Heaven Our Goal Our time on earth is but a journey Heaven is our real home 1Pe 1:17 sojourning 1Pe 2:11 strangers and pilgrims Php 3:20 conversation

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1 Our time on earth is but a journey Heaven is our real home 1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Php 3:20 For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Jesus summarized it like this Mk 8:36-37 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Jesus used Judas to emphasize this: Mt 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

3 Scriptures teach us to FOCUS on heaven Col 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

4 Scriptures teach us to FOCUS on heaven 2Co 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the the things which are not seen are eternal.

5 Scriptures teach us to FOCUS on heaven 1Pe 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

6 Scriptures teach us to FOCUS on heaven 1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, [make ready] be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; Jesus taught this importance Mt 6:19-33 Paul taught this importance Php 3:7-17

7 Mimic Paul s desire 2Ti 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

8 Think of heaven in terms of what will not be there Ga 5:19-21, Re 21:8, 22:14-15, 21:3-5, 9-27 Not the dwelling place of wickedness No sin, crime, hatred or ill will No wars, destruction, disasters or death No tears, sadness, disappointments, discouragements, aches & pains, rejections No darkness, only light

9 Think of heaven in terms of what will be there God, our Father s home Mt 5:45, 6:9, Ac 7:49 Home of our creator Jesus, our savior s home Mk 16:19, Lk 22:69, Ac 7:56 Home of the one that laid down his life for us Brethren will be there 1Th 4:17, Re 3:21 Home of those with like precious faith (2Pe 1:1)

10 Think of heaven in terms of what will be there Incredible scene with God s family Rev 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

11 Think of heaven in terms of what will be there Eternal purity, perfection and life Eternal peace, joy and happiness Eternal love and kindness Jesus said: Mt 6:19-20 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal

12 Use these two phrases 1 NOT IN HEAVEN Use in times of sadness Funerals, job loss, broken heart, stress, pains, a lost soul, & things like these 2 HEAVEN IS BETTER Use in times of great joy 1 st car, graduation, marriage, children, dream job, 1 st home, a saved soul & things like these

13 Jn 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.