CRCF\u201d\u201d5\/17\/09<\/p>\n
Questions of the Heart: #3<\/p>\n
Introduction\u201d\u201dMy daughter, Hannah, and a couple of her friends had the rare opportunity to attend one of their Hispanic friends\u201d\u2122 15th birthday celebration\u201d\u201da very big deal for a young lady in that culture . . . and, a very big party!\u00a0 As my daughter and her friends said, \u201cIt was the best party I\u201d\u2122ve ever been to in my life!\u201d\u00a0 Beautiful dresses, awesome decorations, lots of great food and plenty of dancing!\u00a0 Imagine three teenage \u201cgringo\u201d girls attempting to learn Hispanic line dances from their friends! \u00e2\u02dc\u00ba\u00a0 Well, girls\u201d\u201dand they\u201d\u2122re all three here this morning\u201d\u201dthere\u201d\u2122s a party yet to come that will shame any party that has been or will be thrown on this entire planet.\u00a0 And it\u201d\u2122s gonna happen in heaven.<\/p>\n
What will heaven be like?\u00a0 William Young in his book, The Shack, paints a picture that I love and believe helps us begin to grasp Scripture\u201d\u2122s teaching on the eternal hope we have as Christ-followers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was standing right where he had closed his eyes, but the shack was gone as well as the dock and shop.\u00a0 Instead he was outside, perched on the top of a small hill under a brilliant but moonless night sky.\u00a0 He could see that the star were in motion, not hurriedly but smoothly and with precision, as if there were grand celestial conductors coordinating their movements.
\nOccasionally, as if on cue, comets and meteor showers would tumble through the starry ranks, adding variation to the flowing dance.\u00a0 Then Mack saw some of the stars grow and change colors as if they were turning nova or white dwarf.\u00a0 It was as if time itself had become dynamic and volatile, adding to the seeming chaotic but precisely managed heavenly display. . . Mack felt larger than life, as if he were able to be present wherever he looked . . . Mack felt that he could reach out and touch them, and without thought stretched out his arm.\u00a0 He drew it back, startled, as he realized that he too was ablaze.\u00a0 He looked at his hands, wonderfully crafted, and clearly visible inside the cascading colors of light that seemed to glove them.\u00a0 He examined the rest of his body to find that light and color robed him completely; a clothing of purity that allowed him both freedom and propriety.\u00a0 Mack realized also that he felt no pain, not even in his usually aching joints.\u00a0 In fact, he had never felt this well, this whole.\u00a0 His head was clear and he breathed deeply the scents and aromas of the night and of the sleeping flowers in the garden, many of which had begun to awaken to this celebration . . .\u201d (209-211).<\/p>\n
\u201cNearly nine out of 10 people in the United States say they believe in heaven, according to recent ABC News poll\u201d (\u201cHeaven\u201d\u201dWhere is It?\u00a0 How do we get there?\u201d, Barbara Walters, Dec. 20, 2005).<\/p>\n
So it seems that the subject of your third question in this series, \u201cQuestions of the Heart\u201d, is most likely relevant to everyone in the room!<\/p>\n
5-17-095-17-09<\/a> 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHeaven\u201d is where the Father is right now.<\/p>\n While we\u201d\u2122re talking about what happens to us when we die and whether or not we go to be with God immediately, it seems important to start with where our Father is right now.\u00a0 And the Bible tells us:<\/p>\n \u201cPray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.\u201d There is a place where our \u201cDaddy\u201d resides today! 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jesus sits in Heaven with the Father.<\/p>\n I\u201d\u2122m also interested in where Jesus went after His death and resurrection, aren\u201d\u2122t you?<\/p>\n Acts 1:9-11\u201d\u201d\u201cIt was not long after he had said this that he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud.\u00a0 As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them.\u00a0 They said, \u201d\u02dcMen of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky?\u00a0 Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven.\u00a0 And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Son radiates God\u201d\u2122s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.\u201d Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV)\u201d\u201d\u201cTherefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Hebrews 8:1 (NKJV)\u201d\u201d\u201cWe have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens . . . .\u201d<\/p>\n Jesus sits in heaven with the Father.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our souls will be with God the moment our bodies die. CRCF\u201d\u201d5\/17\/09 Questions of the Heart: #3 Introduction\u201d\u201dMy daughter, Hannah, and a couple of her friends had the rare opportunity to attend one of their Hispanic friends\u201d\u2122 15th birthday celebration\u201d\u201da very big deal for a young lady in that culture . … Continue reading
