Heaven on Earth?

[0:00] Let's pray. Lord, we thank you for your word and that we can just get together tonight and be encouraged and just get around your word and Lord that your word will get inside us and do its work by your spirit's power in Jesus name. Amen.

[0:15] Talking tonight about heaven, heaven on earth. Is it possible? Heaven on earth. We all want to know about heaven, don't we? Everyone wants to go there. Most people believe there's a place called heaven. A place called heaven.

[0:34] Most people think there's got to be something more. Something more than this. Something more than just terra firma, what we're standing on. Something more than the pain and suffering that sometimes goes with life on this planet. Of this life. Something beyond this life.

[0:53] Something more than the 70 or 80 years we might have in this human shell on this planet called earth. Something more than being born, living, dying and then being buried in the ground. Something beyond this life and this world. Some sense of eternity. There's got to be something more. And there is.

[1:17] Some sense of any purpose. Some sense of any purpose. The Bible tells us of this place, of this real, tangible place called heaven. The Bible shows us that we were made to live forever.

[1:30] Forever. And the Bible indicates to us that heaven is God's prepared place for a prepared people. A prepared people have a prepared place.

[1:44] And just some thoughts on this theme of heaven. What it means to us. What does the Bible say about heaven? Heaven speaks to us, I put to you, of three things tonight.

[1:55] Just to touch on three things. A ruler, a relationship, and a reward. Heaven. Firstly, a ruler. A ruler. Heaven has a ruler.

[2:07] Matthew 18 verse 3. Our Lord says, it says that he said, Verily, truly, I say unto you, except you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[2:25] Heaven is called a kingdom. Heaven is a place. It's a kingdom. And there is a throne there. And a king there. A ruler there. Heaven is a country.

[2:36] In Hebrews 11 verse 16. It says, but now they, the saved, desire a better country. A better country. Could it be possible that there is a better country than Australia?

[2:50] Absolutely. Absolutely. A better country than whichever country you might be fond of. A better country. It goes on. That isn't heavenly. Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.

[3:03] For he hath prepared for them a city. Heaven is a country. Heaven is a city. It says in Hebrews 11 verse 10. It's a city that's designed and built by God.

[3:15] Now you might think of some home builders in our neck of the woods and have particular brands of builders that have got a good reputation. Well this building, this city is built by one who has designed it and made it, who is perfect.

[3:32] Its builder and maker is God. Heaven. It's a city. A city beyond no other. You know we know those of us that have travelled through towns and countries and cities and nations.

[3:47] This city is beyond compare. A city with no pollution. A city with no violence. With no greedy politicians. No drug pushers or child molesters.

[3:59] It's a city. A city that we might picture as filled with abundant parks and rivers and rolling meadows and flowing streams. Of flowers in constant bloom.

[4:10] That line the streets and fruit trees of every kind. Every species of plant life growing free from pestilence and disease. No weeds there. The gates are made of pearl.

[4:21] The walls of jasper. The streets of gold. Precious stones lie on the ground as playthings. You know you could picture this as someone could imagine what it could be like.

[4:33] We can't put into human terminology. There's emeralds and rubies and diamonds galore. This is how you could picture it. Of such a place. Beyond compare. You know it says in the word that, I have not seen.

[4:45] I have not seen. Nor have the ear heard. Nor has it entered into the heart of man. The things that God has prepared for them that love him. It's beyond our imagination. You could think of such a city that in the city that God builds.

[4:59] There are no tears. No sorrow. No parting. No regret. No sorrow. No remorse. There's no wheelchairs there. There's no false teeth there. There's no bald hands there.

[5:10] No hearing aids. No crutches. There's no more hospitals or paramedics. Or ee-haw, ee-haw, ee-haw. Ambulances going down the street. There's no CPR needed there.

[5:21] There's no doctors needed in the city. They're not needed anymore. No need for aspirin. No need for sleeping tablets. No need for all of that kind of stuff.

[5:32] There's going to be no accidents there. No cancer there. No heart attacks there. In heaven no one is going to grow old or weak. There's no cemeteries there. No funerals.

[5:44] For in that wonderful city no one ever dies. If you make it to that city you live forever. Forever.

[5:55] Never to die again. And heaven is a real place filled with real people. The Bible shows us how heaven is as a mansion. With many rooms.

