1 Corinthians chapter two and verse number nine. Today I wanna talk to you about one word, heaven. What a comforting word. Just takes the tension out, settles things. A word that brings with it excited expectation. Yet we have no tangible connection to it in this life. The artist's brush, and the sculptor's chisel, and the preacher's exegesis, nor digital technology can depict the splendor of our future home. That very special place is not meant for these eyes. The Bible says, for now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face, 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and verse number 12, the wonder of heaven is meant for the eyes of our glorified body. For the Bible says, as it is written, I hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians chapter two and verse number nine. And even when we allow our imaginations to run wild about all the possible joys of heaven, don't you find that our minds are simply incapable of conceiving what it's really going to be like? Everything we know about heaven is found in this book. And I hope this message will help you take up the book and become better acquainted with our forever future home. Because until we are called home, our knowledge of that place where there is absolutely no disappointment is confined to what the blessed Holy Spirit has revealed to us in The title of the message today, Heaven Our Home. Is heaven your home? Are you going there one day? How much do you know about it? Now, I realize everybody's different, but I don't take trips to places and I don't move to places that I don't know about. I spend time and I learn about them first. I investigate the surrounding area, the hotel itself, the type of room it's going to be, things we can do around there, places to eat, all of that just for a trip. How much more should we spend time investigating our forever home? God, excite our hearts and teach us something today. Number one, the first thing I want you to see is that heaven is a place. Heaven is a place, not pie in the sky, not a sphere of life somewhere beyond the blue. Heaven is a place. It is the place Jesus came from. In John chapter 6 and verse 38, Jesus said, I came down from heaven. And when his work was done, it is the place Jesus returned to. In Luke chapter 24 and verse 51, the Bible says, and it came to pass while he blessed them, he was parted from them, watch this, and carried up, into heaven. It's the place Jesus came from. It's the place Jesus returned to. It is the place where Jesus is now. Hebrews chapter one and verse number eight, the Bible says, we have such an high priest, here he comes, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven. The heavens. When Jesus went away, he went somewhere. He went to a real place called heaven. Not some illusion of falsehood based on some unfounded hope that puts nice thoughts in our head to help make dying a little bit easier. No, heaven is a place. It is a place where Jesus is. It is a place he is planning on taking us. In John chapter 14 in verse number two, Jesus said, for in my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go and prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, listen, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, there you may be also. Well, the astronomer says, we can't see heaven with our powerful telescopes. Well, friend, is it really that hard to fathom not seeing the home of the one who lives outside of time and knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end, and with whom one day is a thousand years and a thousand years one day, not being able to see the home of the one who is supernatural and spirit and capable of moving through time and space at will. Listen, we believe in the biblical idea of heaven as a definite, tangible place. Not only is heaven a place, number two, I want you to see heaven has a position. If heaven is a place, then it has a location. Now, when you study the Bible, you're gonna find that there are three meanings of the word heaven in the Bible, and the context of each instance determines its meaning. The first meaning of the word heaven in the Bible is the atmospheric. An example was found in Jeremiah chapter four in verse 25, and the Bible says, the birds of the heavens were fled. That's talking about the sky. The second meaning of the word heaven is the astronomic. In Isaiah chapter 13 and verse number 10, the Bible says, for the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light. The sun shall be darkened in its goings forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. That's outer space. So the first heaven is the atmospheric, it is the sky. The second heaven is the astronomic, it is outer space. And the third heaven is the Almighty's, it is God's, The Bible calls it, in 2 Corinthians chapter two and verse number 12, the third heaven. 2 Chronicles chapter two and verse six says, the heaven of heavens cannot contain him. Hebrews chapter nine and verse 24, the Bible says, Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, but into heaven of heaven. When Jesus ascended, he passed through all three heavens. Hebrews chapter four and verse 14 says, seeing then we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens. That's plural. When Jesus ascended, he went through the sky, he went through outer space, right into glory land. Seeing then, we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God. But where is God's home that is called heaven? Now, most would point up and say, up there. And you know what, friends, they're not really wrong. Do a biblical word search and you'll discover the words up and heaven in the Bible, they're tied together. The Bible speaks of him gazing up into heaven. The Bible says he ascended up. to heaven. He lifted up his hand to heaven. And again, he lifted up his eyes to heaven. When Satan rebelled against God, he said this, he said, I will ascend into heaven. