"Are We There Yet?" Series

4. Our relationship with God will finally be whole. Right now our fellowship with God is limited. I know who He is. I actually have a personal relationship with Him– I can even talk to Him but of course i cannot see Him. I cannot touch Him. I can’t hear Him speak out loud. And the truth is there are times when I am facing a trial that God may seem distant–removed. In Heaven that will not happen. Because the home we will live in will be HIS home.

5. We will have new bodies. And all the people said Amen. In 1st Corinthians Paul tells us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Heaven. We believe that when we die that we are immediately in the presence of Jesus. Jesus said to the thief on the cross, Today I will be with you in paradise. And we will receive a new body. The Bible says when Christ appears we will be like Him. The Bible tells us several things about these new bodies. Write them down.

1. Our bodies will not age. Paul reminds us that our bodies are like tents. Paul knew because he was a tentmaker. Tents tear, they rip, they wear out ... they simply do not last forever. In fact they are no designed to last forever. They do however actually make tents now that are guaranteed for life. You know why they can do that? Because this tent doesn’t come with a guarantee. It will not last forever.

2. In heaven we will never grow tired. We will never grow weak. Paul says that this new body will be raised in power.

3. We will not experience sickness/pain. We will not die again. John tells us in the book of Revelation that God will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death, no grieving, no crying, no pain whatsoever.

4. One other thing we know about heaven is that when we arrive there an amazing thing will happen. We will be like Him. Paul puts it this way. 1st Corinthians 13:12.

The story is told of a time when Albert Einstein was going on a train to an out-of-town engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket. Dr. Einstein who was very preoccupied with his work, started going through his pockets but could not find his ticket. He was embarrassed. The conductor said well Mr. Einstein we all know who you are. We’re sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it. Everything is fine. The conductor walked on down the aisle punching other tickets. Before he moved to the next car, he looked back and saw Dr. Einstein down on his knees looking under his seat trying to find his ticket. He came back and gently said, Dr. Einstein please don’t worry about it. I know who yo are. Einstein looked up at him and said I also know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.

Years ago an artist named Holman Hunt painted a beautiful picture named The Light of the World. It is a picture of Jesus standing at the door knocking. When Hunt showed it to a friend his friend said Holman, you have it all wrong. You left something out There’s no latch on the door. Hunt said it’s not wrong. I painted it that way on purpose. The latch is on the inside. The door can only be opened from the inside.