jesus taught his followers about heaven (Hebrews 11:13-16)
Introduction:
1. In these verses we read about some people [Abraham, Sara, Isaac, and Jacob] who confessed that they were "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." 2. During their travels they were looking for a heavenly dwelling place prepared by God -- they lived and died in faith, believing God's promises. 3. To encourage us to follow the example of these people, let us examine the things that "Jesus taught His followers about heaven" in John 14:1-6. 4. From these verses we are pointing out that: a. heaven is God's dwelling place b. heaven is a prepared place c. heaven will be the eternal home of the Lord's followers. 5. Before we study these main points let us first be reminded of . . . Discussion: I. SEVERAL EVENTS THAT WILL OCCUR BEFORE THE LORD BLESSES HIS FOLLOWERS WITH A HOME IN HEAVEN
A. No one knows when, but one day Jesus is going to return (2 Peter 3:10a). B. (2 Peter 3:10b) When the Lord returns, everything will be destroyed. C. The resurrection will occur (John 5:28-29a). D. After the resurrection, judgment will take place (2 Corinthians 5:10). E. At the judgment, the Lord's faithful followers will be blessed with a home in heaven (Matthew 25:34). F. With this information before us we are ready to point out that . . . II. HEAVEN IS GOD'S DWELLING PLACE
A. (John 14:2) Jesus said that heaven is the "Father's house" (Matthew 6:9 -- "Our Father which art in heaven"). B. This should surely motivate us to want to go to heaven, but there is something else that we must consider. 1. Since heaven is God's dwelling place, we know that it will never end because God is eternal. 2. (Matthew 25:46) Jesus referred to heaven as "life eternal." 3. (Revelation 22:5) Those who are blessed with a home in heaven will "reign for ever and ever." C. Not only is it God's dwelling place, but . . . III. HEAVEN IS A PREPARED PLACE
A. (John 14:3) Jesus said He was going there to prepare a place for His followers. B. Heaven will be prepared in such a way that certain things will not be there (Revelation 21:4, 22, 23, 25, 27a). C. However, heaven will be prepared in such a way that certain things will be there (Revelation 22:1, 2; 14:13). D. In addition to being a place prepared by Christ, . . . IV. HEAVEN WILL BE THE ETERNAL HOME OF THE LORD'S FOLLOWERS
A. (John 14:3) Jesus said to His disciples, "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." B. To get to heaven we must go through Christ (John 14:6). C. According to Revelation 21:24, only the saved will be in heaven. 1. To be saved a person must obey the Gospel (Mark 16:16). 2. After being saved we must remain faithful to the Lord (Revelation 2:10). D. This is the Lord's will, and only those who obey Him through faith will find eternal life in heaven (Matthew 7:13-14). Conclusion:
1. Great Old Testament characters looked for a heavenly dwelling place prepared by God -- their faith was based on God's promise. 2. Let us give heed to the things that Jesus taught about heaven, and let us be encouraged by the examples set by Old Testament characters.
