The Big Picture (Jon Courson)

It's interesting how we always are stressing the practical things amongst ourselves, but the prophets of God and the word of God are stressing the mystical things. (smiles) “Get the big picture. History is passing quickly, the LORD is coming victoriously. All of history is flowing down the channel of prophecy, culminating, climaxing when He shall come as a conquering King [and] reign victoriously.”

I believe that one of our purposes here...anywhere the people of God gather together, is to remind each other constantly that this world is not our home. That we need to take a lot more things a lot less seriously.

The only thing that matters is eternity.

That's it.

You who came in tonight uptight because your checkbook didn't balance...so what? Or your son, or your daughter, spilled milk on your newly cleaned carpet? Big deal. Or your car got a ding in it's fender?

Or that crazy mole is still coming up in my backyard. (congregation laughs)

We get SO occupied in these little tiny deals! All caught up in, “Ooo, did I get an 'A' or a 'B' on my history paper?” ...I'm not denigrating or lessening the idea of getting good grades, but get the big picture!

God told his people in the book of Exodus that they were to wear a border of blue around their garments, so that every time they looked down at their garments, or put on their garments, they would be reminded: “Blue...(looks up)...heaven. Hmm...we're a heavenly people.” (smiles) I suggest to you, every time you put on your Levi's this week, say, “Blue...heaven. Yeah! Alright!” “Let not your hearts be troubled,” Jesus said, believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions!”

Dear, precious people, that is why (in John 13) when everybody else around that table at the last supper was arguing over who was the greatest, and jockeying for position, and presenting their ideas, Jesus just got up and began washing feet, serving, and loving.

The disciples were marveling, but something else that intrigues me: it says there in John 13 that, “Jesus, knowing from whence He came and where He was going, arose from supper, girded Himself with a towel, and washed the feet of His disciples.” He knew from whence He came, He knew where He was going, so He was free from all the jockeying, positioning, intrigue, and maneuvering, and hassling, because He knew “Hey, I came from God, I'm going back to God. That frees me just to serve! Let others jockey and worry and position. Not me.”

Never grow weary of reading the prophets. You might be feeling at this juncture, “Well, let's get practical. Let's talk about marriage or parenting or something.” This is exceedingly practical. The big picture.

You'll be a better husband if you know you're going to heaven. When your wife yells at you, just kind of smile at her. (congregation laughs) Or your husband ignores you, you can just say, “Oh, well...I'm married to Jesus anyway. This guy's a jerk, I'm going to heaven anyway.” (congregation laughs) You're just the freest person in the world when you have this perspective!

Wow...so God our Father sends prophet after prophet after prophet to tell us the mystery of eternity. “Set not your heart on things in this world, set your heart on things above. (Colossians 3:2)” “Seek ye first the kingdom. Everything else will fall into place. (Matthew 6:33)”

Jon Courson Through the Bible Zechariah 9-10 (05/03/89)