Today sadly some have lost the concept of heaven as a future place for the Christian. Many are fixated on the present and want to live in the moment. In previous generations many of our hymns were about heaven and sermons invariably referred to the hope of heaven. Today we are almost preoccupied with either the past or the present. We give little thought to the future. We are the “now “generation. We want pie on earth, not in the sky. We “eat, drink, and are merry,” for there may be no tomorrow. We build barns of affluence to the neglect of the soul. We exploit and waste natural resources not caring if tomorrow’s generation will have adequate energy. Jesus shows us that the Christian’s ultimate end is heaven to be with the Father and the saints triumphant. The words of Jesus remind us that life today is enriched by the hope of heaven.
1. We live hopefully.
A. Heaven gives us something to live for.
1. The author of the letter to the Hebrews speaking of the people of the Old Testament reminds us that these people lived as strangers. These people all died controlled and sustained by their faith, but not having received the tangible fulfillment of [God’s] promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, and all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon the earth. [See Genesis 23:4; Psalm 39:12]
2. They knew that God had promised certain blessings, but they did not receive them. The best that happened to the saints of old was that they had glimpses of what God had in store for them.
3. Abraham and Jacob at one time built homes for themselves but neither really settled down in the land. To the end of their lives they were pilgrims rather than residents. It was faith that enabled all these great men of old to recognize their true position as citizens of heaven and thus as aliens everywhere on earth. They considered themselves “resident aliens”.
B. Heaven is a place we anticipate dwelling.
1. “I go to the Father” (vs.28) says Jesus. This is a promise the Savior has given to each of us. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” [John 14:2]
2. “I go away and I will come to you” (vs.28) Jesus further promises us, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." [John 14:3-7]
Transition: We live hopefully anticipating our transfer into glory. Meanwhile we live circumspect lives on this earth.
2. We live responsibly.
A. Accountable to God for our lives.
1. Two things that are as certain as death and taxes are our moral imperfection and our own mortality. How are going to enter eternity? There will come a time in which each of us will have to give an accounting for our life’s work. This will happen when Christ breaks into time and space when every eye shall see Him or when we draw our last breath and enter eternity. What shall be said at the end of our days?
2. We do not live merely for ourselves. We have a higher calling. Life does not center around you and it’s not about you. Take for example our farming community. Do you work for yourselves only? Of course not! There is a bigger picture to be considered. By your work you care for the planet. “Indiana Farmers feed the world” is more then a Facebook page of with you can befriend and become a fan. It’s a reality you live by each day. For this reason we live responsible and honorable lives.
B. Ultimate accountability comes on the last great day.
1. “It is not unreasonable to assume that there very will be a judgment for which every person must be ready. Since it is clear that we are not the cause of our own existence, there must be a Creator/God and since He has made us all with an inborn sense of right and wrong it seems very likely that He will hold us to account for moral and immoral choices we have made”.[1]
2. The old song sings, Faith clings to Jesus Christ alone who did for all the world atone He is our one redeemer.[2] Peter reminds us of this reality when he says, Christ bore your sins in His body on the tree that you might die to sin and live unto righteousness. For by His wounds you were healed. [1 Peter 2:24]
Transition: We live with the hope of heaven, we live responsibly. We also live patiently.
3. We live patiently.
A. St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. “ Romans 8:18
1. Whatever pain, sorrow or misfortune we may experience in this life will be over in time. It can not last. It is a slight irritation compared to eternity. And whatever misery you may endure in this life Christ will comfort you. John writes in the book of Revelation, for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” [Revelation 7:71]
2. Christ Jesus the very Lamb of God is in the midst of the throne and He is your shepherd. He will guide you to springs of living water.
B. Thursday is Ascension. A feat day in which we realize that this world is fading a new age is dawning.
1. Jesus ascended into glory to prepare a place for you. Where He is is where you will be also. This is your comfort. You have Christ’s promise. He is already in glory. Very soon you will be there too.
2. Our hope and comfort is found in Jesus’ sure words. Comfort yourselves with the words Christ has given you. Rely on Christ’s sure promises.. Yes, we will face suffering before the return of Christ. Yet God now preserves His Church, even in the midst of suffering. His is now our shepherd guiding us safely, wiping our eyes free of tears and sorrow.
