Back to the Basics - Heaven
June 10, 2012 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: Heaven is a real place; the dwelling place of God and His angels and His children forever.
Focus Passage: Revelation 21:1-27
Supplemental Passage: "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:2-3, 6 NASB)
Introduction: 10% of church members cannot be found
20% of church members never attend church
25% admit that they never pray
35% admit that they do not read their Bibles
40% admit that they never contribute to the church in tithes or offerings
60% never give to missions
70% never assume responsibility within the church
85% never invite anyone to church
95 % have never won anyone to Christ
BUT! 100% expect to go to heaven
(The Choice, by Thomas Trask, Zondervan Pub. House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1999)
I. Who
a. God the Father on the throne
b. Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father
c. The redeemed of the Lord
d. The angels
II. What
a. 1500 miles cubed
b. Gates of Pearls
c. Streets of Gold
d. No sun, for the glory of God lights Heaven
III. Why
a. Heaven is not automatic for everyone
b. Heaven is not a reward for doing good
c. Heaven is the final habitation for those who have trusted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior
Invitation: Is YOUR name written in the Lamb's Book of Life?
