FACTS about Heaven

by:  Matt Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

96038

07/21/96 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.  Introduction:

A.  John 14:1-4  - Jesus here refers to the home that He is preparing for us in Heaven.  Heaven is the focus of Christianity.  It is the reward of those who have spent their lives in faith & humble submission to His will.

B.  When faced with the alternative, we all want to go to Heaven.  This is why you are gathered here in this assembly today.  Everybody wants to go to heaven.  This is why we see church bldgs full all over  today.

1.  Hear of many who say they are going to heaven.

a.  actors

b.  rock & music stars

c.  people in general

2.  Many in our world do not realize certain facts about heaven.

a.  facts that are necessary to take notice of so that we can gain the goal that we all seek.

C.  How sad it will be on the judgment day, for those who lived all their lives thinking they were going to heaven, but came up short in the end.

1.  It will be because they did not make the proper preparations to get there.

D.  As we go through the lesson this morning, lets examine ourselves to make sure we are making the proper preparations, so that we will not come up short of the goal in the end.

 

II.  FACTS About the goal in which we seek:

A.  FACT:  it will be the eternal abode of the righteous.

1.  In Matthew 25:46, we read of two distinct directions which we will all go after judgment.

a.  unrighteous into everlasting punishment.

b.  righteous into everlasting life.

2.  Notice there is no middle ground, no turning back, no 2nd chances, no excuses - just plain & simple - you are going one place or the other.

3.  What is righteousness?  Vines defines it as:  whatever conforms to the revealed word of God, or whatever has been appointed by God to be acknowledged and obeyed by men.

4.  Are you conforming your life to the will of God?

a.  conform means to live under or live by.  We spend our lives conforming to different things all the time...

1.  when lived at home we lived under the rules set by them.

2.  we conform to the laws of the land.

3.  we conform or go by the requirements of our employer so we can keep our jobs.

b.  Why then is it so hard for many to conform to the Word of God?  Why is it so hard for people to be righteous??

1.  b/c punishment isn’t immediate?

2.  don’t believe?

3.  have an attitude of complacency?

3.  The Lord said to be unrighteous (i.e., not conforming yourself to the word of God) means to go away into everlasting punishment.  Are you living outside of His word?

 

B.  FACT:  It is the hope of the Christian.

1.  Perhaps no one could bring it out more clearly than Paul when writing to Titus in chapt. 1 vs. 2:

a.  The hope of heaven is why Paul, Titus, Timothy, Stephan, and every Christian we know about in the first cent. put of with persecution, suffering, and not living a “normal” life.

2.  What is hope?  Webster defines it as:  to want or wish for, with a feeling of confident expectation.

a.  we should be confident of going to heaven.  We can be by doing what is right according to the Scriptures.

3.  Romans 8:18, 24-25

a.  Paul says that it is the hope of heaven that moved us to be saved.  It is that desire which motivates us all to move forward for the Lord.

4.  Ah, but talk to everyone everywhere and you will find the hope of heaven.

a.  is simple hope enough?  Is this all it takes?

b.  many treat the hope of heaven like they do winning the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.

1.  put out as little effort as possible - maybe do something once or at first and feel that’s all they need to do.

2.  sweepstakes - by a stamp, fill out form, place in mail, then wait on prize.

3.  heaven - become Christian by being baptized, then stop and wait for heaven.  (Don’t come to services, don’t give of their means, don’t work to brings others to Christ)

4.  If we never win the sweepstakes, oh well, we haven’t lost anything.  But if we don’t go to heaven, we have lost everything.

5.  Does it work this way?  Is this what Paul meant when he was talking about the hope of heaven?  The hope of heaven should motivate us to work for the Lord.  It should make us move forward preparing ourselves for heaven.

 

C.  FACT:  A Prepared Place for Prepared People.

1.  John 14:1-4  -  Jesus ascended back into heaven to “prepare for us” a place.

a.  In return, we need to prepare ourselves to go there.

1.  Why should Jesus prepare heaven for us & we not do anything to receive it?

2.  What does prepare mean in our language today?  to make, or get ready for some purpose, task or event.

a.  Are you getting ready for heaven?

b.  1 Peter 4:17-18

1.  the word scarcely in v. 18 is translated from a Greek word which means “with difficulty.” 

2.  They way of the Christian is not easy.  Certain tests will come along to test our faith.  But you remain faithful, and prepare your life for heaven by following the Scriptures, then you will possess the hope of heaven.

c.  But what about those who do not obey the Lord?  (obey the gospel)

1.  no hope whatsoever.  No chance.  Nothing.  Just can expect an eternity in Hell.