What the Savior reminds us is simply to live balanced lives. We have our feet firmly planted in two kingdoms the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory. We impact people with the gospel today so that we can spend eternity with them in glory.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use
[1] Luther’s Legacy by Cameron A MacKenzie Life of the World Vol. 14 No.1 Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN
[2] Salvation Unto Us Has Come stanza one
1. We live hopefully.
A. Heaven gives us something to live for.
1. The author of the letter to the Hebrews speaking of the people of the Old Testament reminds us that these people lived as strangers. These people all died controlled and sustained by their faith, but not having received the tangible fulfillment of [God’s] promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, and all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon the earth. [See Genesis 23:4; Psalm 39:12]
2. They knew that God had promised certain blessings, but they did not receive them. The best that happened to the saints of old was that they had glimpses of what God had in store for them.
3. Abraham and Jacob at one time built homes for themselves but neither really settled down in the land. To the end of their lives they were pilgrims rather than residents. It was faith that enabled all these great men of old to recognize their true position as citizens of heaven and thus as aliens everywhere on earth. They considered themselves “resident aliens”.
B. Heaven is a place we anticipate dwelling.
1. “I go to the Father” (vs.28) says Jesus. This is a promise the Savior has given to each of us. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” [John 14:2]
2. “I go away and I will come to you” (vs.28) Jesus further promises us, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." [John 14:3-7]
Transition: We live hopefully anticipating our transfer into glory. Meanwhile we live circumspect lives on this earth.
2. We live responsibly.
A. Accountable to God for our lives.
1. Two things that are as certain as death and taxes are our moral imperfection and our own mortality. How are going to enter eternity? There will come a time in which each of us will have to give an accounting for our life’s work. This will happen when Christ breaks into time and space when every eye shall see Him or when we draw our last breath and enter eternity. What shall be said at the end of our days?
2. We do not live merely for ourselves. We have a higher calling. Life does not center around you and it’s not about you. Take for example our farming community. Do you work for yourselves only? Of course not! There is a bigger picture to be considered. By your work you care for the planet. “Indiana Farmers feed the world” is more then a Facebook page of with you can befriend and become a fan. It’s a reality you live by each day. For this reason we live responsible and honorable lives.
B. Ultimate accountability comes on the last great day.
1. “It is not unreasonable to assume that there very will be a judgment for which every person must be ready. Since it is clear that we are not the cause of our own existence, there must be a Creator/God and since He has made us all with an inborn sense of right and wrong it seems very likely that He will hold us to account for moral and immoral choices we have made”.[1]
2. The old song sings, Faith clings to Jesus Christ alone who did for all the world atone He is our one redeemer.[2] Peter reminds us of this reality when he says, Christ bore your sins in His body on the tree that you might die to sin and live unto righteousness. For by His wounds you were healed. [1 Peter 2:24]
Transition: We live with the hope of heaven, we live responsibly. We also live patiently.
3. We live patiently.
A. St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. “ Romans 8:18
1. Whatever pain, sorrow or misfortune we may experience in this life will be over in time. It can not last. It is a slight irritation compared to eternity. And whatever misery you may endure in this life Christ will comfort you. John writes in the book of Revelation, for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” [Revelation 7:71]
2. Christ Jesus the very Lamb of God is in the midst of the throne and He is your shepherd. He will guide you to springs of living water.
B. Thursday is Ascension. A feat day in which we realize that this world is fading a new age is dawning.
1. Jesus ascended into glory to prepare a place for you. Where He is is where you will be also. This is your comfort. You have Christ’s promise. He is already in glory. Very soon you will be there too.
2. Our hope and comfort is found in Jesus’ sure words. Comfort yourselves with the words Christ has given you. Rely on Christ’s sure promises.. Yes, we will face suffering before the return of Christ. Yet God now preserves His Church, even in the midst of suffering. His is now our shepherd guiding us safely, wiping our eyes free of tears and sorrow.
What the Savior reminds us is simply to live balanced lives. We have our feet firmly planted in two kingdoms the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory. We impact people with the gospel today so that we can spend eternity with them in glory.
Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use
[1] Luther’s Legacy by Cameron A MacKenzie Life of the World Vol. 14 No.1 Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN
[2] Salvation Unto Us Has Come stanza one
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