Will Heaven Be The Same For Everyone? Series

I want to thank Bob Coombs and his drama troupe for ministering to us and speaking God’s truth to us in a way that only drama can bring. I also want you to know that Bob has studied the doctrine of rewards in heaven. He has written an extensive Bible study that may be valuable to you. I can not cover all he has in one sermon or even 3 months worth of sermons. God has put such things on Bob’s heart. I know that if you asked him, he would probably open his home up to a Bible Study for a few families. And, I believe you will be blessed if you have never considered the rewards God has for you in heaven.

Intro: Story of the woman going to heaven taken by pearly gates, street of gold, River of life, the Throne room of God. The angel explained in detail each and every feature in heaven but one. But there was a room with gifts and packages the angel just walked past. The lady tugged on the angel’s robe and said, “What is that big room with all the packages with bows glitter?” Oh that is the room with all the gifts God desired to give you, but because of your choices you missed those rewards.

I want to assure you today that God is a great gift giver. He wants you to have good things. The primary role He wants to be known as a benevolent Father. I want my children to know that I love them and want the best for them. They will always have the GIFT of my love! That comes without charge. Sarah and I freely give them our hearts. But,

I Cor. 3:9-15

9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.

I. “WE ARE” A POSSESSIVE.

We are “God’s fellow workers.” We are “God’s field.” These are terms of possession. When you “claim” God through Christ, if you have honestly received Christ’s forgiveness and been reborn by the work of the Holy Spirit, you are God’s possession. He owns you. He will not let you go.

A. 1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

B. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS IS A GIFT OF GOD WHILE REWARDS IN HEAVEN ARE EARNED BY OUR WORK AFTER CONVERSION HERE ON EARTH. (EPH. 2:8-10)

Perhaps you worry that people might take advantage of God’s gracious gift. First off, let me assure you that such a question was tackled by God and the early church, especially Paul. He addressed that every They want to tie salvation into works and in their theological gymnastics they have to mash in verses that deal with the nature of a Believer verses the nature of the unregenerate MAKE-BELIEVER or they confuse the passages that speak of the believer’s rewards with the punishment of unbelievers.

When someone is truly converted, their inward nature is changed. Sure they might be distracted by this world, but their underlying longing is for God’s rule and the resurrection. Satan does a good job at buffeting us and that is why God encourages you and I to really seek

NAS Romans 6:1-7

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.