The Heaven Set Lifestyle

Pastor David Taylor | Heaven Set Message Series

So, today we are going to finish up our series on heaven called Heaven Set. For the last month, we have been looking at the realities of heaven. You know it is good to know realities. Realities give us understanding in how to interact with life. Realities give us perspective on decisions. They help us to deal with our emotions. They give us a standard in which to process and in which to plan. Realities and truth are foundational to living with confidence. This is why it is so important to know the realities of heaven. Knowing the truths about heaven guides us in how to live today. This is why the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:1-2 says…

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:1-2) (NLT)

The Apostle Paul is saying set your hearts, your minds, your sight on the realities of heaven. The realities of Heaven can give us strength, confidence, joy, and hope as we live our lives on this earth. Furthermore, they help us to make key decisions and give us direction on how to live. And that is what we are going to focus on this morning. In light of heaven, our ultimate destination as believers in Christ, how should we live during our time on this earth. What difference does heaven make for us now in how we live?

And in pondering this question, I would like to give you an example to help motivate your thoughts. It’s a hypothetical example…

Suppose you are an investor in the stock market and you have this stock that you have really put all your investment in, you have put all your eggs in this one basket. And the reason you have done this is because this stock has a fast return and it is a known commodity. So, you have put everything into this stock. You keep investing in it. (Now, please you financial gurus, bear with me, because I know your brain is about to pop. No, you never put everything into one stock. Diversify! Bear with me. This is just an example to make a point) Back to you as this investor. You have put all your eggs in this one stock. Then you find out that within two years, this stock is going away. And it could go away at any time within the next two years. But, the good news is there is this other stock that will replace it and is already up and running. And the returns on this stock may not be as fast as the current stock but the eventual dividends and value are quadruple the current stock and this stock is guaranteed never to crash and will always promise quadruple returns. It just won’t be realized immediately. Ok, upon getting this news, what is the logical thing to do as an investor? Yeah, it is time to transfer your investment, right? Now, some of you are risk takers, you might say, well, I will play the odds and keep my investment in the current stock because of the fast returns and then I will move over to the other stock soon. But, right now, I want to keep with what I know and there is still time. Others may say, I will do half in one and half in the other. You get the picture. Yet, the fast return stock is going away. It will happen and could happen anytime. Also, when you keep from investing in the better stock, the overall result will be catastrophic. Loss of long standing and secure investment.

We all get this, right? We all know what we would do in this scenario. So, what if I was to bring to your attention or remind you that this scenario exists right now. You see we all right now live on this earth and in this world. And because this is our current experience, we get comfortable in it, or we know what it can offer, and put stock in this world. But the reality is that our time in this world will come to an end. We all will move from confounds of time in this world to eternity. And when that move takes place, there is nothing that we can take from this world into eternity. The good news is that for those of us who have put our faith in Jesus Christ unto salvation, our transition from this world into eternity is to a place called heaven. This is what we know about heaven. It is so good! Remember a couple of weeks ago, we talked about the goodness of heaven. It’s a…

A Place of Experiencing God’s Full Presence for Eternity
A Place of Complete victory, beautiful diversity, great purpose and assignment, new bodies
A place of Family reunion.
No Pain, no tears, no sin, no problems, no brokenness

Heaven is a great place. Furthermore, there is reward for investing in heaven, for investing in God. This is so interesting, but did you know that you will be rewarded in heaven? You might say how? I am not completely sure what all it means to be rewarded in heaven. I know that it will be good and God is good. But, Jesus clearly taught that we will be rewarded in heaven in regard to our deeds on earth. Look at some of Jesus’ words on this. In regard to persecution Jesus says in Luke 6:23…

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. (Luke 6:23)

In regard to love your enemies, Jesus says in Luke 6:35…

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great,…(Luke 6:35)

In regard to serving others, Jesus says in Matt. 10:42…

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

In His return, Jesus says in Rev. 22:12…

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. (Rev. 22:12)

To be clear, these are not words concerning salvation. You cannot earn your salvation through your deeds. Salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9…

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

It is through Jesus' gracious work on the cross that we are saved as we put our faith in Him in what He has done for us. On the other hand, for believers there will be a day that we will be judged for our deeds in living out our life for Christ while on earth. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:11-14…

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:11-14)

The foundation of our salvation is Christ and there will be a day that we will see how we have built on that foundation while on this earth and to what quality we built. What survives will be a reward. Which brings me back to our investment example. We are on this earth for a short while (average 80 years).

