Dover Assembly of God
10.11.2020 | Heaven - Week 6
Locations & Times
Dover Assembly of God
4790 Carlisle Rd, Dover, PA 17315, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
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October 11, 2020
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Fellowship Time
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministry
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT SERVICES
~ Adult Bible Video Series: “Demonology”
UPCOMING EVENTS
A New Thing!
Last week we began something new at Dover Assembly! Please enter into worship with us as we worship today with our new format! The Lord tells us in Colossians:
Col 3:22-24 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. NIV
Serve and worship with us as we do a new thing!
New Wednesday Night Bible Study
As we have just finished our video series study on Angelology, we are beginning the next series on Demonology this coming Wednesday. Be sure to join us as we delve into what the bible says about fallen angels.
WOP "Reclaim" Conference
This year's annual District Women of Purpose Conference is being offered virtual on Sat., Nov. 14, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. We are able to watch the live stream right from the comfort of our own church sanctuary! If you are interested please sign up in the upper foyer by TODAY!
The Registration cost has been lowered: $20.00 per person and there are several ladies already signed up to watch it in the sanctuary!
BODY NEWS
Pastoral Thank You!
Pastors Jeff & Anna, Keith & Lynette and Luis & Edith would like to thank everyone who made Pastor Appreciation Day something extra special. We do love ministering to our church family and appreciate all the blessings (and pickles) you poured on us last Sunday. We love our church family!
Food Drive
The upper foyer outside the nursery, has a collection bucket for donations of canned food during the month of October which we will donate to New Hope Ministries for distribution to families for Thanksgiving.
Special Thanks!
To Mike Conley for his constant upkeep and maintenance on our awesome water fountains and for preparing our outside foliage for winter. Thanks Mike!
Time Change
Don’t forget, we turn our clocks back one hour on Nov 1. Be sure to set your clocks accordingly. If you do not change your clocks, you will arrive earlier than normal, which might not be a bad thing!
Download Our App!
Discover the digital hub of Dover Assembly! Watch and listen to sermons, learn about upcoming events, and stay connected all week, all from your phone or tablet. Available on the iOS App Store, Google Play for Android, and the Amazon App Store. Download links and more info can be found at https://doverassembly.com/app
In Sympathy
Continue to remember Darlene Osborn and her family in prayer as her sister, Mildred Hankey went to be with the Lord on October 4.
PRAYER NEEDS
~ Gladys J.
~ Beulah S.
~ Olga K.
~ Marian T.
~ Rose K.
~ Cindy D. (Angel’s mom)
~ Betty N.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sat., Oct. 24 ~ Tyler Landis and Jennifer Messner wedding – By invitation only due to COVID rules at venue.
Sat., Nov 14 ~ WOP Virtual Conference
Wed., Nov. 25 ~ Thanksgiving Eve Service; all departments meet in sanctuary
Thurs., Nov. 26 ~ Thanksgiving Day
Fri., Dec. 11 ~ WOP Christmas Dinner, to be held at the church - 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 12 ~ Christmas Carol Rehearsal, 9:00am – Noon, lunch provided
Sun., Dec. 13 ~ Christmas Carols
Thurs., Dec. 24 ~ Christmas Eve Service, Candlelight Service Wed., Dec. 23 NO Service
Fri., Dec. 25 ~ Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus!
Wed., Dec. 30 ~ No New Year’s Eve service
Welcome to Dover Assembly!
We are so glad you have chosen to attend Dover Assembly this morning. It is not by accident that you are here. We believe that God has allowed you to be here so that you might receive all that He has for you. We pray you are blessed as you allow the Lord to work in your life.
THIS WEEK
Sunday
9:00 am ~ Coffee & Donut Fellowship Time
9:30 am ~ Sunday School
10:30 am ~ Worship Service
10:30 am ~ R.O.C.K. Children’s Ministry
1:00 pm ~ Spanish Service
Wednesday
6:30 pm ~ FAMILY NIGHT SERVICES
~ Adult Bible Video Series: “Demonology”
UPCOMING EVENTS
A New Thing!
Last week we began something new at Dover Assembly! Please enter into worship with us as we worship today with our new format! The Lord tells us in Colossians:
Col 3:22-24 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. NIV
Serve and worship with us as we do a new thing!
