Now that is an embarrassing question for Christians. The fundamental teaching of Jesus is that life after death is far, far better than even the best life a person could ever live here on this earth. He even went so far as to say that there is nothing in this world worth having in exchange for life in heaven.
But, every Christian has, at one time or another, wondered, “Can I be sure there actually is a heaven? And is it really going to be so good that it is worth giving up some things I’d really like to do now?”
If ever there is a time of year to talk about heaven, it’s the Easter season. Jesus physically coming back to life after being dead for three days is a most powerful proof that, yes, there is life after death and Jesus Christ is the One who opens its door to us. Not only did Jesus say he is the way to heaven, he also gives us a short glimpse of what it is going to be like - and it is overwhelming.
Now to the question, “But is heaven so great that it’s worth giving up everything that is fun at the present?” Maybe the question should be, “What’s my definition of fun?” The same Jesus who rose from the dead also said that he offers human beings the “abundant life” – both now and in eternity. If we think “fun” and following Christ are polar opposites, we’ve fallen victim to the ultimate con man of history – Satan.
Several years ago there was a song about heaven not being worth the wait. Its message was: “Have as much fun now and don’t worry about what happens later.” Ironically, the man who wrote the song was battling depression while living the “fun” life. It got so bad that he tried to commit suicide. Now if having fun is so great, why would a person do that?
Jesus never tells us to do or not do something if it isn’t in our best interests. If we can’t do something in front of Jesus, then it isn’t fun, it’s a lie. And lies only come from the devil.
Join us for one of our weekend services and get a little taste of heaven. It is worth the wait. It’s worth everything.
Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Friday, April 17, 2015
Resurrection Relationships
Jesus coming back to life after his crucifixion changed everything. Unfortunately, we limit the word “everything” to ourselves. We think of how the resurrection means our sins are forgiven, heaven’s door is open to us and the certainty of all of Jesus’ promises being fulfilled. But have you ever thought about how the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes our relationships with other people?
Everything about Jesus’ resurrection which is true for us, is also true for other people. All six plus billion people living at the present moment are meant for eternity. Where they will spend forever will be determined by whether or not they have received the resurrection message into their hearts and minds. Have you ever thought about your role in God making that happen?
Jesus repeatedly talked about the little things in life as the means through which he does big things. As you interact with people the rest of the day, think about each one of them entering eternity. Where will they spend forever? Is there something you can do, even if it is only being courteous, to be a positive Christian influence? You may very well never see the results of those intentional acts of kindness, but you can be sure Jesus Christ will use every one of them in a special way. Best of all, as you become more and more conscious of what you can do to help show the way to heaven, you yourself start to enjoy the journey there more and more.
Join us for one of our weekend services and celebrate your resurrection relationships.
Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am
Everything about Jesus’ resurrection which is true for us, is also true for other people. All six plus billion people living at the present moment are meant for eternity. Where they will spend forever will be determined by whether or not they have received the resurrection message into their hearts and minds. Have you ever thought about your role in God making that happen?
Jesus repeatedly talked about the little things in life as the means through which he does big things. As you interact with people the rest of the day, think about each one of them entering eternity. Where will they spend forever? Is there something you can do, even if it is only being courteous, to be a positive Christian influence? You may very well never see the results of those intentional acts of kindness, but you can be sure Jesus Christ will use every one of them in a special way. Best of all, as you become more and more conscious of what you can do to help show the way to heaven, you yourself start to enjoy the journey there more and more.
Join us for one of our weekend services and celebrate your resurrection relationships.
Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am
Thursday, April 9, 2015
The Desert of Doubt
“Did Jesus physically rise from the dead?”
“Is the Bible true?”
“How could God allow such terrible things to happen to me?”
“Is God really there?”
Doubts!
They keep us up at night. They gnaw at our soul leaving us anxious and exhausted.
Doubts!
Christians sometimes hide them because we think no other believer has ever doubted.
