Heaven

Heaven We live in a world that as believers we see what is happening. I am sure many of you like me long for that day we are with the Lord. ~1 the attack upon the beliefs of believers ~2 the attack upon the word itself ~ the fall of society that is leading more away from Christ, even in the church itself. ~ I am sure each of us can think of things that we have seen that show us we are nearing the end ~ I bet many are tired... I know I get that way... just wanna go home Intro. • Hebrews 11:16(nasb) 'But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. ' • 2 Corinthians 5:1 (nasb) 'For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ' I. Heaven Is a Real and Prepared Place • John 14:1-3 (nasb) ' "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. ' • Revelation 21:1-2(nasb) 'Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer anysea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. ' II. Heaven Is a Place of No More Sorrow • Revelation 21:4 (nasb) 'Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer anysea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." ' • Isaiah 25:8 -(nasb) 'He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken. ' III. Heaven Is a Place of God's Presence and Glory • Revelation 21:23(nasb). 'And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. ' • Revelation 22:3-4(nasb) 'There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. ' • Psalm 16:11(nasb). 'You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.' IV. Heaven Is Reserved for the Redeemed • 1 Peter 1:4 (nasb) 'to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ' • Philippians 3:20(nasb) 'For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; ' • Revelation 21:27 (nasb) 'and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.' V. How We Prepare for Heaven • John 3:3 -(nasb) 'Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." ' • Colossians 3:1-2 (nasb) 'Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. ' • Conclusion. Revelation 22:17 -(nasb) 'The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. ' 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (nasb. 'For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. '