The Bible describes Heaven in a multitude of ways and, in this sermon, Pastor Mark teaches on five of them including Heaven as a kingdom, a city, a home, a garden, and a forever party.
GOOD NEWS: 5 Ways the Bible Describes Heaven
–2015 we moved to valley. 1). Lots of research 2). Got directions 3). Pressed to new home
Matt 18:1-3 the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Childlike is not childish – 1). Trust 2). Imagination
- G.K Chesterton “It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”
1. Heaven is a Kingdom
2 Samuel 7:12-13 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you…and I will establish his kingdom…I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
Daniel 7:13-14,18 with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed…the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’
Hebrews 11:16 they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.
- This is why people want the government to fix all their problems
- Like every Kingdom you will be learning, growing, working, producing
- Perfection does not negate progress (Jesus Luke 2:52)
2. Heaven is a City
Genesis 1:28 God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
- Cultural Mandate
- Storyline Bible – garden to city w/a garden
- Why we chose a major city (sports, travel, food, people, opportunities)
Hebrews 11:10 [Abraham] was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
Revelation 21:23-27 the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there…But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life
- ancients had a list of residents to occupy a city
Why the majority of the world urban, & why visit great cities (Jerusalem/Bethlehem, Istanbul, Sydney, London, NY, Joburg/Cape Town, Edinb/Glasgow, Dublin/Belfast, Port Au Prince, New Delhi, Singapore)
3. Heaven is a Home
John 14:1-3 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms…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.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Revelation 21:1-3 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
- This is why our home is our biggest investment and greatest concern
- Home is not just about a place but a people
= Our kids & VRBO move (home is where the family is)
4. Heaven is a Garden
Genesis 2:8 God planted a garden in Eden…and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Ezekiel 28:13 You [Satan] were in Eden, the garden of God
Luke 23:43 [Jesus] said to him [thief], “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Revelation 2:7 To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Revelation 22:1-5 the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face…They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
- paradise means garden
- like ancient kings had royal palaces with private gardens
Why we have parks, work in our yards, and take trips to beautiful places, love golf courses, & go see leaves change color in the fall
5. Heaven is a forever Party
John 2:2,11 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory.
- Party where Jesus took care of the needs of everyone – Kingdom picture
Matthew 22:1-2 Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a…wedding feast…
Revelation 19:4 [they] fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints….”Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
1. Why we have feasts, weddings, concerts, birthday parties, holidays etc
2. Everyone who comes to Scottsdale looking heaven
3. Earth is the shadow of Heaven
The good news of what’s on other side of this life gets us through this life. “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill
GOSPEL – follow Jesus