Wednesday, November 14, 2018

November 15, 2018

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for your selves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Matthew 6:19-21

In an increasingly dark and dangerous world, we are looking for a safe place – not just to hide our stuff, but a safe place for ourselves and those we love.

Jesus gives some comforting insights on Heaven in these several short verses.

Heaven is a sure place! V. 20 – “in heaven”

You might occasionally have doubts about the existence of Heaven and wonder if it is just the product of wishful thinking. How can I be sure there really is a Heaven?

Because of Jesus’ Preaching

Jesus preached and talked about Heaven. Like in these verses, for example. Nearly 120 times He referred to Heaven.

Because of Jesus’ Promise

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3

According to this promise, Jesus is there right now getting Heaven ready for you. He is preparing a place just for you!

Heaven is for SURE! It is more real than this world you live in – of sight and sound and touch – because this world will pass away but Heaven is forever!

Heaven is a secure place! – V. 20 – “where moth and rust do not destroy”

There are not disaster drills in Heaven! No armies or police, or FBI either. There is no need!

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. ”He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making   new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. ”He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.  Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:1-8

That sounds like a safe secure place to me!

Then John the Revelator goes on to describe the walls around this city that are 200 feet thick and 1,400 miles high.

Talk about a gated community! Those sound like some secure walls to me!

Heaven is a SURE PLACE AND IT IS A SECURE PLACE!

Heaven is a special place! – “WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS…..”

We have already seen some ways Heaven is special. But it gets more special as we add treasures up there!


Heaven is special because of the special things we already have there:

My name is written there, my God is there, my Jesus is there, my citizenship is there, my hope is there, my reward is there, my friends and loved ones are there and I keep adding more treasures!

It is true you can’t take it with you but you can send it ahead!

Heaven is a SURE place! It is a SECURE place! And it is a SPECIAL place that gets more special as we put our treasures there! I believe that! You believe that! 

"Imagine stepping onto a shore and finding it's Heaven.
Imagine taking hold of a hand and finding it's God's hand.
Imagine breathing new air and finding it's celestial.
Imagine feeling invigorated and finding its immortality.
Imagine passing from storms and tempest to an unknown calm.
Imagine waking up and finding it's home."

Jesus is preparing Heaven for you!

Heaven is for people who are prepared!

Are you preparing for Heaven?