Be thankful—He still wants to use you ~ Mark Balmer

“The Reality of Heaven”

“Heaven, What Now?”

 by Pastor Mark Balmer; 

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Heaven.

We hear many different things equated with heaven. Some chocolate is said to be heavenly. Using the right product in your bath will allow you to slip into heaven. Though we may refer to it, most of us do not know much about it. 

Even after Pastor Mark’s sermon series finishes we will not have even scratched the surface.

 It is good to address some of the ideas floating around about heaven. If it was a place where we would just go around endlessly singing every day, I would have no desire to be there. Yet Paul was there and desired to go back, and he said it is a place impossible to describe. And he also said,

"…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

 (1 Corinthians 2:9) 

Even though he was there, he knew there was more he did not see.

By faith I believe God knows how to make my life in heaven with Him complete and fulfilled. I look forward to the day when I will be in a place with no sin, tears, or sickness.

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): I have an active relationship with the Father, so I know for sure I am going to heaven.

 So what? 

What does that do for me today, besides give me hope for a better day to come?

 Many times I have thought it would have been so much better if the moment we were saved, God would just take us to heaven immediately. No chance to let God down by falling into sin. No more dealing with this fallen world. 

Yet, that is not the plan God designed. 

He chose to leave us here to experience His love and character in ways we will never see in heaven. In heaven, we will not see God reaching out through us to soften a hardened heart. We will not see God picking us up after each one of our multiple failures. We will not see God break down the walls of addiction, pride, bitterness, and unbelief. There are things we can only experience here.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Heaven is a better place. 

So why are we still here? 

But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 

(Philippians 1:24-25, NLT) 

We are still here, not only to experience God in ways we cannot in heaven, but also for others. We are to help one another grow and experience the joy of our faith.

Paul states:

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 

(Philippians 1:27, NLT) 

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; 

God is making his appeal through us. 

We speak for Christ when we plead,

 “Come back to God!”

 (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT) 

Jesus said many times “My hour has not yet come” 

(John 2:4)

 He knew the Father had a plan and, until it was complete, He had to stay here on earth. 

It is the same for us. 

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 (Philippians 1:6) 

The day we complete all that God has planned for us will be the day He takes us home.

 Do not be discouraged.

 Be thankful—He still wants to use you.

Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Corinthians 5:18-21