Jesus

Heavenly Questions – Work and Relationships in Heaven

/ Bob

Will we have work to do in Heaven or will we float around on clouds playing our lyres? I’m figuring that such mental conjurrings are the result of not being able to comprehend Heaven and forcing the brain to conceive of some ethereal existence which is totally contrary to our existence hereon earth. Or perhaps it’s from watching too many Tom and Jerry cartons where Tom dies and immediately floats up to the clouds in hiss glistening, white gown. Either way, we know it ain’t gonna be the same as here and now so then and there must be something really strange. However, work will definitely be a part of Heaven. Furthermore, our personhood and the personhood of those around us – not our ethereal gowns and heavenly banjos – will be a part of what makes Heaven heavenly.

Consider the following reasonings:

– God created a perfect world called the Garden of Eden.

– The New Heaven and the New Earth are called “paradiesos” – Greek for Paradise or garden.

– God will be reconstructing His perfect Garden – Paradise – which we call Heaven.

– When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, they were given work to do.

– We will work in the Garden, that is Paradise, by tending to the Garden, cultivating our new world and enjoying God and all other Paradise residents forever. It won’t be boring and since we will exist outside of time, we won’t even have time to get bored.

‘Nuff said.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, June 1, 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Heaven & Angels: Our Eternal Home and Its Heavenly Hosts. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/heaven-angels-study-guide/ . Handouts with class presentation content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Class Notes – 06.01.2025 – Heavenly Questions & Lesson 4–Exploring HeavenDownload

Heavenly Questions – Will There Be Pets and Time in Heaven?

/ Bob

As we ask the question, “In Heaven, will we be aware of events happening on earth?” we need to answer the question of the significance or insignificance of time in Heaven. We addressed that question as well as the question, “Will there be animals and pets in Heaven?” in Sunday morning’s session.

So, concerning the presence of animals in Heaven, the scripture gives many passages which point out the importance of animals in God’s creation and the value He places on them. From the Creation account to the deliverance of animals on the ark to Jesus himself declaring the care God provides for the birds we see God’s heart when it comes to the animal kingdom.

Pets, however, are not mentioned specifically in scripture largely because people did not keep pets in Israel in the first century, unlike the Roman culture of the day in which the keeping of all kinds of pets was somewhat common. There is the story of Nathan exhorting David and using the tender relationship between a man and his lamb, but that’s about it. So . . . . will there be pets in Heaven? I believe so, but it’s my opinion – not biblical fact.

God has blessed us with animals to enjoy at the beginning of time. Those who are pet owners know that they are blessed by the animals they affectionately consider to be a part of the family. In the 84th Psalm – a Psalm in which David declares the blessings of dwelling in the House of the Lord – David says, “For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” (Psalm 84:11) That promise of God not withholding any good thing is one that I personally believe could apply to the good thing that God has given us here on earth in the relationship with our pets.

Concerning time – God is timeless. He exists outside of time. And yet we are told very specifically in Revelation that we – being very much tied to time – will dwell with God. We cannot in our space-time continuum conceive of existence outside of time, but it will happen. At that point, events which take place within the space-time continuum here on earth will be viewed from a radically different viewpoint. The insignificance of time in Heaven will be very significant indeed.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, May 25, 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Heaven & Angels: Our Eternal Home and Its Heavenly Hosts. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/heaven-angels-study-guide/ . Handouts with class presentation content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Class Notes – 05.25.2025 -Heavenly Questions – Pets and WorkDownload

Heavenly Questions – Answers to Questions About Heaven: Awareness of Earthly Events in Heaven

/ Bob

Today’s question is “In Heaven, will we be aware of events happening on earth?” My answer is, “I don’t know.” It’s one of those Biblical questions that doesn’t have a definitive answer. Therefore, we look to the scriptures for guidance as we ponder the question. We begin by acknowledging that we cannot know all there is to know or there would be no need of faith. We look to the Bible and only the Bible. We avoid proof-texting, that is basing our beliefs on a single verse taken out of context. Finally, we let the Spirit guide us.

So, concerning our awareness in Heaven of earthly events we read that everyone in Heaven rejoices over a sinner who repents. (Luke 15:7 & 10) We saw that Samuel had knowledge in Sheol of Saul’s past, present, and future events. (1 Samuel 28:15-19) We saw in the account of the Transfiguration that Moses and Elijah were aware of the impending death of Jesus. (Luke 9:30-31) Then we have accounts of citizens of Heaven questioning earthly events and rejoicing over earthly events. (Revelation 6:9-11; & 18:20) These passages are descriptive and do not necessarily prescribe any set pattern, but they do give us something to think about.