[6:06] In John 14. 1 through 3. God's promised it to those who believe. That he has prepared a place for us.

[6:18] And we see in Revelation. The last chapters of your Bible. 21 and 22. It tells us of just some little glimpses. Glimpses of such a place.

[6:29] That it is an enormous city. Teeming with people. So it is a city. And the Bible tells of a citizenship. A citizenship.

[6:40] Of heavenly conduct. That we that will go there. Can know. Even here and now. It says in Philippians 3 verse 20. For our conversation. Which means our citizenship.

[6:51] Our. Where we belong. It's our way of living. Our conversation. It's how we act and live and go about. Our day by day. Our conversation. Our citizenship.

[7:03] Is in heaven. From whence. Also we look for the saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ. That's where we belong. You know. You might have a passport stamped.

[7:13] With a particular citizenship. Or have a particular naturalisation. You know. I've been naturalised. I'm not a real Aussie. You know. I'm a kind of pretend one.

[7:25] Because I've had someone. Stamp it. And sign a piece of paper. That says I'm an Aussie now. But I wasn't born an Aussie. But you know. I wasn't born. Saved. But now I am.

[7:36] My citizenship is in heaven now. That's who I belong to. That's where I belong. That's the better country. Than any country down here below. And we can know. A heavenly citizenship. And we look for the saviour.

[7:48] He's coming back. For us that believe. Colossians 3 verse 1 through 3. It tells us. If you then be risen with Christ. Seek those things that are above. Wherein Christ is seated on the right hand of God.

[8:03] Set your affection on things above. Not on things on the earth. For ye are dead. And your life is hid with Christ in God.

[8:14] Set your affection there. Make that what you love and adore. What you long for. What you seek after. What possesses you. Your thinking. Your mind. Your affections. Your love. Your desires.

[8:26] Let that be where you set your affection. Our citizenship. Our home. It's not down here on this planet. We're just passing it through. Aren't we? We're just pilgrims and strangers.

[8:37] We're passing through this time. Our citizenship is not here on earth. It's up there. In heaven. And we are in training for the meantime. For that place to come.

[8:47] For that citizenship to be fulfilled. And we play our part. In the here and now. Training. For eternity. You know. Some have kind of pictured it.

[8:58] Or imagined it. We. We will play a part. In ruling the universe. It tells us that we will reign with him. That means we're going to be kings and queens. Doesn't it?

[9:09] We're going to reign with him. We're going to have a rulership. With the ruler. Of the universe. And there's a sense where you could. Grasp from Luke 19.

[9:19] 11 through 27. That we're going to rule over cities. We that are saved. Now that might be. A bit of. Interpretation of sorts there.

[9:29] But there's a sense where. You that have given. Been faithful with a little. Will be given lots. You know. Let's be faithful with what we've got here and now. And see what God gives us in the hereafter to do.

[9:41] Because it says. You know. Some people think. Oh. Heaven's a place where we're going to get that harp. And we're going to have harp lessons. And we're going to float around on clouds. And sort of. Have a very. You know.

[9:52] Loll around all day. But no. In heaven it says. His servants will. Serve him. We're going to be serving God up there. And. They shall see his face.

[10:03] Revelation 22. Verse 3. So heaven's an active place. Where we're going to be. Wow. I've got something to do. For God. I'm going to serve him. They shall see his face.

[10:14] Revelation 22. Verse 3. So. For the meantime. Is our mind. On this world. Or do we think about eternity. Do we set our affection. On things above.

[10:24] Is eternity. On our minds. In our hearts. Does it possess us. Does it move us. Shape us. Shake us. Stir us. Do we care about the things.

[10:35] Of time. Oh. He's preaching a bit long. Or is our time. More about eternity. It's beyond this earthly clock.

[10:45] And watch. And date. And time. Time bound. Universe. That we live in. We look beyond. Is our priority. Related to the world.

[10:58] What am I going to do tomorrow. Or. I mean. Of course. We've got that to worry about too. Of sorts. But rather. That our priority. Is directed to heaven. That's what matters. That's what really counts.

[11:09] And do we take eternity. Seriously. Our citizenship is there. It's where we belong. We're under his rulership. And so. God wants us. For the meantime.

