Hope and Assurance: Our Eternal Home in Heaven

Devotional

Day 1: Heaven: Our Real, Eternal Home

Heaven is not a mere concept or a fleeting dream; it is a real place, promised by God, where believers will dwell eternally. This truth offers profound comfort and hope, as it affirms that life extends beyond the temporal bounds of earth. Heaven is described throughout Scripture as the dwelling place of God, a place prepared with care and intentionality for those who love Him. It is a place where the fullness of God's presence is experienced, a promise that sustains believers through the trials and tribulations of earthly life. The reality of heaven encourages a forward-looking faith, one that treasures the eternal over the temporary and sets its sights on the divine inheritance that awaits. [07:40]

Revelation 22:1-2, 5 ESV
"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ... And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."

Reflection: How does the reality of heaven shape your priorities and decisions in daily life?

Day 2: Transient Tents to Eternal Bodies

Our current existence is akin to living in tents—temporary and susceptible to wear and tear. In contrast, our future bodies in heaven will be glorified, eternal, and imperishable. This perspective is not meant to diminish the importance of our earthly lives but to inspire an eternal mindset. It encourages believers to live purposefully and righteously, knowing that their actions have eternal significance. The hope of receiving a glorified body helps to endure present sufferings with the knowledge that they are but a momentary affliction compared to the eternal glory that awaits. [09:19]

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 ESV
"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,"

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate an eternal perspective in your daily routines and interactions?

Day 3: Perfection in the New Creation

The promise of a new heaven and a new earth is a beacon of hope for believers, signifying the ultimate restoration of all things. In this future reality, there will be no more sin, pain, or death—only the perfection for which creation was originally intended. This hope is not just a distant dream but a future certainty that motivates believers to persevere through the brokenness of the current world. It is a reminder that God's redemptive plan encompasses not only individual souls but the entirety of creation, which will one day reflect His glory fully and completely. [20:43]

Isaiah 65:17 ESV
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind."

Reflection: How does the hope of a new heaven and earth influence your response to the pain and injustice in the world today?

Day 4: Fulfilling Eternity

Heaven will be far from a place of idleness or monotonous worship; it will be a realm of rich experiences and fulfilling activities. Believers will enjoy perfect relationships, free from conflict and full of love. They will continue to learn and grow, understanding more of God's grace and truth. Responsibilities will be meaningful, and the joys of creation will be fully appreciated, including the pleasures of food and the presence of animals. This vision of heaven dispels any myths of boredom and paints a picture of an active, vibrant, and joyful existence in the presence of God and fellow believers. [36:07]

Revelation 7:15-17 ESV
"Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat."

Reflection: What is one way you can practice heavenly-minded relationships or responsibilities in your life today?

Day 5: Jesus: The Way to Heaven

The path to heaven is not through good works or moral superiority but through faith in Jesus Christ alone. By believing in Him and accepting His gift of salvation, individuals are adopted into God's family and their place in heaven is secured. This assurance is not based on feelings or personal merit but on the promises of Scripture. It empowers believers to live with confidence, knowing that their future is in the hands of a loving and faithful Savior. The certainty of this hope allows for a life of anticipation, eagerly awaiting the day of seeing Jesus face to face. [46:53]

1 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,"

Reflection: How can you more fully embrace the assurance of your salvation in Christ in your daily walk with Him?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I explored the profound truths about heaven, our eternal home, and the hope it offers us as believers. I began by addressing the reality of heaven, affirming its existence as a real place where real people go after this life. Heaven is not a mere state of mind or a place of soul sleep; it is a tangible, eternal dwelling place of God. I emphasized that heaven is mentioned throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, underscoring its significance in the Christian faith.

I then delved into the nature of heaven as God's home, where He resides and where we, as His children, are destined to live eternally. I drew upon the Lord's Prayer, which acknowledges God's heavenly abode, and Jesus' words in John 14, where He promises to prepare a place for us in His Father's house. This personal touch from Jesus assures us that heaven is being prepared with us in mind, tailored to our unique selves by the One who knows us best.

I further clarified the distinction between the current heaven and the future, new heaven that God will create. The current heaven is a temporary dwelling place for believers who have passed on, while the future heaven will be a new creation where we will reside in glorified bodies. I touched upon the end times, the rapture, and the millennial kingdom, leading to the creation of a new heaven and a new earth.

The sermon continued with a vivid description of what heaven will be like, drawing from Revelation 21. I painted a picture of a perfect place, untainted by sin, where God's glory permeates everything. I described the New Jerusalem, its breathtaking dimensions, and the purity of its construction with precious stones and streets of gold. I assured the congregation that nothing unclean or sinful will enter heaven, only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

I addressed the question of what we will do in heaven, dispelling myths of eternal idleness or an unending church service. Instead, I spoke of the rich experiences awaiting us: perfect relationships without conflict, learning and growing in understanding God's grace, fulfilling responsibilities, and enjoying the company of all believers and the heroes of the faith. I even humorously mentioned that there will be choice food and drink, including meat for those who enjoy it, and that animals will be part of our heavenly experience.

