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.
Here Paul is comparing the temporary to the eternal. He speaks of the fact that in this life we face troubles. In describing this life, Paul uses the words “groan” and "burdened" . He saysv4 "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened". To "groan" means to sigh heavily within, and the word "burdened" means to be pressed down under a heavy weight. I'm sure we would all agree that this life is filled with troubles and trials. It has been this way since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Job said "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble." (Job 14:1). Jesus said "In the world ye shall have tribulation..." (John 16:33)
- There are different types of adversity in this life. Let's take a moment and consider:
A. COMMON ADVERSITY
Common adversity speaks of those troubles that everyone experiences . In Matthew 5:45 Jesus said that the Father "makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
Consider Calvary for a moment, there were 3 crosses and 3 different people. There was a saint, a sinner and a Savior crucified that day. All three of them suffered and died. None of them were exempt from suffering and death. We have a hard time understanding why bad things happen to "good" people. We may also question why good things happen to evil people. Though we may not understand it, these things are commonplace.
The wisest man who ever lived said that "All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness." (Ecclesiastes 7:15)
All over the world people are dying from starvation. Droughts leave people thirsty and cause crops to fail. Hurricanes, Tsunamis & earthquakes ravage the land. Many people live in the middle of war zones. Terrorism is on the rise. Millions of people suffer from different diseases. Unemployment, lack of healthcare and rising costs of utilities & food are a problem for many. People face adversity all over the world... no one is exempt.
- Not only is there "common adversity", there is also adversity that is specific to Christians. Let's consider:
B. CHRISTIAN ADVERSITY
There are many in this building who can testify that Christians face great adversity. We are not suddenly immune to trouble when we surrender to Christ. In fact, that may be the point in your life when troubles intensify.
- There are many examples of Christ followers in the Bible who suffered greatly after their conversion.
1) James was beheaded by Herod.
2) Herod then apprehended Peter and imprisoned him intending to do the same.
3) Stephen was stoned to death.
4) Paul was in and out of prison for preaching Jesus. He also endured physical harm and eventually died for his faith.
Right now, all over the world, Christians are being persecuted for their faith. They are being arrested, beaten and killed for their devotion to Jesus Christ. We may not have experienced the physical persecution that some Christian martyrs have faced, but we do know about troubles, trials and tribulations. Many of us have experienced the reality of Christian Suffering. Christian people have to bury their babies. Christian marriages sometimes fail. Christian husbands have to stand by the beside of their dying wives. Christian wives have to plan the funerals of their husbands. Christians lose their jobs, they have bills that they cannot pay, the repo-man may come and take their car, the bank may foreclose on their house. Christians are diagnosed with terminal diseases. Christians have rebellious children who are involved in sin and living in wickedness. Many of our brethren are hurting, suffering and devastated by the troubles of this life.
These "burdens" cause us to "groan". But this passage of scripture gives us great hope and encouragement. Paul tells us that the troubles, trials and tribulations of this life are temporary! He uses the word "Tabernacle" to describe the temporary nature of this life. He says "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan" (v4) - A "tabernacle” refers to “a tent". The idea here is that our humans bodies are mere temporary dwelling places for our souls. This "tabernacle" (or tent) will be taken down when we leave this walk of life. One day our mortal bodies will fall away and we will leave this temporary place for our eternal home! This is very encouraging, it means that even though we face adversity, we still possess great hope.
- This leads us to another reality that makes us homesick for Heaven. Notice in verse 1:
II. OUR ASSURANCE
Many people are living with a hope so religion, they hope they are saved, they hope they possess eternal life, they hope that they have a home in Heaven. You don't have to have a hope so religion, you can have a know so salvation. Paul had great confidence concerning eternity.
Notice: 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.
He declared that when this earthly tent is taken down...That is, when we die and leave this earthly body, we have an eternal body waiting for us in Heaven. We have more than a "tent" waiting for us up there, we have a "house" made by God Himself. A "tent" is a temporary dwelling place, a "house" is a permanent abode.
There are several words that illustrate Paul's confidence concerning eternity. He said "we know" , not "we think", he said "we have" , not "we hope", he said "we are always confident", not "we are fairly sure most of the time". Then in v8 he shares one of the greatest guarantees in the Word of God. He says "we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
This verse gives us assurance concerning our loved ones who died in Christ and have already passed on. And it gives us great assurance that when we draw our last breath we will be immediately ushered into the presence of the Lord. Paul had confidence that when he took his last breath he would immediately go into the presence of the Lord. In these verses Paul is telling that when this earthly life draws to a close and we lay down these temporary bodies, we have a new body and a new life awaiting us in Heaven
- Paul covered this truth in I Corinthians 15:53-57 as well, he said: "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
In verse 50 of that chapter he said - v50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
A change must take place before we can enter our new home. This is a good thing, because it means that we get a new body! I don't know about you but I am ready for mine!! Time certainly takes its toll on these old bodies. As we grow older we take more and more medications. We have brittle bones, sore joints, and torn ligaments. We wear glasses, dentures and hearing aids. We have sores, bumps, bulges, sags, and wrinkles galore!
