HEAVEN, AND WHY I WANT TO GO THERE
By: Richard Kirkland
John 14:1-3
Introduction:
A. Surely the disciples did not fully understand what Jesus meant as He spoke these words of comfort and assurance.
1. Was he going away? Did they not yet understand that he was speaking of his death.
2. Since they did not know where he was going, how could they know the way? Jesus replied, “I am the way....” (verse 6).
3. Jesus was promising that He would someday bring them into the very presence of God where they would be eternally at home in the Father’s house.
B. Where do we go from here?
1. It is abundantly clear that man cannot remain on earth forever. “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Hebrews 13:14).
2. God has prepared two places -- we shall spend eternity in one of them. “Inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (Matthew 25:34), and “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).
C. One of the grandest and most beautiful thoughts that a Christian can meditate on is heaven, the home of the soul. How interesting and profitable it is to read, study, learn, and sing about heaven. We longingly anticipate, with great expectation, that special time when we shall leave this world behind and forever be at home with God.
I. HEAVEN IS A REAL PLACE.
A. Jesus said it is a place. Therefore it is not just a condition of the soul! It is a “prepared” place, thus indicating that it awaits my arrival!
B. I cannot prove the existent of heaven by scientific demonstration, nor can I point out the location on any highway map.
1. The tower of Babel crowd didn’t find it (Genesis 11:4-8).
2. The most powerful telescope that man has created does not reveal it.
3. The astronauts have never seen it while in outer space.
4. I can see it with the eye of faith! (Hebrews 11:1) “Now faith is the ...”
C. It is not on this earth.
1. 2 Corinthians 12:2 - Paul was caught up to the third heaven.
2. Acts 1:11 - Jesus was taken up into heaven.
3. 1 Thess. 4:17 -Saints will be caught up together with Him.
4. Psalm 14:2 - “The Lord looked down from heaven.”
II. REAL PEOPLE WILL BE IN HEAVEN.
A. Not flesh and blood bodies, but incorruptible bodies.
1. 1 Corinthians 15:50
2. 1 John 3:2 - “Beloved, now are we the sons of God....”
B. Some people who will be there:
1. Jesus (Acts 1:9).
2. Elijah (2 Kings 2:11).
3. Enoch (Genesis 5:24).
4. Moses (Matthew 17:3).
5. Stephen (Acts 7:60).
6. All the faithful (Revelation 2:10).
III. SOME REASONS WHY I WANT TO GO THERE.
A. Because it is eternal. There will be no death or separation.
1. There we have the right to the tree of life (Revelation 22:14 - “Blessed are those who do his commandments....”; Genesis 3:22).
2. Revelation 22:5 - “And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”
3. Illustration: Have you ever enjoyed a pleasant experience that you wished could last forever and ever? Worship should be like that. Heaven will definitely be that.
B. Because it is a place of righteousness.
1. Revelation 21:27 -”But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
2. To look at the epitaphs on the tombstones which cover the cemetery lawns you would think that everyone is going to heaven. But we know that is not so! (Matthew 7:13-14).
3. Consider all the lawlessness about us - the murders, muggings, rapes, and thefts. Think now about how wonderful heaven must be.
4. In heaven there will be no law-making bodies legalizing sin! There will be not threat of war and maneuvering for power.
C. Because it is a happy place.
1. The landscape will not be dotted with cemeteries, there will be no hospitals, no more funerals to attend, no more sad goodbyes, no cheeks will ever pale with sickness, no eyes glassy in the stare of death, no more wreaths on the doors, no more widows mourning, for all will be sunshine and gladness with never a sob nor a sigh.
2. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4).
3. The soul instinctively longs for such a happy place.
D. Because it is a beautiful place.
1. No garden of earth with all of its variegated beauty can compare to the beautiful paradise valley of God.
2. John wrote, “And he carried me away in Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending our of heaven from God (Revelation 21:10) “And the construction of its wall of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones (verse 18-19) “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass” (verse 21).
3. Men live their lives in pursuit of great treasures while missing the greatest of all. Some foolish men will trade all of heaven for a handful of cheap tarnished tinsel offered to them by the devil. Jesus said, “For what is a man profited...” (Matthew 16:26).
E. Because it is a place of rest.
1. Many of you know what it means to work hard, to be tired, to need rest.
2. Matthew 11:28- “Come to me, all you ...”
3. Hebrews 4:9 - “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.”
4. John 9:4 - “I must work the works of him who sent me...”
5. All of the tolls of this life will seem nothing when we get to the end of our way and enter the fine retirement city, Heaven.
F. Because of the pleasant associations there.
1. All the redeemed of all nations!
2. Champions of faith. The great men and women from the Heroes of Faith Hall of Fame.
CONCLUSION:
A. I want to go to heaven. But it is a prepared place for a prepared people.
B. Are you prepared to go there?