Questions on Heaven
by Pat McIntosh
Most of us, from the time we are just a few years old, are full of questions. That is natural as we are sponges for information, needing many answers. Some of us drove our parents crazy with one question after another. I know I did.
We generally ask questions regarding things for which we don’t have the answers. We are dealing with the unknown. We are curious, especially regarding things that intrigue us. Nothing should intrigue us more than spiritual matters, especially those of a heavenly nature.
There are numerous questions that have been asked regarding heaven. Is there really a heaven? What is it like? How long will heaven last? Are there degrees of reward in heaven? Will we know one another there? What will we do for eternity? Who will be there? These are all pertinent questions and well worth our consideration. The Bible tells us a great deal in response to these questions, but most often in figurative language.
The most important question we can ask about heaven is, “Will I be there?” In reality, that is the only question that we can do something about. God has provided all we need to inherit eternal life, but we must choose to take that path and seize what He has put in place for our salvation. He desires us to be there with Him for eternity. The magnitude of that desire was seen in His sending His Son to die in our place and put in place that which was needed to take away our sin. May we be those who seize the means by which He offers pardon from sin. Having done so, let us “walk with Him” in faithful compliance with His will. Heaven will be worth it all.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – Great Bible Themes: Heaven (2)
- Degrees of Reward? – Lk. 12:47; Matt. 11:20-24; Heb. 10:29; Jno. 14:2-3; 2 Tim. 2:21;
1 Pet. 1:13 - Will we know one another? – 2 Sam. 12:23; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:42, 50; Matt. 22:30;
1 Thes. 5:23; Matt. 17:1-4 - What will we do in heaven? – Rev. 14:13; Heb. 4:9; Rev. 7:9; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 4:10-11;
15:2-4 - Who will be in heaven? – Matt. 7:21-23; Rev. 22:14-15; 2:10; 21:7-8; 7:9-14; Acts 22:16;
1 Jno. 1:7-9; 2 Tim. 4:6-8; Matt. 16:26; Rev. 22:17
Sunday P.M. Sermon – Ready to Every Good Work (Titus 3:1-9)
Heaven, Part 1
Heaven (1)
by Pat McIntosh
Sometimes even a question that seems to be a simple one can be quite complex. A few questions along these lines involve heaven. Is there a heaven? Where is it? What is heaven like? Who will be there? Who won’t be there? What will we do there? Will we know one another in heaven?
These are all pertinent questions. We are curious creatures. We like to have things in their proper place and have a firm grasp on such concepts. However, we must understand that concepts such as heaven and our eternal forms may never be answered to our satisfaction. The best we can do is glean from the figurative language the Holy Spirit used when inspiring the Bible writers to address such subjects.
There are several facts of which we can be sure. Each of us will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. We will have chosen to be there (not necessarily knowingly, but through what we choose to believe and practice). God loves us enough to send His Son to provide salvation from sin (Jno. 3:16). Christ has gone to prepare a place and desires that we take that path (Jno. 14:1-3).
Someone has well said, “If you want to live in a heavenly dwelling place, you must make your reservations in advance.” We fully understand this concept as we plan a trip here on earth. This is especially the case if it is a special place or if the season of the year necessitates it (vacation, Spring Break, etc.). Spiritually speaking, this refers to the decisions we make today that will affect us in that Day of Judgment.
May we choose to be with God and His Son for eternity. Everything is ready. All that waits is our commitment to His will and dedicating our life to His service. Let’s choose the beauty and peace of heaven.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – Great Bible Themes: Heaven (1)
Introduction – Matt. 7:13-14
Body: I Wonder…
- If There is a Heaven – Matt. 5:12, 16, 34, 44-45, 48; Jno. 14:1-3
- What Heaven is Like – Heb. 11:10; Rev. 21:21, 10; 2 Cor. 5:1-2; Phil. 1:23; 2 Tim. 4:6-8; Rev. 7:16-17; 21:3-4; 22:3-5; 1 Cor. 2:9; 2 Cor. 4:17
- How Long Heaven Will Last – Mk. 10:30; Matt. 25:46; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 9:25
Sunday P.M. Sermon – Why Paul Died Happy (2 Tim. 4:6-8)
Dangers to Growth
Dangers to Growth
by Pat McIntosh
In continuing to think about growth and our plans for such growth, it will be wise to look at the dangers we might encounter. While traveling overseas for mission work, we thought about the dangers inherent in a work in a given area. No, we did not focus on those, but we were aware of them. To allow danger to direct our steps shows a lack of faith. To “barge in” without thinking about possible danger is foolish.
