Your Charter Flight 

Good morning, everyone from Pastor Todd Boxley, Welcome to “Try Jesus!” If this is your first time joining us, it’s great to have you with us. I would like to thank all the new members for joining “Try Jesus.” Also welcome those in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Alaska, and Tennessee.

How many of you feel we are living in the last days? The last days have been the last days since transgression. Non-believers criticize the body of Christ for speaking about destructive times that are coming.

But what they fell to understand is that sin brings judgment and God’s wrath on the unrepentant. God loves his creation, but because he is holy, he cannot be one with sin. As the world continues in depravity, things will inevitably get worse.

Christians see the end times with joy because they will soon be reunited with their Savior and King! Praise God’s wonderful plan of redemption! Let’s look to the redeemer of our souls.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us another day to rejoice in grace, mercy, and love. This is the day you alone have made, help us to be glad and rejoice in it! Thank you, for keeping us throughout the week and providing all that we need.

Lord, this morning we come before you today with humble hearts and faith. We ask for your guidance and strength. Show us the way and fill us with courage and wisdom. Holy Spirit, open our hearts to receive the true word today.

Help us to remember your love and grace and to be faithful in our service to you. Give us the patience and understanding to face life’s challenges with grace. We ask these things in your precious name, Amen.”

Last week we spoke about traveling and how it impacts one’s life. Today, we are still traveling. Let’s say, this is part two of your travel itinerary. Let’s begin with a question. How many of you have a favorite seat?

Did you know people find comfort in finding a seat that adds to their daily routines? What’s your favorite seat in your home? What’s your favorite seat at your local restaurant? How about attending a sporting event?

Some of you have a favorite seat when visiting family or friends. Some of you watch your favorite TV personalities have their favorite seating comfort space. When traveling, which airline seat is your favorite?

I recall watching an old repeat of Sanford and Son in which Fred and Lamont were going to visit a family member who had passed away. They needed to get there quickly, so they would have to fly.

Fred was terrified of flying and tried to get a seat and ticket for any other mode of transportation. But there was money involved so he gave in to Lamont’s encouragement about safe airline travel.

Once they arrived, they went through the security checkpoint before boarding the plane. As Fred walked through, he kept sounding the alarm. The security guy proceeded to check Fred with his wand. He then asked Fred to empty his pockets.

Fred kept delaying, so Lamont asked for what was in his pocket. Fred had a chain that had on it “A crucifix, A St.
Christopher’s Medal, A star of David, A crescent of Islam, a Buddha, and a mojo!”

Lamont asked him, “What do you need all these things for?” Fred told him “It’s flight insurance.” “On the ground I’m a Baptist, but up there I ain’t taking no chances.” The first time I saw that episode, I laughed so hard until tears came.

In this episode Fred and Lamont’s destination was St. Louis, Missouri. Fred was asked about which seat he preferred. “You wanna sit next to the window? No, there ain’t nothing out there I want to see.”

Fred was also concerned about the safety features the stewardess went over. Fred wanted everything of safety right next to his seat. That included a emergency window. (Which are only located in certain sections of the plane).

Fred’s seat became more and more uncomfortable. Before the plane took off, he went through every detail of things that could very easily kill him while on the ground. Drinking, heart attack, high cholesterol food, etc.

When I watched this episode, I was not a Christian at that time. But since I’ve lived on this side of God’s saving grace, I went back and looked at those things that Fred initially put his trust in.

Fred put his trust in titles, thinking these would carry him into the arms of God if the plane would crash. “A crucifix, A St.
Christopher’s Medal, A star of David, Acrescent of Islam, a Buddha, and a mojo!”

In essence, Fred thought that any doctrinal religion would keep him safe. Are all religions the same? Do all religions take you to that designated place? (Heaven).

Today, there are people who still trust in man’s way of ascending to heaven than what Jesus spoke about how one gains entrance into his Kingdom. The gospel (good news) is not complicated.

Jesus made it very clear to Nicodemus how one gains entrance into heaven. Please prayerfully read these verses aloud to yourself or to those who may be in your Bible study group.

3} Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4} Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5} Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6} That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7} Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8} The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9} Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10} Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11} Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12} If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13} And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” (John 3:3-13 KJV). What an amazing show of love Jesus took in explaining things to Nicodemus.

