TAE- BETWEEN YOUR DEATH & THE RESURRECTION.doc

TAE: BETWEEN YOUR DEATH & THE RESURRECTION

SMWS- 7/19/09 Text: 2 Corinthians 2:21-22

SRBC #

 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

 

1) Here’s a fact: With the possible exception of a few babies in the nursery

              A) Every person here at church this morning will be dead within the next 80- 100 years

              B) Unless Jesus comes back first

 

2) Now last week we talked about your ultimate destiny as a born-again child of God             

              A) You’re going to live in a resurrected body

              B) On a resurrected Earth prepared by God as the eternal dwelling place for His children

 

3) How can you be certain this is going to happen?

              A) The Bible says the Holy Spirit is the One who guarantees your future

              B) Listen to what it says in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

 

21  Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

22  set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

 

4) IOW:.  God made you, and saved you in Christ. 

              A) You don’t have to worry about the future.  You are His. 

              B) He insured your future- He set you apart for eternity- by giving you the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

5) OK- that takes care of your eternity on the resurrected Earth

              A) But it also raises another question:

              B) What happens to me after my physical death and before the Resurrection at the end of time?

 

6) That’s the question I want to address this morning

              A) Here’s the way we’re going to do it

              B) I’m going to share four Biblical truths you need to know about this ‘in-between’ time

 

7) The first truth is that…..

 

WHEN YOU DIE YOU GO TO BE WITH JESUS

 

1) Have you ever met someone who believed in ‘soul sleep?’

              A) It’s an interesting theory

              B) It says that when a Christian dies their soul

                            1) Enters a state of deep sleep             

                            2) Where it remains until the Resurrection at the end of time

 

2) I once read a book by a pastor who compared ‘soul sleep’ to being under general anesthesia

              A) He said: A person may be under anesthesia for many hours.  But as far as they are concerned it’s just a split second between falling asleep and hearing the recovery room nurse say ‘wake up Mr. Jones.’ 

              B) This is the way it will be for the Christian in a state of soul sleep

                            1) When you die you may lay in the grave for hundreds- thousands- of years

                            2) But as far as you’re concerned it will be an instant later that you will hear the trumpet call signaling the beginning of the Resurrection

 

2) Isn’t that a nice illustration?

              A) A nifty little theory- soul sleep

              B) The only problem with the theory is what it says in the Bible!

 

3) For instance- when Jesus was hanging on the Cross the repentant thief asked Him to remember me when You come into Your kingdom  (Luke 23:42)

              A) Jesus responded by saying: I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.  (Luke 23:43)

              B) What has Jesus promised the thief?

                            1) Listen

                            2) That’s right- within a 24 hour period of time he would be with Jesus in heaven

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8

 

6  Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body (physically alive in this present world) we are (physically) away from the Lord. (Remember- He’s always with us through the presence of the Holy Spirit)

7  We live by faith, not by sight.

8  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body (the physical body we presently occupy.  He’s not talking about a ‘spiritual’ existence apart from the body) and at home with the Lord.

 

4) How many of you have had at least one friend or loved one die knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord?  (Allow for show of hands)

              A) On the authority of the infallible, inerrant Word of God- I can assure you: They’re not in a state of suspended animation waiting for Resurrection Morning

              B) They are alive and well and with the Lord in heaven….Amen?

 

THE PRESENT HEAVEN IS NOT THE PLACE WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY

 

1) On two of our trips to Israel we had a layover in London

              A) It was terrific- we even got to do some sightseeing (Saw everything but the Queen Mum herself)

              B) Before I left- if you’d have asked me where I was going-

                            1) I might have said: We’ve got a layover in London- but I probably wouldn’t have even said that

                            2) Instead I would’ve told you: I’m going to Israel because Israel was my final destination

 

2) Well here’s the thing: As a Christian when you die….

              A) You’ll immediately go to heaven- the place where Jesus is right now

              B) But that’s not the place where Jesus- or you- will spend eternity

 

3) Once again- you have to remember what the Bible says about your ultimate destiny as a born-again child of God             

              A) You’re going to live in a resurrected body

              B) On a resurrected Earth prepared by God as the eternal dwelling place for His children

 

4) IOW:

              A) The present heaven is a temporary layover place you go to between the time of your physical death and the Resurrection

              B) But your final destination is the heavenly home God is preparing for you on the ‘new’ Earth

 

5) At this point some of you might be thinking: But Steve- I thought God didn’t change.  Doesn’t the Bible say He’s the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever?

