The Blessings of Heaven

by:  Matt Allen  based on an article in the Jan. 4, ’96 GOT

 

FILING INFORMATION:

96054

10/13/96 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.     Introduction.

A.   Today, I am going to bring forth two very simple & elementary lessons.  They are basic to our lives as Christians.  Many of us have probably heard similar lessons like this before.  But I believe it always does us good to think about these things again.

1.    There may be those in our audience today who have never become a Christian - never come under the saving power of Jesus Christ.

2.    there may be some in our audience today who are a child of God but aren’t living faithfully.

3.    we pray that you especially will listen to the lesson presented this morning and invite you to come back this evening as we study the second part of this lesson.

B.   This morning, we are going to examine The Blessings of Heaven.  This is why we are gathered here today.  We all, each one of us, want to go to heaven when this life is over.

1.    Tonight, we are going to discuss The Fate of Those Who Are Outside Christ.  We are going to be talking about their destination - hell.

2.    it is our prayer that you will examine your life today and see if you are prepared & ready to meet your maker.

a.     are you ready to go to heaven?  If not there is only one other destination:  Hell.

C.   Interesting Statistics:

1.    Les Rosten in his book, Religions of America, says, 52% of the population of France does not believe in heaven.  Over one half of that major country does not believe in the eternal life of the soul.

2.    11% of Americans do not believe in heaven either.

a.     23% of college educated Americans do not either.

b.    As people get older, their belief in eternity increases.  Only 10% of Americans over age 60 & up don’t believe in heaven and eternal life.

3.    Got to thinking why these #’s are so high.  The %’s surprised me.  Maybe #’s so high because many people are so occupied with things going on here that they give little thought to the hereafter.

a.     many are too busy building their castles here on the earth to give much thought to spiritual things.

b.    many “mortgage” their time here upon the earth.  They waste precious time for themselves, without spending time devoted to spiritual things.

4.    To those who believe in heaven, it is a much needed source of inspiration.

a.     the thought of spending time there inspires us to do good.  We want to do what ever is possible here on the earth so we can go there.

b.    the thought of heaven encourages us to persist on through physical sickness and through temptations set forth by the devil.

c.     the thought of heaven causes us to be comforted in times of death.

d.    indeed, it is the source of happiness among Christians.

D.   For a few moments this morning, we want to talk about what heaven is and then we will spend a few moments discussing who will be there.

1.    This is a very important lesson for you to consider.  We have already talked about the alternative of heaven - hell.  Indeed, we all desire to go home to heaven because of what it is.

 

II.   What is Heaven???

A.   Heaven is a perfect place.

1.    What does the word perfect mean?  (1) Lacking in no essential & complete.  (2)  Being without fault & flawless.  (3)  Exact; accurate  (4) absolute.

2.    heaven is a place in direct or exact contrast to the world in which we live.  Our world full of:

a.     sickness; crime; hate; jealousy; wars; social decay & sexual immorality; death

3.    Heaven is a place of security & stability to us in a world that seems to be falling apart.

a.     some will tell you that heaven is on earth or simply a state of mind, but the Bible paints a totally different picture.

b.    John. 14:1-3

1.    Jesus states here that He is leaving earth.  Behold, I “go” to prepare a “place” for you…

4.  The passage here in John is interesting.  Look at the context.  Back in the 13th chapter, we find the disciples being stunned (13:22) by someone betraying our Lord.

a.     Jesus identifies that someone is about to betray Him & that He would be delivered up to the cross to die.

b.    Then, later in 13:36-38 Jesus predicts Peter’s denial of Jesus.

1.    Peter says, I will never deny you.  But think about it, it must have upset the group.

2.    then after having predicted these things, Jesus goes into chap. 14& tells them of a new perfect place (heaven) that will be free from the problems of this world.

5.   A key to believing in Heaven is believing in Jesus.  Why believe in 1 and not the other?  Notice here who we are to believe in - Jesus Christ.

a.     v. 1 - 2 times, later in chapter, v. 10-11 - 2 times, then again in v. 12 & 29.

b.    we need to believe in Jesus Himself, that He will carry out every promise in which he was made.