Did you know there are still people today who struggle with the term “Born-again?” Why? You simply have two births that are defined by Jesus, a physical birth, and a spiritual birth. Nicodemus was an intelligent person.

He was a devout Pharisee. Jesus revealed to him that the Kingdom would come to the whole world (John 3:16), not just the Jews. This spiritual birth was something he hadn’t fathom possible.

[Jesus’ Kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic, and his entrance requirements are repentance and spiritual rebirth. Jesus later taught that God’s Kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers (Luke 17:21).]

When people repent of their sins and turn to Jesus for forgiveness by asking him to be Lord of their lives, their name is placed in his book of life (Revelation 20:12-15). Those who reject God’s plan of salvation or believe he doesn’t exist will be cast into a lake of fire.

It’s not God’s will that any should perish and be sent away from his presence. Since spirits do not die, in their unregenerated state, they cannot live in heaven with a holy God (Revelation 20:10-15; 21:8).

This is a spiritual death. Jesus did not create hell for humans. (Matthew 25:41). This is not a place just for criminals, rapist, murderers, or child molesters. It’s also a place for the religious (Matthew John 8:42-45).

[Nicodemus undoubtedly would have been familiar with God’s promise to give a new heart and a new spirit to the faithful (Ezekiel 36:25-26). Jesus was explaining the importance of a spiritual rebirth.]

Today, God’s plan of salvation has not changed. People enter the Kingdom not by living a better life but by receiving a new life from God. It’s a top-down conversion, not a down up (my way conversion).

But since we are still talking about travel in today’s message, there are many who feel they can get to their destinations by charter flights. Have you ever been on a charter flight? Or maybe you own your own plane.

☆ Many people who use charter flights have far more flexibility than their scheduled counterparts, serving virtually any destination around the world, with itineraries that are tailored for every flight.

They are unscheduled and are not available as part of the regular routing offered by commercial airlines. No waiting in line. No security screenings. No baggage claims or malfunctioning carousels.

You don’t have to arrive hours before your flight, either. Instead, the schedule is created around you. Some private airports allow you to pull your car alongside your plane on the tarmac. What a way to get to your destinations!

There are many high-end types of charting flying. Some are private charters, public charters, affinity charters, cargo charters, etc. Professional sports teams will fly in luxury and style in chartered flights. 

So, with all the various ways many travel the airways in luxury some have never seen before, Christians will one day be leaving this earth in a much spectacular way. There is a much, much, much, better way to get to your destination.

However, this destination is for true born-again children of God only. If you are alive when Jesus returns, this is one spiritual flight you do not want to miss. Last week I spoke about life in the departure and arrival.

That was more in living a full life in Christ as death approaches. This week involves the same scenario, but also knowing that Jesus could return at any moment to take us home. (Matthew 24:20-31; 35-42).

This is a one-way trip. There are no connecting spiritual flights needed. (false religions or doctrines). The end times will not be a summer picnic for the world. But for Christians, it shall be a beautiful reunion.

Paul gave a beautiful similar visual demonstration to those in Corinth. Please read these verses aloud for encouragement to your spirit. God is very pleased when we read his living words back to him.

49} “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50} Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51} Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:49-53 KJV). Christians alive on the day when Christ returns will not have to die but will be transformed immediately.

There will be no second spiritual flights for those left behind. There will be some who go through the tribulation period, face death, but will be with the Lord. (Revelation 7:13-15).

Paul explained more about this taking up, (rapture) to those in Thessalonica. 16} “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17} Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18} Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV).

Those who will be caught up (snatched away) from this corrupt world, will be ushered in with a trumpet blast. Soon after, the old sinful world will be burned up and a new heaven and earth will be brought in its place (2 Peter 3:9-13).

There are many religions today that feel and teach there are many ways to God’s Kingdom. They will ask, “What makes you Christians think Jesus is the only way?” Well, because Jesus himself said he is the only way, truth, and life to his Kingdom (John 10:1-10; 14:6).  ”Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”

John 14:6-7 BSB

https://bible.com/bible/3034/jhn.14.6-7.BSB

Have you ever tried to get on a plane going out of the country with someone else’s passport. Or maybe you’ve tried to use someone’s credit card to make purchases. Even still, maybe you’ve tried to use someone’s identity to receive death benefits.

The same way authorities will eventually catch up with them down here, God will immediately know whether you have been blood washed and born again by the Spirit prior to your death.

