Let’s Talk About Heaven: Who’s Watching Us in Heaven?

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God.

If you would like to know how you can become a harvest partner, just go to harvest.org that's harvest.org when I was running track and field many years ago I always ran faster.

Pretty girl was watching some people wonder of those who've gone to heaven watching heavenly grandstand today on a new beginning. Pastor Greg Laurie addresses the question, heavenly grandstand, are they watching this. I can't say with any certainty. But I know one thing Jesus Christ watching us. That should be the greatest motivation for running the race of life in any major city. There are cameras watching walk drive security cameras in front of a market built into a nearby ATM maybe a WebCam comparable building someone video doorbell. What about our friends and loved ones in heaven they watching what's going on here on earth. Pastor Greg Laurie addresses that question several others as he presents a glimpse of life inside our eternal home title is what talk about heaven part two were in Revelation chapter 6 let's answer some often ask questions about the afterlife number one what we do in heaven. I think some people think heaven is going to be super boring what we know we will be worshiping and that's of course why I exist to bring glory to God, but Revelation 15 says I saw glassy mix of fire and there stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast that would be the antichrist and is image and the number representing his name.

There were holding harps. There are harps in heaven got a given them and they were singing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb. So there will be singing in heaven. I think one of the reasons of the unbridled worship in heaven is because now we know all things, all of our questions are answered all of our pain is removed all of our tears are dry, but here's something altogether doing that but I guarantee this is going to be eating amazing food and have come on, you want to go to the award you get that from the Bible. The only assorted source in heaven. Revelation 1919, then the angel said blessed are those who invited to the wedding supper, and not only will you have that meal but to be with people hoping about having a nice meal is having it with someone you like to be with right being with friends and family enjoying a meal together will check this out.

You have some pretty amazing company. Matthew 11 says on that day comes, you will take your place at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. How's that for starters. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did have a meal with think about meaning people of the Bible asking David what was like to slay Goliath to know know it so work in that article that time there are Moses when you parted the Red Sea give me some details about Esther. What was it like to save the entire Jewish race. Deborah, what was it like to lead all those people in the battle. Hey Mary, Mary. What was it like to carry Jesus in your womb, and later have them in your heart you know I mean don't you want to ask those questions.

I do is when I'm around godly people. I want details I want information I want to learn from them and you'll have access to all these great men and women of God from the Bible who've gone before us to meet the Lord." Of course it's been reunited with loved ones that we miss, how many of you have someone that was very close to you who has gone to heaven right now you have someone that's pretty much everybody so you think about those people. Don't you and you think about being with them because one of the hardest things about death. This communication is cut off immediately. If you want to communicate with them and it's so hard when you can't so that brings me to the next issue in this is a big one and that of course is to people in heaven know what's going on on earth know my answer is going to surprise some people because I've heard others give a different answer than the one I'm going to give to you two people in heaven know what is going on with us on earth by answer. Simplified is maybe okay maybe.

And I might even take it a step further and say, quite possibly to some would say no that the kind of default answer many of know there were never the worshiping God they don't know about you this home care about you. There'd preoccupied with Jesus. Well, I think there are some scriptures I would suggest a different approach to that. Not sure a few of them." A number one people in eternity are aware of the fact that their loved ones are not. Say zero. How do you know that because over in Luke 16 will get into this more next time is a story of Lazarus and the rich not the Lazarus, Jesus raised from the dead, another luscious they both died Lazarus as a godly man, the rich man was an ungodly man to the book entered into eternity.

Lazarus went to the place of comfort with Abraham and the rich man the sinful man was separated out place of torment, but that man was conscious of those he left behind and he says in Luke 1628. I have five brothers and I want to warn them about this place of torment so they won't come here when they die, that indicates a knowledge in eternity of what is happening on earth because sometimes it was that you don't know anything while back I knew brothers I want to go for my brothers. I don't want them to end up here so there's a knowledge in eternity what's happening on earth number two when people believe in Jesus on earth it's public knowledge and have it I was going to crusade one sitting with San Jose and I went to bed and then ask their crusade was the start and I heard some noise in the room to fix the mean little music I got louder and I got louder then it was like so loud it was insane music. The wall was something that I thought of you this this I can't sleep next to this so I called down the front. Is there something really noisy going on in the room next to me and so they yet I didn't want them to rat me out to know that I'm the guy, but I want to my little people. Okay, so they said security up some guy was having some kind of a bachelor party. He brought a DGN with a sound system that I watched the people.