Yet, what we do on this earth has significance for eternity. The question is what are we investing in? What basket are we putting most or all our eggs in? If earth is an investment that is coming to an end and heaven is one that will last forever with great dividends. What should you in this lifetime be putting your stock in. The logical answer is to live for heaven. This is why Paul says in Colossians 3:1-2…

Listen, heaven is not a place on earth, so instead set your sight on heaven and live accordingly because we can have assurance that our investment in heaven instead of on earth will reap blessings beyond measure. Why, because God is so Good. We don’t deserve it, but God is good in His grace toward us. What are you investing in and how are you living according to heaven? And, by the way, what does it look like to live thinking about heaven and not on the things of this earth. Well, I want to give you 3 Heaven Set Practices to keep focused on heaven and not on earth. These are some practices to help you focus on heaven. Here is the first one…

Heaven Set Practice #1: Run From Temptation

You know one of the facts about living on this earth and in this world is that there are many ways to get distracted from our focus to live for heaven. Paul specifically says in Colossians 3:2…

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:2) (NLT)

In other words, keep your mind from being tied to this world. When your mind is focused on the world, then it will have the tendency to pursue the world. Not to mention, our fallen nature and flesh has an inclination to follow the indulgences of this world. This is particularly challenging when everything around us pushes us toward these indulgences. Instant gratification is celebrated everywhere and if we are not diligent it is easy to get lured in. This is the way temptation works. It is the world pulling on our fallen nature for us to give in and to satisfy our desires and this can lead to sin particularly if our minds are focused on the things of earth. Now, here is the problem when we give into temptation that leads to sin. Sin waters down our capacity to invest eternally. Sin always takes away. It never gives. It is short lived returns with no future dividends. The Apostle Peter warns against this in 1 Peter 2:11 saying…

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. (1 Peter 2:11) (NLT)

Peter is reminding us that we are just temporary residents here on this earth so don’t give in to desires that will steal your focus and take away from your eternal investment. Don’t throw your life away for a moment of pleasure. And the way that we are to do this is by keeping away from temptation. Another translation to keep away is to abstain. That means we must discipline ourselves from surrendering from desires that will lead to sin. I’ll say it this way. Make a plan to deal with temptation and create boundaries to keep away from temptation. Let me say it again…

Make a Plan!

Know your weaknesses.
Create Non-Negotiables
Pre-Plan Escape Routes
Nail Down Your No Trespass Signs (I will not go there)
Create Your Battle Plan in God’s Truth and Presence

Make a plan. A Heaven Set mindset is disciplined not to be taken in and tempted by the mindset of this world. Here is another heaven set practice…

Heaven Set Practice #2: Do the Hard Right

This practice means doing what is right even when choosing to do right is hard. Would you agree that doing the right thing is not always easy? For example, the hard right is…

Is not retaliating with hand signals and car blocking maneuvers to the person behind you exhibiting road rage toward you.
Is doing your job correctly even when everyone else has found a way to stick it to the man.
Is choosing relationships, friendship, and loyalty over manipulation of people to get ahead.
It is standing up when needing to stand up. It is sitting down when needing to sit down.
It is making choices like I will go or I won’t go.
It is filling out the right boxes on your taxes and not cheating the system in some way.
It is not stealing. It is not lying. It is being faithful to your spouse and children.
It is choosing to not look at content you shouldn’t look at or having that conversation you shouldn’t have.
It is choosing delayed gratification over instant gratification.
It is doing that right thing when no one else is looking
It is practicing forgiveness, humility, sacrifice, love (and yes sometimes tough love)

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:8…

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

To be real, this type of living is not always easy. Would you agree? Particularly, when you look around and it seems that others are getting ahead doing the wrong things or they're having more fun. It’s like, come on! Who is going to know? Or come on, why do I always feel last or the one taking it to the chin. Who really cares? And the answer is God cares and He knows. Listen to what Jesus says in teaching His disciples on character. Jesus says in Matthew 6:1-4…

