Is Heaven a Real Place or Is It a State of Mind?

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1 PHYSICAL ADDRESS 13 Hermit Thrush Drive Buxton, Maine MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 424 Bar Mills, Maine (207) This column is taken from chapter two in a book called A Place Called Heaven 10 Surprising Truths About Your Eternal Home written by Dr. Robert Jeffress. To listen to Dr. Jeffress talk about this subject and other inspirational topics go to or watch Pathway to Victory on Channel TBN Saturday 10:30pm. Is Heaven a Real Place or Is It a State of Mind? In My Father s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 One morning in early 1971, famed Beatle John Lennon sat down at his Steinway piano and composed what would become one of his greatest hits and an anthem of the ages: Imagine. In a tribute to one-world utopian ideals, Lennon asked us to imagine that neither heaven nor hell exists. From atheism, Lennon learned that God is nothing and no one is God, and that heaven is nowhere because it doesn t exist--above us is only sky. Perhaps this stark conclusion is what led Lennon to imagine there s no hell--below us is only earth. After all, imagining no hell is the only hope atheists have. Of course none of Lennon s musings about heaven answer the question of whether heaven is real or is merely a mental projection a state of mind of those who need the idea of heaven as a crutch for the harsh realities of life. Imagining heaven isn t real doesn t make heaven unreal any more than imagining you re a turnip makes you a vegetable. Truth is not the sum of our imagination. Just because skeptics imagine heaven doesn t exist doesn t make it so. Of course atheists quickly point out that just because we can imagine heaven doesn t make it real either. True enough. But atheists have long assumed that Christians have merely imagined heaven s reality and have accused people of faith of living in a fantasyland of looking forward to a heaven that isn t there. If it can t be proven scientifically that heaven exists, then it must not exist, they argue. But, as my friend David Jeremiah counters, Heaven is no figment of the imagination; nor is it a feeling, a state of mind, or the invention of man. Heaven is a literal place prepared by Christ for a prepared people. And that s the truth we are going to explore: the reality of heaven.

2 Heaven Is Real If we accept the most basic definition of heaven, that it is the abode of the Deity [of God], then we can assume God is the one true expert on the subject. Therefore, if we want to know whether heaven is real or simply a state of mind, we should turn to God s book, the Bible, to answer that question. The most definitive answer to the question about the reality of heaven is found in John 14: Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. When Jesus told the disciples about the Father s house, He didn t speak of a place that exists in fantasyland of our minds. Jesus used language that describes a real location. Place (topos) is used three times in John 14:2-3. This Greek word serves as the root for our word topography the act of detailing the actual, physical features of land on a map. When used in the New Testament, topos almost always indicates a locatable and inhabited space. In some contexts it refers to a city or region; in others it refers to an individual residence a house or a room, which is the case in John 14:2-3. But it is more than just the word topos that tells us heaven is real. Jesus also said In My Father s house are many dwelling places (John 14:2). The word dwelling can also be translated to habitat, lodging, or domicile. Each of these words describes something that is real and physical. If Jesus s use of place and dwelling isn t enough to prove the reality of heaven, He twice said, I go and prepare a place for you (John 14:2-3). The act of going and preparing speaks to something tangible not intangible. Jesus s going refers to His death, resurrection, and ascension. After giving final instructions to His disciples, the Bible records: [Jesus] was lifted up while [the disciples] were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven (Acts 1:9-11) The ascension of Jesus occurred on the Mount of Olives, outside the walls of Jerusalem a physical, geographical location. So when Jesus ascended from this real place (the Mount of Olives), where did He go? It s nonsensical to say Jesus left the physical earth and ascended into some metaphysical state of mind. Jesus traveled from one geographical location to another geographical location heaven. And it is in heaven that Jesus is preparing a place for us. When the time is right, Jesus promised, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:3).

3 AUGUST WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS 8/5: COMMUNION SUNDAY Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-6 Meditation: Acquainted with Grief This is the familiar suffering servant passage with foretells Jesus passion. Two things to note: one, grief is unavoidable; two, Jesus can relate! 8/12: OUTDOOR SJULANDERS Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 Meditation: Last Things, Part 4 A changing of the guard has taken place: Moses is gone, Joshua has assumed the position of leadership. What happens in this transition is instructive for the time when church leadership changes hands. A service of baptism is planned for today, and a lobster/cook-out lunch will follow. 8/19: Scripture: Philippians 3:7-16 Meditation: Just Press On As we approach the end of our time together, what important thoughts remain to be shared? This passage touches on hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). That seems important to me. 8/26: PASTOR MALCOLM S LAST SUNDAY The planning of this service is in the hands of the laity. There will be special music and other treats. I trust it will be celebrative and not too personally embarrassing! imagine If Heaven is this pretty on the bottom, think how it must look on the top.

4 Heaven Have you ever wondered about heaven? Where is it? What it's like? Who lives there? The Bible talks a bit about heaven and God has given us some hints about what it will be like. However, a lot of it is still a mystery to us because God is still preparing a place for us. At least that's what Jesus told his disciples before he went up to heaven. He said he was preparing a place for us with many rooms or mansions. Which makes me think that if God created the world and everything in and around it in six days, how amazing will heaven be if he's taking longer than that? If you can think of a beautiful mountain, waterfall or even the prettiest flower you've ever seen and think of a place even more amazing than that, I think that's what heaven will be like. God can use whatever he wants gold, diamonds and amazing things we haven't even seen on earth. Maybe that's why the Bible doesn't give us a complete description of heaven because we wouldn't even be able to understand how amazing and beautiful it really is. We can talk more about what heaven is like later. First we should talk about how we can get to heaven and what are some ways we can prepare to go there. Don't worry you don't need to pack a suitcase. In fact, God specifically says that we shouldn't spend all our time on earth trying to collect a bunch of things because we can't take any of it with us. It might seem strange that we won't need any of our things like our favorite doll or toy truck or even a change of underwear!! God will give us everything we need plus much more. We won't even be bored in heaven because God knows what we need and he's getting it all ready for us. We still haven't answered the question about how we get to heaven. Actually one of Jesus' disciples named Thomas asked Jesus: We don't know where you're going, so how can we know the way? (John 14:5) Jesus answered: I am the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the Father except through me. This might sound like strange directions but what Jesus was saying is that if you believe the Bible and believe that Jesus died and rose again for you, then you believe in the truth and He will bring you to Heaven.