New Wednesday Night Bible Study
As we have just finished our video series study on Angelology, we are beginning the next series on Demonology this coming Wednesday. Be sure to join us as we delve into what the bible says about fallen angels.
WOP "Reclaim" Conference
This year's annual District Women of Purpose Conference is being offered virtual on Sat., Nov. 14, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. We are able to watch the live stream right from the comfort of our own church sanctuary! If you are interested please sign up in the upper foyer by TODAY!
The Registration cost has been lowered: $20.00 per person and there are several ladies already signed up to watch it in the sanctuary!
BODY NEWS
Pastoral Thank You!
Pastors Jeff & Anna, Keith & Lynette and Luis & Edith would like to thank everyone who made Pastor Appreciation Day something extra special. We do love ministering to our church family and appreciate all the blessings (and pickles) you poured on us last Sunday. We love our church family!
Food Drive
The upper foyer outside the nursery, has a collection bucket for donations of canned food during the month of October which we will donate to New Hope Ministries for distribution to families for Thanksgiving.
Special Thanks!
To Mike Conley for his constant upkeep and maintenance on our awesome water fountains and for preparing our outside foliage for winter. Thanks Mike!
Time Change
Don’t forget, we turn our clocks back one hour on Nov 1. Be sure to set your clocks accordingly. If you do not change your clocks, you will arrive earlier than normal, which might not be a bad thing!
Download Our App!
Discover the digital hub of Dover Assembly! Watch and listen to sermons, learn about upcoming events, and stay connected all week, all from your phone or tablet. Available on the iOS App Store, Google Play for Android, and the Amazon App Store. Download links and more info can be found at https://doverassembly.com/app
In Sympathy
Continue to remember Darlene Osborn and her family in prayer as her sister, Mildred Hankey went to be with the Lord on October 4.
PRAYER NEEDS
~ Gladys J.
~ Beulah S.
~ Olga K.
~ Marian T.
~ Rose K.
~ Cindy D. (Angel’s mom)
~ Betty N.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sat., Oct. 24 ~ Tyler Landis and Jennifer Messner wedding – By invitation only due to COVID rules at venue.
Sat., Nov 14 ~ WOP Virtual Conference
Wed., Nov. 25 ~ Thanksgiving Eve Service; all departments meet in sanctuary
Thurs., Nov. 26 ~ Thanksgiving Day
Fri., Dec. 11 ~ WOP Christmas Dinner, to be held at the church - 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 12 ~ Christmas Carol Rehearsal, 9:00am – Noon, lunch provided
Sun., Dec. 13 ~ Christmas Carols
Thurs., Dec. 24 ~ Christmas Eve Service, Candlelight Service Wed., Dec. 23 NO Service
Fri., Dec. 25 ~ Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus!
Wed., Dec. 30 ~ No New Year’s Eve service
Download our app!
Download the Dover Assembly app to stay connected all week! Keep up to date with the latest news and events, watch our latest videos, and more all within our app! We're back on Google Play for Android users! Also available on the iOS App Store.
https://doverassembly.com/appOnline Giving
Thank you for your faithfulness! You can now give to Dover Assembly online at your convenience. Click the link to learn more!
https://doverassembly.com/giveYouVersion Check-In
Enjoying following along with Pastor Jeff's sermon notes here in the Bible app? Take a moment to check-in and let us know. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
https://doverassembly.com/notes/check-in
Week 6 - October 11, 2020 - Pastor Jeff Bender
Why study heaven?
There are numerous books on angels, demons and heaven, most of which are not biblical. And if we don’t know what God actually says about them, it’s easy to be drawn away from the truth by them.
What you believe will dictate how you live. If you believe everyone goes to heaven regardless of what they believe, that will have an effect on how you live. If you believe heaven is one big church service and is boring, who wants to go to that?
If you believe that demons don’t exist or have no power, that will also effect what you do and how you live. And you won’t be prepared for the temptations that come into your life and you won’t recognize evil.
Churches and Christians don’t wake up one day and deny biblical truth, it happens over a period of time and a bunch of small unbiblical ideas that we wind up accepting.
There are numerous books on angels, demons and heaven, most of which are not biblical. And if we don’t know what God actually says about them, it’s easy to be drawn away from the truth by them.
What you believe will dictate how you live. If you believe everyone goes to heaven regardless of what they believe, that will have an effect on how you live. If you believe heaven is one big church service and is boring, who wants to go to that?