6.    Belief in Christ was the key to their success.  Believing in heaven brings forth a certain peace to the human soul.  It did for the apostles and it can for us.

a.     we can have peace because of our ultimate victory in heaven.

B.   Heaven is a permanent place.

1.    Here upon the earth, the word permanent is just a theory when thought of on an eternal scale.  For example:

a.     houses come in dis-repair; machines wear out; all living things die; everything has an end.

b.    “permanent” means never ending, steadfast, stable, secure.

2.    When our Lord spoke of the idea of heaven he often used the term “eternal life” and “everlasting life.”

a.     we must realize that heaven is more than quantity of life, because the wicked will suffer “eternal punishment” according to Mt. 25:46.

b.    it is quantity + the quality of living that makes heaven so desirable.

1.    we read in John 3:36 that eternal life is a present possession.

a.     but eternal life will not be fully recognized until we go home to heaven.

3.    Heaven is a place:

a.     where we will not be pilgrims or sojourners on the earth.  1 Pet. 2:11 identifies us as pilgrims.  We must realize that this earth is only a temp. place,  a place of prep. For eternal life. 

1.    heaven is our destination.

2.    when we reach there, we will have obtained the goal.

3.    it is a reward for the faithful & a place of rest.

b.    that does not fade away - 1 Peter 1:3-4

c.     Heb. 11:14-15:  identifies heaven as our eternal homeland.

1.    imagine a place where we’re not upset by houses failing to sell, furniture that breaks (ask Becky about how I broke my recliner) and most importantly saying heartbreaking good-byes.

C.   A Place Where We Will Have a Perfect Body.

1.    Who cannot identify with Paul in Romans 7:23-25?

a.     Paul not saying that body is evil in itself, but that Satan uses the desires of the body to destroy us both spiritually & physically.

1.    gets to us through the pride of life, lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh - 1 John 2:16

2.    does everything in his power to get to us.

b.    Jesus said in Mt. 26:41,  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

c.     turn to Rom. 8:23

2.    All the above passages talk about our frail body.  But let’s turn now to:

a.     Phil. 3:20-21; 4:1.  In heaven our glorified bodies will be like that of Jesus.  The old corruptible body will be gone, no more - a thing of the past!

b.    1 Cor. 15:42-49 - our spiritual bodies…

1.    incorruptible (i.e., not subject to sickness or death

a.     no more medication, no more glasses/contacts, no more hospitalization, no more death, pain & sorrow.

2.    glorious - a body not subject to decay…

3.    will be powerful (as opposed to human weaknesses.)

3.  Thus we have a picture painted that our spiritually bodies will be perfected suited for eternity.

D.   Heaven Will be a place of perfect fellowship.

1.    The word heaven is used 284 times in the NT.  According to Thayer, only about 15 speak of heaven as our future abode.

a.     most of the heaven references are to the sky where the birds fly, the place of the stars, the dwelling place of God & his angels.

b.    31 times the word is used in the phrase kingdom of heaven.

c.     in many places, the writers instead of using the word heaven, use the concept of being with God.

1.    in heaven, we will be able to spend eternity with God.

2.    how great that will be!

d.    Mt. 6:19-21 says:

1.    notice the term treasures in heaven. Ever thought about what that “treasure” is?  We’ve talked about some of it already in this lesson.  But prob. the best treasure in heaven will be a ”face to face” relationship with our creator!!!

e.     A place without people is not home.

1.    e.g., southgate - house there, trees I played in, b’ball goal still there in the tree, but no one lives there anymore.

a.     wonderful mem. Come to mind.

b.    mem. Not as good as actually having grandparents there.

2.    What will make heaven special?  Intimate fellowship with God. - Rev. 21:3

 

III. Who Will Be In Heaven?

A.   Now that we have discussed what heaven is, let us consider who will be there.  What good would this wonderful place be if no one was going to be there?

