Sunday, July 15th, 2018 - AM - Gaining Heaven (John 14:1-6; Rev. 21:9-22:6)

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Man instinctively is inquisitive about the future. With irrepressible longing he craves knowledge not only of tomorrow, but also of the life that lies beyond “time’s allotted span.” Even the preoccupations of a materialistic age and the sarcastic protests of intellectual superiors do not seem to affect man’s hope of heaven. He is convinced that if there is a heaven to gain, then there must be an assurance about the loved ones who have passed on. If there is a heaven to gain, then there must be a prospect for the Christian. He is convinced that if there is a heaven to gain, then there must be a purpose in living for God while here upon earth. No doubt this is why Thomas Carlyle once said, “He who has no vision of eternity will never get a true hold of time.” So it is with some justification that I call your attention to the passage before us, and ask you to notice:

I. The Surety of Heaven

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (14:1). If you will examine these words in their context and in light of other Scriptures, you will find that they teach that the surety of heaven is:

A. Is Understood Because of the Need of Fallen Man

“Let not your heart be troubled” (14:1). The heart trouble that the Savior speaks about here is homesickness. The Lord Jesus had been telling the disciples, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.” (John 13:33), and the thought of His departure had made their hearts sink. They just could not imagine what life without Him would be like. He was their heaven, for “where Jesus is, ‘tis heaven there.”

These men were witnessing to the fact that heaven alone could satisfy their longing souls. And so it always has been. Man was made for heaven and will never rest until he finds his rest in the Christ of heaven. Thousands upon thousands have expressed this restlessness or homesickness in many ways, but none has ever risen to the simplicity and certainty of the apostle Paul. Listen to his words, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” (Phil. 1:21-23).

Most of us find it very difficult to want “Heaven” at all – except in so far as “Heaven” means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world. Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we do not recognize it. If people really learned to look into their own hearts, they would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be found in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give you “heaven,” but it never happens.1

The sureness of heaven is understood in the need of man. That sureness of Heaven is also:

B. Is Undeniably Only Through Faith in a Holy God and His Only Begotten Son

“You believe in God,” says Christ, “believe also in Me” (14:1). In effect, the Lord Jesus was saying, “Belief in God, means belief in me; and belief in me, means belief in heaven.” Speaking as Son over the Father’s house (Heb. 3:6) He surely could talk with authority on the certainty of heaven. So He adds, “If it were not so [that heaven were not a certainty], I would have told you” (14:2).

Remember, also, that the Lord Jesus was speaking those words in the shadow of the Cross. What weight, then, would His teaching have carried if death were but the end? No, Jesus saw heaven through the gates of death and, therefore, steadfastly set His face to lead the way to the glory land, leaving us this assurance: “Where I am, there ye may be also” (14:3).

Illustration

Now We Are Small Enough

William Beebe, the naturalist, used to tell this story about Teddy Roosevelt. At Sagamore Hill, after an evening of talk, the two would go out on the lawn and search the skies for a certain spot of star-like light near the lower left-hand corner of the Great Square of Pegasus. Then Roosevelt would recite: “That is the Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda. It is as large as our Milky Way. It is one of a hundred million galaxies. It consists of one hundred billion suns, each larger than our sun.” Then Roosevelt would grin and say, “Now I think we are small enough,[down to the right size]! Let’s go to bed.” ~ Source unknown[2]

So we see that the sureness of heaven is not only understood in the need of fallen man, but is also undeniably through faith in a holy God and His only begotten Son.

II. The Satisfaction of Heaven

“In my Father’s house are many mansions” (14:2). What a glimpse of Heaven in a single phrase! “Home” is one of the tenderest words in our English tongue, and I know why! It is the word which best describes Heaven.

A. Home Is Where We Can Rest

This will not mean inertia or inactivity, but the blessed and eternal:

1. Rest from Sorrow

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more ...sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:4).

2. Rest from Separation

“There shall be no more death” (Rev. 21:4).

3. Rest from Shadow

“Having the glory of God: and her light was…clear as crystal” (Rev. 21:11);

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:” (Rev. 21:23-24)

“And there shall be no night there” (Rev. 22:5).

4. Rest from Sin

“But there shall by no means enter it [Heaven] anything that defiles” (Rev. 21:27).

