Heaven: Our Eternal Home and Spiritual Journey

Devotional

Day 1: The Role of Deacons in Church Life

Deacons play a vital role in the spiritual and communal life of the church. They are not just administrative figures but are deeply involved in the ministry and service to the congregation. The qualities sought in deacons include faithfulness, active service, and a heart for ministering to others. These attributes ensure that the church is led by individuals who are truly dedicated to its mission and the well-being of its members. The process of deacon nominations is crucial as it helps identify those who are genuinely committed to serving God and the church community. [05:20]

1 Timothy 3:8-10 (ESV): "Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless."

Reflection: Think about the qualities you believe are essential for a deacon. How can you support and encourage those who serve in this role within your church?

Day 2: Heaven as Our Eternal Home

We need three homes: a domestic home, a church home, and an eternal home. Heaven is our ultimate destination, a place of perfection where we will be in the presence of God. It is essential to make the decision to follow Christ now to secure our place in this eternal home. Heaven is described as a place free from the sorrows and pains of this world, where we will be surrounded by angels, saints, and our loved ones who have gone before us. This eternal home is a place of joy, peace, and the fullness of God's presence. [29:46]

John 14:2-3 (ESV): "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with Christ. What steps can you take today to ensure that you are on the path to your eternal home in heaven?

Day 3: The Population of Heaven

Heaven will be populated by angels, Old Testament saints, New Testament saints, and our loved ones. It is a place where we will be reunited with those who have gone before us and where we will experience the fullness of God's presence. The thought of being in the company of such a diverse and holy population should fill us with hope and anticipation. Heaven is not just a place of individual bliss but a community of believers who have faithfully followed God throughout the ages. [44:20]

Hebrews 12:22-23 (ESV): "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect."

Reflection: Think of a loved one who has passed away. How does the promise of being reunited in heaven impact your perspective on life and death?

Day 4: The Occupation of Heaven

In heaven, we will serve and worship God in a way that is free from the curse of sin. It will be a place of joyful service, learning, and loving. Our worship in heaven will be a true revelation of God's glory, and we will respond with heartfelt praise and adoration. The occupation of heaven is not mundane but filled with purpose and fulfillment as we engage in activities that glorify God and bring us closer to Him. [47:17]

Revelation 22:3-4 (ESV): "No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads."

Reflection: Consider how you can incorporate more worship and service into your daily life now, as a preparation for your eternal occupation in heaven.

Day 5: The Captivation of Heaven

Heaven is a place of unparalleled beauty, described as having gates of pearl, walls of jasper, and streets of gold. The main attraction of heaven is Jesus, the Lamb of God. It is a place of no more—no more tears, death, sorrow, or pain. In heaven, we will experience the fullness of God's love and presence. The beauty and captivation of heaven should inspire us to live lives that reflect our hope and anticipation of this eternal reality. [54:45]

Revelation 21:18-21 (ESV): "The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass."

Reflection: How does the description of heaven's beauty and the presence of Jesus motivate you to live a life that honors God today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered at Good Hope Baptist Church to engage in a time of worship and reflection. We began with the important task of deacon nominations, emphasizing the qualities we seek in our deacons: faithfulness, active service, and a heart for ministering to others. This process is crucial as it ensures that those who serve are truly dedicated to the spiritual and communal well-being of our church.

We also discussed upcoming events, including a special offering for Gideons International, which will help distribute Bibles worldwide. Additionally, we have several important meetings and activities planned, such as the Deborah Class meeting, the Lord's Supper, and a children's committee meeting. These events are designed to foster community and spiritual growth within our congregation.

The heart of our gathering focused on the concept of heaven. We explored the necessity of having three homes: a domestic home, a church home, and an eternal home. Heaven, our eternal home, is a place of perfection, free from the sorrows and pains of this world. It is a place where we will be in the presence of God, surrounded by angels, Old Testament saints, New Testament saints, and our loved ones who have gone before us.