We then looked at passages that describe how we will think and perceive things with complete understanding for we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him and we will not see things as in a dim mirror, but fully and completely. (! Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2) The conclusion to draw from this is that whether we are aware of any earthly events or not, we will see them all through the loving and understanding eyes of Jesus. It will be beyond our wildest comprehension for “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, May 18, 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Heaven & Angels: Our Eternal Home and Its Heavenly Hosts. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/heaven-angels-study-guide/ . Handouts with class presentation content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Class Notes – 05.18.2025 -Heavenly QuestionsDownload

Opening the Door to Heaven– Hebrews 11:8-16

/ Bob

Is Heaven real? What is Heaven? Where is Heaven? Why is there a Heaven? These are just a few of the questions we will be answering in the coming weeks. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. What we sometimes forget is that He created Heaven on earth when He created the Garden of Eden. Those first inhabitants of that Garden contaminated it with their sin. That act of corruption caused God to banish them from the Garden . . . until . . . when He so chooses . . . He restores His Garden – His Heaven on Earth when He establishes the New Heaven and the New Earth.

I n Revelation 2:7b Jesus says, “To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise [Garden] of God.” In Revelation 21:1-4 John records, “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’  for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ ”

Finally, in Revelation 22 John speaks of the restored Garden as he describes the River of the Water of Life flowing through it with the The Tree of Life – yes, The Tree of Life from the original Garden – growing on both sides of the River. The restoration will be complete and we will dwell in Paradise – the Garden of God – for all eternity. We call it Heaven, but in reality we’ll be home – home where we belonged in the first place.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, April 27, 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Heaven & Angels: Our Eternal Home and Its Heavenly Hosts. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/heaven-angels-study-guide/ . Handouts with class presentation content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Class Notes – 04.27.2025 -Welcome to Heaven – Hebrews 11.8-16Download

Humbly Feed His Sheep– 1 Peter 5:1-6

/ Bob

After His resurrection, Jesus met and ate with His disciples on the shore of Lake Galilee. He had already appeared to them more than once, but this time was a little different. The disciples were on the lake fishing largely because Peter had told the group, “I’m going fishing” whereupon the others decided to join him. Jesus called to them from the shore and, true to form for the Master, gave them a lesson in fishing. When they realized it was Jesus, Peter leapt from the boat so that he could get to shore faster.

They had a fish fry right there on the spot. Jesus took some bread and shared it with the disciples and then he gave them all some fish. (Note the similarity to the meal they had the night before He was crucified.) This was the 3rd time Jesus had met with them. Then Jesus spoke with Peter directly. Peter no doubt remembered on this 3rd visit with his Lord the 3 times he had denied knowing Him. Then Jesus proceeds to ask Him 3 questions which were sort of the same question each time. 3 times Peter answered and 3 times Jesus told Him to shepherd His flock.

When we arrive at 1 Peter 5 we find Peter telling the elders of the church to shepherd the flock of Jesus. Coincidence? I think not. Nor do I think it a coincidence that Peter told them to clothe themselves with humility in doing so. Peter had learned true humility when confronted with the true grace of God. Hopefully, they would listen to him since his instructions were not only given to him by the Holy Spirit, but they were also borne out in his personal experience.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, April 6, 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Hunger for Holiness: Living Pure in an impure World. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/hunger-for-holiness-1-peter-digital-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Class Notes – 04.06.2025 – Humbly Feed His Sheep – 1 Peter 5.1-6Download

Rejoice in Suffering– 1 Peter 4:12-19

/ Bob

As Peter wraps us his discourse on suffering he delivers several timely thoughts. He tells the believers not to be surprised that they have to endure hardships. Here he echoes the message of Jesus in John 15 that hatred (and subsequent trials) are part of being a follower of Christ. He was hated and they would be hated as well. Furthermore, they could rejoice in their sufferings just as Jesus said they should in Matthew 5:11-12. “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4:14)

He sums up this section of his letter with this statement in verse 19: “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.” In other words, as a follower of Christ, rejoice when you suffer for His name’s sake and trust God as you continue to honor Him with your holy living.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Hunger for Holiness: Living Pure in an impure World. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/hunger-for-holiness-1-peter-digital-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Class Notes – 03.23.2025 – Rejoice in Suffering – 1 Peter 4.12-19Download

Holy Homelife– 1 Peter 3:1-7

/ Bob

In several New Testament passages we find Instructions concerning the home environment for Christians. Colossians 3:18-19; Titus 2:3-5; Ephesians 5:22-27; and the passage for today’s lesson – 1 Peter 3:1-7 – all give such instruction. While all of these verses outline the roles of husbands and wives, the message from Peter is much more pointed.

