Heaven Is . . .

Heaven Is . . .

Luke 20: 27 - 38

Intro: I have a question for you this morning. Can God create a rock so big that He can’t life it? It’s a trap. It’s a trick question.

If you answer, “NO, then you have UPHELD God’s POWER; but, discredited God’s ABILITY. / If you answer YES, then you have upheld God’s ABILITY and discredited His POWER. It is impossible to answer one way or the other in a way that truly honors all that God is and does. The best way to answer such a questions is to ask another question, “Why do you want to know?”

I Vs. 27 – “Some of the Sadduccees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question.

A Sadduccees (GK. Sadd???a??? – Saddoukaios) the priestly aristocratic party in Jusaism whose interests centered in the Temple in opposition to the Pharisees.

B Probably derived from Zadok priest under David who was appointed high priest by Solomon.

C Taught that one ought to serve God without expectation of reward. Believed only first 5 books of our Bible (Pentateuch) – no life after death, no angels, no spirits.

II VSS 28 – 33 Trying to point to the absurdity of believing in the resurrection.

A Levirate(brother-in-law) marriage Deut. 25: 6

B If you have had more than one marriage let’s think about this for a moment. If you are widowed or divorced, it may make a big difference. WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH? That might determine if it were heaven or hell.

C Do they really want an answer or are they trying to trap Jesus?

III When we think about heaven, we have many questions: what will it be like / are the streets really gold, etc.

A VSS. 34 – 38 – The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longerdie; for they are like angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.”

B This story isn’t really about heaven – It’s about hope! Vs, 37 quotes Exodus 3 – “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living for to him all are alive.”

C We ten to think black & white / right & wrong / here & heaven / alive or dead. The plan and simple fact is that when we die, we are resurrected not resuscitated. We are changed. We can’t begin to conceive of heaven until we are ready to let go of the here and now.

Concl: Heaven is not merely an extension of our current way of life; but, a completely NEW existence transformed by a gracious God. DEATH IS THE END OF MANY THINGS; BUT IT IS NOT THE END OF EVERYTHING! Jesus assures us that heaven is a place where those who have been dehumanized will be restored; those who have been oppressed will be set free; and those who have been treated as inferior will be raised up and called beloved.