Sermon Central
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What Does The Bible Mean When It Says Heaven? Series
Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Sep 5, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: What does the Bible say about heaven? Why aren't Christians excited about it? Where do we get our misconceptions about heaven?
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Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
WHAT IS HEAVEN?
Most people have misconceptions about heaven.
• “Heaven sounds boring.”
• “We can’t imagine how wonderful heaven will be.”
AVATAR – people depressed because there was no place that beautiful on earth…
Where do we get our misconceptions about heaven?
John 8:44 [Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
“Satan doesn’t have to convince us that Heaven doesn’t exist; He need convince us only that Heaven is a place of boring, unearthly existence. If we believe that lie, we’ll set our minds on this life, and not on the next, and we won’t be motivated to share our faith.” – Randy Alcorn, Heaven
Ways the Bible uses the word “heaven”
1. The sky; the universe/space
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2. The dwelling place of God (the present heaven)
Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people Israel
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Philippians 1:23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
3. The final dwelling place of the saints with Jesus.
2Pe 3:13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
Other biblical terms: The “new heavens & earth”, where the “New Jerusalem” is located.
The foundation of the Biblical doctrine of heaven is the fact that God never abandoned his original plan for an Earth without sin, where his people lived in glad submission, holy relationships, and God-glorifying work.
Satan did not defeat God in the garden of Eden. Christ did not win a partial victory on the Cross, but secured the redemption of ALL THINGS.
Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
WHAT IS HEAVEN?
Most people have misconceptions about heaven.
• “Heaven sounds boring.”
• “We can’t imagine how wonderful heaven will be.”
Where do we get our misconceptions about heaven?
John 8:44 [Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