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation. Watch this, pay attention, in the sides of Isaiah chapter 14 and verse 13. Ezekiel said this when he received his vision. In Ezekiel chapter one in verse number four, Ezekiel said, and I looked and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north. No matter which part of the earth we stand, north will always be north. Where is heaven? It is up somewhere northern beyond the reach of the astronomers telescope. Heaven is a place. Heaven has a position. Number three, heaven has a populace. Heaven is not a figment of imagination. Heaven is not a feeling, it's not an emotion. It is a prepared place for a prepared people. 2 Corinthians chapter five and verse number eight says this, we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with God. Lord. Jesus Christ will meet us at the end of life's journey. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the psalmist said, I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Jesus Christ will meet us at the end of life's journey. When a believer dies, he immediately enters into heaven itself at home with the Lord. Church, that's where Hugh is right now. Sister Kathy, that's where Charlie is right now. Brother Doug, that's where Tim is right now. Brother Matt, Brother John, Sister Ricky, that's where Clyde and Patsy are right now. They are at one eternal way just over in the glory land at home with the Lord. Heaven is a place God has prepared for them that love Him. We're a heavenly people with a heavenly citizenship who are living heavenly lives as we sojourn on this earth looking for that city. In fact, in Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 13, the Bible says this about us. We are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. As it says of Father Abraham, may it also be said of us, in Hebrews chapter 11, in verse number nine, it says, by faith he, Abraham, sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. Verse 10, for he looked for a city. which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And verse 16 says, but now they desire a better country, that is, and heavenly, wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city. Right now, we live in temporary homes in a territory that is ruled by Satan, but one day, blessed Jesus is returning, and he's gonna take us to heaven, our home. And we'll be in our glorified bodies with the curse of sin forever behind us. Church, Christians are citizens of heaven. Heaven has a populace, number four, I want you to see heaven has a prince. Now we're gonna hit this quickly, not because it's unimportant, but I just can't cover it all in a single sermon. And here it is, pay attention. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. And in the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation demonstrates this lamb, Jesus Christ, sits on the throne of heaven. Let me give you a few verses. Revelation chapter five and verse number six, the Bible says, in the midst of the throne. The word midst speaks about being the focal point, the center of, in the midst of the throne stood Jesus Christ. A lamb, just two verses below that. In Revelation chapter five and verse eight, the Bible says the four and the 20 elders, that's the redeemed of all ages, the Old Testament saints and the New Testament saints together, the four and 20 elders, they fell down before the lamb. Five verses below that. In Revelation chapter five and verse 13, the Bible says, blessing and honor and glory and power be unto the Lamb forever and ever. Jesus talked about his kingdom not being of this world. In John chapter 18 and verse 36, Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews. But now is my kingdom not from here. Hence, elsewhere he is called this, the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. First Timothy chapter six and verse number 16. Church, my friends, the most thrilling thing about heaven is that Jesus Christ will be there. Heaven has a prince, number five. Heaven has a purpose. Heaven is a place of activity, not relaxation. Revelation chapter 22 and verse three, speaking of heaven, the Bible says, and there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, watch this, and his servants shall serve him. Heaven has a purpose. Yes, there is a rest for the people of God, but don't mistake that rest for inactivity or idleness. One gravestone reads like this. "'Don't weep for me now, don't weep for me ever, "'for I am going to do nothing forever and ever.'" Good sentiment, I guess, but not good scripturally. Heaven has a purpose. Revelation chapter seven, verse 15, Father shows us that purpose. And the Bible says, therefore, are they before the throne of God and serve him. day and night in his temple. That's what heaven's gonna be like. Listen, we serve God now because we're gonna serve God then. This is all prep work. And if we tire of serving God now, or if we bore