What will we do in heaven? One of our more honest junior highers put the question this way: Worshipping God forever in heaven sounds boring - is it wrong to feel this? Is heaven going to be fun? Again, the Bible doesnt tell us everything we would like to know, but of this we can be sure: Heaven wont be boring and it will be more fun than the best party you ever attended. So what will we do for all eternity? The answer is, were going to help God run the universe. Do you remember the story Jesus told about the man of noble birth who gave his servants money to invest? One servant had doubled his money so the man said, You will rule over ten cities. The next servant had seen a 50% increase so his master said, Rule over five cities. And the man who hid his money had even that amount taken from him in punishment (Luke 19:11-27). The story is a picture of what heaven will be like. We will use our gifts to administer the new heaven and the new earth. Bakers will bake, teachers will teach, singers will sing, and I suppose that preachers will preach. For all I know, soldiers may march off to battle and quarterbacks will throw passes. Think of the flowers the botanists will study. Gifted astronomers will go from galaxy to galaxy studying the wonders of Gods creation. I can guarantee you this: No one will be sitting around on a cloud eating grapes and polishing his halo. No, well all be too busy for that. Here are five things that will occupy us in heaven. We will … Worship without distraction. Serve without exhaustion. Fellowship without fear. Learn without fatigue. Rest without boredom. [Note: this is not original with me. I found this list in a sermon by David Burns, Minister at the Homer Church of Christ, called Heaven is a Wonderful Place, February 25, 1996.] The best part of heaven will be seeing Jesus himself face to face. We will worship the Son of God and celebrate his great victory over sin while the endless ages of eternity roll on and on. The best music youve ever heard will pale compared to the music of heaven. The most awesome worship youve experienced on earth is but a dim reflection of the praise we will render around the throne of God. VI. How can I be sure I am going to heaven? This is the most important question of all. Here is a wonderful truth: God has made it easy for you to go to heaven. He did the hard part when he sent his Son to die on the Cross for you. He paid the price for your sins so that you could one day stand before God in heaven. Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). He also said, I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved (John 10:9, NASB). Jesus is not only the way to heaven, he is also the door to heaven. If you want to go to heaven, youve got to go through the door marked Jesus Christ. There is no other entrance. Several years ago Dr. D. James Kennedy, pastor of the famous Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL, joined other evangelical leaders in a meeting with President Ronald Reagan at the White House. During the meeting Dr. Kennedy asked the president this question, Suppose you were to die and found yourself standing at the door of heaven. If God were to say, Why should I let you into heaven? what answer would you give? Before I tell you how the president answered that question, let me ask how you would respond. Picture the scene. You are standing at the very gates of heaven. Its more beautiful than you ever dreamed possible. This is where you want to spend eternity. This is where you belong. But before you enter, the Lord himself asks what possible reason you have to claim admission. You pause, knowing that all eternity hangs on your answer. What will you say? Back to the White House. The President paused, thought for a moment, then replied, Well, I guess Id have to answer with John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. That is indeed a good answer because your only hope of heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ. [Note: I have heard this story from several sources and was reminded of it by something Paige Patterson wrote in his introduction to the book he co-authored with Dr. Criswell.] Let me make this very personal. If you were to die tonight, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven? Ive already said that this is too important to say I think so or I hope so. If youre wrong, youre going to be wrong for a long, long time. What we need is solid ground on which to stand. And we have it in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our entire hope of heaven is wrapped up in what Jesus did when he died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose from the dead on Easter Sunday morning. [Note: Charles Ferguson Ball, Heaven, Victor Books, 1980. Dr. Ball served for 30 years as the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, IL. This little book is a wonderful compilation of truth about heaven. His last chapter - What is your hope of heaven? - is a wonderful presentation of the gospel.] One of our most beloved hymns puts it this way: My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand. That says it all. If you want to go to heaven, you must base your hope on the solid rock of Jesus blood and righteousness. Are you standing on the Rock this morning? Are you wholly leaning on Jesus name? One final word and I am done. No one goes to heaven by accident. Heaven is Gods prepared place for prepared people. We prepare for heaven and then God prepares heaven for us. Ive already told you that most people believe in heaven and most people think they are going there. But are they on the right road? Are they building their lives on Jesus Christ-the solid rock? Too many, I fear, are standing on sinking sand and do not know it. What is your hope for heaven? Mine is Jesus Christ. Ive staked everything I have on him. If he cant take me to heaven, then Im not going there. What about you? When the dark night falls, the lights go out, and the waters of death swirl around you, what will happen to you then? If you know Jesus, you have nothing to fear. Put your trust in Jesus. Run to the Cross. Stand with your full weight on the Solid Rock of our salvation. May God help you to trust in Jesus Christ and him alone for your salvation. And may God grant that we will all meet one day in heaven. Dr. Ray Pritchard
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 03:19:58 +0000
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