A HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE #1

ETERNITY WITH GOD

COLOSSIANS 3:1-2
We are going to begin a new series about HEAVEN: Its important for us to Understand & Remember that there is an eternity…
After this life we will go some where… We want that place to be heaven… But we also need to understand that THIS LIFE is impacting
the next: Our choices/words/actions/relationships/appetites… They will take us some where-
Jesus: Greatly impacts our eternity: What we think about him/are we living for him/have we put our faith in him/are we surrendered to
him/Have you been forgiven by Him…
Today: I want to lay a foundation about Heaven: Q: What is heaven? Im sure we could get all kinds of ideas & scriptural references:
At its foundation: Heaven is Being in the very presence of God… What is HELL? The complete absence of God…
One of the greatest thoughts is that God loves you so much, He wants to spend eternity WITH you, and this amazing God went to great
lengths to see to that!

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your
minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

I GOD ABOVE:
A- Theology is the the study of GOD
1. This word comes from the Greek word: Theos (meaning God) and Logos (meaning discourse or reasoning)
2. So; How do we learn about God? How do we know who he is? How do we study Him?
a. Well; God has chosen to reveal himself through His word (bible)
i. We call this: Biblical Theology: The study of God revealed in the scriptures-
3. So: God has told us about himself through His word- This is who I am… So the bible teaches us that God is-
a. He is the Creator of the UNIVERSE: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
i. The author of all that we know & see-
b. He is the source of All Life: Acts 17:28a NLT For in him we live and move and exist.
i. Every part of Life is overseen and preserved by the unseen observer-
c. He is INCOMPREHENSIBLE: Job 11:7 Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
Here in Job the revelation is that GOD is SO beyond us-
i. Too often people put God in a BOX… We try to figure God out with our limited mind-
d. He is Eternal: 1Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever
and ever. Amen.
i. Paul describes God as Eternal: Never Ending/Immortal: Indestructible, imperishable, undecaying/Invisible: Unseen
e. He is Perfect: Psalms 18:30a This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true;
i. The Creator is Righteous & Loving, Holy and Merciful, Eternal Judge & Loving Father… His balance is perfect
f. He is All powerful (Omnipotent) Jeremiah 32:17 Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great
power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
i. All Knowing (Omniscient) Psalms 139:1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
ii. Everywhere at Once (Omnipresent) Jeremiah 23:24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the
LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.
g. He is Unchanging: Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, This is GOOD news for us!
Salvation is available everyday… Justice is available everyday!
B- So; This Great and Mighty God: Rules & Reigns from HEAVEN: God is also a SOVEREIGN God
1. Sovereign: possessing supreme or ultimate power: …sovereign comes from a latin word meaning “Above”
a. That is where God is: ABOVE: Above people/opinions/leaders/Nations/demons/powers on earth-
2. Isaiah 66:1 Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Heaven is Hebrew word Sky (again the idea of
being Above)
a. Psalms 103:19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
b. Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled
the temple.
3. These scriptures remind us that God is IN CONTROL: He is ALWAYS in control- (How often do you forget that?)
a. We can look at History in the bible; at different times & seasons; God is ruling and reigning in Heaven:
i. Job 1:6-7 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among
them. And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on
the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Who is in control here?
ii. 2 Chronicles 18:18 Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the
host of heaven standing on His right and on His left. Here the kingdoms of Israel and Judah are planning war against Ramoth-Gilead,
and God who knows & sees all discourages them, but they do not heed-
 iii. Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne
high above was a figure like that of a man. Here is Ezekiel among the exiles in Babylon… and he sees a vision of Heaven and lots of
images he describes; But they all point to a KING in Control: All knowing & seeing
iv. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a
future and a hope. Here again written to the exiles in Babylon (judgment for sin and disobedience) and God (Who is in Control) says: I
will reverse this… Theres still a future and a Hope for YOU!
v. Daniel 7:9 As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. Here again; while in Exile;
God is seen still in control-
vi. Revelation 4:1-2 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was
like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I
was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. Here is John quarantined on the Island of Patmos… and
God who is Sovereign reveals to him what is still to come-
1. He takes him UP into heaven… and finds God on His throne
4. Think about this: The Sovereign Ruler in Heaven (God)… wants YOU there with him-
II DESCENDED FROM HEAVEN
A- So, God made a way for US to make heaven our Home- He sent Jesus to bridge the Gap of sin between us & God
1. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, This is our state without Jesus- We fall short
a. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
i. Death is what sin deserves, But Jesus died for us, and now we can access Life for eternity with God, in Heaven-
2. So, Jesus Descended From Heaven for us, and after the cross & resurrection; He ascended back to heaven where he waits for us!
a. Think: God wanted you so much, that He who resides above humbled himself for us- and lived on Earth as a person
i. Psalms 113:5-6 Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the
heavens and in the earth? Lives on High, humbled himself to live where we are at-
ii. Philippians 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a
cross. God personally invested into your salvation… and the possibility of eternity with Him.
B- So, this teaches us 2 things: God is a Knowable God, and a Loving God!
1. God wants you to KNOW Him: In THIS life!
a. Some people have this idea that God is Unknowable: We usually call this Agnostic: They don't deny that God exists, but theres no
way to actually know him
i. Acts 17:23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Greek: Agnosto Theo-