\nI want to start at the beginning and layout some, perhaps, obvious, but foundational truths that form the backdrop for the answer to that question.<\/p>\n
\nMatthew 6:8-10 (NLT)
\nMatthew 7:11 (NKJV)\u201d\u201d\u201c 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!\u201d
\nRevelation 4:2-3\u201d\u201d\u201c 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones\u201d\u201dlike jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHeaven is where the Father is right now!<\/p>\n
\nHebrews 1:2-4 (NLT)<\/p>\n
\nThere have been Christians down through the ages, and some still today, who believe that when a Christian dies, their body is buried and their soul sleeps until Jesus returns.\u00a0 This belief comes from the language used in Scripture of \u201cfalling asleep\u201d:
\n1 Corinthians 15:18\u201d\u201d\u201cThen also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.\u201d (NKJV)
\n1 Thessalonians 4:13\u201d\u201d\u201cBut I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.\u201d (NKJV)
\nIt seems clear that this language of falling asleep is a euphemism, much like when we say someone has \u201cpassed\u201d or \u201cpassed away\u201d, and refers, simply, to the death of our bodies\u201d\u201dnot \u201csoul-sleep\u201d.\u00a0 I believe this based on some very clear Scriptures where figures of speech do not come into play but we are told straight up that when we die we will then be with the Lord.\u00a0 Let\u201d\u2122s take a look:
\n2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NLT)–6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
\nPhilippians 1:22-26 (The Message)– \u201cAs long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I’d choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues.\u201d
\n1 Corinthians 12:1-4 (NKJV)–1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago\u201d\u201dwhether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows\u201d\u201dsuch a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man\u201d\u201dwhether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows\u201d\u201d 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
\nLuke 16:19-31 (NLT)\u201d\u201d\u201c 19 Jesus said, \u201cThere was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man\u201d\u2122s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.\u00a0 22 \u201cFinally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.\u00a0 The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead.\u00a0 There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.\u00a0 24 \u201cThe rich man shouted, \u201d\u02dcFather Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.\u201d\u2122\u00a0 25 \u201cBut Abraham said to him, \u201d\u02dcSon, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.\u201d\u2122\u00a0 27 \u201cThen the rich man said, \u201d\u02dcPlease, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father\u201d\u2122s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don\u201d\u2122t end up in this place of torment.\u201d\u2122\u00a0 29 \u201cBut Abraham said, \u201d\u02dcMoses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.\u201d\u2122\u00a0 30 \u201cThe rich man replied, \u201d\u02dcNo, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.\u201d\u2122\u00a0 31 \u201cBut Abraham said, \u201d\u02dcIf they won\u201d\u2122t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won\u201d\u2122t listen even if someone rises from the dead.\u201d\u2122\u201d
\nLuke 23:43 (NLT)–\u201cAnd Jesus replied, \u201d\u02dcI assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.\u201d\u2122\u201d
\nOur souls will be with God the moment our bodies die!
\n4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We will live eternally in glorified bodies in the New Jerusalem.
\n1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 [READ]
\n1 Corinthians 15:42-58 [READ]
\nOur bodies DO remain \u201casleep\u201d, \u201cdead\u201d in the grave until Jesus returns.\u00a0 And then, they are raised and REMADE and our souls rejoin our bodies and are ready for the completion of our salvation!\u00a0 When Jesus returns and remakes all things, Heaven and Earth become one\u201d\u201dand we dwell with our Lord forever in the new heavens and the new earth, in the new Jerusalem of God!
