Then it occurred to me, if we are to do God's will on Earth then we must know what is going on in heaven first! Because that was how Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray. So that means we also need to know what is happening in Heaven and how God’s will is being accomplished.
The first thing I want us to see this morning is that…
God is being Worshiped
In the book of Revelation, it tells us that in heaven day and night they are crying “Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty!” It goes on to say; they “worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power:”
There’s no doubt that God will be worshiped by everyone in heaven for all eternity.
What does it actually mean to worship someone? Does anybody know? Raise your hand if you think you know? Worship is the giving of your entire self, your thoughts and your emotions, to God's use.
Imagine how different America would be if we were truly worshiping God. The number of Americans that say they even believe in God let alone worship Him has been declining every decade for the last 60+ years! This is from just over a year ago.
But you and I can only worry about ourselves.
Will you worship God? Will you devote your life to Him? He has a plan for each one of you.
Illus: I tried to find a way to illustrate to you how important worship is here on earth and the best example I can think of are 3 Hebrew young men name Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Do you remember what the wicked king said would happen to them if they didn't bow down to his golden image when the music played? That’s right they would be thrown into a fiery furnace and burned alive. But God spared them through the fire! Their worship of God was so important to them that they wouldn't give it to anyone except God!
The second thing I want us to see this morning is that in Heaven…
God's Word is being Obeyed
God’s Word is the most important book that you will ever read! It is the very heart and mind of God written out for us!
Do you realize in heaven there's not one day, not even one second, that goes, that goes by that God's word is not obeyed!
Jesus said in John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commandments”. So, understand those in Heaven obeying God are doing it out of love and appreciation for who He is!
2. How much better would this world be…never mind, how much better would even our city ‘Ocala’ be if we were all obeying God’s Word.
Jesus said in I John 5:3 "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." That verse just is basically saying what Jesus is asking of us is not hard if we just follow and obey Him.
If there is true joy in serving Jesus, and there is, can you imagine how joyful a place Heaven must be! It will surpass any feeling or emotion we have ever experienced on earth!
Illus: Again, when it comes to obedience to God’s Word, I went back to the Bible I had to go back to Abraham and his son Isaac. The story of Abraham and Isaac is one of profound faith and ‘obedience’ to God! Do you remember the story? Help me finish it…
The next thing I want us to see this morning is that in Heaven…
God's Will is being Followed
The angels carry out God’s will, in Heaven, they do it fully, gladly, and immediately and the Bible explains that in detail.
God has a will to be carried out both in heaven and on earth.
But the big difference is in Heaven it is being done exactly the way He desires. But here men and women most often live to please themselves first.
2. Let’s think about a few things that please God that you and I can do every day? Raise your hands if you know some.
a. Pray, read our Bibles, tell people about Jesus, be kind, be loving, and be respectful.
b. Imagine tomorrow morning if even just the Christians in this the world decided to follow God’s will completely. People would be getting saved and there would be less crime and violence in the world. Again, we can only control ourselves. Follow Jesus daily and He will show you, His will.
Illus: Here is an example of someone who followed God’s will for his life. Hudson Taylor #15 Slide When he was still a teenager began sleeping on a board in his room to prepare him to live in China and take the gospel to the Chinese people. That how important God’s will was to Hudson Taylor, he devoted his life to it even at a young age.
The last thing I want us to see this morning is that in Heaven…
God’s Name is being Exalted #16 Slide
Jesus has a name that’s above every name! The Bible says in Philippians 2:10-11“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In Heaven daily God’s name is exalted and praised. He is what makes Heaven, Heaven. It is a great and wonderful place because He is a great, wonderful God and it is His Heaven!
Someday we’ll praise and lift His name up in Heaven with all the saved of all the ages. But we can also lift up His name right now, right here, in our Jr. Church. And that pleases God!
We are called Christians, followers of Jesus Christ. The least we can do is lift up His name to our family and friends. Tell them how great and loving He is.
One way we can do that is the way we live. How we act when things are going good, or how we respond when things are going bad.
Do people know by your life and how you act and respond to what happens to you that you are a Christian. If you're exalting the name of Jesus like they do in Heaven, then they will.
Illus: Exalting Jesus’ name, lifting the name of Jesus higher is everyone's job! The Bible says in I Peter 2:9 #19 Slide “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”
Every one of us that are saved should exalt His name!
We've been talking about all these things that are going on in Heaven. Who can help me name some things that would be Heaven?
As we close, I just want to share one last thing that amazes me is that all of this is going on in Heaven and God is the center of everything obviously because He is worthy of it! He is Creator, He is Savior, He is the Lamb of God, and on and on I could go. But it says in Luke 15:7 That Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents! If all of heaven rejoices, that tells me God cares He cares about every last soul! Every man, woman, and child on this earth matters to God. So much so that all the activity in Heaven stops momentarily just to rejoice over that one person who has been saved and added to the family of God.
Conclusion: When something really good happens to people they sometimes use this expression; ‘this is like heaven on Earth’. But to be honest the only way we can experience anything even a little bit close to heaven on Earth is by doing these things. The things that are pleasing to God. Like worshiping Him, obeying His word, following His will, and lifting up and exalting His name to everyone we meet.