              A) Well- if God doesn’t change

              B) How can heaven change?

 

6) Well first of all- it’s true that God doesn’t change

              A) The theological term to describe this truth is ‘immutability’

              B) ‘Immutability’ means that in the essential qualities of His character- His moral attributes and His unending faithfulness

                            1) God never changes

                            2) He is the picture of eternal and absolute consistency

 

7) Now here’s why the doctrine of ‘immutability’ is so important

              A) In the Bible it says: If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (Romans 10:9)

              B) Now if you’re a Christian- you want to be sure that what it says in Romans 10:9 still applies today- and that it will continue to apply until the end of time

                            1) Otherwise- you’ve got no hope of salvation

                            2) Well- the doctrine of immutability says: What God said in Romans 10:9 always has been, and always will be true- if you believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ- you will be saved

 

8) So you’re right- God doesn’t change

              A) But here’s where your logic breaks down

              B) You’ve equated heaven with God

                            1) You’ve assumed that if God doesn’t change

                            2) Heaven doesn’t change

 

9) But that’s not true- and here’s why:

              A) The present heaven- the place where you will go when you die- is a created place 

                            1) It’s not eternal

                            2) There was a time it didn’t exist

              B) God made It- just like He made everything else in the Universe

 

10) This means the present heaven is under God’s sovereign control

              A) He makes the rules- He determines what happens to it

              B) And God’s plan is for the present heaven to give way to the eternal heaven that will exist on a resurrected Earth

 

Revelation 21:1-3

 

21:1  Then I saw a new (rejuvenated, renewed) heaven and a new (redeemed, reclaimed) earth, for the first (or present) heaven and the first (or present) earth (as they exist now) had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

2  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. (What makes a place heaven is the presence of God)  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

 

11) Now if you go back to the book of Genesis this promise begins to make sense

              A) The Bible says before Adam & Eve chose to sin

              B) God would come down and walk with them in cool of the day (Genesis 3:8)

 

12) IOW: In God’s original plan for human beings

              A) He didn’t intend for Adam & Eve to come up to the present heaven to visit Him

              B) Instead, He planned to come down and be with them on the Earth He had created for them

 

13) In eternity it’s going to be that way once again:

              A) All believers- from all the ages- will live in resurrected bodies on the new Earth

              B) And God will come down and be with us in the perfect heaven (the resurrected Earth) He has created for His people

 

14) In the meantime- 

              A) Jesus- and all those Christians who’ve gone on before us

              B) Are with the Lord in the present heaven waiting for Resurrection morning

 

15) I’m telling you- this is so cool!

              A) God’s truth!

              B) You can’t beat it!

 

THE PRESENT HEAVEN IS A REAL, PHYSICAL PLACE

 

1) Here’s a fact

              A) Unless Jesus Comes Back first-

                            1) And nobody can be sure when that is going to happen

                            2) You’re going to spend time in the present heaven

              B) So it’s only natural to want to know something about the place

 

2) Now if you remember last week I talked about how some early Christian theologians-

              A) Let themselves be more influenced-

                            1) By Greek philosophy

                            2) Than the inspired, inerrant Word of God

              B) These guys taught-

                            1) That anything material- including human flesh- was morally evil and should be rejected

                            2) While anything ‘spiritual’ was morally superior and should be desired

 

3) People who buy into their pagan ideas have always insisted that heaven must be a ‘spiritual’ place

              A) I mean even if they accept that the eternal heaven will be a physical place located on the resurrected Earth (and most of them won’t even do that)

              B) They claim the present heaven is a gray, misty, place where faceless, formless spirits sit around for eternity- meditating on God

 

4) With preaching like that it’s a wonder anyone ever gets saved

              A) That’s not a picture of the joys of heaven

              B) That’s a nightmare from an existential novel

 

5) It makes me glad we’ve got the Bible to set things straight

              A) God’s Word makes it clear that the present heaven is a physical place occupied by physical creatures

              B) Look at what it says

 

6) Remember- when Jesus offered the repentant thief salvation He said Today you will be with Me in paradise

              A) The Greek word translated as ‘paradise’ is paradeisoi

              B) Paradeisoi means a walled park- a carefully cultivated garden

 

7) Now some people……/ Sounds to me…..