The whole time. I think there were like 30 people in this room there taken a giant speakers lights and all I bring no wonder it was so loud, so my point is, if there's a party happening in the room next door to you. You'll hear it. So there's a party and have been you'll know about it. So in Luke chapter 15 Jesus talked about a shepherd who lost his sheet a woman who lost the coin and a father who was reunited with his son. So talking about this shepherd that lost his GP left is $99 lost sheep wrapped around his neck, brought it back happy. He found that little lamb and then Jesus is and I tell you there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than 99 people who don't need to repent. Then Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son and another boy came back to his father again and then he says likewise. I tell you, there's more joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Now we read that and think what I mean. The angels rejoice every time a sinner repents job they probably do.

But Jesus did not say there is joy among the angels. Rather, he said that one is sinner repents. There is joy in the presence of the angels of God. So I'm rejoicing to but maybe were rejoicing. Maybe in heaven, you're aware that someone you had prayed for for your entire life on earth just came to Christ and you're aware of their salvation and your giving God glory for that. So there is an awareness in heaven of what is happening on earth in Revelation 6. The chapter had to turn to. Like a year ago, we read in verse nine.

This is a scene from heaven when the Lamb broke the fifth seal ice on the altar the souls of those who had been martyred for the word of God would be people for their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said all sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to the world and avenge our blood for what they've done to us. It was said that they should rest a little while longer. So here are people who are martyred for their faith. These are not angels.

These are mere mortals like us.

They been put to death for their faith in Jesus there in heaven and they knew they were put to death for following Jesus demonstrating a direct continuity between our identity on earth in our identity in heaven. They were the same people are not different people are aware of what is happened to them are also aware of the passing of time on earth is he in verse 10, how long until you judge and avenge our blood.

So the idea is they know something is wrong and they wanted me right again. My point is, people in heaven are aware of what's happening on her. So when people say they don't know anything up there will actually I beg to differ. I think they may mean no more than we think.

Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message just a moment, 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. It 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 make a commitment to follow Christ. Join us this weekend harvest@home.o Pastor Greg continues now with his message called let's talk about heaven part two, Hebrews 12, a very familiar verse.

It says, since you're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside the weight and the sin that so easily besets us and run with endurance the race of the set before us, looking on the Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and now is set down on the right hand of God.

Now member. I told you recently whenever you see the word therefore find out what it's there for so whoever wrote Hebrews.

We don't know who wrote it made him Paul. We don't know, but the other Hebrews is therefore center surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Okay, he's drawn and what was said. What did he just say Hebrews 11 he told us all about the heroes of the faith we call Hebrews 11. The heroes of the faith, the hall of faith in these are great men and women of God that were used very powerfully, Abraham, Moses, Joseph Gideon Samson David Rahab Daniel. The list goes on and I would starts therefore.

So here's the thing I'm wondering is this telling us that there watching us from heaven. Therefore center surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, run the race. It is simple for you heavenly grandstands, you know, when I was running track and field many years ago I always ran faster.

If a pretty girl was watching me. I notices it was just drudgery running S&S to grow faster, you know when someone is watching you that you love like we go to the soccer game of one of our grandchildren. The they score a goal in the decently look over to see if her watching you know they want to be watched and so are we being watched. I don't know but it may be that they're just giving us an example. They want before.

As they showed us how to do it so we admire that example are they watching us.

I can't say with any certainty. But I know one thing Jesus Christ is watching us and that should be the greatest motivation for running the race of life. He's cheering you on it. I've heard it said we use 5% of our brain capacity. Can you imagine 5%. I don't even know some people use all 5% and maybe one of so presumably in heaven will get the other 95% of our brain given to us and probably a lot more you not the thing about heaven when you get there is knowledge, I don't think you'll know everything there are many verses that would imply you learn things in heaven, things will be revealed to you and have another way, should be like one of those bobble head to know those bobble heads are Regina had little tiny body so you know you can alert you to know a lot more. The moment you get there, but I think you'll learn new things about the glory of God learn new things about God's creation learn new things about the mysteries of God learn new things about all kinds of things though you're going to be learning in heaven, you're going to be worshiping in heaven you going to be eating in heaven. The Bible says you'll be serving and have you'll be serving the Lord of the Bible says we serve the Lord day and night, so this idea of being bored and haven't forgot about it is going to be nonstop action and beauty and splendor in New Orleans but best of all it will be nonstop Jesus and you'll see your loved ones again. You'll be reunited with those that have gone to heaven before you and what a day that will be. I'm looking forward to that. Especially with my son and the other members of my family so I think deep down inside were homesick for a place we've never been before second line of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.