You see my friends, you must be fit spiritually to rise up and meet Jesus in the air. Just as you would not get on a plane headed for Alaska in January wearing a two-piece bathing suit, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God without being spiritually transformed.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Just as he was resurrected with a glorified body, we too shall be resurrected to a new life and a body like Jesus has (1 John 3:1-2).

”Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.“

1 John 3:1-2 BSB

https://bible.com/bible/3034/1jn.3.1-2.BSB

Born-again Christians will have eternal, resurrected bodies. They will be free from sin and pain, and will have much more understanding than they do now on earth. The Bible tells us he will not remember our sins anymore (Hebrews 8:12-13).

God purifies us perfectly upon going to be with Jesus (raptured). But we must also take steps to remain pure before we leave this earth. (1 Timothy 5:22; James 4:8; 1 Peter 1:22).

Every time we resist a temptation or turn from sin, we become more like Jesus while living on this earth. In closing, here is everything you need to know how you can be ready when Jesus returns to take you up on “Spirit Airlines.” 

Imagine your boarding pass (your body) looking something like this. Earthly body is perishable. A resurrected body is imperishable. Your body is sown in dishonor (sinful). It is raised in glory when born-again.

It was born and sown in weakness. But once saved, it shall be raised in power. It is a natural body at birth and carries the seed of sin. It is renewed by the Holy Spirit’s taking up residence in your life.

It comes from the dust, but once born-again, it will be raised to heaven. Remember my beloved friends, we all have different bodies here on earth. Jesus sees beyond these frail bodies. He sees our broken spirit.

People today see race in everything. Jesus came to give us eyes to see spiritually. That means loving a person deeper than the color of their skin. The flesh produces evil, hatred, thoughts, and separations, putting people in different flesh camps.

Jesus came to cross and destroy all racial barriers that Satan has put up and blinded their hearts. (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Samuel 16:7).

”The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.“

John 10:10 BSB

https://bible.com/bible/3034/jhn.10.10.BSB

”And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.“

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 BSB

https://bible.com/bible/3034/2co.4.3-4.BSB

Appearance doesn’t reveal what people are really like or what their true value is. Fortunately, God judges by faith and character, not appearance. Who spoke these famous words some time ago?

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”


🗣📢 Last words: Do you recall a time when you were away from home and desperately missed it? Maybe you were on your honeymoon or away visiting a family member. Do you remember how your heart ached for home? That’s how born-again

believers feel about heaven. We are a displaced people, longing for our home. All those who live in the flesh and those in the Spirit will be fully realized when Jesus returns again to judge the world and abolish evil forever (Revelation 21–22).

Those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ and accept him as Savior and Lord will live with him forever. Sin is the only barrier that keeps us from God. When you know Jesus, repent of your sin, and accept Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. 

Only Jesus can remove your sin, save you, and guaranteed you entrance into heaven. Alot of people have tried to predict the day of Christ’s return, but scripture is straightforward. No one knows the day or the hour.

Jesus said to stay awake because his coming will be a surprise. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15; 1 John 2:28-29 KJV).

The thing that matters is being ready every day for his return. Jesus does not give false gods or false christ that show the way to God. In 2024, He himself is the only way, the only truth, and the only life.

Are you ready to be caught up!


🛐 Here’s a prayer you can pray about not missing your spiritual flight to glory. “Heavenly Father, I pray that there will be no delays in my journey to the place you have prepared for me.

Thank you for every word of truth and instruction in keeping me from being left behind in this corrupt world. I pray that as I maneuver through this world day by day, that you would guide me through all of the enemy’s obstacles.

Lord be with me as my ever-present helper. Give me your peace in my heart as I have to go through the different checkpoints in my life. Lord, I pray that you would keep me safe when I travel.

Lord, keep me as the apple of your eye and be the lamp that lights my feet and the light that lights my path. Father, help me to always seek your Kingdom above what the world and the devil try to trap me in.

Thank you, Lord, that you will be with me throughout this whole journey of life. May I be filled with your peace as I travel from place to place. Keep me in your eternal love. Thank you for placing my name in your book of life. Amen.”






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🙏 Please remember to pray for the people in Israel. They are God’s people because of his covenant promises to them. (Genesis 12:1-3; Numbers 6:22-27; 24:8-9). ✝️📲 Prayer Line- Text line- 1-412-616-3572

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

Pastor Todd Boxley

Worship Center Ministry