HEAVEN
Scripture: Revelation 21:1-4, 2 Corinthians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Philippians 1:21-23, Romans 5:8, John 1:12
Title: Heaven
Author: Steve Lombardo
Text: Various
Introduction
1. Today, we're starting our two-week series on heaven. Did you know that Barna Research reports that belief in heaven is very high among Americans? Most Americans believe in heaven. However, they differ on many things when it comes to what they believe about it. Most people seem to get their ideas about heaven from television, movies, and conversations with friends. This has led to a very subjective view of heaven. Even among Christians, views differ.
2. This past week, I read about a woman who grew up in a Christian home. She became a Christian at age seven and was always told that when she got to heaven, she wouldn't know anybody there and wouldn't remember anything from her life here. That led her to think about heaven with fear. She said, "I have a fear of heaven and eternity."
3. Fear of heaven? A pastor trained at an evangelical seminary once said, "I don't like thinking about heaven. I'd rather be annihilated than go to a place of endless, tedious boredom." He added, "I can't imagine floating around in clouds for eternity with a harp."
4. John Eldredge, author of *The Journey of Desire*, says that most Christians think heaven will be an unending church service-an unending, boring church service. Many people start feeling this way and think, "Well, I'm not very spiritual because I'm imagining heaven like that. Maybe I should just take my medicine. Heaven will be okay. We can get by at church."
5. Gary Larson, creator of *The Far Side* comic strip, drew a cartoon where a guy sits alone in the clouds, looking bored. The caption underneath reads, "Wish I'd brought a magazine."
6. Is that heaven? A boring church service for eternity? What do we know about heaven? What do you believe about it? I once heard a pastor use this illustration to show how little he knew about heaven: "A guy went to see a doctor back when doctors had offices in their homes. He was very sick and ...
Author: Steve Lombardo
Text: Various
Introduction
1. Today, we're starting our two-week series on heaven. Did you know that Barna Research reports that belief in heaven is very high among Americans? Most Americans believe in heaven. However, they differ on many things when it comes to what they believe about it. Most people seem to get their ideas about heaven from television, movies, and conversations with friends. This has led to a very subjective view of heaven. Even among Christians, views differ.
2. This past week, I read about a woman who grew up in a Christian home. She became a Christian at age seven and was always told that when she got to heaven, she wouldn't know anybody there and wouldn't remember anything from her life here. That led her to think about heaven with fear. She said, "I have a fear of heaven and eternity."
3. Fear of heaven? A pastor trained at an evangelical seminary once said, "I don't like thinking about heaven. I'd rather be annihilated than go to a place of endless, tedious boredom." He added, "I can't imagine floating around in clouds for eternity with a harp."
4. John Eldredge, author of *The Journey of Desire*, says that most Christians think heaven will be an unending church service-an unending, boring church service. Many people start feeling this way and think, "Well, I'm not very spiritual because I'm imagining heaven like that. Maybe I should just take my medicine. Heaven will be okay. We can get by at church."
5. Gary Larson, creator of *The Far Side* comic strip, drew a cartoon where a guy sits alone in the clouds, looking bored. The caption underneath reads, "Wish I'd brought a magazine."
6. Is that heaven? A boring church service for eternity? What do we know about heaven? What do you believe about it? I once heard a pastor use this illustration to show how little he knew about heaven: "A guy went to see a doctor back when doctors had offices in their homes. He was very sick and ...
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