There's no place like home and then home is heaven for each of us one day. Heaven is your home a place of paradise, a city or country so how can I know that I am going to have this corrected. John 14 they quoted no close with this Jesus said in my father's house are many mansions in it were not so I would've told you if I go I'll come again and receive you unto myself where I go you know in the way you know good old Thomas said excuse me, we don't know where you're going and we don't know the way I'm so glad he asked that question is ending a lot of times Jesus would say something and all the other disciples would nod in unison is so good that is so deep I'm tweeting that later, but I think Thomas was honest like I've no idea what you're even talking about what you even mean when you say where you go. We know the way we know we don't know where you're going and we don't all the way what is Jesus say I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes of the father but by me. Excellent question. Thomas giving us this signature statement of Christ to say you believe in heaven, but then not read what the Bible has to say about it would be like say what I believe in Disneyland, but I do not believe that the location is accurate. So I'm in a go to where I think Disneyland is and I will enter the way that I want to enter Disneyland okay whatever. So you can end up with some lame but golf course with one broken ride fighter, no. But if you happen to make it to the Magic Kingdom.

You gotta go in the Disney way. You don't go in at all. You try to just walk in a car shall be stopped, arrested by the Disney police will be put in Disney jail and and I don't know what happens after that but you want to get into Disneyland you pay the price of what is $2000 for a day. That's just the food but whatever it is you pay the price and they stamp your hand and I you can go in the parking out of the parking back in the park again and all that you have to pay the price will look you can afford the price to cover, but it was paid for you. 2000 years ago by Jesus on the cross member I told you heaven is not for good people because you're not good enough to get there but having this for forgiven peoples of the real question is are you forgiven have you said the God I know in the center. I know I don't deserve to go to heaven but you've offered me this wonderful promise that I can go there someday and I want to so I want to believe in you and that's really what it comes down to, you have to admit your sin believe Jesus died on the cross for your sin churn from that sin asked God to forgive you of that sin and begin to follow Christ. When you do that you can know with certainty. I'm going to have a when I got I guaranteed how do you know because God promised that I would go there and I'm taking them on that promise. I'm standing on that promise. And I know many of you believe it is well I want to make sure everybody here and everybody wherever you are. I want you to know this and he's just a prayer away so I'm in a give you an opportunity to ask God to forgive you of your sin so you can know that you know that you know you're going all right. Let's pray father, thank you for your word to us. Thank you for your promise to us of heaven.

How amazing it is and we want to all go there. One day we want to see you, Lord. We want to see this paradise. This place the city this country. This place it exceeds our wildest dreams, and I pray for any body here or anybody listening wherever they are, that they don't have the hope of heaven help them to come to you and believe in you right now right now, for we ask in Jesus name Greg Lord important word of prayer. And if you like to make a change today in a relationship with the Lord. Pastor Greg would like to help you with that and he'll do so before today's addition of a new beginning. Concludes if you miss any part of this discussion, you can catch up by using our harvest app or by going online to harvest.org just look for the title. Let's talk about heaven part two, or request a copy on CD. When you call her 24 hour phone number 1-800-821-3300 1-800-821-3300. Well, this is such an important time here at the ministry because Pastor Greg has just released a book he's been working on a long time is the biography called Billy Graham the man I knew if such revealing journey through the life of the greatest evangelist to ever live your Pastor Greg you described. When Billy himself came to the Lord through the preaching of a country evangelist named Mordechai Hamm what a great name, Mordechai Hamm. Yes, you mentioned that the Billy Graham evangelistic Association still has the decision card. The Billy completed the night he made that commitment say has to at the piece of history right there yeah really it so they not only have that decision card but they have all whole building called the Billy Graham library and if anyone is ever in North Carolina Charlotte, you really should go visit it. You know presidents have their libraries but this is amazing because it's like an interactive place to go to theirs and credible exhibits they take you through his life from his childhood growing up on the dairy farm along with his brother Melvin. They have Billy in this tent revival days and then on through all of the things that he did around the world and represents the gospel as you walk through and there's places where you can see the Bible. He used his briefcase and yes, that decision card of one a very young Billy Frank walked forward at the invitation of evangelism, Mordechai Hamm, who would set up his tent there and Charlotte, North Carolina, and who could have ever thought that that lanky farmboy would go on to be not only the greatest evangelist of his lifetime, but in my opinion, the greatest evangelist in history and you know Billy said to me many times and in interviews as well.