Peter has been focused on holiness since the beginning of his letter. The Christians who were the recipients of this letter were facing severe oppression and persecution. Peter encouraged them to remain faithful. His point was that Christians had to live their lives in such a way that their devotion to Christ would be evident to all. They were to be holy – set apart – different – living lives that were obviously “out of this world.” And this included life in the home.

WIVES are to show proper honor to their husbands. They should not put undue emphasis on outward beauty, but let their Godly, inward beauty be seen in all they do and say. HUSBANDS are to be understanding and loving toward their wives and honor them as equal heirs in God’s grace.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, February 23, 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Hunger for Holiness: Living Pure in an impure World. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/hunger-for-holiness-1-peter-digital-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Class Notes – 02.23.2025 – Marriage Made in Heaven – 1 Peter 3.1-7Download

Living Honorably As Aliens In a Foreign Land – 1 Peter 2:11-17

/ Bob

Do you ever feel like a “fish out of water?” Have you ever felt like you simply don’t belong? Peter addresses the isolation and uncertainty that comes with being a stranger in the place where you live. Moreover, he gives encouragement and practical advice on how to live in your world as a Christian and share you faith in a kind, respectful, and loving way.

In this passage he helps us look at our relationships with the people around us – family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and casual acquaintances. He then goes on to show how we should relate to people in the political arena. He sums up this this section of his letter with 4 simple yet life changing statements: honor all people; love your fellow believers; respect God above all others; and honor the king. (1 Peter 2:17)

We must ask ourselves if all of our interactions with people are honorable. – talking face to face, calling, texting, emailing, memoing, posting, commenting, liking, disliking, looking, listening, smiling, laughing, giving, sharing, holding, touching, crying, hugging, praying, etc. etc. etc. Are our actions honorable, respectful, loving and, moreover, do they point to Jesus?

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, February 9, 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Hunger for Holiness: Living Pure in an impure World. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/hunger-for-holiness-1-peter-digital-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Class Notes – 02.09.2025 – Living Honorably – 1 Peter 2.11-17Download

Candlemas & Groundhog Day

/ Bob

February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple, or Candlemas, commemorating the occasion when Mary, in obedience to Jewish law (Leviticus 12:1-8; Exodus 13:1-2,11-15), went to the Temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son, Jesus, and to present him to God as her firstborn (Luke 2:22–38).

Candlemas falls on Groundhog Day, but the first known Candlemas reference was in the 4th century, so it predates our groundhog. Each year the eyes of the weather world focus on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see if Phil sees his shadow. This tradition came out of an old English poem about Candlemas:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Come winter, have another flight.

If Candlemas bring clouds and rain,

Go winter, and come not again.

So, it looks like we are giving a nod to Candlemas when we watch Phil searching for his shadow. Pretty cool. Isn’t it interesting to find the Christian roots behind our traditions?

Candlemas has several traditions depending on the cultural and religious context. Here are a few ways it’s celebrated:

  1. Christian Traditions:
    • Blessing of Candles: Churches often bless candles on this day, symbolizing Jesus Christ as the light of the world. Congregants may bring candles from home to be blessed, which they then use for the rest of the year.
    • Processions: Some communities hold processions with candles to symbolize bringing light into the world.
  2. Weather Lore:
    • In some cultures, Candlemas is linked to weather predictions. As the poem suggests, the weather on Candlemas Day is thought to predict the remaining length of winter. This tradition is similar to Groundhog Day in the United States.
  3. Festive Meals:
    • In some regions, people celebrate with special meals or desserts. For example, in France, it’s traditional to make crêpes on Candlemas (La Chandeleur).
  4. Purification and Presentation:
    • For many Christians, Candlemas commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the purification of Mary, as described in the Gospel of Luke.

It’s a time rich with symbolism and history, celebrating both the end of the Christmas season and the hope of light (The Light) returning as winter wanes.

The Living Stone, The Cornerstone, and The Sure Foundation– 1 Peter 2:1-10

/ Bob

Peter becomes the construction manager in the 2nd chapter of his letter. He lays out the blueprints and explains how the church is to be built. Jesus is the foundation on which we build our lives. Jesus is cornerstone. Jesus is the capstone. Jesus is the Living Stone. Jesus is also the stumbling stone for those who refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord.

He also points out that we are living stones which will be the building blocks for the kingdom. And he goes on to point out that we are a royal priesthood of the faith. As he does so, the image of Christians as the Temple of God becomes clear. Just as the Temple was the place where the faithful went to find love, mercy, hope, and faithfulness, now we as the Living Temple should be the place where people go to find the same love, hope, and faithfulness of God through the Gospel Message of Jesus, the Messiah.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, January 26 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Hunger for Holiness: Living Pure in an impure World. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/hunger-for-holiness-1-peter-digital-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Class Notes – 01.26.2025 – The Living Stone – 1 Peter 2.1-10Download