Heaven’s Reward

I’ve been personally investigating the topic of heaven so I could tell you in a confident way about where God says you would be able to go if you make Christ “Lord” of your life.  In my studies I found that many people think Heaven is some nebulous form of existence.  They feel it’s a blissful state where we will all float on clouds and sing songs like “Kum by Yah My Lord”.  They don’t see it as tangible or physical but rather more spiritual.  Today we will let the Bible teach us the truth.

(John 14:1-3) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me (Jesus).  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.      

Next week I will speak on the subject of Hell but today I want all of you to understand that Heaven is a real place that God has designed for each of His kids to enjoy.  Heaven is probably best described by looking back to God’s original plan in the Garden of Eden.  When God was making a place for His human creation He insisted that it be filled with plants, animals and seasons to enjoy.  It had stars and planets along with creatures of various designs.  It had daylight and dark with skies filled with beautiful birds.  Heaven is clearly going to include these things.  Heaven will have all of God’s perfect plan from creation but be absent the presence of evil and the curse.   So change is coming.

(2 Peter 3:10-13) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens (present) will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth (present) and everything in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.    

The Bible makes it quite clear, that at the end of this age, this place we live on will be destroyed by fire.  It will be purified and all of the stuff that came through the curse will be done away with. Best of all, God’s original garden had His very presence, and in it mankind was able to communicate with Him on a one to one basis.  So God is remaking His home for us.

(Revelation 21:1-4) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”        

Other verses speak of this new place we will live if our name is written in the Lamb’s book of Life.  The scripture points us toward a picture of what our new home will be like and it’s not about mystical floating heads on clouds or naked babies, supposedly angelic.  Read your Bibles and refuse to get your theology from Hallmark or Hollywood. (Angels and Demons movie)  Listen to God’s word to get truth.

(Ezekiel 36:35-36) They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.”  Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’        

It is important to understand that nobody is going to end up in Heaven or on the New Earth by accident.

(Matthew 7:13-14) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.    

Last week we spoke of the need to have an eternal perspective and not a mere earth existence.  If you claim to be a Christ follower then:

(Colossians 3:1-4) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.    

You can choose to end up in Heaven to enjoy eternity with God.  You can decide today if your eternity is filled with fire or the grand expression of a creative, loving Father.

(2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.        

This Christianity I speak of each week is not a religion of do’s and don’ts.  This authentic faith is revealed in transformed lives of people who choose daily to follow God’s will and not their own.  It’s not about faultless folks or perfect people but rather about those who are broken and realize that only God can mend their minds and hearts through Christ.  Our future is a sure future and not guess work.  You can have confidence that you to will be in Heaven if you commit to living daily for Jesus.

(1 John 5:13) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.       

This is not about merely cleaning up your act or sounding like a spiritual person but is about you having a daily, personal relationship with the living Lord.

(Matthew 7:21-23) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’    

Is your life a transformed life or do you just attend church regularly or semi-regular?  Have you conceded to the fact that without Christ you will not have this Heaven I speak of as your future.  Do you understand the weighty aspect of your choices in the life you live?

(John 14:1-6) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.       

Today let me invite you to welcome the savior of the world into you heart and life.   The first step is to repent for not living everyday for Him on purpose and then choosing to turn your affairs over to Him.  Ask God how He wants to transform your life so you to will enjoy Heaven.

Take note of this: If you shoot for heaven you get this earth blessed included, but if you shoot for the earth you will miss heaven.

Memorial Day invite:  Over the years I’ve made my Sunday morning message a memorial day massage but I’m concerned that some have left thinking that they did their civic role and have no need of showing themselves appreciative at the Memorial Day observances.  This year I’m calling on you to show yourself Godly and nation thankful for those who have given so much on our behalf.  Parents don’t train your children to overlook the price paid and conclude that their freedom came cheap.

Pastor Paris Pasch