              A) Claim Jesus used ‘paradise’ as an allegory to symbolize a place of spiritual oneness with God

              B) Like Jesus is describing a real place of God-touched beauty that’s greater than anything we know here on Earth!

 

8) Colossians 3:1 goes on to say: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

              A) Here’s what Paul is saying: As a Christian keep your minds focused on the Resurrected Jesus who is seated on a throne in heaven at the right hand of the Heavenly Father!

              B) If that’s not a description of a physical person occupying a physical space I don’t know what is

 

9) When you get to the book of Revelation you’ll find that it is loaded with physical depictions of the present heaven

              A) Objects of worship are described including lamp stands, scrolls, trumpets, harps and bowls of incense

              B) John says he saw the Resurrected Jesus standing in the middle of the throne room of heaven- surrounded by heavenly creatures that resembled animals who had the faces of human beings

              C) And then- in chapter 10 one of the elders hands John a scroll and says

 

9  ….. ‘Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’

10  I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.

 

10) Turn with me to Revelation 21:15-17

              A) This is part of John’s amazing description of the new Jerusalem

              B) Which will be the capital city of the new Earth- the place where God will dwell with His people

 

15  The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.

16  The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia (roughly 1,400 miles) in length, and as wide and high as it is long. (Think of a cube 1,400 miles long, 1,400 miles deep, and 1,400 miles tall)

17  He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits (about 200 feet) thick, by man's measurement, which the angel was using.

 

11) Unless the Bible is deliberately trying to confuse us- this is a description of a physical place

              A) A physical place that currently exists in the present heaven

              B) Revelation 21:9-10

 

9  One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."

10  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, (physically) coming down out of heaven (the present heaven) from God.

 

12) Look- if you’re afraid the present heaven is some gray, misty place where faceless, formless spirits sit around for eternity- meditating on God

              A) Erase that thought from your brain

              B) In fact- the present heaven is a real, physical place that is better by far than anything we know on Earth (Philippians 1:23)

 

YOU WON’T RECEIVE YOUR RESURRECTION BODY IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR PHYSICAL DEATH

 

1) OK- let’s imagine for a moment that later today you suffer a massive heart attack and drop dead in your tracks

              A) Now- I pray that doesn’t happen to you

              B) But just for the moment- let’s pretend that it does

 

2) Think about this with me-

              A) We’ve already established that when you die you’ll immediately go to be with Jesus: To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord

              B) We’ve also learned that when you die you’ll go to the present heaven-

                            1) Which is the very real place where Jesus is right now

                            2) But not the place where He and you will spend eternity

 

3) So here’s the question I want you to think about: Will you receive your Resurrection body when you get to the present heaven?

              A) Anybody want to hazard a guess?

              B) The answer is ‘No’

                            1) According to the Bible

                            2) You won’t get your Resurrection body until Jesus returns to Earth at the end of time

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

 

13  Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant (or uninformed) about those who fall asleep (this is a euphemism Paul uses to describe the physical death of a Christian), or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.

14  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  (Paul’s talking about the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time)

15  According to the Lord's own word (Paul’s received a direct revelation from Christ), we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede (or have any advantage over) those who have fallen asleep. (Or died knowing Jesus as their Savior)

16  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  (This is a description of the Resurrection)

17  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

18  Therefore encourage each other with these words.

 

4) Now with these words in mind- let’s turn over to 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

 

51  Listen, I tell you a mystery (A truth that God wants His people to understand): We will not all sleep (some Christians will be alive when Jesus comes again), but we will all be changed (or transformed)--

52  in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead (in Christ-those whose physical bodies have been buried and returned to dust) will be raised (resurrected) imperishable (they will never again face death), and we will be changed.

53  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal (Christians who are alive when Jesus comes again) with immortality (They will instantly receive a Resurrection body that will never be subjected to disease, decline or death).