We delved into the population of heaven, emphasizing that it will be filled with angels, saints, and our loved ones. We also discussed the occupation of heaven, where we will serve and worship God in a way that is free from the curse of sin. Heaven will be a place of learning, loving, and joyful service.

Finally, we considered the captivation of heaven, focusing on its beauty and the presence of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Heaven is described as a place of no more—no more tears, death, sorrow, or pain. It is a place where we will be in the eternal presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

###

Key Takeaways

1. being of its members. [05:20]
2. Heaven as Our Eternal Home: We need three homes: a domestic home, a church home, and an eternal home. Heaven is our ultimate destination, a place of perfection where we will be in the presence of God. It is essential to make the decision to follow Christ now to secure our place in this eternal home.

3. The Population of Heaven: Heaven will be populated by angels, Old Testament saints, New Testament saints, and our loved ones. It is a place where we will be reunited with those who have gone before us, and where we will experience the fullness of God's presence.

4. The Occupation of Heaven: In heaven, we will serve and worship God in a way that is free from the curse of sin. It will be a place of joyful service, learning, and loving. Our worship in heaven will be a true revelation of God's glory, and we will respond with heartfelt praise and adoration.

5. The Captivation of Heaven: Heaven is a place of unparalleled beauty, described as having gates of pearl, walls of jasper, and streets of gold. The main attraction of heaven is Jesus, the Lamb of God. It is a place of no more—no more tears, death, sorrow, or pain. In heaven, we will experience the fullness of God's love and presence.

### [05:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:26] - Deacon Nominations
[08:10] - Deacon Selection Process
[08:56] - Special Offering for Gideons International
[10:30] - Importance of Giving
[12:13] - Upcoming Meetings and Activities
[14:47] - Team Teaching in Sunday School
[17:56] - Power of Prayer
[28:55] - Concept of Heaven
[29:46] - Three Homes We Need
[31:49] - The Choice of Heaven
[33:45] - Mount Sinai vs. Mount Zion
[39:08] - Heaven's Perfection
[44:20] - Heaven's Population
[47:17] - Heaven's Occupation
[54:45] - Heaven's Captivation
[58:53] - Revelation 21:1-5
[60:34] - Invitation to Accept Christ

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the three homes mentioned in the sermon that every person needs? ([29:46])
According to the sermon, who will populate heaven? List the groups mentioned. ([44:20])
What are some of the activities we will engage in while in heaven, as described in the sermon? ([47:17])
What are the characteristics of heaven that make it a place of "no more"? ([54:45])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important for deacons to be faithful, active in service, and have a heart for ministering to others? How does this reflect the overall mission of the church? ([05:20])
How does the concept of having three homes (domestic, church, and eternal) help us understand our spiritual journey and priorities? ([29:46])
What does it mean that Jesus is the "mediator of the New Covenant" as mentioned in Hebrews 12:24? How does this role impact our relationship with God? ([35:00])
How does the description of heaven in Revelation 21:1-5 provide comfort and hope for believers? What specific aspects stand out to you?

