Why should I think about heaven?

Service for Sunday 13th September, 2020. Today’s sermon from Pastor Dave Elliott is part one of a series entitled “Lift Up Your Eyes.”

Video

Sermon Audio

(mp3 file: 20200913_Why_should_I_think_about_heaven.mp3)

Notes

(printable notes: Sermon-Notes-Heaven-Why-Part-1.pdf )

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.  Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HEAVEN…

1. YOU ARE __________________ GOD’S WORD.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

2. YOU ARE GIVING EVIDENCE THAT YOU ARE TRULY _______________.

3. YOU ARE ___________________ IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GENERATIONS OF GODLY PEOPLE.   Hebrews 11:13-16

4. YOU ARE INVESTING IN SOMETHING THAT WAS A ____________________ TO JESUS.  Matthew 5, 6,13,18,20,22,28

5. YOU ARE STRETCHING YOUR ______________.

‘That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” ’ (I Corinthians 2:9)


Digging Deeper

(For personal study, family devotions or care group use)

Q1: When you think about heaven what immediately comes to your mind? Why?

Q2: What do the following verses teach you about heaven?  

2 Cor. 12:2, Eph. 4:8-10, Acts 1:9-10, 1 Thess. 4:16-18

Q3: What does “lifting up your eyes” or filling your thoughts with heaven look like to you?

Q4: What questions do you have about heaven?  Any fears or concerns?

Q5: Read Ezekiel 1.  In verse 1 Ezekiel says that the heavens were opened to him. What parts of his vision confuse you?  Encourage you?  What emotions do you experience when you read a passage like this?