ii. Article this week: Lead singer of the christian band Hawk Nelson (Jon Steingard) posted that he “no longer believes in God”
1. He said: “I'm open to the idea that God is there. I'd prefer if he was. I suspect if he is there, he is very different than what I was
taught.” Well, What is the basis of your beliefs? Subjective Opinions or Objective from the Bible?
b. Others believe in God, maybe even the true God; But he is an ABSENT GOD: Where we are left to ourselves
i. He isn't really interested in us… or helping us in life-
c. Others view God as a PRINCIPLE: Do good/Be good/because its good… This is what the OT law became (Works over relationship:
Days/Dirt/Diet) (Principles over Character)
d. Well: The bible teaches that God is KNOWABLE:
i. Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he
has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Here we see an involved
God, and a knowable God (Reveals himself to His creation)
1. God doesn't want to be a mystery; He wants you to know Him-
2. So, This Knowable God wants to Spend Eternity with you: & That shows us HIS GREAT LOVE!
a. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
i. Quote: Foundations of Pentecostal Theology: The Bible’s Gospel is Gods message to the sinner who has disobeyed a Personal God,
whom he has offended by his rebellion. Love cannot come from an impersonal principle, LOVE is a personal characteristic-
3. So, God HIMSELF (In Love) made a way for you to get to Heaven-
a. Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of
his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Jesus made purification for sin- FOR
US
b. Hebrews 2:9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor
because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Out of His great love, he lowered
himself, tasted death for all humanity, so that We can have eternal life & go to Heaven!
4. And Now: Jesus is seated back in Heaven- Reading the ascension is what triggered this Sunday School-
a. Acts 1:9-11 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their
sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also
said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come
in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
i. See, Our God came to us… In Power and Authority. In Holiness & Righteousness. In Truth and Mercy. In Love.
 ii. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life… The day I realized Jesus said this… It changed my whole understanding of it
1. He knew what he was talking about: God himself told us about His great love for us! This is why I came to give you everlasting
life- Eternity with ME in Heaven!
III A HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE
A- See Heaven is the climax of the Salvation story! Its what we are looking forward to!
1. Colossians 3:1-2 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of
God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. When you get saved… Its vital that we Develop &
Maintain a heavenly perspective… The ultimate goal is to get to heaven!
a. PM: Told me when I got sent out: “Preach Jesus… just get em to heaven”
b. 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I
also am known. Right now we know God… but its nothing compared to how it will be!
i. How many have experienced miracles that you can only credit to God? Healing/Financial/Deliverance… Its like WOE God is
REAL, He is amazing, I know HIM…
i. But; Right now its in part, but then, it will be like us meeting here today… EXCEPT WITH JESUS!
2. See; That is HEAVEN! To be in the presence of God… to see him face to face… to spend eternity with our savior
a. That is our aim!
B- The problem is that we can get distracted: Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth-
1. We get distracted by our FLESH: Temptations/Desires (lust)/Emotions (believe things that aren't true)
a. We get distracted by PEOPLE: What they think about us/Accepted/Instagram/FB/Celebrities
b. We get distracted by TEMPORARY COMFORTS: Career/Money/Home/Assets/Entertainments
2. We forget ETERNITY! We forget Our eternity & the eternity of others
a. Think about the Rich young ruler: Matthew19:16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I
do that I may have eternal life? In essence HOW DO I GET TO HEAVEN?
i. He is wealthy, he has comforts, he has assets; Jesus presents a challenge… a sacrifice… sell all (make an investment into eternity
and follow me…
ii. We know the story: He walked AWAY sorrowful… WHY? B/c he had great possessions (too much to sacrifice)
iii. See, he wasn't thinking about Eternity; Even though his question was about Eternity… He was thinking about the NOW (Earthly
things)…
iv. The Rich young ruler is STILL alive today- IN US!
b. In Mark 4 Jesus talks about the hearts of people (likens them to Soil & Seed) Jesus explains how the Gospel losses its effectiveness
in people: They lose an eternal perspective, and focus on an earthly perspective-
i. Trouble or persecution because of the word, they fall away. Cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other
things,
ii. This isn't just like- Naw, not really my thing… This impacts YOUR ETERNITY
C- So how do we develop & maintain a Heavenly Perspective?
1. Prayer Life: Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
a. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray: He encouraged this idea… BRING HEAVEN DOWN
i. When we bring heaven down to where we live, its a reminder of that future dwelling- One day I wont have to worry about this! But
right now, I need heaven HERE!
2. Encourage Yourself about Heaven from Gods word:
a. When the disciples saw Jesus ascend, they were told that Jesus would return for them- & wrote about it to encourage others!
i. 1 Peter 3:22-4:1 & 2 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been
made subject to Him. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has
suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will
of God. The awareness of heaven changes how we live-
ii. 2 Peter 3:13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s
righteousness. This is what we look forward to!
iii. 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
3. Be Active in Leading others to Heaven: Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those
who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
a. When your laboring for souls… The perspective is continually eternal
i. Acts 26:19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, …Here is Paul, testifying of his conversion
experience, and emphasizes; Jesus revealed to me my calling, reach the gentiles, He says: I was NOT disobedient!
ii. And that drove him in his ministry-
4. So, this lays a foundation for us: Eternity is ahead of all of us- God wants your eternity to be with Him not away from Him.