Application Questions

Reflect on the qualities of a deacon mentioned in the sermon. Are there areas in your own life where you can grow in faithfulness, service, or ministering to others? How can you take a step in that direction this week? ([05:20])
The sermon emphasized the importance of having a church home. How can you become more involved in your church community to foster spiritual growth and support others? ([29:46])
Think about the people you know who have passed away and are believed to be in heaven. How does the promise of being reunited with loved ones in heaven affect your perspective on life and death? ([44:20])
The sermon described heaven as a place of joyful service and worship. How can you incorporate more joyful service and worship into your daily life now? ([47:17])
Heaven is described as a place of "no more"—no more tears, death, sorrow, or pain. Are there specific sorrows or pains in your life that you need to bring to God for comfort and healing? How can the hope of heaven help you cope with these struggles? ([54:45])
The sermon mentioned that heaven will be a place of learning and loving. What is one new thing you can learn about God this week, and how can you show love to someone in your community? ([49:10])
Jesus is the main attraction of heaven. How can you keep your focus on Jesus in your daily life, especially when faced with distractions or challenges? ([54:45])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Heaven is an important place we need to understand. We want to go to heaven. We want heaven to be our home. And if heaven's not your home this morning, I hope that it will be, that you'll make that decision real soon. You know, everyone needs three homes. We need a domestic home. You know, a physical home. Plus, we can call home and come home to every day. We need a domestic home. We need a church home. We need a church we call home. We come together. We come to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But then, thirdly, we need an eternal home." [29:46] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God is not dead. God is not dead. He's a living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. That's how Mount Zion is referred to, to an innumerable company of angels. Angels are in heaven, we know that. Verse 23, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven. You see, that's why you accept Christ here. That's kind of like a registration. You know, if you're going to go to a seminar or go to some event, most time you have to register for it." [33:45] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Heaven is a place it's not made with human hands. Everything you see here is made by human hands. This building was made with human hands. But in heaven, it's a place not made with human hands. In heaven, nothing ever wears out. Nothing worse. Sometimes we have problems with computers that, oh my goodness, I hate computers sometimes. I mean, they're good when they work, but when they don't work though, they can be so aggravating. But in heaven, nothing, everything works. Nothing wears out." [39:08] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Heaven is a wonderful, wonderful place. But heaven's the place of no more. No more. Revelation 21. I'm going to put this on the screen. It's going to hit me later. But Revelation. I've got a new Bible here. I'm there. I'm getting close. Eight, nine, ten. 18, Revelation 21, you got those Bibles in the fuse there, you can pick one up too, Revelation 21, verse 1, oh, this is one of my favorite, favorite verses, here's John talking about heaven, he says, now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, also there was no more sea." [57:21] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The greatest single word is Jesus, the greatest two words is Jesus saves, the greatest three words, God is love, the greatest four words in our language, Jesus died for me, and the greatest five words, I shall see his face, will you see his face, when you pass on from this life to the next, that's the question we need to ask ourselves this morning." [59:53] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We need a church home. We need a church we call home. We come together. We come to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But then, thirdly, we need an eternal home. An eternal home. Where will you go when you leave this life? I guarantee you this, you'll go somewhere. And one of two places is where you're going to go. Where I'm going to go. All of us are going to go one of two places. We're either going to be eternally with God or we'll be eternally separated from God. One or the other." [30:28] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "He wants everyone to come to Him, He tells us. We know the desire of God. He loves us with an everlasting love that never stops, never quits. We may reject it, refuse it, ignore it, but He still loves us anyway. And so, He wants us to be part of Him. He wants us to be part of the eternal home, this place called Heaven." [31:05] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Heaven is populated with our loved ones, those we care about and love, mom and dad, grandma, our brother, our sister, our loved ones. Heaven is populated with these people. And oh, it's a place that I don't know why anyone would not want to go there. Get registered quickly before it's too late. Because you don't... Like all registrations, there's usually a deadline. And the deadline will be when Jesus comes again. It'll be too late then." [44:20] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Heaven is going to be a place of worship. Worship. Right now, it's hard for us to understand true worship and true service to God because we're under the curse of sin today. Because the Bible says we're all sinners. Every one of us. I know I've met a few people who say, well, I'm not a sinner. Well, then you're going against what the Bible says. In fact, the Bible says if you say you're not a sinner, that you're lying and the truth is not even in you." [47:17] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Heaven is a wonderful, wonderful place. But heaven's the place of no more. No more. Revelation 21. I'm going to put this on the screen. It's going to hit me later. But Revelation. I've got a new Bible here. I'm there. I'm getting close. Eight, nine, ten. 18, Revelation 21, you got those Bibles in the fuse there, you can pick one up too, Revelation 21, verse 1, oh, this is one of my favorite, favorite verses, here's John talking about heaven, he says, now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, also there was no more sea." [57:21] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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