Scripture: John 14:1-6

C.I.: Won’t Eternity be Heavenly

During the month of March – we have been studying a series entitled, “Heaven or Hell: It is Your Choice.”
In today’s lesson we are going to learn – 5 things about heaven which make it as heavenly as it can be!

I. Five Eternal Truths about Heaven (I Peter 1:3-4)

A. Heaven’s Glory is Bequeathed as an “Inheritance”

1. Heaven is promised to all those who are – members of God’s family (Quote I Peter 1:3-4).
a. Some believe we “merit” or earn our way into heaven…
1) ILLUST.: “1,000 points needed to enter!” – “All I can claim is that I have been born again.”
2) Nowhere does the Bible say the basis of our “good works/deeds” (Isa. 64:6; Eph. 2:9).

b. We are “born again” into God’s family – so we can receive this heavenly inheritance.
1) But how is someone “born again”?
2) (Quote I Pt. 1:22-23) – By our obedience to truth – thru the living & abiding word of God.
3) Only the born again – those part of God’s family– will receive heaven as their inheritance.

B. Heaven’s Glory is “Imperishable”
a. All of us have seen the temporary nature - of the best things this life has to offer.
1) (Matt. 6:19-20; Lk. 15:11-14a), “Do not lay…” – “A certain man had 2 sons; the younger…

b. God has supplied us with things that are perishable – and things that are imperishable
1) That which is perishable – is to be enjoyed in this life – but must not distract us from the next
(i) “Physical things” – Marriage, children, health, money, friends, careers, etc.!!
(ii) 1 day the physical will be no more – (II Pt. 3:10), “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief – the heavens will pass away with a roar – the elements will melt w/intense…”
2) The things that are imperishable – are to be the focus of our lives!!
(i) God’s word – (I Pt. 1:23-25), “For all flesh is like grass – and all its glory like the flower of grass. – The grass withers and the flower falls off… but the word abides forever!”
(ii) Spiritual Things – (II Cor. 4:18), “We do not look at the things which are seen…!”

C. Heaven’s Glory is “Undefiled”

1. Heaven and everything about it - is unstained - not contaminated – pure!
a. Undefiled is a word that is used to describe Jesus – (Heb. 7:26), “For it is fitting that we should have such a high priest, - holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners – and exalted above...”

b. All those who have been born again into God’s family – are also undefiled…
1) (I Cor. 6:9-11), “Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not … but you were washed….”

c. Nothing in heaven is defiled – because nothing that could defile it – is allowed entrance:
1) (Rev. 12:7-9), “And there was a war in heaven, - Michael & his angels waging war with the dragon. – And the dragon & his angels waging war, - and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place for them found in heaven. – And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole earth, - and his angels were thrown down with him.”
2) How wonderful heaven will be – no temptations, no guilt or remorse, no tears, etc.!!!!!

D. Heaven’s Glory “Will Not Fade Away”

1. ILLUST.: Josh & Jackie; pork roast – “It’s a cow’s tongue!” Slurp! “I want macaroni & cheese!”
a. My love for brownies is well known & steak too! – But I couldn’t live on them 7 days a week.
1) “So, won’t we get tired of heaven? – Same glorious sights, same glorious creatures and people – Same glorious God & Savior???!”
2) “NO!!!” – Everyday will be spectacular – every moment we will be filled with awe!

b. Jesus couldn’t wait to get back – and He couldn’t wait for us to join Him!
1) (Jn. 14:1-2), “In My Father’s house are many … I go to prepare a place for you…!”
2) Now if Jesus was able to create everything we see in the universe around us in 6 days – Just imagine how great heaven will be – after His having been working on it for 2,100 years???!!!!

E. Heaven’s Glory is “Reserved” for You

1. Those who have been saved (“Born Again”) – have reservations in heaven
a. ILLUST.: The best places – require a reservation made in advance – in order to enter!

b. Heaven requires reservations - (Rev. 20:12-15), “I saw the dead… And the sea…, and death & Hades…, and they were judged, everyone of them, according to their deeds. – And death & Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. - This is the 2nd death, the lake of fire. - And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire!”

c. Our reservations are made for us by God – the moment we are “Born Again”/Saved.
1) Peter doesn’t leave us in the dark – as to when that transpires…
2) (I Pt. 3:21), “Baptism now saves” – “Obedience to truth” 1:22 – “Born again thru…” 1:23
3) “Not the removal of dirt” 3:21 – “You were washed” I C. 6:12 – “Purification souls” 1:22
4) “but an appeal … clear conscience thru resurrection…” – “born again to a living hope” 1:3

2. IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR RESERVATION CONFIRMED TODAY…!