Will You Spend Eternity in Heaven?
INTRODUCTION.
A. One day you and I will day and face the judgment of the Lord. Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (NKJV)
B. If we happen to be alive when the Lord returns, we will still face the judgment seat of God.
C. The question for you this morning is this: Will you spend eternity in heaven?
D. To help prepare you to answer the question, we will:
1. Show that heaven is an inheritance for believers.
2. Show the steps to take to be prepared for heaven.
3. Discuss when and how the entrance into heaven will be supplied to the saints.
I. HEAVEN IS AN INHERITANCE FOR BELIEVERS.
A. Jesus went to prepare a place in heaven. (John 14:1-4)
B. Christians can look forward to dwelling in “an house not made with hands.” (2 Corinthians 5:1-5)
1. House not made with hands. (v 1)
2. Eternal in the heavens. (v 1)
3. Habitation from heaven. (v 2)
4. God has prepared us for this very thing. (v 5)
C. Saints can look forward to the “hope of His calling, . . . riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:18-23)
1. Hope of His calling. (v 18)
2. Riches of His glory of His inheritance in the saints. (v 18)
3. Greatness of His power towards those who believe. (v 19)
D. The inheritance is incorruptible and undefiled. It will never fade away. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
1. Begotten us to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (v 3)
2. An inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled. (v 4)
3. An inheritance which does not fade away. (v 4)
4. An inheritance reserved in heaven. (v 4)
5. Saints are kept by the power of God through faith. (v 5)
II. PREPARATIONS FOR HEAVEN.
A. Christians are to “seek those things which are above.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
1. Seek those things above where Christ is. (v 1)
2. Set your mind on things above. (v 2)
3. Specific changes are listed in Colossians 3:5-17.
B. A Christian must work to make their “call and election sure.” By so doing, they will receive an entrance into the “everlasting kingdom.” (2 Peter 1:5-11)
1. Add to your faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. (v 5-7)
2. If these abound, you will be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. (v 8)
3. Work diligently to make your call and election sure so that you will receive an entrance into the “everlasting kingdom.” (v 10-11)
C. Prepare for heaven by living holy lives in all godliness. (2 Peter 3:8-18)
1. The day of the Lord will come. (v 10)
2. Everything will be destroyed. (v 10)
3. Live holy lives in all godliness. (v 11)
4. Looking for the coming of the day of the Lord. (v 12)
III. WHEN AND HOW WILL THE ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN BE SUPPLIED TO THE SAINTS?
A. No one knows, except the Father in heaven, when the Lord will return. (Mark 13:32-37) Therefore, let us watch and be ready.
B. The Bible tells us how the Lord’s return will take place.
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
2. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
CONCLUSION.
A. Will you receive eternity in heaven as an inheritance through Jesus Christ?
B. Are you prepared to stand before the judgment seat of our Lord and give an account for the life you have lived? (Cf. Revelation 20:12-14)
C. The Lord will return. Prepare yourself today!
1. If you are a Christian, then continue serving the Lord with all of your might so that you will enter into Heaven. If you need to repent of any sins, then repent today.
2. If you are not a Christian, then obey the gospel of Jesus Christ so that you can spend eternity in Heaven.
------------------------------------
Will You Spend Eternity in Heaven? -- March 21, 2004 -- File # 295 - Heaven
by John M. Duvall – Lawton, OK