Let’s Talk About Heaven: Our Forever Home

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God, to find out how to know God personally go to know God.org K NOW know God.org it would you do me a favor sure this message was someone who needs to hear it. What is blogging is a real point.

We all wonder what life will be like the other shot in the Bible is not sure I would want to experiment Greg Laurie rings in short, we we might know all what you better than this is sort of some greater things to come in 81% of American churches and I'm sure believe in heaven. Three quarters for Golder like is it even possible to know today on a new beginning. Pastor Greg brings a travel brochure about our eternal home is beyond our imagination will see today. The Bible gives us some good information in our minds what talk about that a little bit here in Colossians chapter 3 and read two verses. Since then, you've been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

There so we are to set our hearts.

We are to set our minds on things above. This phrase set your mind to be translated. Think, or more thoroughly of this inner disposition. Let me put it another way, the verses actually saying simply think heaven think heaven got something were all supposed to do as Christians and by the way, the verb edges in this verse is in the present tense. So to be translated. Keep thinking heaven, or keep thinking about heaven, or keep seeking heaven put it all together and think constantly be seeking and thinking about heaven is it okay will, but that's fine, but you know how to wait, think about a place I've never been to before. Otto I wrap my mind around the place. I know so little about what you need to learn about heaven and see what the Bible says about Scripture because when you're thinking about heaven and you're seeking heaven. You will be a heavenly minded person and the best sense of that phrase. I know it's used to critique people all there so heavenly minded there no earthly good and I know a lot of people are so overtly minor there no heavenly good and I think of your heavenly minded in the right way, you'll be of the greatest earthly good doctor. The matter is those that think the most of the do the most in this one because of I believe there's an afterlife, and I believe there's a reward waiting for me for my people must want to make me want to serve the Lord of I believe in an afterlife and I believe there's a potential judgment for me more that make you want to fear God and avoid sin. So you see him. I believe in the afterlife affects me in this life, but of on the other. Again, I don't believe there's a reward waiting. Why do anything for anyone but me and I don't think there's a future judgment out there, why can't I do whatever the heck I want to do to whoever I want to do it to because nobody know, eternal repercussion, so as you can see your thinking about the afterlife, has a dramatic effect on you in this life. So let's just start with what is heaven.

What is once the dwelling place of God. All right where is heaven well we know it's up. We know that there is 1/3 heaven. The Bible talks about three heavens and the first heaven would just be basically walked outside to look up to see the sky.

The second heaven would be the solar system and the third heaven is that supernatural room, but it may be closer than we think. We think it's so far away you know maybe it's just right next to us in a way it's really another dimension. You see, right now we live in the physical dimension but at the same time we coexist within eternal dimension.

It's a dimension of God and the devil of angels and demons of the supernatural world. Great illustration of this is found in the book of Kings with the prophet Elisha and his servant to his side, they were surrounded by their enemies and were closing in which chariots and armed soldiers in gaze. I started to freak out in panic is that when we do mastery actually woke Elisha places and whatever okay Lord just opened his eyes and his eyes were open and he saw the supernatural forces of God all around him, and he discovered that they had more on their side than the enemy had on their side right now were surrounded by the supernatural world.

The Bible says that the angel of the Lord encamps around those in fear and we may even have guardian angels. I'm not sure this but I think you could make a fairly good case for it.

At least maybe children have them because Jesus talks about how our little children have their angels, so it may be that we are personal angels in the maybe we just have angels that just do God's bidding, but they're working around this every single day God that works of the supernatural realm this place called heaven.

We don't know where it is but it is where God is and that is the most important thing of all, because really the greatest thing about heaven is going to be seen God.

That's it. It's seeing God. That's why heaven is so appealing.

Now let's answer some questions about heaven. What is heaven like what is heaven like if we try to understand it and compare it to something well short answer.

Heaven is amazing. Heaven is awesome. Heaven will exceed your wildest dreams. Let me begin by simply saying heaven is a real place. Jesus said in John 14. I've gone to prepare a place for you. I think the problem is we form our view of heaven from well movies, TV shows, songs, images we've seen in art and usually those are not biblically accurate images. It really does kind of look like boring place big billowy clouds.

