2. A Real Faith (Week 2)

Thank you for being with us on Sunday Nights. I know there are challenges in your world, as there are in my world. To be faithful on Sunday nights is a great encouragement to me and to others.

That you see the importance and urgency of being a part of this event every week sets the day apart from beginning to end to the Lord, which is a noble and important thing to do thank you for your faithfulness.

II. Real Faith Promises Heaven

Many religions claim a belief in Heaven, but they cannot promise Heaven. Frankly, there is no hope in religion. There is only hope in Jesus Himself. Notice what our text promises regarding Heaven.

1 Peter 1:4 NKJV

4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

This verse provides some truths about Heaven

A. A real place

Heaven is not a type of mystical, nirvana experience. It’s not a kind of surreal existence. There are three phrases in 1 Peter1:4, that describe attributes of a real place.

First, it is an inherited property. The Bible refers to it as “an inheritance incorruptible.” This phrase speaks of a tangible property received. It indicates a literal, physical place. Heaven is not symbolic; it is a real place where we who have trusted Christ will live.

Jesus also spoke of Heaven as a real place.

John 14:1–3 NKJV

1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

In this passage, Jesus describes Heaven as an inherited property for the believers.

Revelation 21 speaks of Heaven as a real place, and it points out what the best part of Heaven will be. Notice especially verse 3.

Revelation 21:1–4 NKJV

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Jesus Himself - our living hope - is there. What a great day it will be when we go to this place and see Him!

Heaven is also an incorruptible place. 1 Peter 1:4, says it is incorruptible and undefiled.” In Heaven, there is no rottenness or decay, no mildew or rust.

You can purchase a brand new home tomorrow and within six months, you’ll be needing to make repairs. Children color on newly painted walls. The screen door breaks. Hairline cracks develop in the concrete as the foundation settles. Mold and mildew begin to grow in the basement. Even with the best resources, we cannot escape the corruption that is part of this planet. But in Heaven, everything is truly incorruptible.

Romans 8 speaks of our abode on this Earth as “the bondage of corruption.”

Romans 8:20–21 NKJV

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

In Heaven, we will be liberated from this corruption, and will enjoy the physical realities of being the children of God in glory.

Life on Earth is a precious gift from God, and we ought to enjoy the opportunities it provides to love our families, witness for Christ, and worship God. Yet, when we read what God promises about Heaven, it is obvious that we won’t miss one thing about planet Earth when we get there! Heaven is Perfect.

Revelation 21:27 NKJV

27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

No decay, no corruption, no defilement. Can it get any better than that?

Actually, Yes! 1 Peter 1:4, tells us also that Heaven is an immortal position. It is a place “that does not fade away.”

This phrase comes from the root word meaning perennial. Like the plants and flowers that bear this name, Heaven never withers of fades. It is a place of perpetual joy and never-ending immortality.

Real faith gives us a solid hope in a real place. Heaven is the believer’s inheritance; it will never decay and never fade.

But there’s more. Not only is Heaven a real place, it is also a reserved place.

B. A Reserved place.

The next part of our text personalizes Heaven even more.

1 Peter 1:4 (NKJV)

4 ...reserved in heaven for you,

Heaven can only be reserved through real faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible speaks of this reservation in Colossians 1.

Colossians 1:3–5 NKJV

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

There is always a link in Scripture between faith in Jesus Christ and hope in Heaven. No church, no deeds, no prayers, no offering can give you entrance into Heaven. The only way to secure a reservation in Heaven is by real faith in Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 NKJV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Not only does Jesus make the reservation possible, but He keeps the reservation as well.

1 Peter 1:5 NKJV

5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

From the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour until the moment He reveals Himself to us, we are kept by Him. Our salvation is secured by His poer. Christ will never cancel that which He has purchased with His blood and sealed by His Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13–14 NKJV

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

As helpful as technology can be, human reservation systems are not flawless. For instance, in 2011, United Airlines encountered a five-hour computer glitch that left thousands of passengers stranded.

Just one glitch in our airline’s system radically affected the travel plans of thousands of passengers. Imagine the plans that were rearranged and cancelled in just one afternoon.

Thankfully, Christ is not using human technology to keep our heavenly reservation. Our reservation is kept by His power.

Just as our salvation is not dependent on our works or ability, so our eternal security is not dependent on our works or ability, so our eternal security is not dependent upon us. It id firmly attached to the power of God. There is no earthly or angelic power that can take away the inheritance which Christ has promised to those who believe on Him.

Paul was confident in God’s ability to keep his salvation until the day that he would see Christ face to face.

2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Thank the Lord for His steadfast love and unwavering power!

A young man who was in love brought the photograph his girlfriend had given him to a photographer’s studio to get the picture duplicated. As the photographer pulled the picture out of the envelope, he noticed a note on the back: “My dearest Tom, I love you with all my heart. I love you more and more each day. I will love you forever and ever… I am yours for all eternity.” And it was simply signed, “Diane.”

But there was a post script: “P.S. If we ever break up, I want this picture back.”

Our love is fickle, but God’s love is guaranteed.

God’s power is as strong as His omnipotence and as sure as His immutability. He keeps His word, and He has promised eternal life and sure inheritance. Real faith promises Heaven because of the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ.

(Further, Study: The Articles of Faith page 7. paragraph O. Of The Security Of The Saints)

III. Real Faith Promises Help

Real faith is practical, helpful faith. It is fixed on a God who helps us through life’s real challenges. As Peter speaks of the help promised through real faith, he says it provides great cause for rejoicing!

1 Peter 1:6–7 NKJV

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

A. Help in our heavy times

Who hasn’t known the burden of a heavy heart? Every one of us go through seasons of “manifold temptations” - many trails - situations that place heavy loads on our shoulders. Sometimes those around us don’t even know anything about weight that we are carrying.

Yet, the Lord is our help in heavy times and He reminds us that our burdens are only for a season.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NKJV

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

When we are in the midst of a burden, it seems as if it will go on forever! But it won’t; it is only for a season. Even if our heavy burden last our entire lifetime, they cannot last forever. They are only temporary assignments. An in Heaven, we will be thankful for the blessings God brought to our lives through them.

Romans 8:18 NKJV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Not only are our trails for a season, they are also for a reason. 1 Peter 5:10, gives us a glimpse into some of God’s reasons for allowing trials in our lives.

1 Peter 5:10 NKJV

10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Many Christians learn more about the Lord and grow in their relationship with Him through six months of trial than they could in six straight years of preaching the Bible study. God has a way of doing a special work in our lives during a time of trial.

The trial that God allows are not meant to destroy us; they are meant to strengthen us. They are not meant to cause us to wash out; they are meant to establish and stabilize us.

B. Help in our trying times

Conclusion:

1 Peter 1:13 (NKJV)

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;