 

5) At this point you may be thinking:

              A) OK Steve- I’ve got it. I won’t receive my resurrection body as long as I’m in the present heaven

              B) But here’s what I want to know:

                            1) Will I at least have some kind of body in the present heaven

                            2) Or will I be more like a ghostly spirit?

 

6) I want you to listen carefully to what I’m about to say:

              A) Even though the Bible doesn’t directly say that we’ll have some type of physical body in the present heaven

              B) It strongly suggests that we will

 

7) Take the parable of Lazarus and the rich man

              A) This is the only time in Jesus’ parables in which one of the characters is given a name

                            1) Maybe that’s coincidental

                            2) But more likely because Lazarus was a real person who died and went to live in the present heaven

              B) And if that’s the case- Lazarus is clearly in some kind of body

                            1) In Luke 16:24 the rich man begs Father Abraham to have Lazarus

                            2) ‘….Dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

             

8) Turn to Revelation 6:9-11

 

9  When he (meaning the Resurrected Jesus) opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls (the Greek word here is psuche.  It refers to the total existence of a human being- physical, spiritual and emotional) of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

10  They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"

11  Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

 

9) Fact- A disembodied spirit does not wear a robe

              A) A robe is a piece of clothing

              B) And clothing can only be worn by a person with a body

 

10) Now we don’t have time to examine all the Scriptures that suggest we’ll have some sort of physical body in the present heaven

              A) But make no mistake about it- they’re in there

              B) And when study them- and believe them- you’ll discover a joy you never knew was possible!

              C) The message of God’s infallible, inerrant Word is good news:

                            1) The best is yet to come

                            2) And after that- it gets even better!

 

CONCLUSION

 

1) Next Sunday we’ll continue our series on heaven by thinking about the nature of our Resurrection bodies

              A) As you go through this week every time you have an ache or a pain- or cope with an illness- or deal with a headache

              B) I want you to remind yourself: All this will be over soon- because I’m going to be resurrected to eternal life!

 

2) But in the meantime- I want to ask you a simple question: Are you sure you’re going to heaven?

              A) I don’t want to say: I think so or I hope so

              B) I want you to be able to say: I know so- because I have asked Jesus Christ to be my personal Savior and Lord

 

3) You know it’s interesting- people will experience intense chest pain and refuse to go to the hospital

              A) I guess they’re afraid of having the ER doctor tell them: We checked you out and there’s nothing wrong with you

              B) Let me tell you something:

                            1) If you come into an ER with intense chest pain

                            2) That’s what the ER doctor wants to be able to tell you:  We checked you out and there’s nothing wrong with you’

 

4) What’s the point of that illustration?  If you’re not absolutely sure of your salvation this morning

              A) Come forward and let’s talk

              B) I’ll ask you some simple questions

                            1) When we’re done I hope I’ll be able to tell you: Based on the authority of the Word of God I can assure you that you are saved

                            2) But if there is even the slightest doubt about your salvation- I promise: You’ll be given a chance to ask Jesus to come into your life

 

5) Let us pray

 

TAE- ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS.doc

TAE: ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

SMWS- 9/27/09 Text:

SRBC #hip this morning

A) I can’t think of a better way to wrap-up this sermon series on heaven and eternity

B) Than to be inspired by these great songs of hope and joy

2) As far as today’s sermon is concerned, I’m going to answer some questions you’ve been asking about heaven

A) I chose questions I hadn’t addressed in previous sermons

B) Questions that let me make some important points about heaven

3) The questions fall into two categories

A) The first group are light-hearted and deal with issues of human curiosity

B) The second group are questions that address some of the deepest, most profound issues human beings can face

4) So with that in mind- let’s get started…..

I WAS JUST WONDERING…..

Will People Have To Go To The Bathroom In Heaven?

1) I’m not sure if this should be question # 1 or question # 2

A) But someone asked

B) So we’ll give it a shot

2) The Bible tells us God created the human body out of the dust of the ground

A) He made our bodies dependent on well-designed systems that have to work together to maintain good health.