B.   Infants will be in Heaven.

1.    2 Sam. 12:23 - David’s son had died as punishment for David’s sin in adultery with Bathsheeba.

a.     some say & suggest that David was just talking about going out to the grave:  but this alone wouldn’t console David in the way he was talking of here.

b.    in Psalm 16:10 - we find that David clearly anticipated being with God after death.  Thus, he knew he would be reunited with his child.

2.    This thought has comforted many a grieving parent.  Perhaps a few here today.

C.   Young Children Will Be in Heaven.

1.    Paul wrote in Rom. 7:9….Paul was speaking here in spiritual terms.

a.     there was a time in Paul’s life when he was innocent.

b.    he was incapable of understanding God’s law (the law of Moses at the time).  He did not understand the difference between right and wrong.

2.    When he reached the age where he could understand, he died spiritually.

a.     we commonly refer to this as the age of accountability.

b.    dependent upon the maturity level of each individual.

c.     if he one dies before reaching that age, he will go to heaven.

D.   Mentally Incompetent Will Be in Heaven.

1.    In Mt. 28:18-20, Jesus gives His disciples the great commission.

a.     to make disciples involves teaching.  A person must be able to comprehend the gospel.  To understand the need for salvation is essential.

b.    John 8:24 - we must believe in Christ.

2.    w/o faith, the belief in Christ, baptism is a “mere dunking in water.”  John 3:5

3.    There is a special problem however, which we must address for a moment.

a.     some people live their lives putting off making the commitment to Christ.  They sit through invitation, after invitation, pass up opp. After opp., to obey the gospel.

b.    something happens maybe a wreck, a freak accident, old ages, they aren’t killed, but from that day/time forward one is mentally incapable of making the decision to be saved.

1.    Paul said in 2 Cor. 5:10

a.     people in this case would be judged for the time they were accountable.

E.    Finally, Those who remain faithful will be in Heaven.

1.    John 14:6

a.     Jesus is the way (He is both the revealer of the reward in heaven & the redeemer, who will save us from our sins.

b.    Jesus is the truth - he has given us truthful & reliable promises.  God cannot lie - Tit. 1:2.

c.     Jesus us the source of spiritual life.

d.    We see that it is imperative that we come to Jesus, believe in Him, repent of our sins, confess Him before men, be baptized for the remission of sins, and live faithfully in order to obtain eternal life

1.    no just living a good moral life.

2.    Eph. 1:7

a.     by the blood of Jesus Christ we are redeemed & mad fit for the kingdom of God.

b.    we must realize that it is only because of the forgiveness found in Christ that we  can have fellowship with a perfect God.

1.    Rom. 3:25-26

c.     We must realize that heaven is a reward for service here upon the earth.

1.    many people do not treat heaven as a reward, but as something that is guaranteed.  What would be the significance of Heaven if it were guaranteed?

2.    if it were guaranteed why are you here today?

3.    Something interesting:  To indulge oneself in the best things here upon earth, one usually has to take advantage of several important things to get them:

a.. money, or education, or may have to be of a particular nationality.

b.    but none of this is necessary in order to gain entrance into heaven.

1.    all one must do is be humble (Mt. 5:2) have a receptive heart and obey the word of God - Mt. 7:24-25.

2.    We read in Mt. 7:13-14, that few are willing to obey.

a.     there are few when compared on a scale with those who won’t make it to heaven.

b.    but in Rev. 7:9 we read…

1.    imagine how awesome, how incredible it would be to stand with that group!

2.    no wonder Paul wrote what he did over in 2. Cor. 5:4

F.    If we are troubled or afraid, let us meditate deeply upon heaven & receive the peace that Jesus promised in John 14:27

1.    the problems we experience here on earth are sometimes burdensome but worth the promise of going home to heaven.

2.    let us not be satisfied with a mere description of heaven but let us live that we may experience heaven.

a.     heaven inspired the apostles & the 1st cent. Christians.

b.    let it inspire us as well.

 

IV. Are You Going to Heaven?

A.   Have you done was is necessary to go home to heaven?  If not why not?

1.    There is only 1 alternative.  No middle ground.

2.    make the decision today!

B.   Don’t put it off any longer.

C.   obey the gospel today and get your life in order so you can have the hope of going home to heaven.