Heaven is real
Introduction-
Prayer-
I appreciate all the kind words for Becky and I n the loss of our sister-in-law Charlotte and my brother’s brother-in-law Ron. It has been tough. It did make me do some thinking.
Life events make you think- marriages, divorces, deaths, children born, major losses.
They redirect people to look at priorities.
Because of the death of my sister-in-law, my uncle for the first time said that he loved my brother and me. He showed it everyday, no doubt that he did, but he never said it.
He will be 80 years old in July, and I am glad I heard those words.
Her death made me think of my own priorities.
Telling people how you feel about them.
The shortness of time on this earth. I thought about heaven.
I am not going to spend time today talking on the looks of heaven or its dimensions. We will look at what happens when you die, and if you are a believer what you can expect in heaven.
Revelation 21:1-5 Read from Bible
To rightly talk about heaven, we have to back up a minute and look again at Easter Sunday.
The resurrected Jesus that redeemed us from our sins.
We have to realize and know that the invitation of salvation was for all people- Christ died for all people. It is upon the acceptance of Jesus Christ and what Christ did on the cross and His resurrection that makes heaven available for the redeemed of Christ.
God offered up His son for mankind. Those that take God up on His offer, His Son became the atoning sacrifice for their sins.
He openly offers an eternal place to dwell with our savior.
Heaven is a real place (write that down)
It is not a state of mind.
It is not a concept
It is a literal place that God has prepared for His people.
John 14:1-3
“Do not let your heart be troubled; you believed in God, believe also in me. My Father has many rooms, if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
That is a promise of Jesus Christ.
That is a promise to believers.
Believers dwelling with their savior.
That also tells me that everyone will not be there.
Heaven was designed for the redeemed of Christ and those that want to be there. Those that are thankful for what Christ did for them.
In Luke, Jesus own words that our names are written down and recorded there.
A faulty view of heaven can cause us to miss heaven if we believe that all will be in heaven.
If we believe that people that do not care a thing about God and what Christ did would be forced to spend eternity with a God they did not acknowledge.
Saddest things I hear at funerals are he/she is in a better place. They are with so and so. If they did not know Jesus as Lord, we do not have that promise. We cannot say that.
The comfort I do get is that we do not know what happens in the last minutes of someone’s life. I believe that God in His mercy and grace can and does reach many with death bed salvation.
Unbelievers that say that they will spend eternity with their friends in hell partying. That is not biblical and separation from God also means it will not be pleasurable.
How about Christians that wonder everyday if they will make heaven and spend their lifetime thinking one day saved and one day lost. It is about a relationship with Christ and as long as things between you and God are good, you do not have to wonder everyday if you will make it or feel like you need to do or give one more thing.
Heaven is real and to the believer it will be an amazing place to spend eternity with Christ.
It will be a place of great joy and we will see our loved ones that accepted Christ.
Those that accept Christ will be in heaven, those that choose not to put their trust in Christ, there is separation, the very thing that they choose, and there will be no partying going on. It is based upon the decision that we make during this life time while we still have breath.
People are asking questions
Is heaven a real place? Yes!
What will heaven look like? Revelation gives us a glimpse of its beauty.
Who makes heaven? Those that are redeemed by Christ and have a relationship with Christ.
What can we expect when we get there?
To be in the presence of Christ.
To be united with those that have accepted Christ. You will recognize your loved ones and friends that you made. There are many that I have threatened to be their neighbors for eternity.
(Jesus in the transfiguration)
I believe that we will have responsibilities and they will be based upon what you do in this life. Sliding into heaven will be good, but I believe we will be rewarded for what we do for the kingdom here.
We will not be floating on clouds playing a harp for eternity.
We will not be worshipping 24/7 though I think we will be in an attitude of worship 24/7
Heaven will not be boring! Repeat!
Those that picture themselves floating around on a cloud, saying Amen for eternity have a wrong idea of heaven. God has created something amazing for his people, it is far more than we could ever imagine, it will be anything but boring!
Have to be careful to take a biblical view of heaven and not Hollywood. If there would be anyone that would not know God if He stood in front of them it is Hollywood. Hollywood paints it boring and doing nothing, yet everyone makes it.
I love testimonies of people’s experiences with God. But you quickly see a lot of discrepancies. You have all heard of people who have recanted their stories and admitted to lying or exaggerating their story.
God does not need people to exaggerate or lie about what He is doing in people’s lives. The best way to know God and what He says is in His word.
Very quickly, here are some things to note about having the right view of heaven.
1. Accurate view of heaven gives us right perspective in times of trouble
2 Corinthians 4:16-18-
“Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
We can make it through the tough times of this life because we know that this is not all there is. Eternity is in the future and these trials are only temporary.
Apostle Paul understood suffering and as he preached the good news, he knew one day it would be over and he would obtain God’s rest and rewards.
Hebrews 12:1-3
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
2. Accurate view of heaven provides perseverance in times of temptation
John 14:1-2 I won’t read that again. God provides and prepares for us. He desires that we endure through the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit living and dwelling in us.
Can I tell you again, that this is not all there is!
Jesus words show that the way to eternal life, though unseen, is secure. It is as secure as your trust in Jesus. He has already prepared the way of eternal life. The only issue still to be settled is your willingness to believe.
3. Accurate view of heaven provides clear priorities under pressure.
2 Peter 3:10-14
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”
God has got this! More on the new heavens and new earth next week.
4. Accurate view of heaven gives us proper view of possessions.
Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We know that this is not all there is and we want to see others make heaven and we have a hunger to see the kingdom grow.
We have to live our lives and having stuff is not bad as long as stuff doesn’t have you.
As long as you are not in bondage to your stuff.
Luke 12:18-21
“Then he said, this is what I will do. I will tear down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. But God said to him, you fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you, then you will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with everyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
Closing,
Heaven will be an amazing place to dwell with our Lord forever! Heaven is real, it is a literal place that we will spend eternity. It is not so much where it is as who we will spend eternity with.
Heaven is an undeserved Gift that is made possible because of Jesus Christ.
Not every road leads to heaven.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Next week we will look at what we do know about the physical aspects of heaven and the order that these things will happen.
Alter call if needed.