Illustration

The story is told of the great Richard Baxter, author of the “Saints Everlasting Rest,” that as he lay dying, he was heard to whisper in response to an inquiry as to how he felt, “I am almost well.” For him, entry into heaven meant the saint’s everlasting rest.

How true are those words written to the Hebrew believers long ago, “There remaineth, therefore, a rest for the people of God” (Heb. 4:9).

B. Home Is Where We’re Reunited

That is just what heaven is going to mean. For next to the unutterable joy of seeing our Savior, heaven is going to include the happy reunion with, and the recognition of, loved ones and friends who have gone before.

Paul sums up the anticipation of reunion and recognition in heaven in words that were first addressed to his precious converts at Thessalonica, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” (1 Thess. 2:19). Some one once asked George Macdonald the question, “Shall we know one another in Heaven?” His pertinent reply was, “Shall we be greater fools in paradise than we are here?”

C. Home Is Where We Will Find Rejoicing

Some one has called it “the place of laughter,” and so it is, for remember that heaven is the place where there are thousands of little children; and where children are there is laughter. But even in a deeper way we are told that for the believer heaven is the place of “exceeding joy” (Jude 24).

What a home heaven is! Paul described departure for heaven as, “Absent from the body . . . present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). Look again at our Scripture text and learn of:

III. The Sufficiency of Heaven

“I go to prepare a place for you” (14:2). A little reflection makes it clear that the preparations for heaven had to do with:

A. Sufficient Preparations for Heaven

When Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (14:2), He had before Him the infinite cost of introducing sinful men and women to His Father, God. Such introductions incurred the price of blood.

He died that we might be forgiven,

He died to make us good—

That we might go at last to Heaven

Saved by His precious blood.

There was no other good enough

To pay the price of sin,

He only could unlock the gate

Of Heaven and let us in.

~Cecil F. Alexander

By virtue of His own blood Christ entered not “into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:” (Heb. 9:24). Thank God that the introductions have been completed for all whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life!

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

“And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Phil. 4:3)

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,” (Heb. 12:23).

The preparations for heaven also had to do with:

B. Sufficient Reservations in Heaven

“I go to prepare a place for you” (14:2). For every redeemed soul there is room in Heaven. It is a place of “extensive mansions,” and therefore it has room for all.

There’s a land that is fairer than day,

And by faith we can see it afar;

For the Father waits over the way,

To prepare us a dwelling place there.

S. F. Bennet

The preparations for heaven, further had to do with:

C. Sufficient Occupations in Heaven

“I go to prepare a place for you” (14:2). Included in that promise are the occupations for man in his whole being:

1. Occupations for His Released Spirit & Raptured Soul

The believer will enjoy unhindered worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23).

The believer will enjoy unlimited knowledge, for what is eternal life but to know God and Jesus Christ? (John 17:3). Then will the believer know even as he is known (1 Cor. 13:12).

Oh, the soul-thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face,

And the lustre of His kindly beaming eye!

How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love, and grace

That prepared for me a mansion in the sky!

~ Fanny J. Crosby

2. Occupation for His Redeemed Body

The believer will enjoy unfettered service. For it is written, “His servants shall serve Him” (Rev. 22:3). Such service will include sharing in the governmental judgment of the world and of angels: “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” (1 Cor. 6:2–3).

So we see something of the sufficiency of heaven. Then in the verses before us, Jesus further suggests:

IV. The Society of Heaven

“I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (14:3).

Illustration:

When someone shows up unexpectedly, or when we suddenly encounter someone we have wanted to see or have not seen in a long time, we sometimes say, "LOOK WHO'S HERE!" That expression could have been used often in the Bible. Think of the Israelites in the wilderness, often tempted to despair and even to rebel. But on many a night a Hebrew could pull back the flap of his tent, see the pillar of fire in the sky, and say to his companion, "Everything's all right. We're not alone. LOOK WHO'S HERE! ~(Diamonds, p. 43)

When the Savior says “I”, He speaks representatively of heaven, for when you compare this statement with what is revealed elsewhere you discover that the community of Heaven is composed of:

A. The Father

Indeed it is the “Father’s House” (John 14:2).

Everything’s alright in the Father’s house,

We are all at home in the Father’s house...

We have perfect peace in the Father’s house...

We smile all day long in the Father’s house...

We are satisfied in the Father’s house...

We love Jesus Christ in the Father’s house...

Come and go with me to the Father’s house...

