Dec 4, 20114 min read

Pictures of Heaven [Sermon]

Liberty, Missouri, USA

December 2011

Colossians 3:1-4

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Revelation 22:18–19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

Ever since I've had cancer, I've been thinking about (God) more. And I find myself believing a bit more. Maybe it's because I want to believe in an afterlife. That when you die, it doesn't just all disappear. Yeah, but sometimes I think it's just like an on-off switch. Click and you're gone. - Steve Jobs

A. Court

Romans 14:10 For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.,

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.

B. Hospital

Phil 3:21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

I John 3:2... But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

I Cor 15.42-44 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, 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. If (Since) there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

C. Marriage

Rev 19.7-9 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. … 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

2 Corinthians 1:22. Set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.

D. Church

Revelation 4:10-11: the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being"

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine. Mercy Me, I can only imagine

Revelation 22:4 They will see his face.

E. Home

John 14:1–3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; … 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Revelation 21:3–4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Self-indulgent Christianity is the kind of Christianity that's lost its heavenly perspective. The church today doesn't hope for heaven, they hope they won't go to heaven. They don't want to go to heaven until they've had all that earth could possibly deliver them. And when that's exhausted, and they finally are too old to enjoy it or too sick to enjoy it, then they'll be glad that heaven is there to receive them. "But please, God, don't send me to heaven yet. I haven't been to Hawaii. I haven't gotten my new car. I want to go to the Bahamas. I want to get a raise. I want a new house. God, please, no, not heaven." John Macarthur, What Heaven Is.

Colossians 3:1–3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

#marriage #longing #transform #body #judgment #deserve #reward #justice #worship #comfort #desire #seek #life #health #afterlife #heaven