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4)

What is Jesus saying? He is saying: do the right thing and don’t worry about earthly reward. The Pharisees did stuff publicly and with wrong motives to get attention for themselves. They wanted people to see their righteousness. Jesus says, they got their reward in the moment. But it is a fleeting reward. It is a reward that is here today and gone tomorrow. Instead, Jesus says His disciples are to be people of integrity and when we do what is right even when no one sees we can count on the truth that there is one who always sees. And who is that? God! God cares and He sees and He rewards accordingly. And this reward is not a fleeting reward. It is an eternal reward. So, we are to live always as though we are living for God knowing that He is the one that is looking. Paul says in Ephesians 6:7-8…

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. (Ephesians 6:7-8)

We are not serving people. We serve who? The Lord. It is an audience of one. And, don’t worry when no one else is keeping an account. God is and He will reward you. This is a practice of faith and understanding that living heaven set is not living according to the standards of this world but to the standards of heaven. Yet, as we live for heaven, God will come through for us. Imagine what it would be like in this world if we all chose to do the hard right. Ok, one last Heaven Set Practice…

Heaven Set Practice #3: Live For God’s Kingdom (Invest in People)

There is one thing that you should always remember. Nothing will last in this world. This world will eventually come to an end. Also, once we leave this world, there is nothing from here that we can take with us. Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21…

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Listen, the more we store up here on earth and live for here, the more we lose. We can’t take anything with us once we pass from this life. Let me say it again. Heaven is not a place on earth. This world is not a good investment. Jesus says it a different way in telling the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21…

“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)

This is a warning! Life is not supposed to be living for ourselves and storing up and taking it easy. That line, “but who will get what you have prepared for yourself” is so sobering. If you have gathered wealth in this world, once you leave, who will get it. How many families have squabbled over and fought over the left behind wealth of their family members. So, the question is, what do we live for and what can we invest in that has great and lasting dividends. Well, Jesus says, do not store up here, but be…

…rich toward God (Luke 12:21)

You see, our best investment in life on this earth is to serve God and His kingdom. It is to be rich toward God; to live for God and His mission. Listen believer, if you are a child of God through Jesus Christ, then that is what you are here for. You are here to serve God and His Kingdom. And God’s Kingdom has a mission. That mission is People. In fact, the only thing that we can invest in right now that can have eternal escrow is people. We all have an eternal destiny and God has given me and you a mission to live for His kingdom and that mission is to invest in others for the sake of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ so that others may be saved and become Children of God. That’s it. What was the mission of Jesus? Jesus said in Luke 19:10…

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Jesus told his disciples in Matt: 28:19-20…

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Jesus tells us to go and make disciples. That’s the mission. That is living for God’s Kingdom. There is one thing that we will not be doing in heaven that we are expected to do here on earth and that is to share about Jesus. That is what it means to be rich toward God. It is living for Him and His purposes. Listen…

If we are neglecting the spiritual discipleship of our families for getting rich here. You have missed it!
If you are choosing a hobby for yourself and it keeps you from investing in people. You have missed it!
If you use your gifts and talents only for yourself and you don’t use it to invest in people. You have missed it.

Jesus said in Mark 8:36…

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36)

Likewise, what good is it to gain the whole world and forfeit other people’s souls? To squander our lives to build on this earth but overlook the one thing that counts and that is people coming to know Jesus as savior and Lord. That is the only thing that carries over. When we use our resources, and our talents, and our time, and our expertise for God and we invest in His mission. You will never go poor! Because the rich will be rewarded in heaven. What would it be like to pass over into heaven and to meet all the people that are there because of your faithfulness to invest in what counted, their souls! What a reward! Don’t look past your family, don’t look past your friends, don’t look past those who are in need, or linking with others in God’s mission to take the good news all around the world. This is what we are here for and God in His goodness will reward us. Let’s be rich toward God!

My grandmother recently passed away. I asked my family to share with me their favorite memories of my grandmother that I might share during her funeral. Let me read to you what my cousin, Brianne, had to say about my Grandmother.

