the universe is not the story of us, the story of Kim.

He describes how he wants to be known so he describes himself. He says I'm powerful all-powerful. I'm uncreated. I'm holy. He communicates is another way. We don't just see God in the beginning. In the beginning. God. We see him doing stuff. What's the next word in the beginning? God created and he's doing stuff. He's making mountains and streams and worlds and planets. And the purpose of this creation is to continue his mission to communicate and you see the creation. I can see at least two messages. When is I looked at the intricacies of the creation? This is an enormous, Lee complex creation. It doesn't matter. Whether you're looking macro microscope or a telescope or micro microscope, it that you're looking at solar systems or Electrons. This is an enormously complicated place. And what I look at the creation. I see God to be an enormous into lot. A brilliant scientist. An unparalleled engineer because not only is creation complicated. It all works. The water cycle works. The reproductive cycle works out of the strong and weak forces of the atom all work. But this whole thing is a machine and it works. I see God as a powerful intellect of an unparalleled engineer and his creation, and not only that I see him as an artist. It not only works, but it's beautiful.

Is gorgeous. I look at it. I moved with all. He's not only an engineer. He's an artist. What God, created. All these things. So that we could see who he is. He goes to the whole creation week. Did you know what the Pinnacle of creation is? It's not the highest mountain to the biggest solar system it sauce. Women humans is a matter of fact, he created us to continue the mission to display who he is is end and we are a very unique part of the creation that we are. The only part of the creation that God says Are Made In, His Image. Never says that about the mountains or the stream or moose or bear. The only thing that all the creation that is said to be made in God's image is us. We are supposed to be little images of God, to communicate, who he is. As a matter of fact, in an ancient times. Did you know this in ancient times when kings took over areas? They would set stone statues of themselves around the borders of their territory. Stone statues made in their likeness around their territory. So, people would see the statue and say, all this. This is his kingdom, this belongs to that came. What in the story of creation, where the statues? We are the sentries posted around creation to say, this is God's kingdom. And if you want to know what he's like, look at me.

And because God is perfect what He did. All this creation. He created in harmony Perfect Harmony at least on three levels. When God created the world. We were in harmony with him as matter fact. The entire creation was in harmony with him. There is no conflict against the Creator. Everything is completely in harmony with the Lord God who created us all Harmony. Harmony with each other. Adam and Eve formed the perfect Society. I know who you are. And I love you. Deeply. You know who I am. And you love me. Deeply. We work towards each other's good.

That's the way. The original plan is that they would have babies and they would also live in Perfect Harmony and humans, put in this Garden of Eden. As with each successive, generation would push the borders. The garden original mandate was to make the whole world. The Garden of Eden and each generation wouldn't push it out a little bit further. All living in perfect, harmony, harmony with God, harmony with each other, harmony with creation. We take care of creation, creation, takes care of us. When you look at this First Act of the Bible story. You can really see a lot. But there's another Act. Something is wrong. Something is obviously wrong. Everybody agrees and Christians, agree, non-christians agree. Every religion agrees. There's something wrong, we hit we sense in our heart. There's something not right here.

And by the way, we're not the only ones that have to have an answer for that buddy. Every worldview has to have an answer to. Why is the world thought the way it oughta be? That one popular World uses. The problem is education. If we only knew how to treat each other better, if we only knew how to make products without polluting, if we only knew, if we had an education system that we can make this a paradise. What's the problem?

There's another world view that says it's economics. That the reason we pollute the world is because our economic system actually incense us to do so. The reason I want to exploit you is because the economic system makes it to my advantage. If we could just change the economic system.

There's a worldview that says, no it's not educational economics, its International Politics. The reason the world is the way it is because we've organized into nation-states. And I have to have it Army to protect against you who I deeply suspicious of the other nation-states, Tempe bigger than my Earth. If we could only figure out a system of treaties and peace, among the nation-states are what a paradise we would have. These are all very popular narrative. This is not The Narrative of the Bible.

There is Bible says you're looking in the wrong place. The problem is not in economics is not an education, is not an international politics. Problem is in our hearts, and the problem is called sin. In Romans, 3:10, we find that we are all under the under Sim. Is it there's not one righteous person Among Us. Is it? Hold on, password on like, how did that happen? Cuz you just told us Harmony Harmony Harmony and now send Tsum Tsum. How did this happen? Let me tell you, it's not a happy story. When God created Adam and Eve, he created them in His image. The only part of creation that was in His image. And the idea was that they were going to voluntarily team with him and worship him. And there was going to be this loving relationship and they were going to extend the boundaries of Eden, but for that worship and to that teamwork to be genuine, it had to be voluntary. And so, God gave Adam and Eve free will. Were, they could genuinely do what they wanted to do? The problem is, is the first thing they wanted to do is stick to their fingers in the eye, of their creator, their very first choice out of the gate. Westerville.