When John Quincy Adams was eighty years old, a friend said, “How is John Quincy Adams?” He replied, “John Quincy Adams himself is very well, thank you; but the house he lives in is sadly dilapidated. It is tottering on its foundations. The walls are badly shattered, and the roof is worn. The building trembles with every wind. And I think that John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it before long. But he himself is very well.”
The tabernacles of our flesh are fading and we shall move out of them before long. But we are confident that when that time comes we will be "clothed upon with our house which is from heaven". Knowing this causes us to be "homesick for Heaven" at times. I don't know about you but there are days when I eagerly anticipate going to my Heavenly home.
- Before we close, let us take a few moments and consider:
III. OUR ANTICIPATION
- Paul tells us that our home on high is a “building of God.” There is so much that we have to look forward to in that land. For this reason we have great anticipation concerning our Heavenly home. Notice that:
A. WE ANTICIPATE HEAVEN BECAUSE OF WHAT WILL BE THERE
There is much that we do not know about Heaven, but Jesus revealed a great deal to John in Revelation 21. Listen to what John said in - Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
John says that Heaven is gloriously lit by the glory of God Himself. The city is surrounded by a high wall. There are twelve gates in this wall, each gate attended by an angel. These gates have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed on them, The wall of this great city rests on twelve foundations named after the twelve Apostles.
In Revelation 21:18-20 John describes the materials used to construct that city. The wall is made of jasper. The foundation is comprised of many precious gemstones. The gates are made of whole pearls. The streets are made of transparent gold.
- What will be there causes us to anticipate our Heavenly Home. But it is also true that:
B. WE ANTICIPATE HEAVEN BECAUSE OF WHAT WILL NOT THERE
Listen to what John said in Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
The things that are not going to be in Heaven are just as exciting as the things that are going to be there. John says that there will be:
1. NO MORE SORROW
This world is filled with trouble, there are disappointments on every hand, we face circumstances and situations that bring great sorrow into our lives, but in Heaven there will be no more sorrow.
- Jesus also showed John that there would be:
2. NO MORE SUFFERING
This life is filled with suffering, but in Heaven we will never sit in a hospital room and watch our parents suffer. We will not have to watch people that we love fight for one more breath. Never again will we see our children hurt and struggle. We will not have to stand beside a casket and shed a tear at the loss of a spouse. There will be no more bad news from the doctor, and there will be no more hospitals, nursing homes or funeral homes. In Heaven we will never suffer again!
- Believe it or not it gets even better. We are told that in Heaven, there will be:
3. NO MORE SIN
Revelation 21:27 (says) And there shall in no wise enter into (that place) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination...
It is great to know that sin cannot follow us to that wonderful place. The reason for the problems and sorrow that we face in this life can be traced back to sin. But praise God in Heaven, there will be no more sin!
- Along with this exciting fact is the reality that in Heaven there will be:
4. NO MORE SATAN
When we get to the Promised Land, never again will we have to deal with Satan. We can have confidence in this fact because of what the Bible says in - Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
- We anticipate Heaven because of what will be there, and we anticipate Heaven because of what will not be there, and finally:
A. WE ANTICIPATE HEAVEN BECAUSE OF WHO WILL BE THERE
Our selected text tells us that Heaven is a place that is already populated. We are assured through the scriptures that:
1) OUR LOVED ONES ARE THERE
One day we will experience a reunion that words simply cannot describe. Our loved ones who died in Christ are already in His presence. One of the toughest things we will ever do in this life is to say goodbye to those that we love. And one of the greatest joys of Heaven will be seeing them again. Not only will we see them there, we will never have to say goodbye again. Even greater than our loved ones being there is the fact that:
2) OUR LORD AND SAVIOR IS THERE
We are assured that one say we will see our Savior face to face! - 1 John 3:2 ...it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
When we die this old broken down body, this natural shell will remain here on earth. But our soul will go to be with the Lord. I can't imagine what it will be like to see Jesus face to face. But I have assurance that it will happen. One day our faith will become sight! Knowing that He is there makes us anticipate going to that wonderful land.
When we see him, we will humbly bow before the throne and cry "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! - We will cry "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
I am ready... I am homesick for Heaven! What about you? Are you looking forward to that wonderful place? Do you know for sure that you are going there? Have you made preparations for eternity?
Jesus said "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
He also said that "He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him". (John 14:6)
I encourage you to turn to Jesus. Trust in Him as your Lord and Savior, Surrender your all to Him today. If you will, you may find yourself "Homesick For Heaven".