All growth is not good. I know that sounds silly, especially in the context of a series on growth. However, some things grow that need to be removed or watched carefully so as not to hinder true/good growth. For example, Cheryl just finished digging up a bunch of grass burrs in our yard. They were a part of the overall growth of the yard, but are detrimental to the overall goals we have for how the yard is to look.
What if, as Glenn opened the building this morning, he saw a snake crawl into the auditorium? He could keep quiet about it so as not create a panic. No, this is a problem with which we must deal. It is too dangerous to just allow it to crawl around.
The same is true with growth. There are dangers that must be considered as we continue to contemplate and plan for growth. These include, but are not limited to, false doctrine, division, Phariseeism and over-reaction.
If we are to move forward, we must be aware of the dangers inherent in such growth. They are a reality. Ignoring them will not make them go away. They must be dealt with carefully and prayerfully. May we be diligent in our efforts and cautious in our approach.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – Dangers to Growth
- False Doctrine – Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:28-30; Gal. 1:6-9
- Division – Rom. 14:1; 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 1:10-17; 11:17-22; Matt. 12:25; Jno. 17:20-21;
- Phariseeism – Matt. 23:23-24, 27-28; Acts 20:27
- Over-reaction – Matt. 7:13-14
Sunday P.M. Sermon – Keep Yourself (1 Tim. 4:16)
Attitudes to Growth
Enemies to Growth
Enemies to Growth
by Pat McIntosh
The church, throughout the New Testament, is described as the body of Christ. This is true in form as well as in function. Bodies are designed to live, act and work. It is natural for the body to function in such a way as to promote life tomorrow. We must see that the same is true for the Lord’s church.
Our own bodies have enemies that threaten our well-being. These can be internal or external in nature. Internally, we are concerned with viruses and diseases that can harm the body. Cancer is a major enemy that has affected many. We can also be harmed externally, either by accidents or by those who intentionally wish to bring us harm.
The church has similar enemies. There have been those down through the years who have attempted to eradicate the church. This has come in the form of governments, individuals and other religious groups. However, our greatest enemies, and often the most overlooked, are those internal enemies having the capability of destroying the body.
One of the major ways to avoid defeat at the hands of an enemy is that of being aware of who or what our enemies are and the threat they pose. Ignorance, unbelief and apathy are just a few of the things of which any congregation must be aware as they contemplate the health and safety of the local body. A “blanket” enemy to be considered is sin. Satan does not want Christians, either individually or collectively, to be successful. He doesn’t want us to win. We must take great precautions to avoid the enemies that have been effective in ruining works and destroying congregations. We have been promised victory. We must simply seize that which has been provided, through God’s word, to secure that victory.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – Enemies to Growth
Introduction – Rom. 12:4-5
- Ignorance – Isa. 45:20; Jer. 5:21; Hos. 4:6; Isa. 59:8; Psa. 119:97; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:1-5
- Unbelief – Jno. 8:24; 2 Cor. 4:3-4; Heb. 3:12; Mk. 9:24
- Apathy – Rev. 3:15-16; Jdgs 5:23; Isa. 32:9; Amos 6:1; James 2:14; 4:17
- Sin – Heb. 12:1-2; 3:12-13; James 5:19-20
Sunday P.M. Sermon – When Discipline is Neglected (2 Thes. 3:6-16)
Preparing to Grow
“Preparing to Grow”
Introduction – Rev. 3:15-19
- What must we do as a congregation? – Jno. 13:34-35; Heb. 10:24-25; Rom. 15:1-3
- What must we do as individuals? – Phil. 3:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:5-10; Jno. 17:20-21; 1 Thes. 4:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:21-22; 4:8-9; Matt. 5:14-16