And that changed everything.

I changed them. It changed the world. They lived in and it changed us. The news keeps getting worse and worse. And worse has been passed along to us, and it's not viral. Covid is viral. I don't have the virus. I don't have the virus. I don't have the I just got the virus. That is viral. That's why we wear masks to protect against the virus viral. It's genetic. We come out of the birth canal. Sinners. Well, that's not very delicate to say and kids are cute and we had four of them ourselves. But have you ever wondered why the your child's first world? That word is almost never? Yes. It's almost always.

Why is it that you have to teach your children to share, but you don't have to teach your children?

Why is it that they very rarely say, share and very often say mine. Why is that?

Friends, think of this, the story of the universe. It could have been a peaceful Paradise. But we creatures rebelled against the Creator and the creator of the creation has been broken ever since, and that devastated, the Harmony Harmony When sin entered the universe Harmony accident, Harmony on all three levels, harmony with God, harmony with each other, harmony with ourselves and the creation. Friends. This part of the story explains why the world is the way, it is both on the macro level, and on the micro-level on the micro level, as individual. Why do we die? Because the world is falling. Our bodies were never designed to die. They were designed to live forever. This whole sickness thing and aging thing. That's a new thing. Cuz we're broke and physically. Why do we have so much trouble? Socially like, why do we need a police force? Anyone? Why do we all have doors that lock? But everything's Carr's cottages houses. We have doors that lock inside our doors, that lock. Why is that? Cuz we're broken socially. We're broken. Emotionally. Has anyone else noticed that the Western Society keeps getting richer and richer and richer the poorest person in our society lives far better than a king or Prince with lift for 500 years ago. Running water access to the internet and yeah. For our wealth goes up. We need that money to spend it on anti-anxiety, medication, doctor's orders, but why is that? Because we're broken and emotionally. Why do we do things wrong? Am I the only one here that has absolutely known? Something is wrong to do. I think in my mind this would be wrong. I know it. There's no question in my mind and then I go do it. Are you telling me? I'm the only one. Are you telling me that you've never done this? Why is that?

We're broken physically, socially, emotionally morally, and most importantly were broken spiritually. This explains everything on the micro-level. It explains why we are the way we are. It also explains everything on the macro-level. Why do we have wars? Why do we pollute the world? Why does the world because of the Fall? There's good news coming, but not yet. Because I got to tell you, this is a very serious problem. This sim problem isn't like putting your iPhone in a jar of water. This is something that can be done. That could also be undone. If you put your iPhone in water, you could also take it out and hopefully it still works. And if it doesn't still work, maybe it dry it out. Maybe it starts working. Even if it doesn't start working, you could send it in for repair, and even if it can't be repaired, you still have your iPhone, putting your iPhone in water, and something that can be done. And it's something that can be undone. Yeah, that's not like soon. Send us like this. Seems like put food coloring in water. It can be done. It just can't be undone. Once it's in, there is in.

You notice the different narrative that the Bible has to every other narrative. Every other narrative says, there's a problem, but we can work it out. Tell you how we're going to work it out. We have to pray but we have to be pointing in this direction at. You ready going to pray in this direction. Some other narratives, not that direction. We have to go to these purses. That's what we have to do. Some other narratives has no, it's not about the courses. We just have to rewrite the tax code to everyone's got an answer but the answer always depends on us. There's a bunch of stuff through willpower and effort that we can do. That will fix the problem. The Bible says, there is no solution was, done is done and cannot be undone. Every other narrative relies on human ability and willpower the gospels, not like that. It relies on God's love and mercy.

When were reading through the Bible, we see Adam. And Eve sinned. Do you know what God does? The moment they send. He says, all right.

The moment Adam and Eve sinned, he says, I'm going to say or send you a savior.

There's nothing you can do, but there's something I can do and I promise that I will do it. That savior is Jesus Christ. John. 3:16 Says for God. So loved the world he gave his this is in your notes. Did you notice that he gave because he loved He loves us. We're still the image. We're still the apple of his eye. That's why we believe that. Jesus Christ is the central port person in history. When he was born in Bethlehem, which we will soon celebrate, he became Earth's teacher when he lived a sinless life and willingly died for our sins. He became Earth's savior, when he rose from the dead and return to God, the father. He became gods are sting. And when he returns again to the Earth, you will become or judge.

