17-There’s a Beautiful Place called Heaven 17-There’s a Beautiful Place called Heaven 474- Sing to Me of Heaven 474- Sing to Me of Heaven 225- In the Hour of Trial 225- In the Hour of Trial 545- This World is Not My Home 545- This World is Not My Home 361- There’s a Great Day Coming 361- There’s a Great Day Coming 25- Anywhere with Jesus 25- Anywhere with Jesus

Introduction Everyone is motivated by a goal. Young child to get a sticker, the older student to graduate, the employer or employee to make more money, the athlete to win a championship or get into the Hall of Fame. But in the eternal scheme of things whatever you might gain in this world you will have to forfeit in the end. Everybody should have heaven as their goal but sadly only a few will find it. (Mt. 7:13-14)

Introduction The problem is that most people are expecting to go to heaven and don’t realize that no sinners will enter there. (Rom. 3:23; Rev. 21:27) The only alternative is the place of eternal punishment in hell. (Mark 9:43-48) God’s love made it possible through the blood of Christ so that we can be saved from the wrath to come. (Rom. 5:8-9) We can be cleansed from our sins when we are buried with Christ in baptism. (Rom. 6:3-4)

Heaven is a Real Place Some people think heaven is a state of mind, being in a good mood, or a vacation destination on earth. It is not! Jesus said to His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:3) After His death, burial, and resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven and is going to return the same way. (Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 1:7) It is real just as Brenham, Texas is real but we will have a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:42ff, 50)

Heaven: Paradise Because of Adam and Eve’s sin they were driven out of the Presence of God from the perfect Garden of Eden. (Gen. 3:6, 24) Paradise lost in Eden can be regained in heaven as the Lord would grant them the right to eat of the tree of life and live forever if they overcame and kept his commands. (Rev. 2:7; 22:14) Any vacation that you have here on earth you will enjoy for a short time, but this Paradise will last forever. Which will you choose?

Heaven: Riches Some watch with envy when they see “The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” and wish they were in their place. But even if they were good moral people it would be very unlikely that they would give it up for treasures in heaven. (Matt. 19:16ff) While thieves can steal what the rich have and their possessions will eventually be corrupted, your eternal riches will never be taken away and won’t rust. (Matt. 6:19-21; Eph. 2:7)

Heaven: Beauty There are many beautiful things that we can see on earth: (our spouses on their wedding day, gold, pearls, jewels, rubies, gemstones, etc.) Jesus described the kingdom of heaven as a merchant who was seeking fine pearls and finding one of great value he sold all that he had to obtain it. (Matt. 13:45-46) We see heaven described as the holy city coming down like a bride adorned for her husband; a city of gold like clear glass; jasper walls; pearly gates; a street of gold. (Rv. 21:2, 18ff)

Heaven: Blissful It is a place of extreme happiness because there will be singing, rejoicing, and praising God forever and ever around the throne of God. (Rev. 4:8-11; 5:8-9; 14:3; 15:3) There will be no more sorrow, suffering, crying, pain, death, as the former things have passed away. (Rev. 21:4) We will never have to endure any more temptations to sin, hear about gruesome murders, go to any more funerals, or see our loved ones suffer ever again.

Heaven: Eternal Security When the end of the world comes and Jesus delivers the Kingdom back to the Father, we will be in the hands of God. (1 Cor. 15:24) Jesus said, “"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28) The city is surrounded by high walls so that you never have to fear the devil again (Rev. 21:12

Conclusion Many either rebel or ignore God’s will and think somehow they will slip into heaven. Not so! Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people whose goal in life is to put the Lord first in their lives in service to Him. Heaven is a real place, Paradise restored, a place of beauty, a place of spiritual riches; blissful; and a place of eternal security. Do you have that burning desire to go home to heaven and be with the Lord? (1 John 3:2-3)