People just laying around plucking harps, little fat babies with wings hovering over us and get their little baby angels. I'm not sure what they are and that it started almost presented as a long nap which are some people may subject appealing. I don't know but I know about you but I like to be active. I like to do thinks I like to go out and see things and experience life in trust me when I tell you will get into this next time morbid is going to be so much that we will do in heaven, but it's a real place real things real people recognizing one another, not floating around in clouds with babies with wings were active were doing things, were experiencing things or even learning new things in heaven, so heaven is a place also. Heaven is described in the Bible is a paradise, a paradise. Remember when Jesus hung on the cross next to the thief who came to a sentence he said, Lord, remember me when you come in your kingdom and what Jesus say, truly, truly, I say to you, today you will be with me where paradox he was describing heaven and it's funny because after Paul die for a time he went to heaven and he called a paradise of a lot of people don't know that the apostle Paul die and we don't know when exactly it happened, but it may have been one of his preaching adventures when he was stoned and thought dead and in that me up in the moment when he went to the third heaven, wrote briefly about in second Corinthians about read to you in just a moment and he came back again and I just wonder what happened on the other side. So here's called the stone back in the stone and he's in heaven and it's amazing there's Jesus and he so excited to be there. And the Lord might've said so.

Paul, I have some good news and some bad news, good news and bad news. What you will. First the good news. This is heaven and you'll be coming back here again again. The bad news down and earth are some believers praying for you to be resurrected Lord Almighty said don't listen to their prayers, their sinners, I don't want to go back. Trust me when I tell you, no one who is in heaven would ever want to come back to earth, even if given the choice.

Meanwhile, back in the Lord raised Paul up all Lord bring Paul back to us oh Lord we need ball suddenly that color returns to his face, his hand against the move declined to exhibit how to get someone whose idea was that the brain for me to be raised from the dead.

Listen, however it happened, or whatever, and Apple. We know this much, Paul die, he went to heaven and he came back and even write a book about so what about all those books about heaven. Can we trust them. I don't know generally there's only one book, I trust that's the Bible now look at some of these books and I find them interesting writing on unicorns over rainbows and all these things they say they see and not Guinness either making it up though. I think some of them are. I'm not going to say that none of this happened. Maybe something happened to them.

I'm not really sure but I'll say this much.

I would never base my belief about heaven on the basis of someone who wrote a book about it. But I do believe that the Bible says and it's interesting because one minute like she did go to heaven and return of your head actually very little to say about it. Here's what Paul writes in second Corinthians 12 I'm reading from a modern translation justice and he says I knew a man 14 years ago was seized by Christ, you swept into ecstasy to the heights of heaven.

I don't know if this took place in the body or out of it. Only God knows I also know that this man was hijacked in the paradise is outward paradise again whether he is in the body or out of the body I do know God knows. Then he says there he heard the unspeakable spoken, but he was forbidden to tell Woody her an interesting he says it all to you this much. It was paradise in the word that he uses for paradise is a word that speaks of a royal garden. I don't know if there's anything we can think of that compares to what Paul is referring to is referring to the kind of garden you would see on a royal estate. It just something amazing, something awe-inspiring, something that makes your jaw drop. While the beauty of it. He says it was like paradise at the word he uses a heaven's apparent your great glory will have the second half of this message just a moment. We hear from listeners all over the country and from countries all over the world. Thank you very much Pastor Craig for everything you have ascending a white unnamed harvest service from Spain would not have his sermons had been a blessing to us, and we praise God in this difficult times.

Even though we can't going to church in person we give glory to God.

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Will Pastor Greg is bringing several biblical insights today on heaven, our eternal home. So far he's pointed out heaven is a real place and it's a paradise was continue number two heaven to city heavens, a city Hebrews 1314 says here we do not have an enduring city but were looking for a city that is the come. Hebrews 1110 says of heaven that the city has an architect and a builder. The cities are real places you go to different cities in the world and they all have unique features. I have the opportunity to visit a lot of amazing cities, Jerusalem, Rome, Paris you go to some cities and you remember a certain thing about my Paris is called the city of lights.