[11:20] To live a life. That is. A satisfied life. And a useful life. So. As the word tells us. Be content. With such things as you have.

[11:30] Be content. Don't be always striving. And stretching. And keeping up with the Joneses. Be content. And be useful. Because we've got.

[11:41] Work to do yet. This is training time. For the meantime. And there's one preacher. That said. My interest. Is in heaven. Because I'm going to spend. The rest of my life there.

[11:53] Isn't that true? If you that are saved here tonight. Your interest. Is in heaven. Because you're going to spend. The rest of your life there. As in eternal. Living.

[12:04] In heaven. So. Number one. We see. Heaven on earth. Depends on. A ruler. A ruler. And he must rule in our hearts now. He must reign.

[12:15] He must. Be the king. The lord. The master now. He is the ruler. And secondly. We see of heaven. That. Heaven speaks of relationship. Relationship.

[12:27] Now. You might be surprised tonight. To know. That there's some very special people here tonight. Sitting right in your seat. Because.

[12:38] There's people here today. That are actually. Related to royalty. Did you know that? They're related to royalty. You're probably sitting right next to one right now.

[12:51] You're. That one sitting next to you. And you yourself. If you're saved tonight. You are related to royalty. This is an amazing thing. You know. Imagine if. The. The gossip magazine's got a hold of this.

[13:05] You know. We'd have the paparazzi here tonight. Just taking your photo. I'm being a bit. A little bit. What's the word? But. I'm. I'm just. Making the point here.

[13:16] But it's true. If you're saved. You're related to royalty. There's members here. Of the royal family. Because this relationship. Here today. Not only does heavenly living.

[13:27] Mean. Having a ruler. Heavenly living. Means having a personal relationship. As an adopted son. Or daughter. Of the king.

[13:38] The king. The king. We become members of the royal family. And. You know. I'm. I'm privileged to be. To know you tonight.

[13:49] You. You. You're saints of God. You're very special people. And I thank God for you. Sons and daughters of the living God. You know. I like to think that. Maybe you're going to be my next door neighbour up there.

[14:01] Maybe that mansion up there. You might be. The next door. And I can knock on your door. And say hello. You know. That you. We might actually be neighbours up there. But. Friends.

[14:11] The reality is. There's a relationship. Are we brothers and sisters. Sons and daughters. Of the king of kings. And the lord of lords. This relationship. How does this happen?

[14:22] You might say. Well. Preacher. I don't know that I'm part of that family of God. I don't know that I've got that relationship. Well. John 3 verse 3. Tells us of the heavenly birth.

[14:33] It says. Jesus answered and said. Unto him. This Pharisee. This Nicodemus. Who was. Kind of. A little bit. At a loose end. Wasn't sure. Which end was the right way up.

[14:45] He said to Nicodemus. He says. Verily. Verily. Truly. Truly. I say unto you. Except a man. Be born. Again. He cannot see.

[14:58] The kingdom of God. He said. That must happen. Except a man be born again. Born of God. Cannot see.

[15:10] The kingdom of God. Heavenly birth. Can happen. Happens here and now. On this planet. What a privilege. That we can be. Such.

[15:21] A people. That we can join. The family of God. That he would have us. That he'd be willing to. Adopt. Me. To be his son. Despite all my. Lack of.

[15:34] Worthiness. For each one. You know. I love to think. Thinking back to the analogy of citizenship before. You know. It's very hard to migrate to Australia.

[15:45] At the moment. Let alone. Become an Aussie citizen. You know. You've got to jump through so many hoops. They give you a test don't they. You've got to do this test. And you've got to get so much of a score.

[15:57] And you know. Some people. When they vet people. For entering into a. Nation. You've got to be a certain age limit. You've got to be a certain. Health. Status. You've got to. Have certain.

[16:08] Employability. There's all these rules and regulations. That filter people out. Such that there's only a narrow band of people. That can make it through that. Gap. To get in. But heaven's gate.

[16:20] Is wide open. Whosoever will. May come. Whosoever will. May come. And that's how wide the gates are. For those who will really receive. For those who will.

[16:32] Heavenly birth. There's a heavenly father in heaven. It says in Matthew 5.16. Let your light so shine before men. That they may see your good works. And glorify your father.

