Heaven:  God’s Home and Our Future Home
 
Introduction
I. 	It’s difficult to say much about a place where we have never lived and which we have never visited.
A. 	This is further compounded by our attitude about the place.
1. 	We will not likely learn much if we are not interested in going there.
2. 	I am not much interested today, at least, in going to Bangladesh, so I have little interest in learning about it.
B.  For the places we’ve never been, we are dependent on descriptions given by those who have been there.
B. 	The problem is further complicated when one does not know anyone who has been there and there is limited written information about the place.
C. 	This is true of heaven.
1. 	We have certainly not been there.
2. 	There is no one living who has been there.
3. 	We are thus dependent on historical writings about heaven.         
II. 	In the lesson today, let us consider that heaven is God’s home and our future home.  
Body	
I. 	  Heaven is desirable because it is God’s home.
A. 	The Jews recognized that God was in heaven and that He was the source of their blessings.  Deut. 26:15.
B. 	Solomon implored God’s blessings from heaven.  I Kings 8:27-30.
C. 	Asaph was greatly aware of his need for God and recognized there was none other in heaven.  Ps. 73:1-28.  See Vs. 25.
D. 	Other passages establish God’s home as in heaven.  Ps. 123:1; Is. 66:1 (Acts 7:48-50, 54-56); Matt. 6:9-15; Matt. 3:16-17. 

II.	Heaven is desirable because it is our future home.  (Rev. 21 & 22).
A. 	It is where our treasures are.  Matt. 6:19-20.
B. 	It is the location of the register of those who are God’s people.            Luke 10:17-20.
C. 	It is where Jesus, our Lord, has gone to rule at the right hand of God.  Acts 2:29-36; Acts 7:55-56.
D. 	It is where our eternal habitation or spiritual body will be.  II Cor. 5:1-10.
E. 	It is the city with foundations that shall not be destroyed.  Heb. 11:8-10; (12:18-29).
F. 	It is where the persecuted find rest before the throne of God.               Rev. 7:9-17; 14:13.
G. 	It is where we can inherit with Jesus, our elder brother.  Rom. 8:16-17.

Heaven:  God’s Home and Our Future Home, Page 2.

Conclusion
I. 	Don’t you want to live where the creator of the universe lives?
A. 	If you appreciate the beauty of the earth, which is the temporary home of  man, God’s crowning creation (Ps. 19:1-6), surely you will be astounded at the beauties of heaven.
B.  Think of the most beautiful gardens, or mountains, or oceans or beings that you have seen, and realize that this will be as nothing in comparison with the throne and home of the Creator.
II. 	Let’s get ready to go to heaven today!
A. 	Believe in God and His Son.  Heb. 11:6; John 8:24; Mark 16:16.
B. 	Repent of your sins.  Luke 24:46-49; Acts 17:30.
C. 	Confess your faith in Jesus.  Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9, 10.
D. 	Be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins.  Acts 2:38; 22:16; I Pet. 3:21.
E. 	Live faithful even in the face of death.  Rev. 2:10. 
III. 	Obey the Lord today since He is the author of eternal salvation to them that obey Him.  Heb. 5:9.

Prepared by:
   David Arnold
   May 25, 1997