B) One of these body systems is the digestive system- which causes you to have to go to the bathroom

3) Anyway when God finished creating the human body-

A) He stepped back and said it was ‘very good’

B) The human body did all the things God intended it to do

5) Here’s where I’m going to make some educated guesses

A) The Bible doesn’t suggest that Adam & Eve’s decision to sin changed anything about the way their bodies functioned

1) Which would mean they went to the bathroom before they sinned

2) And they went to the bathroom after they sinned

B) This would also suggests that when God gives us our resurrection body in heaven

1) We’ll still have to go to the bathroom……

2) I think- but don’t consider that written in stone

Will People Wear Clothes In Heaven?

1) Wednesday night B & J Rollins and L Bullock asked me a question a lot of people have wondered about: Will People Wear Clothes In Heaven?

A) It’s a great question- and it’s based on something the Bible tells us in Genesis chapter 2

B) It says that prior to sinning against God- Adam and Eve were naked and…..felt no shame

2) Of course once they sinned everything changed

A) Adam and Eve suddenly realized they were naked

B) So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves (Genesis 2:7)

1) Personally- I’ve always wondered if they were designer fig leaves

2) Or just ‘off-the-rack’ fig leaves

3) Jerilyn went on to make a great point about living in heaven in a resurrected body

A) She said that since we’ll no longer sin in heaven-

1) Even if we were naked

2) Nobody would notice or care

B) Which is right- but in spite of that the Bible offers some strong clues that we will wear clothes in heaven

4) For instance-

A) In Revelation 3:4 and 6:11 people in the present heaven are depicted as wearing robes

B) Think about it:

1) Since people are wearing clothes in the present heaven

2) It kind of stands to reason that we’ll wear clothes in the eternal heaven as well

5) But that doesn’t mean we’ll all be wearing robes

A) To people living in the 1st century robes were everyday clothing- like jeans and T-shirts are today

B) This means we’ll probably wear everyday clothing in heaven

1) Not 1st century everyday- but everyday 21st century

2) Clothing that’s modest- and keeps us comfortable as we do the things God wants us to do

Will There Be Animals & Pets In Heaven?

1) Before preparing this sermon series- I would’ve probably told you ‘No’

A) But as I’ve come to learn- that would have marked me as a Biblical illiterate

1) In fact- the Word of God makes it clear there will be animals in heaven

2) Which means there’s a good chance people will have pets in heaven too

B) Two Biblical facts- and one Biblical truth- have lead me to this conclusion

2) # 1- Animals existed in the Garden of Eden

A) This is an undeniable fact

B) The truth is: God put animals on the Earth before He created human beings

Genesis 1:20-25

20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."

21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth."

23 And there was evening, and there was morning--the fifth day.

24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.

25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

4) # 2- Prophecy makes it clear there will be animals in heaven

A) One of the most beautiful descriptions of the peace of heaven is found in Isaiah 11:6

6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

B) Since this prophecy hasn’t been fulfilled yet-

1) It has to be a description of life on the new earth

2) And notice- animals are a part of that world

6) Now it’s also a fact that many people discover joy and pleasure owning pets

A) How many of you have a pet living in your home?

B) How many of you love your pet?

7) Which leads me to an important Biblical truth: God is the ultimate source of the all joy and pleasure that exists in life

A) Every other joy and pleasure derives from Him- including the joy and pleasure of owning pets

B) As your Heavenly Father, God wants you to experience unlimited joy and pleasure in heaven

1) Which is why I think resurrected human beings will be have pets in heaven

2) Because God understands the joy and pleasure they bring His children

8) By the way- Jacob Dunham wrote and asked if there will be clouds in heaven

A) That’s a good question Jacob!

B) And the answer is Yes! Remember:

1) Clouds produce rain

2) And rain brings the water that plants and trees and animals- and human beings need to live

Will People Have Fun In Heaven?

1) People came at this question in several ways:

A) A few of you asked: Will there be anything to do in heaven?

B) A couple of folks wanted to know how we’ll spend our leisure time in heaven

C) Austin Bullock asked if we’ll be able to do the same things in heaven that we do here

2) Let me repeat something I’ve said throughout this sermon series: Heaven is NOT going to be a dull and boring place

A) The fact is-

1) Heaven is going to be GREAT!

2) It’s going to joyful- stimulating- exciting

B) In a word- FUN!