If you believe that demons don’t exist or have no power, that will also effect what you do and how you live. And you won’t be prepared for the temptations that come into your life and you won’t recognize evil.
Churches and Christians don’t wake up one day and deny biblical truth, it happens over a period of time and a bunch of small unbiblical ideas that we wind up accepting.
Today I want to focus on one other big event that will happen in heaven.
Rewards.
How many like to watch the award shows on TV? Did you know there are at least 15 different award shows that happen in or around Hollywood?
No matter what people may say, everyone likes to receive awards or rewards.
How many remember Jim Thorpe? He's an Olympic runner from 1912 that had his medal taken away. If you look online, you will see a lengthy list of people and countries that have had their medals stripped from them.
Why do people compete? Why are there reality competition shows ad-nauseum on TV? Because people like recognition and rewards.
The Bible tells us that not only are there rewards in heaven, but that we should want to get them. The word “Reward” is used 36 times in the NT in reference to what God will give us and what we should strive for.
Rewards.
How many like to watch the award shows on TV? Did you know there are at least 15 different award shows that happen in or around Hollywood?
No matter what people may say, everyone likes to receive awards or rewards.
How many remember Jim Thorpe? He's an Olympic runner from 1912 that had his medal taken away. If you look online, you will see a lengthy list of people and countries that have had their medals stripped from them.
Why do people compete? Why are there reality competition shows ad-nauseum on TV? Because people like recognition and rewards.
The Bible tells us that not only are there rewards in heaven, but that we should want to get them. The word “Reward” is used 36 times in the NT in reference to what God will give us and what we should strive for.
There is going to be an award show for all believers, but not all believers will get a reward.
This is not to see whether we get into heaven or not.
This is to judge the works we have done on earth prior to getting to heaven.
This is to judge the works we have done on earth prior to getting to heaven.
How many watch Dancing with the Stars? There was a misreading of the winners and someone who thought they were safe, actually wasn’t.
Can you imagine thinking you might win, only to find out that you not only not going to win, but were actually on the bottom of the list?
Imagine getting to heaven thinking you should get some kind of reward only to be passed over and receive nothing.
You get in, but are embarrassed when you do.
And there will be no appeals process, no second chance, no trying to explain yourself or make excuses why you didn’t.
Can you imagine thinking you might win, only to find out that you not only not going to win, but were actually on the bottom of the list?
Imagine getting to heaven thinking you should get some kind of reward only to be passed over and receive nothing.
You get in, but are embarrassed when you do.
And there will be no appeals process, no second chance, no trying to explain yourself or make excuses why you didn’t.
So what kind of rewards are waiting for us?
There may be several, but only 5 types are listed. These are referred to as crowns.
So let’s look at each of these 5.
There may be several, but only 5 types are listed. These are referred to as crowns.
So let’s look at each of these 5.
THE VICTOR’S OR ATHLETE’S CROWN
Corinth was a city in Greece and the readers would be very familiar with the Olympic and Isthmian Games that were held there.
The Isthmian games were actually held in Corinth and the people in Corinth would have probably attended them.
And running a race is an analogy that everyone would relate to.
Any athlete has to dedicate his / her life to just winning the Olympics. Every waking hour was spent in training and preparation.
It takes dedication, self-control and sacrifice.
These are qualities that Paul says believers need to have if we want to receive this crown in heaven. The athlete denies himself things he wants in order to do the things he needs to do.
If we want this reward, we also need to say no to things we might want in order to do what we need to do.
Athletes and competitors keep junk food away so they can eat only that which makes them healthy and strong. We need to keep the spiritual junk out of our lives so we can stay biblically strong and healthy.
The Isthmian games were actually held in Corinth and the people in Corinth would have probably attended them.
And running a race is an analogy that everyone would relate to.
Any athlete has to dedicate his / her life to just winning the Olympics. Every waking hour was spent in training and preparation.
It takes dedication, self-control and sacrifice.
These are qualities that Paul says believers need to have if we want to receive this crown in heaven. The athlete denies himself things he wants in order to do the things he needs to do.
If we want this reward, we also need to say no to things we might want in order to do what we need to do.
Athletes and competitors keep junk food away so they can eat only that which makes them healthy and strong. We need to keep the spiritual junk out of our lives so we can stay biblically strong and healthy.