3.  Paul echoed this in 2 Thess. 1:7-9.

a.  Have you obeyed the gospel?  If you haven’t then you are unprepared.  You have not gotten ready for the task, event, or purpose of going to heaven.

4.  Why not prepare for heaven?  We prepare for things daily in our lives:

a.  we prepared for the weather today:

1.  Hot & humid - made prep. for this by wearing short sleeves, cotton pants, and light colored clothing.  Easy to do isn’t it?

b.  When taking a trip we prepare ourselves.

1.  money?  gas?  oil? water in rad.? air in tires?

2.  what route are we taking?

c.  We have to prepare ourselves for our jobs.  In most cases in society today one has to take a test, or get some schooling to obtain a job.  Those who labor with their hands must buy the machinery, or get the supplies.  We prepare ourselves for work.

5.  Why is it so hard for some to prepare for heaven?

a.  Jesus & the apostles have told us that the reward will be worth the things we have to put up with here on earth to achieve it.

b.  it’s really not!! all we have to do is follow the inst. in this book.!!

6.  Rev. 21:7-8

a.  inherit all things - inherit the kingdom of God.

b.  v. 8 - cowardly - those who were scared off by making the commitment, what others would think, etc.

c.  unbelieving - those who didn’t believe, or didn’t want to.

d.  rest in v. 8 it seems they were too wrapped up in sin to care...

7.  Preparing means following His word.

a.  Matt 7:21 - not everybody who anticipates going there will make it.

1.  does here means following in compliance with His will.

a.  not leaving out or “picking & choosing” what we want to believe....

2.  For ex., the Bible teaches that one needs to be baptized in order to be saved.

a.  some choose not to be baptized b/c they say it isn’t a necessity.

3.  some add to the worship service by interjecting:

a.  mus. inst. & choirs.

b.  all forms of entertainment & drama.

c.  things that are not the work of the church.

4.  Read 7:22-23 - their ultimate destiny.

b.  Not following His word is practicing lawlessness.

1.  Mt. 13:36-42.

a.  lawlessness:  dwelling outside the law.

b.  if men dwell outside the law in our world (society) today, they will be punished.

c.  same with Lord’s law - only His punishment is eternal.

 

D.  FACT:  It is Paradise Restored.

1.  1 Peter 1:3-5

a.  We will receive an inheritance incorruptible.  Will not deteriorate.

1.  undefiled & that doesn’t fade away.

2.  ex.  new shiny coins/ old dull looking coins.

3.  machines break down; houses, barns fall down, we die return to dust.

4.  Heaven will be the ultimate contrast with the way we know things here upon the earth.  Everything on the earth just plays out.

5.  Everything in heaven will remain just the way Christ prepares it - for eternity.

b.  Peter said it is reserved in Heaven for YOU!!!

1.  for who?  for you - Christians who remain faithful.

2.  Rev. 22:14 tells us that the tree of life is there.

a.  we will live forever praising God in heaven!  It will truly be paradise restored.

3.  It’s glories Challenge our finite comprehension.

a.  Rev. 21:4

1.  We can only imagine a world without and death, sorrow, or crying.

2.  world is full of it!  Has always been & will be until the Lord comes back.

b.  21:15-27; 22:1-5

4.    From these things, we see it is a:

 

E.  FACT: That it will be worth the cost of discipleship.

1.  Mt. 16:24-27

a.  take up one’s cross means we must be willing to bear the trials & self denials that were practiced by Christ.

b.  if we are willing to do so, we will be rewarded.  What is our reward?  home in heaven!

2.  The costs of discipleship DEMANDS that we live differently from that of the world.

a.  Titus 2:11-15

b.  Romans 12:1-2

 

III.  What Preparations Have You Made for Heaven?

A.  Because of Christ’s death - ALL have the chance of salvation, but only those who OBEY Him will be saved.

1.  Heb. 5:8-9, Rev. 21:27

B.  Preparations demand that you become a Christian in order to receive the hope of salvation.

1.  what if you are unprepared?

a.  Rev. 20:15

C.  How does one get his name added to the Book of Life?

1.  By believing in Jesus Christ - Mk. 16:16

a.  Believe what?  that Jesus came to earth, lived here & dies on the cross for our sins, and then rose again after 3 days so that we could have the hope of eternal salvation.

2.  By repenting of your sins. - Acts 2:38

a.  recognizing the error of your ways & turning away from them.

3.  By confessing that Jesus is the Son of God. - Rom 10:10

4.  By being Baptized for the remission of your sins - 1 Pet. 3:21

5.  Continuing to remain faithful to Him for the rest of your life.

D.  Exhort to erring Christians.

E.  Are you prepared for heaven?  Why not make those preparations today while you have the chance?