Heaven 12/7/18

Intro

Announcements

OurCalling

Prayer for Upcoming mission trip

If you’re interested, we’re looking for a deeper level of commitment and willingness to be discipled instead of just coming every now and then.

Body

Popular Near-Death-Experiences

People claiming they’ve been to heaven

Donald Piper Story

We Talked briefly about Heaven 4 months ago

What does the world say about Heaven?

Muslims—Your own kingdom with a bunch of virgins

Mormons—Become a God

Buddhists—reach enlightenment, some mystical peace

Average Christian—believes heaven is a place of rest and fun (big big house song)

What’s the point of Heaven:

Worship!

Hebrews 1:6 NET

But when he again brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him!”

For us:

Revelation 22:3 NET

And there will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship him,

IF we don’t praise Him:

Luke 19:40 NET

He answered, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the very stones will cry out!”

Why is He worthy?

Breath in our lungs

Enjoyment of family and friends

Absolute bliss — All things are through Him and for Him

No more problems

No more competition

No more studying or rejection or sadness or betrayal or gossip or temptations or disappointment or unrest

Paintball Worship

Didn’t want to be in heaven if paintball wasn’t there

Believing in Jesus was so I wouldn’t go to hell

Attitude shows that I still want to be worshipped

Would God be doing any favors for anyone if myself back then—or anyone from another religion—were allowed to go to heaven and disappointed forever?

We can think heaven is for ourselves - exercising enjoyment individually

Heaven is not about us - it’s about enjoying Jesus and worshipping him corporately

Will there be flying? If there is, we’ll be flying with Jesus

If not, we’ll be standing and walking with Jesus

Questions

Icebreaker: What have you wanted there to be in heaven, and why?

Read (entire chapter)

What do you think makes the Christian view of heaven different than the other religions? Why?

Does thanking Jesus and bowing down at His feet forever seem exciting or boring? Why?

In what ways does the world try to make earth more like heaven? What ways do Christians try to make the earth more like heaven?

If heaven is perfect, and the pure dwelling place of God, what will not be in heaven that you enjoy here on earth?

Closing

Greatly concerning

College story of going to a play that I didn’t enjoy

Trying to fit in, everyone was a fan of this play and style of music

I went, didn’t enjoy myself. Everything was amazing, but I put on a charade

Everyone could tell I didn’t enjoy myself

Many of you can relate, but when it comes to church

You’re not interested in learning or growing, but you come for your friends, and you help out with VBS just to do good things, but you don’t actually enjoy the REASON TO COME TO CHURCH

You’ve put up a charade, and everyone can tell

Quit the charade

How my thoughts and affections changed about Les Mis and the Music

Thoughts and affections change

For those of you who have no interest in this stuff whatsoever, I am greatly concerned

For those of you who are struggling to grow in affections, there is hope

Get discipleship

Meeting a few times a month regularly to talk about life and how to live in a Christ-honoring way

Colossians 3:1 NET

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

IF you haven’t