of serving God now, I'm not so sure you'll be satisfied with heaven. My friends, the rest entailed in serving God in heaven means this. Listen, we're gonna be able to serve God unhampered by earth's enemies. We'll be able to serve God free of pain, serve God free of stress, serving God free of strain, free of sweat, no weakness, no tiredness. Heaven has a purpose. not only serving, but singing and shouting. The Bible says this over in Revelation chapter four and verse number 10. Listen to what it says. The four and 20 elders fall down before him that sat on the throne. and worship Him, underline those two words, and worship Him that liveth forever and ever. And they cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. We're gonna worship Jesus Christ in heaven. We're gonna cast our crowns and make sure you're working for one and that you're gonna have one. We're gonna take our crowns and we're gonna cast those crowns before the throne of Jesus Christ in heaven. We're gonna sing to Jesus Christ in heaven. Over in the next chapter, Revelation chapter five and verse number nine, the Bible shows us this. Saying, and they sung a new song. They're singing songs. Saying, thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof, for thou was slain. And I love this. And has redeemed us to God by thy blood. out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation, and has made us kings and priests unto God, and we shall reign on the earth. Friend, if you're struggling with the worship of God now, if you're struggling with singing God's songs to God now, I'm not so sure heaven's gonna be your type of place. Can I tell you something? I hate that my worship today isn't what it ought to be. But my friends, the stalks of our future home and its varied spheres of activity of serving God and singing to God and shouting to God, can I tell you something? They encourage me to be much more zealous than I currently am. I'm not concerned at all about Central Baptist Church developing strange fire, but I do get concerned about this church having no fire. Say amen if you want to, and you ought to want to. Shout and raise your hands if you are led to, and you ought to be led to. Come down to this altar if you are moved to, and friend, you ought to be moved to. Heaven has a purpose. Number six, heaven will be permanent. You say preacher. What about all of those verses that talk about heaven being done away with? Psalm 102 and verse 25. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure. Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment. As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. How about that? Isaiah chapter 34 and verse four. And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved. And the heaven shall be rolled together as a scroll. And all the host of heaven shall fall down as the leaf falleth off from the vine and as the falling fig from the fig tree. You say, Preacher, that's all Old Testament. Well, listen to the New Testament. 2 Peter chapter three and verse 10 says this. But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night, in which the heaven shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Verse 13 says, nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. Over in Revelation, John said this in chapter 22 in verse number one, and I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there were no more sea. Heaven will be permanent. Write it down, big plain and straight. Heaven will be permanent. You say, preacher, what about all those verses we just went through? Well, I'm glad you asked. Remember the three heavens we talked about earlier? That's what's in reference here. God is going to expunge from the first heaven and the second heaven, from the sky and outer space, every trace of sin and corruption forever, and he's going to use fire to do it. Now, God destroyed the earth with a flood, and God is going to destroy the universe with fire. You say, when, pastor? After the millennium and after the final judgment of Satan, then the heavens and the earth are gonna be thoroughly purged with fire. Think about it like this. The flood in Noah's day did not annihilate anything, although it was said the earth would be destroyed. hell and the lake of fire will not annihilate the lost therein, even though they are said to perish. And in the same way the passing away of the old heavens and earth does not annihilate them." Does that make sense? Listen to God's faithful promise. In Psalm 119, in verse number 90, the psalmist said, thy faithfulness is unto all generations. Watch this. Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. Ecclesiastes chapter one, in verse number four, the earth abideth forever. The flames and the melting of the heavens and the earth are for purifying for the eternal state. Now exactly how God's gonna bring to pass this purifying of the old heavens and the old earth and make all things new, we don't know, nor do we have to. Friend, it is enough to know that every stain of sin and every element and evidence of evil is gonna be wiped out forever in that day. But heaven ain't going anywhere. It's never going anywhere. One of the most famous verses and one of the most famous Psalms says this, Psalm 23 and verse number six, David said, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Today we're talking about heaven, our home. And we've seen that heaven is a place. It's not pie in the sky. It is a