I'm just a country preacher understand that was not false humility that was building just telling the truth. He was just a country preacher but God elevated him. I remember that he was the illustration. If you see a turtle on a fence post. You know, we didn't get there by himself and Billy was the first to acknowledge that God placed them in the place that he was in. And God gave him special gifts that were unique and he had this ability to connect with people and it was throughout his entire life and ministry from the early passionate fiery Billy preaching for the youth for Christ and then it is crusade in the tent there in Los Angeles that launched him into a global ministry to the older Billy elder statesman, Billy.

And finally the lion in Winter if you will, the grandfatherly Billy and he always connected with this audience.

I can think at times I was with them.

I was with them in Atlanta Georgia needed a crusade there.

In fact he introduced me to Jimmy Carter, former president at that point, and that's kind of an interesting thing to be introduced to Jimmy Carter by Billy Graham and that's exactly what happened, but Billy was quite a bit older. At that point and they started doing these youth nights were they were using contemporary Christian bands, which was sort of a departure from the tradition of the Graham Crusade and some of the team members weren't all that thrilled about it I thought it was a great move and he had packed.

You know events thousands of young people what it felt fascinating as these great bands would play like DC talker and artists like Michael W Smith but would Billy walked out there.

By the way, Justin is sued not changing the way he dressed not trying to be Mr. cool.

He was the coolest of cool because he was him. He was an authentic Billy Graham and he walked out there.

He got the greatest applause of the night and when he spoke those kids listen, you could've heard a pin drop. So we had this ability to connect from the beginning to the middle to the end of his ministry. Remember seeing him in New York. It is final crusade in Flushing Meadows. There and and I remember he just looked at the crowd and said God loves you and then he would turn to another part of the crowd and say God loves you and it wasn't as intricate as his early messages, but in its simplicity.

Maybe it was even more powerful because he lived what he preached. There were two Billy Graham's. He was the same in private that he was in public. He was a godly as man I've ever met while her listeners will want to get to know him better.

By way of your new book, Billy Graham, the man I knew it belongs in everyone's library back and Graham lots Billy's daughter commented about the publication in this page turner of a book I learned things about my father that I never knew Greg Laurie has done a masterly job of setting my father's life in historical and cultural context. I pray that Billy Graham, the man I knew will draw readers to the gospel where they'll find the love of God that he preached so fervently and faithfully. So can we send you this book, Billy Graham, the man I knew was our thank you gift for helping to keep this program coming your way with a donation. That donation is really an investment in a changed life. It's an investment of someone's eternity to write today to a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call us anytime 24 seven at 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org will Pastor Greg you spoke today about having a relationship with the Lord. Yeah, someone can enter into that kind of relationship with God right now counting yeah they really can.

That's the amazing thing. I think people are surprised that it doesn't take years to become a Christian. It doesn't take months. It doesn't take weeks.

It doesn't take days, it doesn't even take ours you can believe on the spot and I would like to lead you in a prayer where you can ask for his forgiveness.

A prayer where you can receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior and Lord. So if you want Christ to come in your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want a second chance in life. If you want to go to heaven when you die, stop what you're doing and pray after me these words Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I'm sorry for my sin and I turn from it now and I choose to follow you from this moment forward as Savior and Lord is God and friend. Thank you for loving me and calling me ever giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen, amen.

Listen if you have just prayed those words with Pastor Greg.

The Lord has heard you and forgiven you of your sin.

The Bible tells us Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and willing to send you some materials to help you begin to live this new life we call it our new believers growth packet just ask for and will send it to your free of charge. If you pray for the first time today with Pastor Greg write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300.

We can take your call anytime at 1-800-821-3300 or go to harvest.org and click the words know God. The next time more insights from Pastor Greg, new series, the afterlife and the eternal join us here on a new beginning.

Greg Moore and possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor greats free daily email, devotions@harvest.org