Homesick For Heaven

HOMESICK FOR HEAVEN

2 Corinthians 5:1-9

As he approached the end of his life, Dwight L. Moody viewed Heaven as something to anticipate. Moody wrote: “Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now; I shall have gone up higher, that is all, out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal — a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like unto His glorious body. I was born of the flesh in 1837. I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever.” Every Christian that has invested his life in eternity can share that attitude toward Heaven. (Source: The Overcoming Life, D. L. Moody)

In his 1st Epistle, Peter says that those who are saved are “pilgrims and strangers” in this world (1 Peter 2:11). When we are saved we become citizens of Heaven. Paul said in - Philippians 3:20 "For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ". This reality causes us to become a bit homesick from time to time. The Apostle Paul dealt with this longing himself; Listen to what he said in - Philippians 1:23, “For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

When I was a child we often sang a hymn that said “I can’t feel at home in this world anymore”. As an adult, I have reached a place where I certainly agree with that sentiment.

During the Iron Bowl you don’t see very many orange and blue T-shirts on the Crimson Tide side of the stadium. Likewise, you don’t see very many Tide fans on the Auburn side of the venue. However, every now and then you will see one speck of orange in a sea of crimson, and usually those who find themselves in this situation are very uncomfortable. The reason is, they are not with their people, they are not among those with a like mind.

That is how I feel in this world sometimes. I live here, but I am not comfortable here. As a Christian I don't "fit in" in this world, and I shouldn't. Our society is completely out of control. Sin, wickedness, and immorality abounds like never before. The majority calls what's wrong right, and what's right wrong. Our nation has turned away from God, our leaders tolerate, legalize and even celebrate immorality. Every time I turn on the news it seems that things are getting worse. The aggression towards Christ and His Church is increasing at an alarming rate. The people of God are mocked, ridiculed, oppressed and persecuted.

When you compare where we are to where we are going, it is only natural for us to be homesick for our Heavenly home. Knowing that we have many loved ones waiting for us, it is understandable that we would be homesick for Heaven. Even greater than these truths is the fact that Our Savior is there, seated at the right hand of the Father. Knowing that we will see Him face to face should make us exceedingly homesick. Most of us would testify that we have a wonderful life here on earth. Because of salvation, we are blessed to live and abundant life in Christ. We also know that the reason we remain here is because the Lord has a work for us to accomplish, and it is important for us to serve fervently and faithfully until the Lord sees fit to take us home.

While there is no shortage of work for us to do down here, I think it is beneficial to look forward to what awaits us on the other side. So for just a little while today I want us to examine what is waiting for us when this life is over, and in doing so I want to preach on the thought "Homesick For Heaven".

- This passage of scripture reveals several truths that will make any child of God homesick for their Heavenly home. One of the most common reasons we become homesick for Heaven is the difficulties that we face in this life. Let's look to verses 1-4 and consider:

I. OUR ADVERSITY

v1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.