3) For instance there will be terrific music in heaven- and not just symphonies and hymns and praise choruses

A) God created what….8 notes of music

B) Then He gave human beings the creativity to mix and arrange these notes into an infinite variety of musical forms

4) You know- when I’m in heaven listening to a jazz ensemble- or a jam band- or a bluegrass quartet

A) I’m going to be having fun

B) I’ll also be giving God glory for….

1) His gift of music

2) The creativity and talent of the artist

3) And the senses that let me enjoy the music

5) I’m telling you- we’re going to have a great time in heaven

A) I’m confident there will be books and plays and movies and tv shows in heaven

B) Only without the filth that many of the books and plays and movies and tv shows have here on the present earth

6) I think we’ll play games in heaven

A) When I’m on vacation one of my favorite things to do is to play Canasta with Carl, my parents and my aunts

B) We have a great time of fun and fellowship playing cards around the table

1) As VB used to ask me: What’s wrong with that?

2) As I used to tell Vernon: Absolutely nothing!

7) A lot of people predict that sports will be a part of life in heaven

A) Now the bad things about sports-

1) The overbearing fans, the win-at-all-costs fanaticism, the ridiculous salaries and the poor sportsmanship

2) Thankfully those things will be banished forever

B) But the good things about sports. Things like…

1) Friendly competition- teamwork- the childlike sense of play- exercise and recreation

2) These things will be enhanced for our pleasure and enjoyment

9) Isadora Silva wants to know if we’ll eat food in heaven

A) Isadora-

1) We’re not only going to eat food in heaven

2) It’s going to taste better than anything you’ve ever eaten before

B) In the Bible Jesus talks about banquets and feasts in heaven

1) Banquets and feasts are big parties with tables filled with delicious food prepared by the greatest chefs in the world

2) For people like Chris Coleman it will be lots of work- but people like us will have we’ll a great time sitting around the table with Jesus and eating what they’ve prepared!

10) I love doing stuff like this- but it’s time to get a little more focused….

I HAVE TO KNOW……

Will There Be Racial and Ethnic Differences In Heaven?

1) I’m glad someone asked this question because I’ve been concerned by the racism we’ve recently been seeing here in America

A) Now some of it’s always been there

1) Not just in the United States

2) But all over the world- among all races of people

B) But many commentators think the recent rise of racism is related to the presidency of Barack Obama

2) Now I’m not trying to assess the popularity of Barack Obama among the members of SRBC

A) We’re a mostly white, theologically conservative, evangelical Baptist church in the south

B) Which is not exactly a prime demographic for the Democratic party

3) And I want you to understand- I’m not talking about his politics

A) It’s not racist to honestly oppose Obama’s policies on everything from health care- to the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan- to the role of government in our daily lives….to whatever

B) Remember- brave men & women sacrificed their lives on fields of battle so we can exercise that freedom

3) But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about:

A) Posters that depict Barack Obama as a witch doctor

B) Or bloggers that use racial epithets in describing his wife and children

C) Or TV commentators who claim Obama hates white people (despite the fact he’s half white himself)

4) As a Christian you should be prayerfully concerned about this

A) Not because you’re pro-Obama- that has nothing to do with it!

B) As a Christian you should be concerned about this hatred and racism- because you’re pro-God!

5) God created human beings with racial and ethnic differences

A) When you allow racism to control your life you’re telling God:

B) You didn’t get Creation right!

1) You lied when You said it was very good

2) You should have made more people that look like me- and fewer people that look like them!

6) Some Christians- in thinking about this sad state of affairs- have expressed the hope that God will erase our differences when we get to heaven

A) Instead of being racially and ethnically different- we’ll suddenly all look the same

B) It sounds like a reasonable idea…..at first

1) But the more you study the Bible

2) The more you realize that’s NOT what God plans to do

7) This is where it’s important to remember the doctrine of continuity

A) Continuity states that what existed before God redeems, restores and resurrects it- is essentially what will exist afterwards

B) IOW: In heaven-

1) If the color of my skin color isn’t a pale shade of tan with some pinkish highlights

2) Then I’m not going to be Steve Bass

8) Folks- here’s the plain and simple truth-

A) The problem we face isn’t the racial and ethnic differences that exist between human beings-

