The Hope of Heaven and the Glory of Jesus Christ

Introduction

Colossians 3:1-4

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”- Colossians 3:1-4

Paul is instructing us to reflect on the hope and beauty of Heaven. Do you regularly do that? Do you ever do that? Do you ever sit and reflect on the perfection, rest, peace, and stunning nature of Heaven?

The Common Lie of Those That Reflect on the Future

There’s a common line of thought that says that if you focus too much on the age to come then you’ll be useless in the present age. I think that’s a complete lie. I believe that it’s the people who meditate on the hope they have and the beauty of what awaits them that truly can live well in this present age. Their hope emboldens and empowers them. It enables them to live with a reckless abandon in this life.

What is the Hope That Awaits us?

What is the Hope That Awaits Us?

Dispel Rumors. Heaven is not just an intermediate state. It is forever

No More Pain, Sickness, or Death

Physical, Concrete Reality. Redeemed Earth.

On the cross, Jesus didn't just secure the redemption of the saints, He secured the redemption of the entire world.

Even the greatest sunset, the greatest mountain, the greatest day you've ever had is in some way broken and fractured by sin. If God is so kind to us now that He allows us these incredible sights and views, imagine how incredible Heaven will be. Make a sunset joke about yourself.

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”- Romans 8:19-23

We Will Have Real Resurrected Bodies

God’s Glory Will Be All the Light We Need

The Sun is merely a placeholder.

God is the Gift of Heaven

Talk about how in other religions you get earthly rewards (72 virgins-Islam, a planet-Mormonism, etc.) but in Christianity you get God Himself.

“{The redeemed have all their objective good in God. God himself is the great good which they are brought to the possession and enjoyment of by redemption. He is the highest good, and the sum of all that good which Christ purchased. God is the inheritance of the saints; he is the portion of their souls. God is their wealth and treasure, their food, their life, their dwelling-place, their ornament and diadem, and their everlasting honour and glory. They have none in heaven but God; he is the great good which the redeemed are received to at death, and which they are to rise to at the end of the world. The Lord God is the light of the heavenly Jerusalem; and is the "river of the water of life" that runs, and "the tree of life that grows, in the midst of the paradise of God." The glorious excellencies and beauty of God will be what will forever entertain the minds of the saints, and the love of God will be their everlasting feast." -Jonathan Edwards, "God Glorified in Man's Dependence" (Consider editing down this quote)

Reflect on the beauty of Jesus Christ

Psalm 73:25-26

“Whom have I in heaven but you?     And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail,     but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 27:4

“One thing have I asked of the Lord,     that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord     all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord     and to inquire in his temple.”- Psalm 27:4

We will be totally free to sin and yet we never will because we will be so utterly satisfied in Jesus.

Heaven Will Be Miserable

Share the Gospel and Plead With Students to Treasure Christ and Cling to the Hope of Heaven

Pray