No Place Like Home
TIME: How much did you talk about heaven at home?
Do you think that was sufficient?
"Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6
PRIORITY: How often do you think about heaven throughout your day?
Do you notice any differences in your day? (attitudes, actions, thoughts, etc...)
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." - Colossians 3:2
INFLUENCE: Who or what has influenced your view of heaven?
How accurate do you think your understanding of heaven is? Is there anything that may not be biblical that you cling to?
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me." - John 6:38
URGENCY: If Jesus told you that he was returning tomorrow morning (24 hrs), is there anything you would do differently between now and then?
Isn't that how we are supposed to live every day? How would living expectantly impact your next 7 days?
"Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts." - Psalm 90:12
CONVERSATION: How does the reality of heaven impact the way you speak to people? (language, topics, etc...)
If heaven is real, then so is hell. If we do not conform our speech as Ambassadors of the King, then we misrepresent Him and the priority of His message.
"Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart." - Matt 12:34
INTENTIONALITY: When was the last time you engaged your children (or other family member) in a spiritual discussion? How did that go - and what would you like to have done differently?
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates." - Deuteronomy 6:5-9
VOTING BOOTH: How does the reality of heaven impact the way you vote in elections?
We don't serve donkeys or elephants, but the Lion of Judah! Our political alignment should be based upon a biblical worldview. And yet we remember that no political system will ever be good enough - only true spiritual revival can save!
"Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ." - Philippians 1:27
RECALL: Jesus is the ultimate authority on Heaven, so we should defer to Him for details. What is something that Jesus said about heaven?
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also." - John 14:1-3
REMINDERS: What practical actions can you take to keep the reality of heaven at the forefront of your mind and heart throughout each day?
No churchy-answers. Looking for practical actions to help us apply what we know to be true.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2
FORGIVENESS: In what ways should the reality of heaven shape your daily attitudes towards forgiveness and reconciliation with others?
Forgiveness is something that we are all for - until it comes time to forgive someone who hurt us.
Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?”
“I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven." - Matthew 18:21-22
MARRIAGE: How does knowing that our earthly marriages don't continue in heaven affect the way you live today?
Marriage has specific functions for us: a helpmate for spiritual growth, propagation of the human species, companionship & a glimpse of what is to come. (Eph 5:31-32).
But earthly marriages won't last. (Matt 22:29-32)
There will still be marriage in heaven, but it will be between us and the Lord! (Rev 19:6-9)
Put the effort in with your spouse while you can!
FEAR & ANXIETY: How can the certainty of heaven empower you to overcome fear and uncertainty in this life?
The Bible says "Fear Not" more times than the # of days in a year. Fear & anxiety reflects a lack of trust in the Person and sovereignty of God.
Like Paul, we should be able to say, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21
"Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7
JUSTICE: How should the promise of heaven influence your response to societal issues and injustices in the world today? (Racial, Economic, Cultural, etc...)
God care about injustices & expects His children to be compassionate & intervene on behalf of the victims as well.
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8
"From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live." - Acts 17:26
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” - Revelation7:9-10
COURAGE: How can the hope of heaven inspire you to live boldly for Christ, even in the face of opposition or persecution?
This is becoming more and more a reality in our own country, so we need to decide now how we will handle things.
Where do you find yourself staying silent/holding back, sitting this one out? (Gospel-related, not political) Pray & ask God to show you how He wants you to respond.
"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" - Psalm 118:6
"In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." - 2 Timothy 3:12
FAMILY FEUD: How does the reality of heaven challenge you to respond to a toxic parent or disobedient child?
Heaven should impact our desire to love and serve others, to be inconvenienced for others, to have an opportunity to influence and model Jesus' love. We earn the right to share the Good News by living it out first.
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." - Colossians 4:6
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: In what ways does the certainty of eternal fellowship with God influence your daily prayer life and spiritual disciplines?
Our current relationship with God is just the beginning of an eternal relationship that is the culmination of everything we have ever wanted. That increases its importance for us today.
What currently gets in the way of your daily time with God? Is that a legitimate obstacle - or just an excuse?
"And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment." - Matthew 22:37-38
GRATITUDE: How does the assurance of heaven lead us to live lives of gratitude and thanksgiving?
Would people around you describe you as thankful and grateful? Why/why not?
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
QUESTIONS?: Do you have a significant question about heaven that does not seem to be answered by scripture? If so, what is it?
While the Bible doesn't tell us everything we want to know, it is sufficient for everything we need to know.
Knowledge isn't the goal. Obedience is. (Dependence)
"The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law." - Deuteronomy 29:29
"His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." - 2 Peter 1:3
ENVIRONMENT: How does the assurance of a new heaven and new earth shape your perspective on environmental stewardship and care for creation?
Does this absolve us of all responsibility of caring for creation? Where do you draw the line?
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” - Genesis 1:28
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: How does the promise of eternal fellowship with believers influence our relationships with fellow Christians? Is there someone you need to reconcile with?
Do you find yourself hoping to be able to apartment-shop in heaven to make sure you like your neighbors? That is more a reflection of your heart than the standards to get into heaven!
"If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." - 1 John 4:20
MONEY & POSSESSIONS: How does the promise of eternal treasures in heaven change our perspective on earthly wealth and possessions?
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliott
“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
CHURCH: How does the reality of heaven influence the priority of church in your life?
It's modeled, instructed and mentioned throughout scripture - in addition to being promised in the life to come.
"And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25
DEATH: How does the hope of heaven bring comfort and assurance when facing the reality of death?
It's easy to discuss at church, but how about in the hospital room? Or at a funeral of a friend/family member?
"In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8
SUFFERING: How does the hope of heaven give us strength to endure trials and suffering in this life?
The Hope of Heaven provides strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!
"You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." - 1 Peter 1:6-9
EVANGELISM: How does the certainty of heaven motivate us to share the hope of eternal life with others?
If heaven and hell are real and the only way to be in heaven is through Jesus - there should not be anything else more important for us to communicate to everyone around us.
"Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6