Sermon snippet – Simply Heaven – Part III
INTRODUCTION – Colossians 3:1-2 says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Two weeks ago, we saw from the account of Jacob’s ladder in Genesis 28:10-22 that both here and heaven are real. Last week, we considered a number of aspects of life here that can and should mirror heaven – forgiveness, marriage, family, friendships, and home. Today, let us return to John 14:1-6.
- HEAVEN IS A PREPARED PLACE
Twice Jesus states that He is leaving to “prepare a place” for believers. Scripture refers to heaven as a kingdom (II Peter 1:11), an inheritance (I Peter 1:4 – the sad part of an inheritance is death, in this case the sacrificial death of Jesus on the Cross), a country, and a city (both in Hebrews 11:16). In Luke 23:43, Jesus called heaven “paradise” and promised the repentant thief that it would be ready for him that very day! Logically, it must be, for it is a prepared place. The imagery of the “house” (verse 2) tells us that heaven is also home. When the writers of Scripture endeavored to describe heaven, they spoke of what is not there (for example, Revelation 21:4 – “no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain”). They then struggled to find the words to describe what is there, because it is so different. It is, though, a prepared place, a place prepared by Jesus for us.
- WE WILL BE PREPARED FOR HEAVEN
– that is, if our faith is in Jesus Christ (verse 6). We need forgiveness; the imagery of Isaiah 6:1-7 is comforting. Isaiah, seeing heaven, essentially said, “I don’t belong here.” However, God said, “Yes, you do” and provided the needed forgiveness. We will be forever changed (I Corinthians 15:51-52) with a new body (I Corinthians 15:53-54), a new mind (Romans 12:2), and a full flowering of our new nature (Romans 7:24-25; I Corinthians 15:49). Every glimpse of heaven provides a picture of preparedness that is consistent with the harmony of the Trinity.
- JESUS IS PREPARED TO WELCOME US TO HEAVEN
Verse 3 reassures us that Jesus completes everything He starts. He will finish His preparations and also come back for us. His return reveals the intensity of His affection for us: He just can’t wait for us to be with Him! Note the use of “Me,” “My,” “Myself,” and “I” throughout this passage. Yes, Jesus is personally involved in the details and will welcome us (Matthew 25:21, 23) face to face (I Corinthians 13:12).
CONCLUSION – We must respond in faith to the invitation of Jesus (verse 6). If we do, then we will find rest for our troubled hearts (verse 1).