You can’t un-see things. It will always be a tool the enemy brings back to your memory.
1st: That is probably most things on TV, movies FB, anything on line, coming in thru the eye gate.
2nd: We also can’t treat our bodies with contempt. Alcohol, drugs, bad food, sexual immorality. All these can lead to a sick physical body. Making you unable to keep up with God’s plan for you.
3rd: Part of winning this particular crown also involves, attitudes, tempers. To be self-controlled.
Self-control is a fruit of the spirit.
1st: That is probably most things on TV, movies FB, anything on line, coming in thru the eye gate.
2nd: We also can’t treat our bodies with contempt. Alcohol, drugs, bad food, sexual immorality. All these can lead to a sick physical body. Making you unable to keep up with God’s plan for you.
3rd: Part of winning this particular crown also involves, attitudes, tempers. To be self-controlled.
Self-control is a fruit of the spirit.
An athlete shouldn’t have an attitude or a bad temper that takes his attention away from training.
Training for a game and living the Christian life should be one that is sefl-controlled. Athletes don’t do a lot of things because of their training and desire to win.
But there are things that they DO. And there are things that believers need to do to prepare ourselves for that reward.
And again these all involve self-discipline.
Elbert Hubbard-prolific author in the early 1900’s said this:
“Self-discipline is the ability to do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”
Training for a game and living the Christian life should be one that is sefl-controlled. Athletes don’t do a lot of things because of their training and desire to win.
But there are things that they DO. And there are things that believers need to do to prepare ourselves for that reward.
And again these all involve self-discipline.
Elbert Hubbard-prolific author in the early 1900’s said this:
“Self-discipline is the ability to do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”
We have to remember that self-control or self-discipline depends on spirit control! Or Spirit-discipline.
This last verse tells us that God’s grace teaches us to say NO. As we yield to what God’s word says and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are more easily able to say no to things we shouldn’t do and yes to things we are told to do.
At that point we are exercising self-discipline. And we are running the race to get that crown.
This last verse tells us that God’s grace teaches us to say NO. As we yield to what God’s word says and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are more easily able to say no to things we shouldn’t do and yes to things we are told to do.
At that point we are exercising self-discipline. And we are running the race to get that crown.
THE CROWN OF REJOICING OR SOUL WINNING CROWN
This is the crown we will receive for our soul winning or leading people to Christ.
Paul was telling these people who got saved under his ministry, that they were the reason for this crown.
But this is not only for the people who actually get the privilege or leading someone, but also for all those who play a part in them coming to know Christ.
But this is not only for the people who actually get the privilege or leading someone, but also for all those who play a part in them coming to know Christ.
You may pray and witness to people for years and not see any change. But maybe after you’re gone or just out of their life, someone is able to pray with them, it’s because you planted or watered and God let someone else make it grow.
Bill Bright-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ among other great things, won many people to Christ. His secret was this:
“Although I have shared Christ personally with many thousands of people through the years, I am a rather reserved person and I do not always find it easy to witness. But I have made this my practice, and I urge you to do the same: Assume that whenever you are alone with someone for more than a few moments, you are there by divine appointment to explain to that person the love and forgiveness he can know through faith in Jesus Christ.”
I’d be happy to get this reward, but I think I’d be more happy that people were in heaven because I planted or watered a seed in their lives.
This is actually one kind of reward that we can get here. The reward of knowing that something you said or did resulted in someone coming to know Christ.
That knowledge alone should make us walk on cloud 9.
“Although I have shared Christ personally with many thousands of people through the years, I am a rather reserved person and I do not always find it easy to witness. But I have made this my practice, and I urge you to do the same: Assume that whenever you are alone with someone for more than a few moments, you are there by divine appointment to explain to that person the love and forgiveness he can know through faith in Jesus Christ.”
I’d be happy to get this reward, but I think I’d be more happy that people were in heaven because I planted or watered a seed in their lives.
This is actually one kind of reward that we can get here. The reward of knowing that something you said or did resulted in someone coming to know Christ.
That knowledge alone should make us walk on cloud 9.
THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS OR THE MARTYR’S CROWN
Paul was writing his last letter and knew his time had come . . .
Paul was writing his last letter and knew his time had come . . .