real place where Jesus is. Heaven also has a position. It is north somewhere beyond the astronomer's telescope. Heaven has a position. a populace, the people of God. That's who heaven was prepared for. Heaven has a prince, the Lord Jesus Christ, and heaven has a purpose. It is to serve God and to shout and sing to God and to worship God and do his will for eternity. Heaven will be permanent. And number seven today, I want us to close with this thought. Heaven is our palace. Back in John chapter 14 in verse number 2, such a valuable and treasured portion of Scripture, Jesus said this, He said, I go to prepare a place for you, for you. He said, I go to Prepare a place. Think about that. I go to prepare a place. That means the same hand that made the trees. and all of their different varied shapes and sizes and colors, the same hand that made the fields with all the lilies and the beautiful flowers and the seas, and the same hand that formed all the hills and the clouds and the sky, that same hand, listen, has been busy for the last 2,000 years making heaven our home. And you know what? It's gonna be just the perfection we've always longed for since the day Jesus came into our heart. Everything that makes earth unlovely, everything that makes earth tragic, gone. Heaven is a place of unparalleled, indescribable joy. Jesus said it like this, it is a place of many mansions. That's our home, a supernatural home, because it is personally crafted by the hand of the grand architect, heaven's carpenter, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. but heaven is also a place of jubilant joy. David said this in Psalm 16 and verse number 11. He said, in thy presence is fullness of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Now on earth, we're hampered by so many things. So, so many things. But in heaven, listen, we're gonna enjoy joy to the maximum as we bask in our blessed relationship with God unhindered. Nothing to disturb, nothing to distract. All the toils of earth are gonna be handsomely rewarded in that place called heaven, our home. Heaven is not only a place of jubilant joy, it is also a place where the glory and the power of God are set forth. The Bible says this about the glory and power of God in heaven. In Revelation chapter 21 and in verse 22, John said, And I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Isn't that amazing? In chapter 22 in verse number five, it says, and there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun. For the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Eternal illumination, eternal immutability produced by our eternal Emmanuel. That's heaven. That's our home. Heaven is a place where the glory and power of God are set forth. Heaven will be a place of fellowship. not merely with other saints, we know what that's like, but fellowship with God himself, listen, and in a way we've never experienced it before. Yesterday I asked my middle son, John, who's away at Pensacola Christian College, I said, John, what's your favorite verse about heaven? He didn't hesitate hardly a second and he said, Revelation 7, 17. And this is what the Bible says there. For the lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them. Oh, isn't that something? and the Lamb shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. And I love this, one of the most precious verses in the Bible, Revelation chapter 22 and verse four, the Bible says, and they shall see his face. And they shall see his face. Can you imagine that? The Bible promises we're gonna see the face of God. and they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads. we're gonna enter into a fellowship with the triune God that is currently utterly unknown on earth. It says in Revelation chapter 21 and verse number three, and I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. Could anything be higher, anything be more glorious than that? That's heaven, that's our home. And one of the most famous sermons in all of the Bible, in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew chapter five, in verse number eight, Jesus rang out these words. He said, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. And friend, that's heaven enough. That's reward enough. That's bliss enough. To see the one that I've loved for so long, to see the one that I've served for so long, to see the one that I've followed for so long, that I've honored for so long, that I've lived for for so long, that I've trusted in for so long, to see the one who died for me, and the nail-scarred hand, and his riven side, and to be able to see his face and say face to face, I love you. I love you. Can you imagine the sheer rapture as God takes us and holds us close as children and wipes away the tears from our eyes. What a fellowship, what a joy divine. Heaven is a place of fellowship with God himself. Heaven's a place of no more. It's called the Great City, and it's also called the Holy City. It's called the Holy City because the Bible says, "...there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." Revelation chapter 21 and verse 27. Every tear, every sorrow, every pain, and every cause of it eternally expelled. No more death. Hallelujah, no more death. No, it's so hard to imagine, because that's all we know. Everything that lives dies. Everything that is born dies. In this life, we are born into a world where everything dies, but if we know Jesus, we are gonna die