Some Thoughts About Heaven (Jimmy Krizan)
Notes
Transcript
I first met Jimmy and Betty not long after I came to Parks. Through Gwen I was able to arrange a meeting at their home and by God’s grace and immediate friendship was formed. Jimmy was a man that did not beat around the bush, you didn’t have to wonder what he thought about you, he would tell you. He was a handful, and I know that Betty had a job just keeping him in line.
Jimmy loved his country, he was a veteran and, like so many patriots today, he was not happy with the current state of our country, but he loved his country. Period. He loved his wife Betty dearly, and I know she will miss him - Betty, I want you to know that you are not alone in this. Your family is here for you, and your church family is here for you.
Jimmy loved his children and I know that they loved him. You will miss him dearly I understand that. Lean on each other in these difficult days.
Jimmy loved this church, the people here truly came around he and Betty and made them welcomed here, and as the pastor, I’m thankful for that. His presence has already been missed, and will continue to be missed here.
Jimmy also loved the Lord. This was the topic of conversation at our first meeting in which Jimmy assured me he had trusted in Jesus as his Savior. This is the reason I can stand here today with peace in my heart, because I know one day, when I get to heaven, after I see Jesus, I’ll get to see Jimmy as well. So...
As we go on with today’s service, I don’t want this to be a sappy tear-filled day, because Jimmy wouldn’t want that. Rather than letting today be a day in which we mourn his passing, let’s instead honor his memory. Song...
I wanted to bring a message today that I felt Jimmy would appreciate, but would bring glory to God. This is the passage that came to me, John14:1-6
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
With these words in mind, I want to share some thoughts about heaven...
Heaven is, first....
A Place of Blessing Beyond Anything Imagined
A Place of Blessing Beyond Anything Imagined
What an encouragement this is, given the struggles which Jimmy faced in the last days of his life. What a blessing to know that in haven...
There’s no sorrow or suffering
Revelation 21:4 “4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
There will be no funerals in heaven, no hospitals, no doctors, no pain, and no tears.
There’s no saying goodbye over there
There’s no sin to cause heartache over there.
It is an unfortunate fact f life that the wages or result of sin, is death. Sickness, disease, these are not our enemies, sin is. I'm thankful that, not only is there a place of blessing, but there’s...
A Person Who Made a Way For Us to Go There
A Person Who Made a Way For Us to Go There
God loved us enough to send His Son Jesus, and...
Jesus Loved Us enough to Die for us
John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The word “world” just means you.
Jesus paid the penalty for our sins
Hebrews 10:12 “12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”
What we deserve because of our sin is death, what God offers us through Jesus is life.
He died just so that we could live. That is how He made the way for us to go to heaven. How can we go? Because there’s...
A Plan That We Can Follow to be Sure of Heaven
A Plan That We Can Follow to be Sure of Heaven
To go to heaven...
We Must Believe the Gospel - John 3:36 “36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
We must come to repentance - Luke 13:3 “3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
We must receive Jesus by an act of faith - John 1:12 “12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Believe, repent, receive. What happens when you believe in Jesus? There's...
A Possession Which is Given to All Who Believe and Receive Jesus as Savior
A Possession Which is Given to All Who Believe and Receive Jesus as Savior
Everyone who believes in Jesus ...
Are given eternal life John 3:36 “36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Are guaranteed an inheritance in glory 1 Peter 1:3–5 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
In short, for those who place their faith in Jesus, Heaven awaits on the other side of this life.
Conclusion: For a moment I want you ask yourself, “What if this was my memorial service? What if it were me? Where would I spend eternity?”
Friends, I can’t answer that for you, only you can. All I can tell you is that today, before you leave this place, you can know for certain you have a home in heaven. You say, “How can I know for sure that I have a home in heaven?” Simple. By understanding right now that you do not deserve a home in heaven. Why not? Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Once you realize that you are a sinner and cannot go to heaven, you must believe what the Bible says is true about Jesus, that He loved you and died for you so that you could be with Him
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He died for you. That is personal. He died for you, so that you could believe in Him.
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Let’s bow our heads for prayer.
In a few moments we’ll have one more song, and then I’ll close in prayer, but before we do I wonder if there is anyone here that would be honest right now. No one is looking, and I certainly won’t embarrass you, but I wonder if maybe today God has spoken to your heart about your soul’s destiny. Would you be honest with yourself today? If you are here and you’re not sure if today was your last day that you’d go to heaven, would you just raise your hand? I just want to pray for you, and maybe talk with you if you want to. Anyone like that?
