What Is Heaven?
Heaven Is For Real Week 1 Message
Gary Moritz
Part of Heaven Is For Real—Answering Common Questions about Up There
October 6, 2019

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HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

Answering Common Questions about Up There

Pastor Gary Moritz
pastor@cityunited.church

INTRODUCTION

Heaven is for real! It seems nowadays everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to go now. Eternity is an uncertainty for many people, and the fear of death can be overwhelming. “What happens when I die?” is a common question in our culture today because many people don’t know their eternal destination.

On a positive note, the subject of Heaven has so many questions that the Bible answers.

But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ 10But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” —I Corinthians 2:9-10

This teaching series will focus on answering the common questions people ask when it comes to Heaven, the destination they desire to go to.

October 6       What Is Heaven?
October 13      How Do We Get to Heaven?
October 20      Does Heaven Immediately Follow Death?
October 27      How Do We Prepare Now for Heaven?
November 3      What Will Heaven Be Like?
November 10     Can People in Heaven Observe Life on Earth?
November 17     What Will Our Relationships Be Like in Heaven?
November 24     Will Animals Be in Heaven?

TEXT: Colossians 3:2 (New Testament)

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” —Colossians 3:2

TODAY’S TAKEAWAY:

God made Heaven for YOU!


HEAVEN IS FOR REAL WEEK 1:

WHAT IS HEAVEN?

The word “heaven” is used

times in the Bible.

It is used

different ways in the Bible:

The

heaven – home of the birds and the clouds

“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.” —Genesis 7:11-12

The

heaven - home of the sun, moon, and stars

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” —Psalm 19:1

The

heaven - home of God and believers

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.” —2 Corinthians 12:2

Biblical Definition:

Heaven is a real and perfect place where all believers in Jesus Christ will live with God forever.

I. HEAVEN IS

“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” —Romans 8:22-23

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’” —Revelation 21:3-4

II. HEAVEN IS

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,” —I Peter 2:11

“’Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.’” —John 14:1-3

III. HEAVEN IS

“After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!’” —Revelation 19:1

“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” —Genesis 15:6

See Acts 16:25-34

IV. HEAVEN IS

“’Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.’” —John 5:24

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.” —Revelation 22:1-3

V. HEAVEN IS

“’In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.’” —Matthew 6:9

“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” —Revelation 21:22-23

VI. HEAVEN IS

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” —James 4:13-14

“There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” —Revelation 22:5

CONCLUSION: WHEN YOU DIE WHICH DOOR WILL YOU ENTER?

“’I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’” —John 10:9-10

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