Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All!
Introduction:
1. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ? 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 ? Romans 8:18
2. I want to go to heaven, and I don't want to go alone. I want to help others enter the narrow gate and successfully traverse the straight way. I am convinced that we share in this desire.
3. At times it is difficult to keep ourselves motivated in the Lord's service. We all face times when our zeal does not burn as hotly as it should. Diligence is replaced with complacency. Times when we take our eyes off the goal.
4. We must constantly focus our attention on the ultimate goal. Like the farmer who dangles the carrot before a reluctant mule, we need to focus our attention on our shared goal of eternal paradise in the presence of our Lord.
a. Phil. 3:13-14 look forward!
b. 1 Cor. 9:24-27 thoughts of heaven can help us maintain self-discipline & self- motivation
I. Heaven will surely be worth it all because it the wonderful city of God' s abode.
A. Revelation 4 - note the description of God (His various attributes); activities around His throne.
B. A wonderful, happy city!
1. God dwells there among the redeemed of all ages. (21:1-3)
a. Be in very presence of God; see Him face to face.
b. This is where we have sent our prayers; see the great throne.
c. Imagine the presence of God! Here we struggle to comprehend "God", in heaven the struggle is over. If seeing God doesn't excite you, then please take a close look at your relationship with Him!
2. No more tears, death, sorrow, crying, or pain (21:4)
a. Cause of all these removed.
b. see Rev. 7:13-17
c. Mat. 5:4 mourn now to be comforted by tender, benevolent Father
d. Exciting isn't it! No canes or wheelchairs. No Bayer aspirin or Ben Gay. Chiropractors and surgeons are out of business; hospitals and funeral homes decay for lack of use; no more names chiseled on tombstones.
3. The heavy burdens we bear in this life, burdens so heavy that almost make us fall, will all vanish when we hear our blessed Lord welcome us home. Heaven will surely be worth it all.
C. No sun - God and Lamb are the light (21:23-27)
1. Compare God as light to the glory on Moses' face.
2. Gates - no enemies, no need for protection.
3. No challenge to God's glory.
4. Nothing to spoil; sin turns man against man, but no sin in heaven.
5. No night - God is always present.
6. Does that excite you? Does it sound appealing?
7. Will our investment of toils, tears, resistance, self-discipline, sacrifice and sorrow be worth an eternal existence in the blessed sunshine of God's glorious presence? You know it will!
II. Heaven will surely be worth it all because our battle with temptation and sin, having been won through the power of Jesus Christ, will trouble us no more.
A. Do you ever get tired of fighting the urge to sin?
1. Do you ever grow weary of saying no to temptation? disciplining your passions? corralling your tongue?
2. Do you ever grow weary of doing good?
3. In the beauty of our Father's presence, our labors will all be over and our struggle against sin will have vanished.
4. Never again will we have to bite our tongue. Never again will we have to beat back the flaming passions of our lusts.
5. Heaven will surely be worth it all!
B. Our earthly existence is a constant battle:
1. Must be watchful of Satan and his many disguises (2 Cor. 11:14).
2. Be careful not to fall into his snare (2 Tim. 2:26).
3. No time to let guard down.
C. All the things of the world we lust after will pass away (1 John 2:16-17).
1. Heaven can't be ours if we spend this life pursuing the physical.
2. Silliness of putting trust & affection on the physical destined for destruction.
D. The flesh, the cause of our lusts, will be put off (1 John 3:2; 1 Cor. 15:51-54).
1. Without flesh no temptation in heaven.
2. What an incomprehensible blessing.
E. With heaven as our goal, let us not grow weary of fighting the fight!
1. Gal. 6:7-9 2. James 5:7-8 3. We will reap the promised harvest! Many are the trials, toils and tears we have to battle in our physical existence. Many are the disappointments and heartaches that tempt us back into the world. When our voices blend with the innumerable hosts of heaven in praise to Him who sits upon the throne, never more to be assaulted by the great deceiver and father of lies, we can shout with the redeemed of all ages - Heaven is surely worth it all!
III. Heaven will surely be worth it all because of the righteousness of its inhabitants.
A. Enoch (Gen. 5:24), Elijah (2 Kings 2:11), Stephen (Acts 7:60), will be in heaven.
B. Not these alone, but all who obey the Lord. 1. 2 Tim. 4:7-8 2. Heb. 5:9
3. Finally see the giants of faith - talk with Moses, Noah, Sarah, Deborah, Timothy, Barnabas.
4. Those who laid spiritual foundation for our life - perhaps Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents, elders, friends, etc.) Great to embrace them once again!
C. Jesus will be there (Acts 1:9)
D. All these robed in white.
1. White denotes purity - spotless before God, victorious.
2. If others of like passion have overcome - so can I! (Heb. 11; 12:1-3).
E. When our voices join with those of Moses, Enoch, Stephen, Paul, and the nameless thousands who have faithfully served the Lord, we can confidently proclaim - Heaven is surely worth it all!
Conclusion:
1. Don't cast away your confidence; don't draw back from your goal (Heb. 10:35-39).
2. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
3. Soon, we'll be going home. Some day soon we will draw our last breath and our heart will beat for one last time. That time is closer than ever before.
4. Soon we'll be going home - ascend that celestial staircase to the beautiful city of glory and gold. See faces waiting to greet us. One who would rather die than live without us, remove His pierced hands, reach to welcome us home.
5. In this life we cannot fully grasp the extent of the joy and amazement of seeing our Lord face to face, laying our burdens down, resting from our labors, basking in the interrupted glory of His love. Heaven will surely be worth it all!
6. I want to go to heaven, and I'm sure you do as well.
7. Please join me in singing one more time the first verse of "Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All" -
Often I'm hindered on my way, burdened so heavy I almost fall; then I hear Jesus sweetly say; Heaven will surely be worth it all. Heaven will surely be worth it all. Worth all the sorrows that here befall; after this life with all its strife, heaven will surely be worth it all.
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