into a world where everything lives and lives forever in Jesus' name. Friend, can I tell you, God has arranged a time when death itself shall die. For the Bible says, then shall be brought to pass that saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory, 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and 54 tells us. Death died the day Jesus Christ got up out of that grave. Today, we're simply waiting on the consummation of it. That's heaven, a land of life, eternal life. That's our home. It's the land of no more, no more death, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more temple, no more sun, no more moon, no more night, no more curse, no more candle, no more hunger, no more thirst, no more heat. It's the land of no more. It is a holy city. But heaven is also called the great city. Heaven is a place of beauty. The light of heaven is described like this in Revelation. Most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Heaven is a place of beauty. And it has a great wall, so high, so great, that it is girded by 12 foundations. Think about that, 12 foundations. And each foundation is a separate precious stone. One foundation is entire Jasper stone. Another foundation is Sapphire stone. A third foundation is Chalcedony stone. Another foundation is made up entirely of Emerald stone. Another foundation is Sardonyx stone. A sixth foundation is Sardish stone. Another foundation girding up that city is the chrysolite stone. Another is the beryl stone. A ninth foundation is the topaz stone. And then we also find the chrysoprasis stone and the jasoneth stone. Stone and they amethyst stone 12 Foundations can you imagine a wall that is so great and a wall that is so high that it is girded by 12 Foundations and each of those foundations is an absolutely stunning breathtaking precious gem stone Nothing like that is known to man That's heaven though. That's our home. It is a place of beauty. It has a great wall. It has 12 gates. And the book of Revelation says, every gate of one pearl and the gates shall never shut. That speaks of peace and safety. It also has streets described like this, pure gold, as it were, transparent glass. That's the streets. The gates are a pearl. The foundations are full of precious stones. My friend, why do we chase filthy lucre now? Why does our heart run to that? Look what God has prepared for them. that love him. Set your treasure and your affections on things above. Don't chase the weekend. Chase eternity. Live for Jesus. Don't live for the bank account. You cannot serve God and mammon. Put God first. Now he'll put you at the first of the line. Then you'll have a city whose foundations are of every precious stone, gates of pearl, Streets of gold not just the gold that we can have here, but transparent as glass it has a river, too A pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and out of the Lamb. There's also a tree, Revelation says, in the midst of the street of it, on either side of the river, a tree which bared 12 manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month. That's heaven. That's our home. Church, what a place. Is heaven your home? Are you going there one day? What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Friend, to visualize heaven accurately, study the Bible continually. Would you stand with me? Heaven, our home. Heaven is real. And if heaven is real, hell is real, and eternity is but a breath away. Joy for some, terror for most. And we live in a culture today that believes that everyone's gonna be saved. It's almost as if it's a theology of being justified by death. You know, all you have to do to go to heaven is to die. I mean, everybody goes to heaven. But God's word will never give us the liberty nor the luxury of believing that. Listen to me, friends. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. He said this in John chapter 14 and verse number six. He said, I am the way. and I am the truth, and I am the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me. If you wanna get there, you gotta come through Jesus. The Bible says, neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved other than that name of Jesus Christ. Friends, if you ever wanna get to this place that we've described today, then this place, heaven, cannot be your motivation. It can't. The gospel is not how people get to heaven. The gospel is how people get to God. You need to come to Jesus and get saved so you can get to God and God's reward for the saved is heaven, where he is. Listen, I believe when a man is saved, I believe he ought to be in church, but the church is not the way to heaven. The church is but a sign that points in that direction. My dear precious friends, God never said the journey would be easy. Man that is born of a woman is born under trouble as the sparks fly upward. God never promised that the journey would be easy, but he has shown us that the arrival will be worthwhile. So keep heaven in view, and you'll be able to remain hopeful and cheerful, even in the darkest day. and you'll discover that you'll be less disturbed by all of the setbacks of this present life. Heaven, our home, I had not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man. the things that God hath prepared for them that love him. Do you love him? Then God's prepared for you a city, and one day he's coming to receive you unto himself, that where he is, there you may be also. Let's pray.