Jerusalem is called the city of gold. You know, so cities are real places there's neighborhoods are streets there's activities as places get food there as places to get good coffee. There's beautiful parks to walk in something of the best city you've ever been to, but without all the bad stuff. No crime, no urban decay, nothing that would be threatening to you in any way shape or form, not cars trying to run you down like New York City, but the best you've ever experienced in the city is fingering her eulogy telling me that we were in heaven we might go and sit down and have a meal. Why not Bible talks about eating in heaven. Are you actually saying that we could be in heaven we would go to a concert, why not this can be some pretty awesome singers up there. Are you telling me like when were in heaven we we we might God do fun stuff. Of course you do fun stuff on know that your fault but you can do it in heaven heaven is better than her earth is just sort of a glimpse of greater things to come. I think we think of this is that this is and I just go to the clouds and flow with the fat babies. No, no, this is just a glimpse of greater things to come is the imitation heaven is the real thing, not the other way around. Heaven is a paradise heaven is a city and it appears from Revelation 21 and 22 that there is a translucent quality to have says are the foundations of city walls were garnished with every precious gem imaginable. The main street of the city was pure gold translucent as glass. There was no sign of a temple for the Lord God and his lamb of the temple. This city doesn't need sun or moon or light. Heaven is also described as a country, a country Hebrews 11 six says now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he is prepared city for them.

So there it is heaven a country city garden, a paradise, a real place that we will go to the listener. Earth is great. Enjoy the beauties of birthing it's created for us by God. Even in its diminished state and even with the entrance of sin and the curse and all that there are still many beautiful things to see here on planet Earth that we can enjoy the been given to us by the Lord, even Jesus took time to admire a simple flower that me to pick up a flower in a civil look at these flowers, how they grow, they don't work or make their own clothing at Solomon in all his glory was addresses beautifully is one of these.

So I think we should enjoy the creation God has given us. But understand, there are greater things coming alright so let's come back to Colossians chapter 3 because were talking about heaven, how should that affect this in the way that we live on earth. So first we read set your mind and your heart on things above. Think about heaven.

See Kevin now back in Colossians 3, Paul starts with the word therefore put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires. Don't be greedy for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these since the anger of God is coming.

You used to do these things when your life is still part of this world now is a time to get rid of rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

Don't lie to each other for you stripped up your old sinful nature and all of its wicked deeds put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your creator you become like listen if you put your faith in Christ you're a child of God. You are a citizen of heaven and it's time to start living like one child of God or not known for slander were known for love were not known for condemnation were known for forgiveness and restoration.so you want to be you want to be that guy that girl that people go to and say you know you're always fair-minded about these things.

You're always compassionate you're always carried don't be known is that mean-spirited judge mental harsh person be a heavenly minded person because one day this life that we love so much will possible enter into the after life. I think when it is all said and done we really need. We need something greater to move us through this life and the things that distract us so often old minister.

Put it this way. I love this phrase used the explosive power of a new affection. That's good. The explosive power of a new affection so the ideas I have something that I am so committed to and so enthralled with and so filled with that. I don't even want to look at these other things. It's the explosive power it. It drives out those other things. It's a new affection. What is the new affection it's Jesus when I love Jesus with all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all of my mind. It's going to change the way I look at everything in life. So here is that this is releasing put the Lord first and every part of your life and the thoughts you think in the friends you choose in the way you use your time and it will transform you make every year, every month, every week every day and every hour count. May God give to each of us the explosive power of a new affection for Greg Laurie pointing out how heaven can be the thing that compels us, drives us forward in the Christian life. Good insight today on a new beginning. In his message called let's talk about heaven part one. If you missed any part of today's presentation. You can go to harvest.org for replay or request a CD when you call us at 1-800-821-3300 were here to talk with you anytime 24 hours a day, again at 1-800-821-3300 and I were excited about making available pastor Greg's book called Jesus, revolution and pastor Greg talks about what we can do to help usher in the next spiritual awakening. That's right. I was thinking about all the people who have stationary bikes in their home. Yes, why, why have them. No one uses them, you buy it you use it for the first week, then you hang stuff on it afterwards because they're usually on the garage of my right right but theoretically you know they they can use those things in pedal for our and I go anywhere though you myself.