\nRevelation 21 (NLT)
\nThe New Jerusalem
\n1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
\n3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, \u201cLook, God\u201d\u2122s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.\u201d
\n5 And the one sitting on the throne said, \u201cLook, I am making everything new!\u201d And then he said to me, \u201cWrite this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.\u201d 6 And he also said, \u201cIt is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega\u201d\u201dthe Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
\n8 \u201cBut cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars\u201d\u201dtheir fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.\u201d
\n9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, \u201cCome with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.\u201d
\n10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone\u201d\u201dlike jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side\u201d\u201deast, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
\n15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. 17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel).
\n18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
\n21 The twelve gates were made of pearls\u201d\u201deach gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.
\n22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty\u201d\u201dbut only those whose names are written in the Lamb\u201d\u2122s Book of Life.
\nTHAT is our ultimate destiny as followers of Christ and children of God!\u00a0 What a future and a hope!
\nWe will live eternally in glorified bodies in the New Jerusalem.
\nIf you\u201d\u2122re a fellow-follower of Christ, let your hearts and minds brim with hope!\u00a0 Be encouraged about your eternity, no matter your present!
\nConclusion\u201d\u201dBut if you\u201d\u2122re here and you don\u201d\u2122t have a sure hope of heaven by faith in Jesus, Jesus gives you an invitation this morning:
\n\u201c\u201d\u2122See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds.\u00a0 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.\u201d\u2122\u00a0 Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life . . . The Spirit and the bride say, \u201d\u02dcCome\u201d\u2122.\u00a0 Let each one who hears them say, \u201d\u02dcCome\u201d\u2122.\u00a0 Let the thirsty ones come\u201d\u201danyone who want to.\u00a0 Let them come and drink the water of life without charge\u201d (Revelation 21:12-17).
\nAnother excerpt from The Shack, as we close:
\n\u201cSomehow, he was already known and loved here.\u00a0 When he reached Sarayu, she embraced him as well and he let her hold him as he continued to cry.\u00a0 When he had regained some semblance of coherence, he turned to look back at the meadow, the lake, and the night sky.\u00a0 A hush descended.\u00a0 The anticipation was palpable.\u00a0 Suddenly to their right, from out of the darkness emerged Jesus, and pandemonium broke out.\u00a0 He was dressed in a simple brilliant white garment and wore on his head a simple gold crown, but he was every inch the king of the universe.\u00a0 He walked the path that opened before him into the center\u201d\u201dthe center of all Creation, the man who is God and the God who is man.\u00a0 Light and color danced and wove a tapestry of love for him to step on.\u00a0 Some were crying out words of love, while others simply stood with hands lifted up.\u00a0 Many of those whose colors were the richest and deepest were lying flat on their faces.\u00a0 Everything that had a breath sang out a song of unending love and thankfulness.\u00a0 Tonight the universe was as it was intended.\u00a0 As Jesus reached the center he paused to look around.\u00a0 His gaze stopped on Mack standing on the small hill at the outer edge and he heard Jesus whisper in his ear, \u201d\u02dcMack, I am especially fond of you.\u201d\u2122\u00a0 That was all Mack could bear as he slumped to the ground, dissolving into a wash of joyful tears.\u00a0 He couldn\u201d\u2122t move, gripped as he was in Jesus\u201d\u2122 embrace of love and tenderness.\u00a0 He then heard Jesus say clearly and loudly, but oh so gently and invitingly:\u00a0 \u201d\u02dcCome!\u201d\u2122\u00a0 And they did, the children first and then the adults, each in turn for as long as they needed; to laugh and talk and embrace and sing with their Jesus\u201d (216).
\nThe truth is:\u00a0 we can only imagine!
\n–Closing Song:\u00a0 \u201cI Can Only Imagine\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"