“What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?”
INTRODUCTION – I preached this sermon in 2017. Memorial Day was designated as a specific remembrance of our brave war dead. Over the years, it has become a larger day of honoring all of our loved ones who have died. For those who have died with their faith in Jesus Christ, the words of a song come to mind (as often happens with me). The version I most appreciate is by Murry Hammond, a guitar player with a Texas drawl. He sings it really slowly and yodels beautifully on the bridges. The song is “What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?”; it was written more than a hundred years ago by the Reverend Charles Tindley.
“What are they doing in heaven today,
Where tears and sorrows are all done away,
Where peace abounds like a river’s flow –
Oh, what are they doing right now?
I’m thinking of friends that I used to know
No longer living in this world below.
I’ve heard about heaven, but I want to know
What are they doing right now?”
- THEY ARE EXPANDING THEIR NEW MINDS
Romans 12:1-2 – If we are “renewing” now, we can be certain that a complete renewing is to come. (As an aside, we should note verse 3 and not “super-think” of ourselves.) Luke 19:28-31 is a good illustration of the eternal employment of our new minds. Both Moses and Elijah displayed inquiring minds. “Decease” could be translated “exodus,” a reference to Jesus’ death on the Cross. This revelation was new. Moses had led the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, a prophetic type completely fulfilled in the saving work of Jesus. Elijah never died – but God the Son would and did die; Elijah had slain the prophets of Baal, but God the Savior would be slain – there is much to consider and contemplate in this contrast. I Peter 1:12 tells us that these are “things the angels desire to look into.” Since God is dynamic in His creativity, there is always more for us to know, always something new to learn. The promise of new minds is especially comforting for those who have seen family and friends with diminished intellectual capacities, whether through injury, disability, or illness such as dementia. In heaven, each one has a new mind and a new interest in understanding the ways, works, and words of God.
- THEY ARE EXPLORING THEIR NEW HOME WITH THEIR NEW BODIES
John 20:19-20, 26-28 – Jesus in His resurrection body was different but recognizable; we saw the same truth from the Mount of Transfiguration: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were distinct and readily identifiable. I Corinthians 15:35-55 is part of the classic chapter on resurrection. Our future bodies are related to our present bodies (verses 36-37, for a seed produces a like plant). However, our bodies are different. The biggest difference is that our new bodies will never die; in fact, they will not even slow down or decline in any way. In these new bodies, we will have plenty to see and do in our new heavenly home. For example, Revelation 19:9 speaks of the “marriage supper of the Lamb [Jesus].” Are we surprised that we will eat in heaven? We should not be, for Jesus ate in His resurrection body (John 21:12-13). We find in Revelation 22:2 that the “tree of life” is in heaven. I am glad that this piece of information is included in the Bible, for I love trees. We have glimpses of heaven in Scripture, and each one is glorious and exciting.
- THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THEIR NEW NATURES
Romans 8:28-30 – We are to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” We know that Jesus has no sin nature; thus, in heaven, our sin natures will not exist. Think of what that will mean for relationships! Envy, jealousy, feelings of inferiority or superiority, grievances large and small – all will disappear. The sad results of sin will dissolve as well, as we see in Revelation 21:4-5a.
- THEY ARE EXPRESSING NEW PRAISE
Revelation 5:9-10 – Anticipation is a good thing; we look forward to births, vacations, graduations, and weddings – but all of these things are tinged with uncertainty. Yes, anticipation is a grand thing, but fulfillment is grander. We enjoy singing God’s praise now; we will enjoy it more when we know more of God’s goodness and grandeur, when we partake of new manifestations of His grace.
- THEY ARE EXPECTING NEW PEOPLE TO JOIN THEM
Revelation 7:9-10 – Will you be one of them?
CONCLUSION – “What are they doing in heaven today?” They are doing what we will be doing one day, if our faith is in Jesus Christ and His finished work of salvation –
expanding our new minds,
exploring our new heavenly home in our new bodies,
experiencing our new nations,
expressing our new praise, and
expecting new people to join us.