Brothers and sisters, today’s topic for Treasures for the Soul is Know that the church is the firstborn. Hebrews Chapter 12 mentions that the church is “the assembly of the firstborn,” which means that the church is the church of the firstborn. Being the firstborn shows that we have an important position in God’s eternal plan and love. It also shows the church’s honour, glory, blessedness and enjoyment. The Lord is the One foreshadowed in the Old Testament. It’s so precious that He has already come. He shed His blood for us and offered up Himself once for all. Therefore, today, we no longer need to offer sacrifices, but we can enjoy the new covenant that He has established for us. The Lord is the mediator of the better covenant.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “What is in the heavenly Jerusalem (2)?”

This message clearly explains what is in the heavenly Jerusalem through Hebrews 12:22-24;  in particular, about the angels in festal gathering and the assembly of the firstborn. It’s very precious that the angels are joyful because of us. Even the angels are so joyful, how much more should we rejoice since we are the firstborn of God? The assembly of the firstborn is the church. Revelation chapter 5 shows us a clear example of what it’s like in heaven. There’s the throne, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. We are so blessed that we will need eternity to enjoy the blessings.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “What is in the heavenly Jerusalem (1)?”

New Jerusalem is the Bride, the wife of the Lamb and the house of the Father. It’s the accomplishment and perfect fulfillment of God’s will. Revelation tells us in New Jerusalem, there’s the river of the water of life, the throne of God, and the lamp is the Lamb, etc. Hebrews 12:22-24 says we are the assembly of the firstborn in New Jerusalem. God, the judge of all, is our Father. In Him is a just and impartial judgement and forgiveness. He justifies us. There are also saints from the Old Testament, innumerable angels, and Jesus, our mediator of the new covenant. God has given us the greatest blessing and warmth.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of  Treasures for the Soul is Having Come to the Heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrews 12:22 mentions that we “have come to… the heavenly Jerusalem”. This word “come,” or “draw near,” is also mentioned in other chapters of Hebrews. For example, in chapter 4, it says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” (verse 16). In chapter 7, it talks about “Those who draw near to God through Him” (verse 25). In chapter 10, it says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (verse 22). These verses help us understand more concretely what it means to come to the heavenly Jerusalem. The old saints who have fallen asleep have gone to the heavenly Jerusalem. When we draw near to God, our spirits should also be directed towards this place. The whole New Jerusalem is the Most Holy Place. It’s so precious that every day, we can really live in the Most Holy Place.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “Coming to Mount Zion (3): to Live in Grace.”

The Bible says God hates wickedness. Revelation tells us the Lord is the Lamb, but it also talks about the wrath of the Lamb. Behind God’s hatred of wickedness is a very deep love to us. We are not saved by the works of the law, but by receiving the Lord’s salvation and His grace. The Lord has already been crucified. It’s very precious that after we believed, we have come to Mount Zion—to live in grace. Romans 5:2 says “Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand…” God has given us the greatest grace, and He will lead many sons to glory.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “Coming to Mount Zion (2): the difficulty in forgiveness of sins.”

It is extremely difficult for God to forgive sins. First, He abhors sins. Second, sin has deeply hurt man and kept them separated from God. Third, the Infinite God has to consider all things - He can't just forgive sins, because He wants man to understand the seriousness of sin. Fourth, God also needs to ensure those who will be born in eternity will not sin. It’s so precious that God is responsible to the end. Therefore, through the salvation on the cross, He has completely solved the problem of sin, so that our sins can be forgiven. Through eternity, the Lord’s government and peace will have no end.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “Coming to Mount Zion (1): the meaning of Mount Sinai.”

Hebrews chapter 12 talks about Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. It’s a contrast between the law and grace. Mount Sinai represents the old covenant. People of Israel were boastful of the law. Unfortunately, they didn’t live them out. It’s very precious that things have changed after we believed in the Lord. We no longer need to observe the festivities nor go to the temple, etc. On the contrary, we enjoy the new covenant, which is more excellent. We do not merely have the glory on the outside, while having desolation inside, continuously struggling in sins. We have received the blessings of the new covenant, and we will not be condemned. We have been set free, because Christ has come.

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is “See that the Lord is at the right hand of the Father.”

The Lord being in glory is not something abstract. In Acts chapter 7, Stephen gazed into the heavens and saw the Lord at the right hand of the Father. Colossians also mentions that Christ is at the right hand of God. At the same time, He is our life. He deeply influences and nourishes us. Although the Lord is in glory, His Spirit is also in us, united with us. The Lord is not far from us. Let us see definitively that the Lord is in heaven, at the right hand of the Father. We also enjoy Him giving us life and nourishment.

Brothers and sisters, the topic for today’s Treasures for the Soul is “Understand how our spirit works and be heart to heart with the Lord continuously.” This is the conclusion of this series. We learn from many Bible passages that we need to be heart to heart with the Lord, to continuously enjoy His provisions and to let Him give us life. In order to do so, we must guard our minds. What we see and hear will affect our mind. Being heart to heart with the Lord includes thinking of Him, living before Him, and praying unceasingly. The Lord has given us peace and our hearts should not be troubled. This also implies that our hearts are not affected or disturbed by other things. In particular, in this age of overwhelming information, we really need to guard our minds well and to stay before the Lord continually.

Brothers and sisters, in today’s Treasures for the Soul, we will continue with the message series on “Understand how our spirit works and be heart to heart with the Lord continuously.” And today’s topic is “Live according to the Holy Spirit, and He gives us life.” Romans 8: 5 talks about setting our mind on the things of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us to the Lord so that we can enjoy life and peace. Galatians 5:16-24 talks about “walk by the Spirit” and be “led by the Spirit.” We walk by the Spirit to gain life. All this is related to life. The Lord Jesus is the last Adam. 1 Corinthians 15:45 tells us that He is a “life-giving Spirit.” The Lord is living in us. It’s important that we guard our mind, and experience Him giving us life and providing for us.