[16:44] Which is in heaven. Heavenly father. We've got a father there. And what a joy that is. To know. To know. As much as. Our earthly father might bring us joy and blessing.

[16:57] Or. Maybe the contrary. Sadly. This father will never fail us. He's always there. And for those that might. Have lost their father.

[17:07] Or had a. Difficult relationship. This father. The heavenly father. He is always there. He's always there. And he wants. His children. To call on him.

[17:19] So there's a heavenly. Birth. There's a heavenly father. There's a heavenly home. The father's house is called. In John 14.2. The dwelling place of God.

[17:29] It's called. In Psalm 33. Verse 13. God dwells there. He resides there. And in this heavenly home. No more parting. There's no more tears.

[17:40] No. No more of the suffering of pain. As the coffin lid. Is shut. On the face of a loved one. There's none of that there. Amen. Isn't that good news? The heavenly home.

[17:52] And we will be. Home. That word home. Is so precious. Isn't it? That to know we have a home. Where we belong. And in this eternal home.

[18:03] Where we will head one day. It's the eternal home. Of those who trust. In the Lord Jesus. As a savior. And when we get to. There. Maybe we'll hear him say.

[18:15] Welcome home. Welcome home. Our beloved Lord. Will welcome us. There. To be with him. Forever. Our heavenly home.

[18:25] Home. And heaven is. Also speaks of his presence. His presence is there. We will be. With. Him. That'll be. Worth it all.

[18:35] Won't it? Just to be. With. Him. Let alone all the. Trappings that come. With being with him. Just to be with our Lord. To be with Jesus.

[18:47] Our savior and Lord. And Ephesians 2 verse 6. It says. He has raised us up. Together. And made us sit together with him. In other words. In company with him. In heavenly places.

[18:57] In Christ Jesus. There's a sense where. We're already there. We're in heavenly places now. There's that sense where. His presence. Is with us. We don't have to wait till heaven. We can know.

[19:09] In those quiet moments. When we just dwell on him. When we spend moments. In time with him. He is with us. His presence is. With us. Even now. On earth.

[19:20] But heaven. It'll be even more. Perfect. Heaven is a place of. Perfect love. We shall. Look on his face. As a hymn writer put it. Where Jesus is.

[19:31] Tis heaven. There. Where Jesus is. The royal presence. Of the king of kings. The lord of lords. The prince of peace. His presence.

[19:42] Heaven means. Will be. With. Him. Heaven means. His comfort. In revelation 21. 4. It says. And God shall. Wipe away all tears. From their eyes.

[19:53] And there shall be no more. Death. Neither sorrow. Nor crying. Neither shall there be. Any. More pain. For the former things are.

[20:05] Passed away. No death. No tears. No pain. Heaven will be a place of joy. Joy. Of. Perfect happiness. And blessing. And it says.

[20:16] Faithful servants. Will enter into the. Joy. Of the lord. In Matthew 25. 21. Perfect joy. The bible teaches. And this is in contrast to numbers of cults.

[20:29] The bible teaches that the moment. We leave this earthly shell. This. Little frame. This. Flesh and bone.

[20:40] This tent. This tabernacle. Whatever you call it. It's just going to crumble like dust. Christ. And. The real you. The real you. Will go directly.

[20:53] Directly. Do not pass go. Go directly. You know. Straight to it. Into the presence of the lord. Jesus Christ. That's what it says. In 2 Corinthians 5.

[21:04] 7 through 8. Philippians 1. 21 through 23. It says. Absent. From the body. Present. With the lord. It's just going to be.

[21:15] That quick. You know. That moment. When you'll part. For whatever reason. With your earthly body. And you. And you physically die. You're with.

[21:27] The lord. There's no. Kind of state of. Unconsciousness. Or. Limbo. Or. You know. Where you're somehow. In some soul sleep. You will go to be with the lord.

[21:39] As. As that moment happens. There's a preacher. Who lay dying. And a friend. Asked him. What are your feelings. About leaving this world.

[21:51] And the preacher said this. He said. Oh. It makes little difference. Here. Christ. Is with me. And there. I shall be with him.

[22:03] It's that simple. Isn't it? Here. Christ. Is with me. There. I shall be with him. Praise God. So. Friends. There's a ruler. There's a relationship.

[22:14] And thirdly. Of this heavenly living. There is. A reward. A reward. Heavenly living.

