What is heaven like? Who can go? What will life be like there? Ps Rod answers all these questions and more in this week's message from our new series Now and for Eternity!
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I WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN ONE DAY, BUT NOT TODAY!
(Revelation 5:11-12 NIV) "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. (12) In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
THE BEAUTY OF "PARADISE"
(Luke 23:42-43 NIV) "Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.” (43) He (Jesus) said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.”
(Genesis 2:8-10 MSG) "God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the Man he had just made in it. God made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. A river flows out of Eden to water the garden and from there divides into four rivers."
(Isaiah 11:6 MSG) The wolf will romp with the lamb, the leopard sleep with the kid. Calf and lion will eat from the same trough, and a little child will tend them.
(Psalm 8:3,9 NIV) When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, ... (9) Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
THE AMAZING COMMUNITY
(Luke 16:22-23 MSG) Then he (Lazarus) died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap.
(Revelation 21:3-4 MSG) I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.
THE AUDACIOUS LIFESTYLE
(John 14:1-3 NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. (2) My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? (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 21:10-12 MSG) "He took me away in the Spirit to an enormous, high mountain and showed me Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God, resplendent in the bright glory of God.
(Revelation 21:12-14 MSG) The City shimmered like a precious gem, light-filled, pulsing light. She had a wall majestic and high with twelve gates, 26-27)
(1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV) "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
(1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NIV) "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."
(Matthew 25:21 NIV) His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
(1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NIV) If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, (13) their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (14) If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. (15) If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
(Revelation 3:21) To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne."
(Luke 19:15-19) “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. (16) “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more. (17) “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ (18) “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ (19) “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
(John 3:16 NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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Connect Group Questions:
- What do you think heaven will be like? (Luke 23:42-43, Genesis 2:8-10, Isaiah 11:6)
- How does knowing there will be no more pain or sadness in heaven make you feel? (Revelation 21:3-4)
- What does it mean to you that Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven? (John 14:1-3)
- How can we use what God has given us to help others? (Luke 19:15-19)
- Why is it important to be faithful in the small things in life? (Matthew 25:21, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
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