We live by faith, not by sight; and I say we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Insight:
As a young boy, my first pet was a black poodle named Monty. Monty followed me home, and after we put up signs in the neighborhood, he was unclaimed. We quickly embraced our clever little dog and became very attached to him. He created many memories in our family including when he climbed onto the oven and ate a birthday cake that wasn’t for him.

Have any of your pets ever done something like this?

I’ll never forget, years later, as I watched, when a van drive down our street and collided with Monty. He survived for a few hours before the veterinarian put him to sleep.

In tears, I started to realize what death meant. For both pets and people, this life is quite temporary.

Trusting God involves the past, the present, and the future. We are grateful now for what Jesus has already done, but we eagerly anticipate what He will still accomplish.

In 2 Corinthians 5:5-8, Paul uses the word “confident” twice because he knows that God is dependable. Currently, we live in a body that will perish, but we have a true home in heaven and will receive new eternal bodies too.
Jesus promises that anyone who puts their trust in Him will be secure with their eternal destiny (John 3:16). It is not wishful thinking, but is already accomplished by God. The promise of eternal life with Jesus is not based on our performance but instead on the grace of God through the work of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The Holy Spirit is in every follower of Jesus and is a foretaste of a future destiny.

The Bible tells us that Jesus wept at the funeral of his friend Lazarus. At that same funeral though, Jesus told everyone that with Him, there is life after death (John chapter eleven).

Future grace allows us to savor our present blessings while at the same time look ahead to what God has promised.

Application:
The Bible Describes Heaven As: (2 Corinthians 5:1-5)
1) Permanent and real.
2) A gift from God, not earned.
3) A massive improvement from life here on earth.
4) Something we anticipate because it’s so good and perfect.
5) Guaranteed by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ.

God’s Promise Of Heaven Gives Us: (2 Corinthians 5:6-10)
1) A peaceful assurance.
2) An energizing motivation.
3) A glorious focus.

Heaven Impacts Us By: (2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2)
1) Changing the way you love other people.
2) Influencing the way you view yourself.
3) Adding meaning to your daily endeavors.
4) Making you bolder than you would normally be.

Questions:
1) Can someone know that they will go to heaven?
2) What aspect of heaven do you look forward to the most?
3) Do you tell other people about heaven--why or why not?
4) How can you be heavenly minded yet effective on earth?

Deeper Study:
Revelation 21:1-5. God has prepared an eternal dwelling place for you.
Luke 23:39-43. God is actively inviting people to be with Him in heaven.
1 Corinthians 13:12. In heaven, we will see Jesus face to face.
2 Peter 3:11-15. Your real home is not on this earth; it is in heaven.
1 Corinthians 2:9. Heaven will be better than anything your mind can conceive.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of heaven. It is so much better than any words I could use to describe it. I thank You that it’s real and perfect. Thank You Jesus for dying for my sins so I will be with you in heaven. Please help me to tell as many people about heaven as I possibly can. Thank You again for Your trustworthy promises about heaven. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Author of this Blog:
Jesse Bradley, Pastor, Sebastopol Christian Church
jessejohnbradley@yahoo.com

Programs from this ministry on twr360: Activate

Official Website: www.activatelife.org
Sebastopol Christian Church:  www.sebchristian.com