Grandma was the epitome of a God-fearing woman. She loved Jesus and her family fiercely. She

was never quick to anger or judgment, but instead kind and patient with all she met. She never met a stranger. In fact, she could talk to anyone for hours and leave a long-standing impression of just how sweet and pure her heart truly was. Grandma was always such a positive role model for me. I will be forever grateful for the sweet memories made with her. Probably the most special memory I hold close to my heart is the fact that she was the one who led me in prayer to ask Jesus into my life when I was just 6 years old.

That’s reward!

So, how do we live heaven set now? The Apostle Paul says…

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:2) (NLT)

What are you putting your stock in? To live heaven set we are to..

Run From Temptation
Do the Hard Right
And Live for the Kingdom of God (invest in People)

How can you shift your focus today? And, one last thing, if there is one key thing that you can do while here on this earth to be heaven set, that is to give your life to Jesus, today. That is the most important decision you will ever make!

Heaven Set - The Goodness of Heaven

Pastor David Taylor

Sunday, August 13, 2023 - Common Ground Church of Sahuarita

Alright, let’s dive right into it today. For the last three weeks we have been in our series called Heaven Set where we are exploring the realities of Heaven and how we should, as those in Christ, set our hearts and minds on Heaven. The Apostle Paul says…

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of earth. (Col. 3:1-2) (NLT)

The Apostle Paul is saying set your hearts, your minds, your sight on the realities of Heaven. And this morning, I want to dive into a key reason as to why we are to set our hearts on Heaven and that is because Heaven is so Good. When was the last time that you discovered something good, and it just captured your thoughts so much that you just want to make it a part of your life.

You remember that first time you met who is now your spouse.

Or maybe it is a place for you. (The mountains, beach)

The goodness of Home

Lately, for me, it has been a Mexican candy called Mazapan De La Rosa

De La Rosa Mazapan: 30-Piece Box | Candy Warehouse

I really like Mexican candy and I have discovered Mazapan. And it is so good. Now, when I go to convenience stores or Walmart. I am looking for that goodness. It’s goodness has captured my taste buds and it’s a goodness that I keep wanting to go back to or look forward to. And I know my examples are lame except for the goodness of my wife, Stephanie. But, you get the picture. The goodness of something can draw us in and give us something to set our sights on. So, the Apostle Paul says for us to set our hearts on the realities of Heaven and the key reason to do so is because Heaven is so good. And Heaven is so Good because…

We Have A Good God!

Let me give you several scriptures that reinforce this truth. Look at these truths about God’s character…

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chron. 16:34)
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,…(Nahum 1:7)
You are good, and what you do is good;…(Psalm 119:68)

I’ll say it again…

We Have a Good God!

He just doesn’t have goodness. His very character is good. He is Good. But going a step further, God in His goodness wants to share His goodness with us. God is a giver of His goodness. And his goodness is infinitely beyond our so-called goodness. His goodness is better. Jesus says in Matt. 7:11…

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matt. 7:11)

God is a giver of His goodness. King David says in Psalm 119:68 that God even stores His goodness up for us. David says in Psalm 119:68…

How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. (Psalm 119:68)

Heaven is the place where we will experience the full extent of God’s goodness and love upon us. It is something to set our hearts on, to look forward to, and to keep focused on. And, so this is what I want to do today. I want to give you 6 goodness facts about Heaven. And my prayer is that these truths will give you endurance, encouragement, and help you to look toward the goodness of God in Heaven. So, let’s start with the first one, in Heaven…

Goodness Fact #1: We Will Experience the Fullness of God’s Presence

The most important thing about the goodness of Heaven is that Christ reigns and the splendor of His full glory engulfs all things in Heaven. All who are present will be immersed in the presence of almighty, wonderful, good, and righteous God expressing His eternal love upon us. Listen to the description of this in Rev. 21:22-27. Jesus gives the Apostle John this vision of God’s presence in Heaven. He says…

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev. 21:22-27)