[22:25] Means storing up. Wonderful riches. Heavenly riches. And treasures. Now. Of course. Just to. Preface this with. To make the point. Because some make this mistake.

[22:38] They think that heaven is reached by. Climbing some ladder of good works. That you've got to reach. Higher and higher. And get there just. By your own effort. And strength. And being good enough.

[22:49] And doing enough. And not. Not doing enough. Or. Or obeying enough. Or striving enough. Or trying enough. But no. It's not of that.

[22:59] It's. Simply trusting. Simply trusting. Heaven is not gained by any of your. Your works. It never can be. Our works can never be enough. All our righteousnesses are as.

[23:10] Filthy racks. Yuck. That's the sense of it. And. Not of works of righteousness. That we have done. But according to his.

[23:20] Mercy. He saved us. By grace. Are you saved through faith. And that not of yourselves. It is. Not of our works. Not of works. Lest any man should boast.

[23:32] If it was anything about us. You know. As if it's faith. Plus doing something. As if we can get any credit. For getting into heaven. By anything that we could do. None of that.

[23:44] It's everything that he has done. And so. Just to preface that. But that said. There are rewards. For the believers. And we know. The Bible speaks about crowns.

[23:55] It speaks about. Acknowledgement. It speaks about. That. Further blessing. From. Faithful living. And Matthew 6 verse 20. Tells us about. Riches and treasures.

[24:06] Our Lord says. But lay up for yourselves. Treasures in heaven. Where neither moth nor rust. Doth corrupt. Where things do not break through. And steal. Lay up for yourselves.

[24:18] Treasure there. And the context it tells us. Is our heart in heaven. Verse 21. For where your. Treasure is. There will. Your heart be also. If your treasure is all about.

[24:30] Greedy grasping down here. And what you. What you want to do. And be. And you focused on this earthly. Life. You're missing out. What really counts.

[24:41] And we don't want that. For where your. Treasure is. There will your. Heart be. Also. You know. There's an old time preacher. Who was one of the. Reformers.

[24:52] Through history. In the dark ages. Of the church. And he said this. I would not give. One moment. Of heaven. For all the joys. And riches. Of the world.

[25:04] Even. If it lasted. For thousands. And thousands. Of years. You know. One moment. Of. Sinful pleasure. If that's. Got to cost you.

[25:17] The joys. And riches. Of heaven. It's. Very poor trade. Isn't it. Very poor trade. You know. There's a. I've told this story. Before. It's a familiar one. About a rich man. Showing a preacher.

[25:27] Around his estate. He pointed to the north. And he said. Which is north. He said. As far as you can see. I own. They pointed to the east. And the south. And the west.

[25:38] And he asked. As far as you can see. I own it all. He was right in the middle. Of this great big. Property holding. And the preacher then said. Pointing skyward.

[25:49] He said. How much do you own. Up there. You know really. That's what matters. Isn't it. You know. It's not what we have here. It's. What matters is what.

[26:00] We'll have forever. Or lack forever. And so. In. Hebrews 10. 34. It says. Knowing in yourselves. That you have in. Heaven. A better. And an enduring substance.

[26:11] There's. Something better. In this better country. There's a better. And enduring substance. So. You think of. What could that mean. There's something beyond compare. That awaits. Those that trust him.

[26:24] You know. I've. I've heard it said. That you don't see. A kind of. Removalist trailer. Towed behind a hearse. Do you. As if they can take it with them. You know. You know. Naked we came in.

[26:35] And naked we're going to go out. You know. We just. We can't have nothing. To take. With us. From this world. Although. I've heard it said that. Those that you reach for Christ.

[26:48] You'll see in heaven. That'll be worth it. Won't it. Those that you reach for Christ. Those that you witness to. And encourage to trust him. That. You can invest in souls.

[27:00] And. It's been said. The only man made thing in heaven. Are the scars. In his flesh. Yeah. You know. The scars. The nail prints.

[27:11] That's the only man made thing in heaven. But. So we can't take. It with us. We didn't bring it with us. When. What we have in this world. We didn't bring with us.

[27:21] And we can't take it out with us. But in the here and now. We can do something. We can invest in souls. Invest in souls. In Bibles. In missionaries.