Do we look forward to Jesus’ coming? Are we excited to see the rapture?
Anticipation has been shown to have healing properties. Kind of like Hope.
There was an old Carly Simon song called “Anticipation” and Coke used it in one of their commercials. It showed a slow motion film of coke being poured into a glass and that song behind it.
But this is something that we aren’t surprised at, but something we know is coming and we look forward to it, we know it’s coming and we can’t wait until it does.
If we are eagerly anticipating Jesus’ return, then we should also make sure we are ready for it. If you’re not living right, then you probably aren’t too excited to see Jesus come back
Anticipation has been shown to have healing properties. Kind of like Hope.
There was an old Carly Simon song called “Anticipation” and Coke used it in one of their commercials. It showed a slow motion film of coke being poured into a glass and that song behind it.
But this is something that we aren’t surprised at, but something we know is coming and we look forward to it, we know it’s coming and we can’t wait until it does.
If we are eagerly anticipating Jesus’ return, then we should also make sure we are ready for it. If you’re not living right, then you probably aren’t too excited to see Jesus come back
If we are eagerly awaiting, then we are probably already anticipating and living like he’s coming back today.
THE CROWN OF LIFE
This is given in recognition of enduring and triumphing over temptations and trials.
The reason we endure these is because of our love and trust in Christ. And we keep it up until he takes us home or we are raptured.
Pretty much every New Testament book was written to Christians who were in fear for their lives. Every apostle except John was martyred and John was exiled on an island.
Today, believers are being killed in other countries for their faith. They will all receive this crown.
The reason we endure these is because of our love and trust in Christ. And we keep it up until he takes us home or we are raptured.
Pretty much every New Testament book was written to Christians who were in fear for their lives. Every apostle except John was martyred and John was exiled on an island.
Today, believers are being killed in other countries for their faith. They will all receive this crown.
Right now, without getting into politics, the church here is just beginning to feel a little bit of this.
In all these countries, either the government is doing the persecution or allows it to happen.
Here is the US, Churches being forced to close, fined into bankruptcy, pastors being arrested for having outside church. People in their cars in a drive in church being fined.
If this trend continues and the government continues to exercise more and more authoritarian powers, this scenario will wind up here.
But unfortunately, the Bible tells us pretty plainly that we should expect this.
In all these countries, either the government is doing the persecution or allows it to happen.
Here is the US, Churches being forced to close, fined into bankruptcy, pastors being arrested for having outside church. People in their cars in a drive in church being fined.
If this trend continues and the government continues to exercise more and more authoritarian powers, this scenario will wind up here.
But unfortunately, the Bible tells us pretty plainly that we should expect this.
The question is, if this comes our way, will we be able to endure?
THE CROWN OF GLORY
This crown is for those who shepherd others. Pastors, Sunday School teachers, small group leaders. All those who have an influence on others through teaching, training or coaching.
We are all responsible for others in our sphere of influence.
It may be your family, your Bible study buddies, your women’s or men’s get togethers.
Wherever you have to ability to teach or lead others, we should lead or teach them because we want to, not lording it over them, eager for them to learn and grow in Christ!
We are all responsible for others in our sphere of influence.
It may be your family, your Bible study buddies, your women’s or men’s get togethers.
Wherever you have to ability to teach or lead others, we should lead or teach them because we want to, not lording it over them, eager for them to learn and grow in Christ!
Now what do we do with these crowns when we get them? Do we put them on a shelf and admire them? Do we actually wear them?
No, these are rewards that allow us to present them to Jesus Christ.
No, these are rewards that allow us to present them to Jesus Christ.
Some commentators believe the 24 elders represent all believers. So all believers will be there, to present to Christ, the crowns they have been rewarded with.
Have you ever been to a party where they said “don’t bring anything” and you wind up being the only person without a gift?
We don’t want to be the only ones around Jesus without anything to lay before him. Because the crowns aren’t the most important reward. It just gives us something to present to Christ.
Being with Jesus is the greatest reward.
Have you ever been to a party where they said “don’t bring anything” and you wind up being the only person without a gift?
We don’t want to be the only ones around Jesus without anything to lay before him. Because the crowns aren’t the most important reward. It just gives us something to present to Christ.
Being with Jesus is the greatest reward.
Thank you for joining us!
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our website and follow us on social media @doverassembly! Have a great week!
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