1) They are God-given

2) And God says they are good

B) The problem we face is that SIN has lead people to make these differences into a source of fear- mistrust- dislike- even hatred

9) So what’s God going to do about it? When we get to heaven He’s going to perform an eternal attitude adjustment

A) He’s going to heal sin-damaged hearts & minds

1) Afterwards- you’ll still be aware of the color of your skin- and the skin color of others

2) But you’ll realize it’s really nothing more than the package each person comes in

B) And the differences that seem so threatening now

1) Will become a source of worship and praise

2) A reason to glorify the richness and beauty and diversity of God’s Creation

If We Have Free Will In Heaven Isn’t There A Risk We’ll Make The Same Mistake Adam and Eve Made?

1) To answer that question let me begin by saying:

A) There’s no doubt that resurrected human beings will have free will in heaven

B) But there’s no possibility we’ll make the same mistake Adam & Eve made in the Garden of Eden

2) Now here’s where I need to define what free will is

A) Free will is the gift from God that lets you make decisions without the fear of threat or coercion

B) Today the most important free-will choice you face is the decision to accept or reject Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord

3) In the Garden of Eden Adam & Eve faced a dramatically different choice

A) God had given them unlimited freedom- with one exception

B) They were forbidden to eat the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil that grew in the center of the Garden 1) That was it

2) On this one matter they had to choose whether they would obey or disobey God

4) The Bible tells us what happened next: When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:6)

5) OK here’s how this affects you and me: Adam & Eve’s decision to sin against God had the effect of putting limits on the exercise of your free will

A) Because of their choice- sin entered the human genetic code- and people have been enslaved- or predestined- to sin ever since

B) The Bible says: There is none righteous- no not one….for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God

6) This brings us to one of the best promises about life in eternity

A) In heaven there will be no longer be any limitations on your free will

B) Why? Because you’ll no longer be enslaved to sin

1) Actually-

a) The moment you accepted Jesus as your Savior you were no longer a slave to sin

b) Although as long as you’re in this life you’ll continue to struggle with sin

2) But in heaven- you’ll be free to choose to love and obey God perfectly

Romans 6:22

22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

7) Of course this brings us back to the original question: What’s going to keep us from making the same mistake Adam & Eve made?

A) Well- here’s the thing: You’ve got some things going for you

B) That they didn’t have going for them

8) First of all- Satan won’t be around to bother you in heaven

A) Now we’ll never know if Adam & Eve would have sinned against God if Satan hadn’t been around to provide the temptation

B) But the Bible says that at the end of time God will bind up Satan and cast him into hell where he can’t touch you anymore……what a day of rejoicing THAT will be!

9) But here’s the main reason you don’t have to worry about making the mistake Adam & Eve made

A) The Bible says in heaven you’ll possess the full righteousness of Christ

B) Romans 5:19

19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

10) I want you to understand what this is saying

A) When you possess the full righteousness of Christ- your vulnerability to sin will be gone forever

1) Sure- you’ll remember what sin was

2) But it’ll have no appeal to you whatsoever

B) Sin will be as contrary to your resurrected nature as living outside of saltwater would be to a shark

11) So you don’t have to worry about making Adam & Eve’s mistake in heaven- Jesus will take care of that

Will We Miss & Grieve Our Loved Ones Who Are Not In Heaven?

1) If you have a deceased loved one in hell there’s nothing I can say or do that will take away the pain and sorrow in your life

A) I’m certainly not going to lie and offer you false hope

B) Instead- what I’m going to try to do is give you an honest, compassionate answer- based on Biblical truth

2) Some people have always believed that the answer to this problem would be heavenly ignorance and amnesia

A) That somehow God will….

1) Erase the knowledge of hell from your mind

2) And then eliminate any memory you might have of loved ones who are not in heaven

B) The problem with that theory is the testimony of the infallible, inerrant Word of God

3) The Bible makes it clear that people in heaven ARE aware of hell and understand why some people are in hell

A) In fact- the Bible says that people in heaven rejoice when God executes His righteous judgment against those who’ve defied Him

B) 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you

7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power

10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at (or praised) among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

3) Now listen to what the Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

4) The idea here is that in heaven you’ll be able to see things from God’s point of view

A) Suddenly you’ll know how many chances your loved one had to accept God’s gracious gift of salvation in the name of Jesus

B) You’ll realize that your loved one….