[27:31] In spreading the gospel. Across the globe. There was a. A couple. In a vision. A couple was seen. Nearing the end of life's journey. And they were lugging a lot of baggage.

[27:43] And. This is just a funny story of sorts. But. They had money. And stocks. And bonds. And finery. And jewels. And furs. And all this. You know. Earthly.

[27:53] Treasure. And just outside the gate. Of the new Jerusalem. Was a junk pile. And the angel ordered. Throw all your things in that heap. And slowly.

[28:04] Most reluctantly. The man and woman. They emptied their pockets. And you know. All their earthly treasures. And the things they held so dear. That they'd hung on to. Right through life. And. That amassed. Through life's.

[28:15] Living. And. But it was worthless up there. So they just threw it on the junk pile. Just outside the door to the new Jerusalem. Outside the gate. And. Another couple approached.

[28:25] And they carried very little baggage. And they looked expectantly. Towards the gate. Which swung outward. As songs of praises rang within. And a group of people. Are awaiting them. Whom they'd never met.

[28:36] And the angel explained. These are they. Who have been won to Christ. In distant lands. Through the money you gave to missions. And then the converted heathens. Thanked the newcomers. Saying. We were in darkness.

[28:48] And one day the missionaries came. And told us. Of the Lord. That's why we're here. And the great saviour. Looked over. His records. And told. As it was money you gave.

[28:58] That sent the messengers out. Now there's a sense of that. Isn't there? What we do here and now. As we reach out. As we witness. As we minister. As we invest. Our life.

[29:09] Our living. In reaching. People for Christ. The only thing. On earth. A man can absolutely gain. Is heaven.

[29:20] And the greatest business in life. Is to prepare. For the next life. And so we see. Such things. There's a reward. There's a. There's a sense of riches. And treasures.

[29:30] There's a sense of inheritance. In 1 Peter 1 verse 4. It says. That. We have been. Promised. An inheritance. Incorruptible.

[29:41] And undefiled. That. Fadeth not away. Reserved. In heaven. For you. It's incorruptible. It cannot be corrupted. It's undefiled.

[29:52] It cannot be. Dirty. Defiled. There's no dirt. It's pure. It fades not away. It's. Absolutely. Rock solid.

[30:02] Guaranteed. You know. It's. Reserved. Now. I know. Julie and I have had occasion. To go. To certain appointments. And. And. The.

[30:12] The people we were going to the appointment. Made a reserved sign. Said reserved. Mr. And Mrs. Craig. And they put a reserved sign. On the car park.

[30:23] So we knew. Wow. They've actually. Held that for us. They've made that. Designated that car park. Just for us. Just to get to this appointment. Well.

[30:33] That made us feel pretty special. But. Imagine this. Our inheritance. That which we're going to inherit. That's which we're going to receive. Is reserved. In heaven for us.

[30:44] There's a. There's a. A place held for you. With your name on it. That's the. The picture. Here. Reserved.

[30:55] It's. It's. Confirmed. It's. It's guaranteed. It's locked in. And when you reserve a flight. You reserve a. A seat. On something or other.

[31:06] It's locked in. It's guaranteed. Your name's on that seat. And that's what heaven means for us. It's in. It's an inheritance that's. Reserved. What awaits us.

[31:18] Brother. Sister. Can we. Can we even. Conjecture what it's going to. Can we even. Imagine it. Someone has said that a sunset. Is heaven's gate.

[31:30] Ajar. I know. Julie's dad. Was a painter. And. I know Julie's mum. And Julie like to say that. That John's up there. Painting the sky.

[31:40] Again. Because. It's just. Such a beautiful sunset. And. A sunset. Is heaven's gate. Ajar. You know. We can't. Imagine what heaven will be. A place of incomparable beauty.

[31:53] Of pure gold. As clear as glass. Perfect. In colour. And sights. And sounds. A place of joy. Glory. Glad reunions. Of wonderful companionships.

[32:05] Perfect government. You know. Whatever your political persuasion. It will be perfect there. Absolutely. And. No more defilement. No more pollution. No more poverty.

[32:17] No danger. No dentist chairs. Who likes those? Hallelujah. Ha ha ha. No tragedies. No care worn faces. No more crime. No more old age. No slums.

[32:28] No more darkness. No decay. No more disappointments. No sin. No graveyards. No funeral directors. You know.