Finally, I tackled the most crucial question: how do we get to heaven and can we be sure of our eternal destination? I presented the simple yet profound answer: Jesus Christ. By believing in and receiving Jesus as our Savior, we become children of God and secure our place in heaven. I shared the assurance we have from Scripture that we can know for certain our eternal destiny is secure in Christ.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Reading

John 14:2-3 (NIV) — > "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

2. Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)
> "Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

3. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
> "However, as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'— the things God has prepared for those who love him."

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Observation Questions

According to John 14:2-3, what is Jesus doing in heaven right now? How does this give us assurance about our future? [13:17]
In Revelation 21:1-4, what are some of the key characteristics of the new heaven and new earth? How does this vision contrast with our current world? [20:43]
What does 1 Corinthians 2:9 suggest about the nature of heaven and our ability to comprehend it? [04:33]
How does the sermon describe the difference between our current bodies and our future heavenly bodies? [09:19]

Interpretation Questions

How does the promise of Jesus preparing a place for us in John 14:2-3 affect our understanding of heaven as a personal and prepared place? [13:17]
Revelation 21:1-4 describes a place without death, mourning, crying, or pain. How does this promise impact our hope and perspective on suffering in this life? [23:15]
Considering 1 Corinthians 2:9, why might it be important for believers to recognize the limitations of our current understanding of heaven? [04:33]
The sermon mentions that our current bodies are like tents, temporary and frail, while our future bodies will be glorified and eternal. How does this metaphor help us live with an eternal mindset? [09:19]

Application Questions

Reflecting on John 14:2-3, how can the assurance that Jesus is preparing a place for you in heaven change the way you handle daily challenges and uncertainties? [13:17]
Revelation 21:1-4 paints a picture of a perfect place free from pain and suffering. How can this vision of heaven provide comfort and hope during difficult times in your life? [23:15]
1 Corinthians 2:9 suggests that heaven is beyond our wildest imagination. How can this understanding encourage you to trust God more deeply, even when you don't understand His plans? [04:33]
The sermon describes heaven as a place of perfect relationships and fulfilling activities. How can you start cultivating deeper, more meaningful relationships here on earth in anticipation of heaven? [36:07]
The sermon humorously mentions that there will be choice food and drink in heaven, including meat for those who enjoy it. How does this detail about heaven challenge or affirm your current views on God's provision and enjoyment in life? [36:37]
Considering the sermon’s emphasis on living with an eternal mindset, what practical steps can you take this week to focus more on your eternal home rather than temporary earthly concerns? [09:19]
The sermon concludes with the crucial question of how to get to heaven, emphasizing faith in Jesus Christ. Have you personally believed and received Jesus as your Savior? If not, what is holding you back? If yes, how can you share this assurance with others? [46:53]

Sermon Clips

"Heaven is the home of God. It is the dwelling place of God. It's where God lives. It's God's address. Heaven is the address of God. And eventually, it becomes the home and the dwelling place of everyone who believes in God, believes in his son, loves his son, and has accepted his son. It becomes our future home, our permanent home." [11:48]( | | )

"What is Jesus preparing for me? What's it going to be like? What's it going to look like, right? It's the home of God and it's the ultimate home of us who believe in Jesus. And when you stop and you think about home, I want to encourage you to start thinking. If you don't think of heaven as home, I want you to encourage you to start thinking about heaven as home." [14:01]( | | )

"What is heaven like? And again in the simplest and most uncomplicated answer I can give you. Heaven will be perfect. Heaven will be absolutely perfect. You know why? Because God will be there. Because we will literally be in the presence of God." [20:43]( | | )

"The Bible describes. And God's going to make it new. He's going to renew everything. And that's where we're going to perfectly live in this perfect new place with our perfect new bodies. In heaven where everything's perfect. Why? Because God's there. And there's no sin." [24:26]( | | )

"Creation's groaning. And then he says this. Not only that, we ourselves who have the spirit as first fruits, we're also groaning within ourselves. Eagerly waiting for adoption. The redemption of our bodies. Right? So it's like if you've ever felt like, oh, this is so. I'm without hope." [29:29]( | | )

"Perfect place. What are we going to do while we're there? Question four. Let's answer this one, right? What are we going to do while we're there? Forever is a long time, right? And is it going to be one long church service? Amen. Yeah, I figured I'd be the only one with that." [36:07]( | | )

"How do you become a child of God? You need to believe and you need to receive and then you become. This is the formula of the Bible on how you get to heaven. Is that you believe and receive Jesus. But he's not just the get out of hell ticket and a get into heaven ticket." [46:53]( | | )

"If you don't see heaven as your home and you don't look forward to it, all you then have to look to is this world. You'll look at this world. And if you just look at this world, you'll do one of two things. First, you will get so discouraged." [49:40]( | | )

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