The Cross and the Palm 

Make your path straight, straight to heaven!

Chuck Obremski 7/3/05

Notes from Chuck Obremski’s sermon 7/3/05 – (Revelation 21:1-22:5)

There will be a new heaven and a new earth. A new Jerusalem. Man will have a new nature, one without sin. God will be the focal point this new universe. Heaven is more real than anything we are convinced exists today.

In the King James translation Heaven is found 551 times. Kingdom of Heaven – 41 times. Kingdom of God – 92 times.

In 2 Corinthians Paul talks about being caught up into the third heaven. The first heaven is our earth’s atmosphere. The second heaven is stellar space…sun, moon, planets and other universes. (2 Cor 12:4 – 4 Paul was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.)

(see Genesis 1:14-18 and Psalm 19)

Psalm 19:1-2
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

Heaven…Paradise…the place where God dwells. (Psalm 115:3, Psalm 14:2, Psalm 103:19, Revelation 12, Rev 19:1)

1. Heaven is a city built by God Himself and the place where God the Father dwells. (Rev 21:2, 10)

City built by God. Place where God the Father dwells. God is preparing a place for us…for you and me. It’s comforting to know that God is not subcontracting this out. (Heb 11:16, John 14:2)

2. Heaven is a city of enormous size and beauty. (Rev21:11)

Enormous size and dimension.

Dimensions (Rev 21:16-17) – 1500 miles wide, high and tall. (Aren’t you glad you won’t have to wait for an elevator in heaven. Just imagine if some gets on and pushes all the buttons.)

Will be able to accommodate everyone. You will be able to come and go as you please. We’ll be able to see what we can’t see from an earthbound perspective.

Description (Rev 21:18, 23 and Rev 22:5) – Pure gold…like pure glass. Twelve foundations made of precious gem stones. Twelve gates…each one gigantic pearl.

Sometimes people get hung up on the details like this…asking how big of an oyster would it take to make a pearl as big as a gate. God doesn’t need an oyster to create a pearl.

3. Heaven is the place from which the Messiah came into the world, the place to where He ascended and the place from which He shall return. (John 3:13, 31; John 6:33, 38, & 51; Acts 1:9-11, 7:55-56, 1 Thes 4)

Don’t you want to get directions from someone who has been there and done that?

4. Heaven is the place where rewards will be distributed to faithful believers. (Matt 5:10-12 and 2 Cor 5:10)

The place where rewards will be given for the believers. The place where we’ll have to give an answer for the work that we’ve done after receiving Christ.

5. Heaven is a city for believers only. (Rev 21:6-8 and 22:14-15)

Heaven is a place exclusive to the people of God. That is why the problems of this world will not be seen, felt or touched in heaven. We won’t have to worry about the things we do here on earth.

Heaven is for believers only. More than just those who profess belief. (Matt 5:20, Matt 7:13-14) Enter through the narrow gate. Be humble before God and repent of your sins.
Confess your sins…contrite. Jesus paid the fee…only way to inherit admittance. Born again. Nicodemus came at night and asked. Must be born again. Confess your sins before God. Washed with the water and the Spirit. By the will of God, not by human effort.

Jesus the Son of God was sent to save us, not condemn us. The world was already condemned.
If you die today, will you be in heaven? Or will you be condemned to hell for eternity? Understand the importance of making the right decision.

Make your path straight, straight to heaven!

Chuck & Linda Obremski 7/3/05

Immeasurable Beauty

My beloved Pastor
Washed in the Blood of the Lamb
Powerfully transformed
A walking, living, breathing sermon

Firsthand knowledge of the Power of God
The Word of God
The enabling power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within

Powerful love for his Lord and Savior
For his congregation
For a lost and dying world

Grateful for each day
Using the gifts from God
Selfless, Giving and Caring

Courageous sacrifice
Radically committed
Poured out like a drink offering

Outward beauty and strength that is fading away
Inward beauty, character and strength
Growing stronger and deeper day by day

Straight shooter
Steady aim
Sharp unwavering focus

Focused on his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the eternal rewards to come
Looking forward to hearing those words, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

By Susan Bunts – July 3, 2005

This poem is my attempt to capture, to put into words, what it’s been like over the past few years…and each week to witness my beloved Pastor, Chuck Obremski as he is fully trusting in God and obedient to Him while immersed in desperate circumstances. My heart breaks as I see Chuck’s physical health continue to decline. To a world focused solely on the outward appearance…they will not see the immeasurable beauty that I see as I behold Chuck. While his outward beauty fades, it is being replaced with inner beauty of his soul that can never be taken away. I covet your continued prayers for Chuck and Linda.

A Proverbs 31 Woman – Linda Obremski
Linda is a living example of the woman in Proverbs 31…she is a genuine treasure indeed.

The Wife of Noble Character
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Steven Curtis Chapman

Big thumbs up for Steven Curtis Chapman’s recent release of “Abbey Road Sessions – The Walk”. Some of Steven’s best songs re-recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London England. He’s never sounded better. Additionally you get The Walk DVD…highlighting Steven’s work over the past 10 years.

Christians are most blessed to have the encouraging and faith building music of Steven Curtis Chapman.

After attending the funeral of my friend Hugo…I am reminded that believers who remain here on earth…have not yet reached their destination…and are not home yet.

Hugo…may your homecoming be a blessed one.

To all the travelers
Pilgrims longing or a home
From one who walks with you
On this journey called life’s road
It is a long and winding road

From one who’s seen the view
And dreamt of staying on the mountains high
And one who’s cried like you
Wanting so much just to lay down and die
I offer this, we must remember this

We are not home yet
We are not home yet
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet
Not home yet

So close your eyes with me
And hear the Father saying, welcome home
Let us find the strength
In all His promises to carry on
He said, I go prepare a place for you
So let us not forget

We are not home yet
We are not home yet
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet
We are not home yet
Keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not forget
We are not home yet

I know there’ll be a moment
I know there’ll be a place
Where we will see our Savior
And fall in His embrace
So let us not grow weary
Or too content to stay
‘Cause we are not home yet
We are not home yet
Not home yet
So let us journey on

We are not home yet
We are not home yet
keep on looking ahead
Let your heart not for get
We are not home yet
Not home yet

Happy 229th Birtthday Amercia! 

Psalm 33:12-22

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-

15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you

We frequently hear the phrase “God Bless America”. And indeed I do hope and pray that my great God and Savior Jesus Christ will bless my beloved country.

I also ask my fellow countrymen do you bless God?

I am most fortunate and blessed by God to be an citizen of the United States of America. I believe that I have been chosen by God twice. Once to be His child and saved by His loving grace. Secondly I feel I have been blessed to be an American. Thank you God…for my beloved country.

I wish the United States of America…and my fellow citizens a Happy Birthday…as we celebrate our 229th Independence Day!

“America Bless God!”