1) Isn’t in hell because of God’s injustice

2) Is in hell because of their sheer rebelliousness against God’s mercy and love and grace

5) In his book Heaven Randy Alcorn makes an interesting observation about this fact: (Read from book during sermon)

In a sense, none of our loved ones will be in Hell- only some whom we once loved. Our love for our companions in Heaven will be directly linked to God, the central object of our love. We will see Him in them. We will not love those in Hell because when we see Jesus as He is, we will only love- and only want to love- whoever and whatever pleases and glorifies and reflects Him. What we loved in those who died without Christ was God’s beauty we once saw in them. When God forever withdraws from them, I think they’ll no longer bear His image and no longer reflect His beauty. Although they will be the same people, without God they’ll be stripped of all the qualities we loved. Therefore, paradoxically, in a sense they will not be the people we loved.

6) Now what I’ve given you so far are theological answers that don’t really get at the heart of the pain and sorrow you’re feeling

A) So here’s where I need to remind you of God’s promise

B) Turn with me to Revelation 21:3-4

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

4 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."

7) I don’t know HOW God is going to do this- but I have no doubt that He WILL do this

A) God is going to wipe the tears from your eyes- He will eliminate all the mourning and crying and pain from your resurrected life

B) This is His promise. I encourage you to take comfort and hope in it!

I Know I’m Going To Heaven, But I’m Still Afraid To Die. Is That Wrong?

1) No- it’s normal

2) But here’s the thing: If you’re a Christian- I’m not really sure you’re AFRAID to die

A) The truth is: Satan may be confusing you

B) He may be taking some legitimate feelings

1) And using them to make you THINK you’re still afraid to die

2) When the truth is- Something else is going on

3) Think about it this way: If you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord you know what happens after death….right?

A) The instant you die- you will go to the present heaven to begin eternity with the Heavenly Father

B) The Bible says: To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord

4) Once you’re in the present heaven you will await Jesus’ Second Coming when you will…..

A) Accompany Jesus on His trip back to Earth

B) Receive your resurrection body

C) And then step foot on your eternal home- the new earth where you will dwell with the Father eternally

5) Man! That’s not scary- that’s the best news ever!

……But I’m Still Afraid To Die

6) Is it possible that what you’re really saying is: I’m afraid of what I might face BEFORE I die

A) I’ll be honest with you- I am too

B) I dread the thought of having to face something like cancer or heart disease or some form of dementia

7) But here’s what I know- here’s what gives me courage

A) Whatever happens in my life

1) God is going to be there with me

2) He promises He will NEVER fail or forsake me

B) 2 Corinthians 9: 8: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

1) And don’t forget

2) This promise is given for you too!

….But I’m Still Afraid To Die

9) Maybe this is what you’re trying to say:

A) I know I’m going to heaven, but I’m not ready to die yet. I want to keep on living!

1) I want to raise my kids

2) I want to grow old with my husband or wife

3) I want to bounce my grandchildren on my knees

4) There’s are just so many things I want to do before I go to be with the Lord

B) Guess what? That’s the way God wants you to feel!

9) Remember:

A) God put that desire for life in your heart

B) He never wants you to forget that just as….

1) Eternal life in heaven will be His gift to you

2) Your life on this Earth is His gift to you

10) It’s a life God wants you to treasure and enjoy

A) To live it with faith and hope and peace and joy

1) God wants you to be surrounded by family and friends and Christian brothers and sisters

2) It makes Him happy to know that your life is filled with laughter and love and genuine agape-fellowship

B) This is what Jesus meant when He said: I have come that they might have life- and it more abundantly!

11) Folks- if you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord you don’t have to be afraid of death

A) You can live each day as a joyous gift from the Father

B) Knowing the best is yet to come

12) This is what Paul had in mind when he wrote these words: But for me to live is Christ- and to die is gain.

A) As a Christian- you’ve literally got the best of both worlds!

B) So celebrate life- and give God the glory!

13) Let us pray