Wow! It’s amazing. In Heaven there is no temple because God is the temple. There is no need for light (sun or moon) because God gives light to all Heaven. There is no darkness in Heaven. There is no need for shut doors, gates, or locks because God’s righteous reign is sufficient. Sin is no more and thus there is no impurity, or deceit, or shamefulness. Everything is open and pure. And God’s splendor will overwhelm the splendor of any kingdom and king. Can you imagine such a place with such an unhindered presence of God and His goodness? Such presence will consume our affections and emotions for an eternity. Jesus’ reign and presence will be so mesmerizing and thrilling and mind-altering that we will spend an eternity never getting over it. This is what makes Heaven, Heaven. We will spend an eternity being fulfilled in the loving presence of our savior; a fulfillment in which we were created for. It will be wonderful! But there is more, so let continue to Goodness fact #2…

Goodness Fact #2: We Will Experience Complete Victory

You know when I was thinking about this point that word victory got me thinking about battles. Because victory is the positive side of a battle. And as we live our life in this world, don’t we fight battles. Day after day it seems there is a new battle. We find ourselves fighting battles…

…in relationships, in health, at work, in our community.

There is always something to deal with. There is always something coming our way to work through and sometimes we do ok and sometimes we don’t. And then there are those personal battles. There are these battles within. These are the battles of…

…temptation, insecurities, bondages, habits, identity, and the list can go on.

And it can get tiring fighting these battles. And we wonder, will it ever go away. And the answer is yes! In Heaven there is victory. And the reason there is victory is because Jesus reigns. Paul tells us to focus on this in Col. 3:1…

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

You see, we will be in Heaven because we have been raised to a new life in Christ by putting our trust in Him and in Heaven Jesus reigns victorious over sin. He sits at the right hand of God. When a king sits it means He is victorious. There is no sin in Heaven because sin is conquered with all of its effects and battles. John saw in his vision of Heaven in Rev. 21:27…

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev. 21:22-27)

Everyone that is in Heaven has been made pure by Christ. We are written in the Lamb’s book of life and enter Heaven without impurity, shame, deceit. There is no sin and thus there is no longer any battle. Think about that. Your battles will be no more…

That temptation you have is gone.
That bondage you have is gone.
No more struggling with identity or insecurity or shame.
No more battling over relationships and work.
No more health battles.

In Heaven, you are a fully secure child of God with nothing hindering your identity in Christ. You are fully restored emotionally, mentally, socially, and personally. Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:57…

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57)

Which leads me to my next goodness fact about Heaven and that is…

Goodness Fact #3: We Will Have New Bodies

Yes! Who is looking forward to a new body? Someone right now is saying, who need a new body, mine is spectacular as is. Who is saying that? If you are, I have a song for you, “You're so vain, I bet you think this point is about you?” No really! Looking at 1 Cor. 15:53-54 says about our bodies being changed for Heaven…

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Cor. 15:53-54)

Our bodies will be transformed to live for eternity (from mortal to immortal). And these are not spirit bodies but real bodies. When Jesus resurrected, He had a physical body that the disciples were able to see and touch, and He shared meals with them. In John 20:27, Jesus says to Thomas,…

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)

Jesus' resurrected body is the first fruits example (a foreshadowing) of what we will have in Heaven. It is not subject to the effects of death and sin. It does not deteriorate. It is not corrupted. Our bodies will be transformed perfectly to experience eternity free of ailment. And, no, in scripture we are not given an example of what our body size will be, or what age we will possibly exemplify in our body, etc. But it will be a perfect body for eternity. Here is what I am excited about. It seems that there will be food in Heaven. There are all types of references to banquets and Adam and Eve before the fall were able to eat the fruit of the trees. So, I wonder what it will be like to eat and not worry about what it does to our bodies. Bring on the Mazapán De La Rosa. Can’t wait for our new bodies. No pains, no hurting, no high blood pressure, no tiring. Ok, let’s on to another goodness.

