Golden Church of Christ
How can we help?
Meeting times
How to find us
Our Beliefs
Leadership
Prayer requests
Activities
Missions
Women's Ministry
Youth Ministry
Recovery Celebration
Sermons
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works...."
Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)
 
.: home       .: about us       .: map to us       .: contact us
Won't Eternity be Heavenly! part 3
  Heaven or Hell: It’s Your Choice!

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…!



 
2/6/2012