Friends. I'm urging you to accept Jesus Christ as your personal, Lord and Savior, accept his payment, for your sin. Because what that does is it reconciles us back to God and it puts us back in the original narrative. Where we are partnering with him to make him known. It puts us back in the story. That's the good news of the gospel, and it's not even the best news of the Gospel, cuz can we just be honest? Even if you accept? Jesus, Christ, as your personal, Lord, and Savior, and I hope you do this morning. God will come into you, and he will begin, rewiring your heart, and you will increasingly become like him, but you'll never become completely like him. And we will have a Redemptive effect on the World. By the way. Anyone know where Hospital came from?

The church we were concerned about sick. People. Anyone know where schools came from.

The church. We wanted everybody to know how to read so that they could read their Bible medicine and history in the Western World. Also from the Snow White slavery enters in England. Believers said this far and no more. We will absolutely have a Redemptive effect on the world, but will still be falling. People will still die. There's a better part coming and it's not just rescue its restoration. In Genesis 12 and 32 creation Falls, but in Revelation 21:5, Jesus promises that he is going to remake this whole world. He is going to restore it to what it was supposed to be. And in it. We will receive new bodies. That will never die. Never get sick. The harmony that we lost in Genesis tree, will be restored. We will live in Perfect Harmony physically with perfect bodies. We will live in Perfect Harmony socially, where we really know each other on the deepest level and we love each other and we want the best for each other. We will live in harmony emotionally morally spiritually. Friend this morning. Jesus is making an offer to you. To settle your account with God, the father and turn him from the prosecuting attorney in to your God and Duster. If I were putting this in a short movie, it would look a little like this.

There is only one story that answers. Life's, most essential questions and gives a lasting sense of purpose and meaning. It's the story that inspires all other stories. It's the true story that defines every one of us. This is that story. How did it all begin? Like, all stories. This one begins in the beginning with the author? Who is God, he spoke everything into being with the word Galaxy to computer starseed. Women's Earth was designed for life to flourish on everything. God made was gloriously, good friends, taking we perfect. The highlight of God creation was the first woman.

God entrusted, everything he created to his beloved children. Given just one rule. They were not to eat fruit from a specific tree. They lived in loving obedient worshipping. God is their heavenly father and enjoying perfect harmony with creation each other and God.

Considering our world today, it's obvious. Perfect. Peace, didn't lie turmoil or sickness or what went wrong. It started with a fallen angel named jealous of God and determine section of creation. Satan took the form of a serpent and enticed, Adam keys to question God's goodness. And rebelling against is one rule in Disobedience. They ate the fruit and peace unravel, ushering in Cid in debt, which still Plex on today. If we are honest we are very much like Adam and Eve. We all rebelled against our heavenly father, making our hearts heavy with fear guilt and shame. Our bodies are weary with sickness disease, and death is Afflicted with storms calamities, and disasters. Even worse sin has separated us from God causing a permanent divide, a miserable, separation, called a hell. The Fallout of sin has been catastrophic. It's inescapable with no way to fix it. Leaving us all to wonder, he's there any hope. The love that prompted God create us also prompted him to send his Saviour who would set everything right again, I centuries past God shared exact details of the coming savior's birth like in death everything in the Bible points to distract. You are almost two thousand years ago. Jesus came to Earth is God this sun to fulfill the promise. He was born Dracula, sleep. As his mother was a virgin just like us. Jesus grew up and experience life on her but unlike us, Jesus never sinned. In always obeyed the law when Jesus was in his thirties, and he began teaching all around Israel, pointing people that God's kingdom and Performing many miracles. After a few years, he was wrongly accused and sentenced to an agonizing death on a cross. Jesus lovingly gave up his perfect life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of mankind. He died. A perfect. That taking are placed the innocent for the guilty. But the grave couldn't hold Jesus. Three days later. God brought Jesus to life again.

Jesus defeated sin by dying on the cross and defeated death by Rising for the day today. God's right hand over. All creation of rescue. God has authored. He invites us to repentance and Faith to make his story of rescue. The one we trust it and live from, when we do everything changes. And now what will the future? Hold for everyone. Who trust in. Jesus alone for rescue. God has promised to restore your heart and set you free from sins, hold because, God is loving kind merciful forgiving tender-hearted and true. God has also promised to make all things new one day. There will be a new Heaven and a new Earth forever free from sin. Everything that causes pain and sadness will be gone.

God is also promised to be with us forever. The moment you trusted Jesus, your relationship with God has restored because Jesus has closed the device in COD. Getting to know this. All loving God starts today and continues forever for God story never ends.

Who made God Story the foundation of your life even now by admitting your need for God's rescue? Asking forgiveness for your sin, trusting in Jesus Christ, Alone to rescue you. Following Jesus and Faith from this moment on. This is God's story. Will you make it yours?

I would encourage you make it yours.