Goodness Fact #4: Heaven Is Going to Be Diverse

I love this! You know I said, that there is no indication of what size our bodies will be, etc. But, one thing I can say is that we will not all look the same. In fact, it seems that we will keep aspects of our personality and our uniqueness in how God originally created us. When Jesus told the parable in Luke 16 about Lazarus and the rich man, in the Parable Lazarus is known. The Rich Man says in the parable in Luke 16:23…

‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,…(Luke 16:23)

Lazarus is recognized. Jesus is giving indication that we will be recognized in Heaven in our unique way as we were originally created. That means we will not all look the same. Furthermore, in Heaven, all tribes from every nation will be there. Remember, we are to go to all the nations to share the good news of Christ. As a result, all nations will be represented in Heaven. The Apostle John in His vision of Heaven says in Rev. 7:9…

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9-10)

Isn’t that beautiful? In Heaven, every tribe is represented in all the colors of mankind. We will be perfectly represented in all races and unique identities and personalities in Heaven as one family. Heaven is beautifully diverse. Hey, can I say this? There is no room for racism in being a follower of Christ! Absolutely none! If your heart cannot be open to other races, then you are not going to want to be in Heaven! Heaven is beautifully diverse representing God’s full spectrum of creation created in His image! It will be a beautiful family. Here is another goodness fact about Heaven…

Goodness Fact #5: We Will Have Assignments In Heaven

To be clear, we will work and serve and reign under the authority of Jesus. You know we have all heard this phrase about those who have gone on before us…

May They _______ in _________ !

That’s right! We like to R.I.P. our loved ones. And, yes, there is rest in Heaven in the sense that we will not grow tired and that we will not be hindered by sin and death. Heaven is a joyful place. But, some may think, I don’t want to rest for an eternity. Man, that sounds boring. Like Heaven is this permanent vacation. A vacation is good for a bit but then you get restless, right? But that is not the case in Heaven. We will serve. This is the way it was in the beginning with Adam and Eve. They served. It says in Gen. 2:15…

The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. (Gen 2:15)

In Paradise, there was work. But it was not a burdensome work and service. It was work that gave meaning and pleasure. It wasn’t until sin entered the world that work became toil. It is hard to fathom. But in Heaven, it seems that there will be assignments and service. It says in Rev. 22:3 that…

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. And they will reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 22:3&5)

There will be service, and we will reign with Christ forever. And it seems that we will be rewarded with service based on how we served Christ on earth. When Jesus taught of His Kingdom and told the Parable of Talents in Matt. 25, listen to what He says to the servants in the parable that used their gifts wisely to serve the master. Jesus says in Matt. 25:23…

‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matt. 25:23)

It is an indication that what we do with God’s gifts that He has given us here on earth in serving Him, will determine how we are rewarded in service in His eternal kingdom. Something to think about. But, we will serve and in whatever we do it will be in pleasure of our Lord and we will not be burned or grow tired. It will be purposeful and with happiness. Ok, one last goodness fact about Heaven and that is…

Goodness Fact #6: Heaven Will Be A Great Family Reunion

Listen to what Paul says in 1 Thess. 4:17 in talking about Christ’s return. Paul states…

Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words. (1 Thess. 4:17-18)

Did you catch that all the believers in Christ who preceded us in death and all the people who are called up with Christ at His return will meet in the clouds together and Paul says…

Then WE will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thess. 4:17)

In other words, those of us who love Jesus and put their faith in Jesus unto salvation, we will all be with the Lord forever. And so Paul tells us to…

…encourage each other with these words. (1 Thess. 4:18)

And here is encouragement for you today. For those of your loved ones who were believers in Christ who have gone on before you to the presence of Jesus, if you are a child of God in Christ, you will one day see them again. We will be reunited as one big family and we will know each other perfectly. That is such great encouragement.

And, this should encourage us that death is not the end for our relationships in Christ but it also should encourage us that for those we know that are not believers that we do all we can to share with them the good news of Jesus that they may be there with us in eternity one day.

And so, God is good and as a result Heaven is good and it will be a place where we will experience the full extent of God’s love and goodness toward us. But again, the question that I must ask is will you be there? God says in Rev. 21:27…

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev. 21: 27)

To experience the goodness of Heaven, our names must be written in the Lamb’s book of life. The Lamb is Jesus who died (became our sacrifice) to forgive us of our sin. We must put our faith in Him onto salvation by repenting and giving our life to Him. Have you done that? Today is the day!