THE DISCIPLES PRAYER IN HEAVEN PART 1 Matthew 6:9 3. THE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS, GOD S ABODE

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1 IN HEAVEN Page 2 of 9 THE DISCIPLES PRAYER IN HEAVEN PART 1 Matthew 6:9 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Matthew 6:9 JOKE: Three men discussing what the oldest profession was: Surgeon, Architect, and a Politician Genesis 1:1-3 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said... THERE ARE 3 HEAVENS. 1. BIRDS, AIRPLANES, ETC. 2. OUTER SPACE SUN, MOON, STARS, GALAXIES galaxias milky GNz11 the oldest and most distant galaxy 32 billion light years away. (March, 2016) Approximately 170 billion to 200 billion galaxies exist in the observable universe. Astrophysics The Map-able Universe 2005 Romans 1:20 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. 3. THE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS, GOD S ABODE 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Revelation 21:1-2 1 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. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN 1. His OMNIPRESENCE. The unlimited nature of God or His ability to be everywhere at all times. 1 Kings 8:27 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. Psalms 139:7-8 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there. 2. His MAJESTY and DOMINION 2 Chronicles 20:6a

2 IN HEAVEN Page 3 of 9 6 and said: "O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? 3. His POWER and MIGHT. 2 Chronicles 20:6b... and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 4. His OMNIPOTENCE. Exclusively an attribute of God and essential to the perfection of His being referring to the allencompassing power of God. Psalm 103:19 19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Psalms 115:3 3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Isaiah 66:1 Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Isaiah 40:15 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. Hebrews 1:3 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, IN HEAVEN Page 4 of 9 5. His OMNISCIENCE. The divine attribute of perfect knowledge. Psalms 147:5 5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. Proverbs 15:3 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Acts 15:18 18 Known to God from eternity are all His works. Psalms 33: The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. 6. His infinite PURITY and HOLINESS. Isaiah 57:15 15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Hebrews 8:1 The New Priestly Service -- Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. HEAVEN - The New Jerusalem

3 IN HEAVEN Page 5 of 9 Revelation 21: 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. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! Human history began in paradise the Garden of Eden. And it will all end in paradise the New Jerusalem. v. 5 sums up the last 2 Chapters of Revelation and of all history. I make all things new." "It is done! What began in Genesis is brought to completion in Revelation? GENESIS REVELATION 1:1 - heavens & earth created 21:1 - New heavens & earth 1:16 - Sun created 21:23 - No need for the sun IN HEAVEN Page 6 of 9 1:5 - Night established 22:5 - No night there 1:10 - The seas created 21:1 - No more seas 3: The curse announced 22:3 - No more curse 3:19 - Death enters history 21:4 - No more death 3:24 - Man driven from paradise 22:14 - Man restored to paradise 3:17 - Sorrow & pain began 21:4 - No more tears or pain Don t you look forward to going to heaven? What a day that will be Facts about The New Jerusalem 1. Heaven is a Real Place John 14:3 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. It s literal, tangible, described in detail. The emphasis is on what John SAW with literal eyes. v. 1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, v. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, Heaven is as real as Albuquerque is with the best GREEN CHILI ever!

4 IN HEAVEN Page 7 of 9 And we ll have real bodies glorified bodies! Jesus rose from the dead in His glorified body. He could pass thru walls, but yet he could touch people, sit down and eat praise God! It will be a different existence, but as real as it gets! 2. Heaven is a Remaining Place v. 1 passed away Nothing you see on this physical earth is going to last nothing will remain. We like to have nice things and we should enjoy them, but don t get too attached they are not permanent. In the end, all we have left is our glorified bodies! All we will have in eternity is the treasures we send ahead. Illus: 2 women died. One was stingy/miserly. She was a Christian, but very greedy and when she gave it was grudgingly. She had a maid working for her she didn t have much, but loved to give, and looked for opportunities to do so. Both women died. An angel escorted the wealthy woman around. He said, let me take you to your new home, and on the way we ll pass by your maid s house. Down the golden street they went, and as they approached a great mansion she said wow, and that s just for my maid?! I can t wait to see my place! They moved on to a cardboard shanty. What is this? Sorry, we did our best with the materials you sent us! Jesus said Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth but treasures in heaven. We send ahead of us treasures--by how we serve, how we give now. Every stain of sin, every evidence of evil will be vanquished as well when the old earth is destroyed! And all that will be left is our glorified bodies and our spiritual investments, stored up for us. IN HEAVEN Page 8 of 9 your witness, your testimony, your missions giving, your prayers, etc.! Heaven is a real place, a remaining place 3. Heaven is a Readied Place v. 2 prepared I ve done a lot of weddings and it takes the bride a long time to get ready hours and hours just for dress, hair, makeup, etc. And the Lord has spent a lot of time, and is sparing no expense in readying heaven for us. 2,000 years compared to 6 days of creation! And there s some great beauty in this earth. R.G. Lee Heaven is the most marvelous place the wisdom of God could conceive and that the power of God could prepare. The butterfly, the sculpted rose, the stars and planets all in 6 days and by comparison to heaven, the Grand Canyon will be an infected wound! Ill. little girl born blind/only beauty she knew came from her mother s descriptions/flowers in spring, trees in fall, snow in winter, ocean in summertime/girl could only imagine/at 10 years of age, had experimental surgery to help her see/bandages for several weeks/moment of truth came bandages removed and she saw/ran to the window and stood breathless/ mother, why didn t you tell me it was so beautiful? / I tried to, but words just wouldn t suffice! One of the most precious experiences we will have in heaven is being approached by someone who says, I got saved because of

5 IN HEAVEN Page 9 of 9 I believe that in heaven we ll run around breathless, and when we see the apostle John we ll say, why didn t you tell me? and he ll say, I tried, but words wouldn t suffice! 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 4. Heaven is a Place of Relationship Revelation 21:3 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. This is what makes heaven heaven! If you re lost, this thought should terrify you, not just that you would go to a fiery hell, but that you would go somewhere cut off from God! A lost person would be terrified even in His presence at the Great White Throne, but being face to face with Christ is a precious thought for the believer that s what Heaven is! THINK ABOUT THIS: What is the only man made thing in heaven Heaven is not a reward for those who are faithful we can t work our way to heaven. We ll be elated, yes, but only because we re RELATED! Heaven is a place of relationship When God is in a person's heart, Heaven is present and melody is found there. E. M. Bounds