[32:38] If you're a funeral director. You're going to have to get a new trade. Up there. No death. No doctors. No sickness. No disabilities. No devil. We will have immortal glorified bodies.

[32:50] No more broken hearts. No more bitter memories. No more sickness. Suffering. Grief. No more shadows. No fear. No night. In the heavenly city.

[33:00] It's going to be magnificent. You know. We could go on and on. Really. This is just. Kind of picturing it. That place is clear as crystal. Magnificent jewels.

[33:11] Lovely pearls. A street of transparent gold. Amazing trees. And a sparkling river. Of life. Peace and purity. But most wonderful of all.

[33:21] The fairest of 10,000. Will be there. And the best part of heaven. Will be to see his face. The Lord Jesus.

[33:32] To see his face. Our redeemer. The one who bled and died. And took our sin and pain. And paid it all. Will be there. The best part of heaven.

[33:43] Will be to see the Lord Jesus himself. Face to face. And we'll praise him around the throne of God. And heaven won't be boring. It won't be boring. It'll be more fun.

[33:54] More wonderful. Than we can ever imagine. It'll be a place where. The streets are paved with gold. The walls are precious jewels. There was a rich man on his deathbed.

[34:04] And you know. This is tongue in cheek. Of course here. A rich man on his deathbed. And he negotiated with God. To allow him. To bring his earthly treasures. With him.

[34:14] When he came to heaven. He had a special exception. No one else. In the whole of humanity. Had such a privilege. As this man. And God's reaction. To that most unusual request. Was.

[34:25] Since the man had been. Exceptionally faithful. That he had permission. To bring on. Just one suitcase. Just one. And he had this suitcase. It was really heavy. This suitcase.

[34:36] And he lugged it up there. Time arrived. He presented himself. At the pearly gates. Suitcase in hand. Both hands. Because he'd stuffed it. With as many bars.

[34:46] Of gold bullion. As he would find. Gold ingots. Solid gold. Peter. Peter. Said. Sorry. You know the rules.

[34:58] You can't take it with you. But the man protested. He said. God said I could. One suitcase. So Peter. Checked. And he found out. Yes. Okay. You've got a special exception here.

[35:10] Now this is total heresy tonight. But. He prepared to let the man answer. And he said. Okay. But I'll have to examine the contents. Before you pass. And he took the suitcase. Opened it.

[35:20] And saw the gold bars. And he quizzically asked. You brought pavement? Because the streets are paved with gold. Why would you bother bringing gold up there?

[35:32] You know. So it just makes it. Pictures that. That really. What does it matter. Such things really. In the scheme of heaven. And so we see.

[35:42] For the meantime. So what are we doing. About heaven. Here and now. What on earth are you doing. For eternity. This should.

[35:53] Be a question. We grapple with. And think of. The reality of heaven. Should prompt us to holy living. In the now. We can have a heaven. On earth. Today.

[36:04] We can live under his rulership. We can grow in our relationship. With him. And we can find our reward. Even in the now. In pleasing him. In the here and now.

[36:16] As well as in eternity. So the question. To wrap up is. Are you ready. For heaven. Are you prepared. Now no one will go to heaven.

[36:28] Except by the grace of God. And the blood. Of Jesus Christ. If a man says no. To Jesus. He has no hope. Of heaven.

[36:39] And you're going to be wrong. For a very long time. Eternity. You'll spend. Either. Eternity. In heaven. Or. In hell. An old time.

[36:53] Preacher said this. When I get to heaven. I shall see. Three wonders there. The first wonder will be. To see many there. Whom I did not. Expect to see.

[37:05] The second wonder will be. To miss many people. Whom I did. Expect to see. And the third and greatest wonder of all. Will be to find myself there.

[37:17] Now this was a man who had a. Very dark past. But he knew. The grace of God. Isn't that good. And there's an old epitaph. That bears the following epitaph.

[37:27] An old tombstone. Has this writing on it. Pause stranger. When you pass me by. As you are now. So once was I.

[37:38] As I am now. So you will be. So prepare for death. And follow me. And an unknown passerby. Read these words. And scratched underneath.

[37:50] To follow you. I'm not content. Until I know. Which way you went. You know. Which way did he go. I'm not going to follow him. To hell.

