November 4-5, 2006, Selected

PRICELESS!
HEAVEN – A Rest from God!

*** 1 Cor. 2:9 "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" [New International Version]
*** 1 Peter 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." [NIV]
*** Matthew 8:11 "Many people will come from everywhere to enjoy the feast in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." [Contemporary English Version]
*** Rev. 19:9 "Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God." [NIV]

Question: WILL WE KNOW FAMILY & FRIENDS IN HEAVEN?
*** Isaiah 65:17 "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind." [NIV]
*** Isaiah 65:16b "For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes." [NIV]
*** 1 Thes. 4:16-18 "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words." [New Living Translation]

Question: WILL WE RETAIN OUR PERSONAL IDENTITY IN HEAVEN?
*** Luke 16:22-23 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side." [NIV]

Question: WILL WE KNOW EVERYBODY IN HEAVEN?
*** Matthew 17:4 "Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."

Question: WHAT WILL WE DO IN HEAVEN?
*** Matthew 25:23 "The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'" [NLT]
*** 1 Cor. 13:12 "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

Question: WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE?
*** John 14:1-2 "Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you." [New Century Version]

Question: HOW CAN I ENJOY HEAVEN IF FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES AREN'T PRESENT?
*** Rev 21:4 "wipe away..."

Question: WILL THERE BE ANY ANIMALS IN HEAVEN?

Question: WHEN CHILDREN DIE, WHAT AGE WILL THEY BE IN HEAVEN?
*** Matthew 19:14 "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." [NIV]
*** 2 Samuel 12:23b "I will go to him, but he will not return to me." [NIV]

Question: WHAT WILL WE BE LIKE IN HEAVEN?
*** 1 Cor. 15:51-53 "But let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us Not all of us will die, but we will all be transformed. It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies. And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die." [NLT]
*** 2 Cor. 5:4 "While we live in this earthly tent, we groan with a feeling of oppression; it is not that we want to get rid of our earthly body, but that we want to have the heavenly one put on over us, so that what is mortal will be transformed by life." [Today's English Version]
*** Rev. 21:4 "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." [NIV]
*** Rev. 22:3a "No longer will there be any curse." [NIV]
*** Rev. 22:5 "There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever." [NIV]

*** Matthew 26:29 "Mark my words - I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom." [NLT]

TABLE AND CHAIRS: $1000!
CATERED MEAL: $50 per Person!
DINING WITH JESUS: PRICELESS!

*** John 3:16 "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." [NIV]

"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends."
-- Rev. 3:20 (New Living Translation)

Thanks to Kyle Idleman, Preaching Associate Pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY for the concept of this message.