The Devil won’t be there in my Father’s house...

B. The Son

“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” (John 3:13).

C. The Spirit

“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.” (John 1:32).

D. The Angels

Speaking of heaven, the writer to the Hebrews declares, “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” (1:6).

E. The Saints

When John was permitted in vision to look into heaven saying, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;” (Rev. 7:9).

Friends will be there I have loved long ago;

Joy like a river around me will flow;

Yet, just a smile from my Savior, I know,

Will through the ages be glory for me.

Charles Gabriel

In conclusion, see in the passage under consideration:

V. The Shepherd of Heaven

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (14:6). Such a glimpse of heaven had called forth the most natural and crucial question from Thomas: “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (14:5). In reply, the Savior offers Himself as being the three indispensable requirements for an entrance into heaven:

A. The Way to Escort Us to Heaven

For Christ is not only the path, but also the guide to the realms of bliss. Without Him we are most certainly lost. He says, “...no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (14:6).

Illustration:

W. E. Vine informs us that the Greek word for “the Way,” as applied to Christ, signified “the means of access.” Only Christ gives us access to the Father and the Father’s house. Let me illustrate this:

Stephen Olford relates: One of the most frightening and frustration experiences of my life was to be put under house arrest because my American Visa was challenged upon entry to a country at war. The missionary who came to meet me tried his best to resolve the situation, but all his efforts were in vain. As I bowed in prayer, the thought occurred to me that my British passport might work! I asked the official in charge to phone the British Embassy and connect me to the Ambassador. It was a Saturday afternoon and offices like this were normally closed. But in God’s providence, he got through and handed me the phone. I introduced myself, explained my predicament and gave him my passport number and relevant details. He said, “Hand the phone over to the official.” In minutes I was a free man! With profuse apologies I was escorted to my waiting car. The Ambassador was my “means of access” to my desired destination. Jesus is our “means of access” to the Father’s house!

Have you met this heavenly guide and friend? The second essential is:

B. The Truth to Educate Us for Heaven

No man ever had an audience with an earthly king without being carefully informed as to what was expected of him. How then can a sinner of Adam’s race ever hope to stand before the King of the universe without the truth? Jesus said, “I am...the truth” (14:6). Get to know Him before it is too late. Remember that heaven is “a prepared place for a prepared people.” The third essential is:

C. The Life to Equip Us for Heaven

Jesus declared to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).

Illustration:

Nothing does the soul more good than a brand new Christian. One young boy down in Louisiana got such a double dose of it when he was saved that his parents thought he was crazy and sent him to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist said, “…Ah hem, well, let’s see… Where were you born?” The boy answered, “Well, I was born twice, which time are you talking about?” And the psychiatrist cleared his throat… “Your father’s name, please?” To which the boy answered, “Well I have a heavenly Father and an earthly father, which one do you mean?” The psychiatrist said, “Where is your home?” He said, “I’ve got a heavenly home and an earthly home, which one are you talking about?” They said that before it was over, they had to send the psychiatrist to a psychiatrist! ~ Vance Havner

How can a man who has lived without God on earth, be introduced suddenly into a realm of perfect life and holiness? Would he care for it? Could he live in it? The answer is in the negative; no more could he live in heaven than a fish taken from the depths of the sea could live in the pure light and beauty of the sunshine above. It would be out of its element and all around would be contrary to every instinct of its nature. The same is true of you and me. In our fallen nature, we could not subsist in the realms of glory without “life from above” experienced now! No wonder Jesus insists, “I am the life” (14:6). Paul writing of the mystery of the gospel which takes sinners to heaven, urges that the guarantee of reaching the Father’s house is, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).

Conclusion

Can you say that Christ is in you? Oh, may the certainty, the conception, the completeness, the community and the commendation of heaven lead you to say:

To Christ the Way, the Truth, the Life,

I come, no more to roam;

He’ll guide me to my “Father’s house,”

To my eternal home.

~ James McGranahan

[1 C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Macmillan, 1952), 119.

2 Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).

3 Dennis J. Hester, The Vance Havner Notebook, Sermon Excerpts and Illustrations, Vance Havner Bundle (WORDsearch, 2014).

[Outline Adapted From: Stephen F. Olford, Inviting People to Christ: Evangelistic Expository Messages (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998), 80–89.]]

Related Media

Related Sermons