2 Corinthians 9:15KJV
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Ecclesiastes 3:11NKJV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put
eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
Into Eternity
- 3 people die every second 180 every minute, and nearly 11,000 every hour
- That means 250,000 people every day go either to Heaven or Hell
- Max Payne a 3rd person shooter video game glorifying violence for Xbox 360 sold 7 million copies @ $50
- A Video game-to-movie adaptation called "Max Payne" A revenge tale
“I DON’T believe in heaven. I believe in pain, I believe in
fear, I believe in death"
People’s beliefs about life after death
- Reincarnation
- Stop existing
Poll - Are You going to Heaven?
US News & World Report
80% Believe in Heaven
55% going to Heaven
3% Hope so - Not sure
4% No-Going to hell
6% No- There is no heaven
❶ What Qualifies You for Heaven
Most Common Answers
- 2% I have never hurt anybody
- 5% I’ve tried to keep the 10 Commandments
- 8% I go to church
- 10% I believe in God
- 15% I’ve done the best I could
- 60% I’m basically a good person
TIME - Feb. 07, 2008 Christians Wrong About Heaven, Says Bishop Tom Wright of Church of England
http://www.reserveaspotinheaven.com/
- $12.79 Essential Travel Kit
Heavenly issued certificate of reservation registered in the Book of Light (with printed name)
• A First class ticket to Heaven. Why walk those stairs when you can fly?
• The Official Heaven Identification Card (laminated) so you can get around without getting hassled.
• Heaven 101 mini informational guide. Don’t be a victim of culture shock. Get acquainted with the land..
- $16.95 All Access Travel Kit
• “VIP exclusive areas” -including the Land of Milk and Honey
- Don Pipper 90 Minutes in Heaven
- Baptist Pastor
- 1 million copies in print. It is on the New York Times best seller list.
- 2 chapters on his experience in heaven remaining 16 chapters deal with Piper’s recovery — an ordeal that included 34 separate surgeries, and many life and spiritual lessons learned along the way.
- Stephen, Paul, and John, were alive when they were given a glimpse of the wonders of Heaven.
- Don Piper had to die to have his experience
- We are reading books that teach extra biblical & unbiblical ideas
❷ The Gift of Heaven
- We don’t earn or pay for gifts we receive gifts
John 1:12KJV
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power (right privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Matthew 7:11KJV
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
- When men are about to remove into another country, they are eager to catch the reports of those who have visited it, and if possible they visit beforehand to explore it.
- Escaped from all the sufferings of the present life; from sickness and pain
- Delivered from sin & death
- Delivered from the buffetings of Satan.
- Every wall of separation between them and God is taken down
- Heaven a Buffet for the Senses
1 Corinthians 2:9KJV
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
- Scriptures story is like stealing a tiny sip of stew before dinner, it’s meant to be a taste of what to expect when you get to the banquet table
- Sights unbelievable
- Sounds, Smells
- Haven’s marvels defy description
- Rev. 21:10-11 Like fireworks with it’s 12 foundations of precious gems
Rev 21:16 - A City 1500 miles square
- Atlantic to the Colorado Mt
- From Canada to the Gulf of Mexico
- Higher than the Space Station (190 mi)
- 600,000 stories High
- Having our dwelling place at a cubic mile
- Would hold over 72 billion inhabitants
- POP since the dawn of time 100 billion
Matthew 7:13-14KJV
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
- Walls pure gold Revelation 21:18KJV
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
- Gates of single Pearl Revelation 21:21KJV
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
- Trees bearing 12 different kinds of fruit Revelation 22:2KJV
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
❸ Heaven Is Our Home
John 14:1-3KJV
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
1 Peter 1:4KJV
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Revelation 21:7KJV
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
1. Our father is in heaven
Matthew 6:9KJV
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
2. Savior is in heaven
Hebrews 9:24KJV
24 For Christ is not entered 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:
3. Brothers sisters in heaven
Hebrews 12:23KJV
23 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,
4. Name is recorded there
- We are citizens there
- We have a title deed
Luke 10:20KJV
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
❹ A Brand New Start
1. A New Body
- No spa gift certificates
- Immortal
1 Corinthians 15:42-44KJV
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
2. A Brand New Nature
- No more negative attitudes
- Struggle against sin will be gone
1 John 3:2KJV
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall a+ppear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3. Terrific Inspiring Vocation
- We will reign with Him
Revelation 3:21KJV
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
4. Complete Satisfaction
- Contentment, Peace Joy,
- Al Fear is gone
Psalm 16:11KJV
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
❺ What Difference Does Heaven Make?
Colossians 3:2KJV
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
1. Heaven Keeps the Priority of Life Right
- Living God pleasing lives
2. Heaven gives us Hope in hard times
- God’s gift is eternal life & Heaven
- Only one thing keeps us out of Heaven is sin
Proverbs 28:13KJV
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
