Sermon Summary

This week, Pastor Chris began a new sermon series seeking to answer some important questions about Heaven. We live in a culture that tells us to live for today and to deny the realities of eternity. The truth is that our view of Heaven matters. If we become fascinated by what eternity holds, it will change the way we live here on Earth. As believers, Heaven should be one of our primary motivating factors, driving us forward and giving us courage in all seasons.

8 Truths about Heaven

  1. Our Father is in Heaven  

Matthew 6:9 (ESV)

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

  • Our Savior is in Heaven

Hebrews 9:24 (ESV)

24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

  • Our Brothers and Sisters are in Heaven  

Hebrews 12:23 (ESV)

23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

  • Our Inheritance is There

Luke 10:20 (ESV)

20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

1 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

  • Our Citizenship is There

Philippians 3:20 (ESV)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

  • Our Eternal Reward is There

Matthew 5:12 (ESV)

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

  • Our Master is There

Ephesians 6:9 (ESV)

9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

  • Our Forever Treasure is There

Matthew 6:19 (ESV)

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

  • Danger: Trying to Make Our Home Here

1 John 2:15 (ESV)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

“If you don’t like yourself, your house will not make you like yourself better. If your family is dysfunctional, a new home will not put it together. Any renovation you attempt as a psychological balm is destined to fail.”

Duo Dickinson, Staying Put

Def: “Heaven is the places where God most fully makes known his presence to bless. It is in heaven where God most fully reveals his glory, and where angels, other heavenly creatures, and redeemed saints all worship him.” Grudem

Philippians 1:21, 23 (ESV)

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

2 Corinthians 5:6, 8 (ESV)

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

John 14:1–3 (ESV)

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”

1 Corinthians 2:9–10 (ESV)

9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Colossians 3:1 (NIV84)

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:2 (NIV84)

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Hebrews 11:16 (NIV84)

16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Discussion Questions

  1. How often do you think about Heaven? Share with the group what you know about Heaven.
  2. Why is it dangerous to act as if this world is our home?
  3. Do you struggle with storing up treasures here on Earth? How can we hold loosely to these temporary things?

Application Questions

  1. Do you struggle with laying up treasures for yourself on Earth? You may need a fresh revelation of your inheritance in Heaven. Ask the Holy Spirit to do a work in your heart this week.
  2. Answer honestly this week: how do you know you’re going to Heaven?