Doubts!
They can undermine a person’s relationship with Christ if they are not dealt with honestly and openly.
Every follower of Christ has doubts at one time or another, and most of us have regular struggles with spiritual uncertainties. One of Jesus’ closest friends, one of the 12 disciples had overwhelming doubts even after the resurrection of Christ. You know his name – Thomas. Even today we call skeptical people “doubting Thomas’” because of his statement to the other disciples, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe Jesus rose from the dead.”
Whether our doubt is about something in the Bible or a heart wrenching situation we find ourselves in, it has to be dealt with. The worst thing we can do is pretend it doesn’t exist. Thomas expressed his doubt. Whatever the reason, he could not bring himself to believe what his friends where telling him. If you are going through a season of doubt in your life, join us this weekend as we see how Thomas and other believers in the past dealt with uncertainty. Jesus may not resolve your doubt the way he did with Thomas, but he will answer your questions in a way that will best meet your spiritual needs.
Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am
“Is the Bible true?”
“How could God allow such terrible things to happen to me?”
“Is God really there?”
Doubts!
They keep us up at night. They gnaw at our soul leaving us anxious and exhausted.
Doubts!
Christians sometimes hide them because we think no other believer has ever doubted.
Doubts!
They can undermine a person’s relationship with Christ if they are not dealt with honestly and openly.
Every follower of Christ has doubts at one time or another, and most of us have regular struggles with spiritual uncertainties. One of Jesus’ closest friends, one of the 12 disciples had overwhelming doubts even after the resurrection of Christ. You know his name – Thomas. Even today we call skeptical people “doubting Thomas’” because of his statement to the other disciples, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe Jesus rose from the dead.”
Whether our doubt is about something in the Bible or a heart wrenching situation we find ourselves in, it has to be dealt with. The worst thing we can do is pretend it doesn’t exist. Thomas expressed his doubt. Whatever the reason, he could not bring himself to believe what his friends where telling him. If you are going through a season of doubt in your life, join us this weekend as we see how Thomas and other believers in the past dealt with uncertainty. Jesus may not resolve your doubt the way he did with Thomas, but he will answer your questions in a way that will best meet your spiritual needs.
Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am
Friday, April 3, 2015
Easter Is about Second Chances
What do you think passed through Peter’s head on the night before the day of Jesus’ coming back to life? Lots of regrets, that is for sure!
“How could I have denied him?
I never got a chance to tell him I didn’t mean it.
How can I live with myself?”
Peter needed a second chance, but he never imagined he would get one. How do you get a second chance from a person who is dead? We don’t know exactly what Peter’s first reaction was when he arrived at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday and it began to dawn on him that Jesus had risen from the dead, but one thought must have exploded in his mind. “I’ve got another chance with Jesus!”
The core message of Easter is: second chances. Not just for Peter, but for all of us. Join us this Sunday (10:00 am). Claim your second chance. It can be as life changing as Peter’s.
No Saturday night service – this week only.
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am
“How could I have denied him?
I never got a chance to tell him I didn’t mean it.
How can I live with myself?”
Peter needed a second chance, but he never imagined he would get one. How do you get a second chance from a person who is dead? We don’t know exactly what Peter’s first reaction was when he arrived at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday and it began to dawn on him that Jesus had risen from the dead, but one thought must have exploded in his mind. “I’ve got another chance with Jesus!”
The core message of Easter is: second chances. Not just for Peter, but for all of us. Join us this Sunday (10:00 am). Claim your second chance. It can be as life changing as Peter’s.
No Saturday night service – this week only.
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am
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Hawaii Lutheran Church (WELS)
- Community Lutheran Church
- Honolulu, HI
- Community Lutheran Church holds protestant chapel services in Honolulu, Hawaii near Pearl Harbor, HI. We are next to the USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hickam Air Force Base, and Fort Shafter Hawaii. Look for us directly behind the Salt Lake, Hawaii, Target.