5 Not only that, the words God tells us in the Bible will help us in life right now and are like a map that will lead us on the right path and then eventually to Heaven. For example Jesus says that by helping others by feeding them if they're hungry, visiting the sick, giving clothes to those who don't have much, and even by visiting people in jail or who have done things that are wrong. When we do these things it's like we're doing it for Him. (Matthew 25:31-46) By helping others now, God will give us a reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:12) One of these rewards is a crown. The Bible says that the Lord will reward each person a crown of righteousness when we get there. Imagine your very own crown! The best part of all is what heaven will be like. Most of this is written in the last two chapters of the Bible. It says that God will wipe every tear from our eyes and there will be no more death, sadness, crying or pain. Everything will be made new again! You won't be able to get hurt anymore and there won't be any fighting or hitting or crying EVER! That sounds pretty neat. It also says that there won't be a church or temple there because the Lord God Almighty and Jesus are the church. Instead of going to church to learn and worship God we just can go right to Him. The city of heaven won't need a sun, moon or lights because God's glory will give light to everything. Plus there will be no night time there (I think that means no more naptime or sleeping)! It gets better! Nothing bad will ever enter heaven either. The Bible tells us a little about what it will look like. It talks in Revelation about the city walls and how they are decorated with precious stones. The wall will be made of pure gold and then 12 different kinds of beautiful stones will cover and decorate it. Some of these stones we don't even know about on earth and other stones we wear in rings and necklaces and are worth a lot of money. There will be twelve gates and each one will be made of one humungous peal bigger than you! On top of that, the streets will be made of gold! I can't even imagine how amazing it will be. No dirt or dust just shiny beautiful streets and walls filled with different colored stones reflecting the light from God. The only tricky part before we get to heaven is how we move from this world to this amazing place. If we believe God that He died and rose again, need his forgiveness and try to live the way God wants; then God writes our name in the book of life. (Philippians 4:3) Everyone who believes and accepts Jesus will go to heaven and live forever there. Then there are two ways we can move to heaven. The first way is if we die and the second way is when Jesus comes again while we're alive on earth. The thought of death can be scary (for grown-ups too) BUT, if we keep reminding ourselves how great heaven is maybe it wouldn't have to be so scary. That second way we can go to Heaven is called the second coming. When God decides it's time for everyone who believes in Him to come to heaven he is going to come get us. It says in the Bible that nobody will ever know when this will be and he will come and we'll all know and see Jesus. There will be angels and trumpets and it'll be very exciting for all those who believe. As you can see, heaven is going to be a big party and a fabulous place to be with God who made us and wants to reward us. God loves us even more than our parents and promises to take the best care of us. He hasn't forgot us either, he says three times in the last chapter of the Bible that Jesus is coming soon and to keep doing what is right and holy. Heaven is a wonderful place!

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7 We've heard it said That people come into our lives For a reason Bringing something we must learn And we are led to those Who help us most to grow if we let them And we help them in return Well we don't know if we believe that's true But we know we are who we are today Because we knew you Like a comet pulled from orbit As it passes a sun Like a stream that meets a boulder Halfway through the wood Who can say if we've been changed for the better But because we knew you We have been changed for good. On August 31, 2018 we will be closing a chapter in the history book of Bar Mills Community Church. We will be saying goodbye to Pastor Malcolm Hall and his wife Sue as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives. After receiving his calling to serve the Lord over forty years ago and being our shepherd the last ten years he has decided it is the right time to retire. We will truly miss both of them as they have been an active part of our church family. Pastor Malcolm has been sharing many lasts with us in his sermons over the past month to help prepare us for the transition in September when we will welcome our full-time interim minister Rev. Chuck Reed. Pastor Chuck and his wife Barbara are retired and live in North Waterboro, Maine. Like Pastor Malcolm, Pastor Chuck has over 40 years of experience serving the Lord. We look forward to continuing to grow and serve God as our church goes through these changes. The search committee is still in the process of searching for a new full time pastor to lead us on our spiritual journey. Please keep our church, the search committee, Malcolm and Sue, Chuck and Barbara in your prayers. Wishing you much joy & happiness as you begin a new chapter in your life! Thank you for being our shepherd these past 10 years!

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10 Worship Service Notices August 2018 August 12 th - Outdoor Service and Luncheon The Sjulanders, Treadwell Rd., Buxton Price for lunch: $5.00 August 26 th Pastor Malcolm s Retirement Celebration Hadlock Field, Portland, Maine Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Worship Service :00 pm AA Meeting 11:30 am Take- Out Lunch Quilts and more 9:30am to 3:00pm :00 pm AA Meeting :00 pm AA Meeting :00 pm AA Meeting BIRTHDAYS August 3 rd - Ella C. August 9 th - Eric W. August 13 th -Barbie P. August 17 th - Adam W. August 22 nd -Pastor Malcolm August 31 st - Don M. ANNIVERSARIES August 20 th - Ginny and Don August 21 st -Sue and Jim August 24 th - Lori and Michael August 24 th - Linda and Doug August 26 th - Janet and Rev. Dan