[38:02] So which way are you going. God has made it easy for you. To go to heaven. And our entire hope of heaven. Is wrapped up. In what the Lord Jesus did. And when he died on the cross.

[38:13] For our sin. And rose again. He bore the sin. Of the world. Are you ready. For the world to come. Have you made a reservation.

[38:23] Have you got your name. Written down. Have you got your place. Reserved. Heaven is a reality. Another preacher said this. The greatest truth. That ever crossed my mind.

[38:35] Is the fact that I must live somewhere. Forever. I must live somewhere. Forever. What a tragedy. It would be. To miss heaven.

[38:46] There was a Christian who lay dying. He was surrounded by his family. And as he felt life slipping away from him. He caught his children. One. By. One.

[38:58] And drew them down beside him. And to which he whispered. Good night. I'll see you. In the morning. And his good night was a farewell.

[39:11] Of faith. But when he beckoned the black sheep. Of the family. To his side. The old saint. Tearfully said. Goodbye. The boy drew back and cried.

[39:25] Oh dad. Why did you say. Good night. To the others. But goodbye. To me.

[39:37] The old man breathed slowly. Son. I said goodbye to you. Because you don't seem to be making any plans to meet me. In eternity.

[39:48] And the boy. Threw himself into his father's arms. Sobbing. Dad. Don't say goodbye to me. Say good night.

[39:59] I'll see you in the morning. And will you be there. What is the alternative. You know. The good thing is. As much as we're wrapping up this meeting.

[40:10] Right now. Christians never meet. For the last time. Isn't that true. So. So. We know that. As much as. You know. We may not have a meeting on this planet again.

[40:23] All this number of folk here together. Who knows. How long we have. But Christians. Never meet. For the last time. Because. We'll meet again.

[40:34] In heaven. And friends tonight. Just. Let me leave you with this challenge. To know. The ruler. Of heaven. To know.

[40:45] Relationship with him. And to know. Just the reward. To know him. Is a reward of itself. To know him. Who is life eternal. To know him.

[40:56] It's beyond compare. Isn't it. And for. We that believe. There's a great joy. And. Certainty. As an assurance. We have by faith. You know. I know. Some have said.

[41:08] Um. When I've kind of. Questioned them. Or others have questioned them. They. They said. I think I'm a Christian. Or. I hope I'm a Christian. I hope I'm going to get to heaven. But as a.

[41:20] A Christian. Who believes this book. And the promises of it. As it says. This. This is the record. That you. That you can know. That you have eternal life. And you know.

[41:31] For a certainty. For absolutely. Rock solid. Guaranteed. Absolute. Assurance. That we can know. That we're going to heaven.

[41:41] And it's by. Trusting him. By. Trusting. Jesus Christ. And his work at the cross. And. Calling on his name. In faith. Receiving his gift.

[41:52] And knowing. Eternity. Even. Now. Let's pray. Heavenly father. We. We thank you lord.

[42:03] You are the heavenly father. Father. You are the king of heaven. You are the father. Of. Those. Your adopted children. Here on this planet. In the meantime. Sons and daughters.

[42:14] Of the living God. And what a joy that is. Lord. What a. What a miracle it is. To know you. And. We. Praise you lord. That. The scriptures.

[42:26] Only. Show us a glimpse. Just a. A door. A jar. Into heaven. We can't really picture. What it means. Yet. We know the way there. Because you said.

[42:37] I am. The way. The truth. And the life. No man. Cometh unto the father. But by me. You are the only way. And lord. We pray. Each one would know that.

[42:48] For a surety. For themselves. Personally. And to. Stand on that promise. Of your word. That. You go to prepare. A place for us. And you will come again. And take you to yourself.

[43:00] Lord. That place. With many mansions. And it's something you guarantee. Lord. We thank you for that. For. The heavenly birth. The heavenly citizenship. The heavenly living.

[43:11] Even now. Until you come again. And take you. To yourself. And we'll know in that instant. In that moment. When we shed this earthly skin. We shall be with you.

[43:22] Forever. And ever. And ever. And ever. And we pray. Each one here tonight. Or hearing this. Will know that. For a fact. That. Truth. That. We must trust.

[43:32] In you. To receive that gift. In Jesus name. Amen. Okay.