Heaven is like…

Alta Vista Baptist Church Service for Thanksgiving Sunday, October 11th, 2020.

Video

The service will stream at 10:30 Sunday morning at https://youtu.be/4GLC5dwzclY,

Sermon Audio

(mp3 link: 20201011_AVBC_Heaven_is_like.mp3 )

Notes

(Printable sermon notes: Sermon-Notes-Heaven-is-Like.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)

  • Matt. 13:24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47 (also Matt. 18, 20, 22)
  • Ezekiel 1, Revelation 4

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”  At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:1-4)

“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

 (Daniel 7:9,10)

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven….At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. (Revelation 4:1a-3)

1. Heaven is like ________________ you’ve ever experienced before…and ___________ some!

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)

2. Heaven is like the most ________________ thing you can imagine…except better!  (Rev. 21)

  • Heaven is beautiful in its _____________________   
  • Heaven is beautiful in its _____________________

3. Heaven is like the _______________ place you know…            but even more ________________! (Rev. 21)

You will show me the  path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

4. Heaven is like _________…the way _________ ought to be!

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. (Hebrews 13:14) (NLT)

Digging Deeper

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

Q1: What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving? 

Q2: What is the most beautiful place you have ever seen or experienced? What is it about that place that captured your attention or heart?  Explain…

Q3: Read Revelation 22:1-5.  What are some new things about heaven that you discovered in these verses?

Q4: Pastor David mentioned four things that heaven is like.   Which one means the most to you?  Why?

Q5: If you had to describe what heaven is LIKE, what experience, place or relationship from your life would you use to make that comparison?

Q6: Have you ever had any dreams about heaven or a loved one in heaven?  If so, explain.