I'd rather pedal a short time ago a lot of place. Yes, that's just me out when it comes to trying to usher in revival. How can we make sure that we are not peddling for years and not getting anywhere what you know in the in the high-tech versions of these that you can get little screens attached to them and you can have scenery you look at that's been prefilled out. Are you have a coat on their telling you right heart and all that but still you're sitting on a bike and going nowhere. I think it's much better to go somewhere. So instead of spinning our wheels are living in the world of theory about some practical steps I think there are practical things that we can do to bring about a personal revival. As an example in the book of Revelation we have the church of Ephesus passionate fiery church. They had great discernment they were being used by God, but something was drifting in Jesus identified yet. He said you know, I know the things that you do. I know that you have discernment, but I here's my issue with you. You've left your first love. And then he says, remember from where you will fall in repent and do the first works quickly, so it's like the 3Rs of personal revival. Remember, repent, and repeat. First, you remember, here's a question to ask yourself, was there a time in my life as a follower of Christ where I was more passionate about Jesus was there a time when I had a greater hunger for the word of God was there a time when I was sharing the gospel with people more so remember at the point of reference, sort of like you know was there a time when they weighed less when I get on the scale and I weigh more.

Yes okay were so remember it. It's a point of reference key know repent several going back to the died analogy stop eating pizza morning. You know, noon and night and saving the La-Z-Boy go back and do the things used to do remember, repent, repeat.

Okay, go back to the diet repeat go back and exercise more, eat less fattening foods. So now let's apply that's virtually first. I remember there was a time I was more passionate about my relationship with God. Now, I repent. I turn from that and I repeat, he says do the first works quickly.

I think we overly mystifying revival and we don't understand that there's simple steps we can take to make it better.

I've told the story before but some of our listeners may not of heard it about a lady that wanted to divorce her husband in the worst way. So she went to a divorce lawyer and she said I want to divorce my husband but I don't want to just divorce him. I want him to suffer. I want him to feel pain. So what should I do this. This attorney was a crafty when he says I'll tell you what, for the next six months. Smother your husband with affection affirm him telling him how much you love him and appreciate him and then at the end of six months will drop the bomb and several more divorce papers. She says I'll do it. So for the next six months. She told her husband how much she loved him how much he loved being with him how much he cared about him how much she admired him and the attorney called six months later and says all right let's draw those papers up. Let's get the divorce going. She said the board see you getting were going in our second honeymoon. Here's my point. What did she do she did something she didn't necessarily want to do.

But as she did it. Let's just say her emotions caught up with it. She did what was right. She did what she probably should've been doing in the beginning. So in the same way with revival were waiting for some emotional experience.

O Lord said to revival well how but if you just start doing revival like things and then all those things will sort of synchronized together so I talk about that and a lot more in my book Jesus revolution. It's my story of how I saw first, and I had a front row seat to the last great spiritual awakening in the United States of America and some historians say it was the greatest of all the revivals but I'll tell you this much. It was the greatest revival I saw. It is the only revival I've seen and I pray all see another before I go to heaven when that be great when it be great if we started seeing thousands of people come to Christ in our nation when it be fantastic if we could see people of different races coming together when it be amazing if we could see marriages healed wouldn't even be more amazing if we could see people in different sides of the political aisle set their differences aside and work together. God can work in our nation. God consent to spiritual awakening. We need to pray for.

We need to prepare for, but maybe we just need to start taking some practical steps get a copy of this book Jesus revolution. You'll find it with those practical steps are and I'll send it to you for your gift of any size.

So whatever you said. I'll send you and return a copy of Jesus revolution. Some of you can give more some not as much. But whatever you said. Be assured it will be used. To get the gospel to people and teach them the word of God. So thanks in advance what you can do.

Get your own copy of Jesus revolution. Yet we have it here waiting for you. The subtitle is how God transformed an unlikely generation, and how he can do it again today and will drop it in the mail to thank you for your investment so that these teachings can continue each day and so we can keep reaching out and changing lives you know more than 150,000 people made decisions for Christ through Pastor Greg's teaching last year and that was in spite of all the covert restrictions. It's such a good investment and eternal investment. So thank you for your donation today and will send you Jesus revolution and by the way, as a bonus will include a copy of a brand-new study guide that goes with it.

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That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org everybody Greg Laurie here personally inviting you to join us for what we call Harvest at Home. It's a Bible study. It's a worship service into the church in your home, you're not able to get out your church right now. If so, join us per Harvest at Home people are listening this from around the world listen to this. We have seen thousands of people commitment to follow Christ. Join us this weekend Harvest at Home.oh well, next time as Pastor Greg continues his series, the afterlife and the eternal will get some words of warning about those things that so easily distracted from the eternity we're waiting for. Join us here on a new beginning for possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor great free daily email devotions and harvest.org