St John's Parish Church, Lindow http://www.saint-johns.org.uk
Life Springs Eternal
We started off Alive and Kicking by thinking about the inheritance that awaits us in the future. We saw that this will be revealed when Jesus returns to bring this present age to an end and brings in a new and everlasting age. Well, tonight we examine in a bit more detail what that new age will look like.
What will heaven be like?
Please read Revelation 21:1-5.
What is the big thing that God is planning to do in the future?
(Check out verses 1, 4 and 5)
This is a theme taken up throughout the Bible. Please have a look at the following references: Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 65:17-19; Romans 8:18-21;
2 Peter 3:10-13.
Many people like swimming in the ocean or paddling in the sea with their trouser legs rolled up. What will heaven be like for them?
(You may like to chase up some of these references: Revelation 13:1 and
Revelation 20:13)
Where is God going to live in this new world?
What do you think is so significant about this?
What things will not be making an appearance in the future?
How can we be sure that this is not just some wishful thinking?
Please read Revelation 7:9-17.
Will heaven be an empty place?
What type of people will we meet in heaven?
Who are these people standing before the throne?
(Compare 7:9; 7:13 and 7:14)
What will these people be doing in heaven?
What will these people not be doing in heaven?
What will we be like?
Please read Philippians 3:20-21.
What does Paul expect to happen when Jesus comes back?
Please read 1 Corinthians 15:35-44.
What two questions are silly to ask at this point?
Why are they silly?
When she was 17, Joni Eareckson came face to face with death in a diving accident that left her paralysed. Confronted by the challenges of living in a broken body she began to think a lot about heaven. She has written an inspiring book about heaven called ‘Heaven: what will it be like?’ This is what she says after having just written about the glorious new bodies that we will receive.
"Please don’t assume that all I ever do is dream about springing out of this chair, stretching glorified fingers and toes, and pole-vaulting over the pearly gates. However much I relish the idea of leaving this wheelchair behind, that is still, for me, not the best part of heaven. I can put up with legs and arms that don’t obey. However, there’s something with which I can’t cope. I am sick and tired of combating my flesh; that is ‘the law of sin at work within my members’ that just won’t do as I command. That’s why the best part of heaven will be a completely purified heart. True, it will be wonderful to stand, stretch, and reach to the sky, but it will be more wonderful to offer praise that is pure. I won’t be crippled by distractions. Disabled by insincerity. I won’t be handicapped by a ho-hum half-heartedness. My heart will join with yours and bubble over with effervescent adoration. We will finally be able to fellowship fully with the Father and the Son. For me, this will be the best part of heaven."
Paul says in Romans 8:23: "We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."
Jesus has promised us that he will get us to heaven. There is a brilliant future ahead of us! But for now let us remember to always be coming daily to the Bread of Life. We are in the wilderness at the moment. We have still to enter into the Promised Land. And so we need to come to the Lord Jesus for our daily sustenance and joy. As Christians we are alive and kicking but let us, by the grace of God, stay alive and kicking to the very end.