A survey was taken
just a few years ago
00:00:08.10\00:00:12.14
where they asked people
of various ages to describe
00:00:12.14\00:00:16.14
what they think Heaven is like
00:00:16.14\00:00:20.15
I want you to notice
this varying responses. When a
00:00:20.15\00:00:24.15
college student was asked
the question, he said Heaven
00:00:24.15\00:00:28.16
That was his perception of
Heaven, when a middle aged woman
00:00:36.16\00:00:40.17
was asked the same question.
she said well "Heaven is a state
00:00:40.17\00:00:44.17
mind It's like an
iiner peace; It's a state of
00:00:44.17\00:00:48.21
calm." she wasn't able to
picture it as a real place
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When a question like this
was asked to successful business
00:00:52.21\00:00:56.22
man he responed by says
00:00:56.22\00:01:00.32
To Him his heaven was right
here on this earth, when another
00:01:08.46\00:01:12.47
person was asked this question
such as a skeptic he answer was
00:01:12.47\00:01:16.47
and finialy an elderly
couple resonded by saying
00:01:24.38\00:01:28.15
Well friends I want to tell you
00:01:36.69\00:01:40.70
we don't have to hope that
Heaven is true, we don't have to
00:01:40.70\00:01:44.67
hope Heaven that is a real place
because word of God is give us
00:01:44.67\00:01:48.70
the absolute assurance
the Jesus is preparing a
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place for for us. Can you says
amen? So the question would be
00:01:52.71\00:01:56.71
what is Heaven really
like? Not according to the
00:01:56.71\00:02:00.82
tradition of the middle ages,
now according to what man thinks
00:02:00.82\00:02:04.82
but according the
Bible says and so tonight
00:02:04.82\00:02:08.82
we're just going to
open up Isaiah and Revelation
00:02:08.82\00:02:12.86
and different prophetic portions
and we are going explore
00:02:12.86\00:02:16.87
How does God describe
this place, that we call
00:02:16.87\00:02:20.87
Heaven. Now tonight I have
given you a break, because every
00:02:20.87\00:02:24.91
single test that we are going
to look up I've actually written
00:02:24.91\00:02:28.91
out on the screen for you all
the last 22 nights, I have only
00:02:28.91\00:02:32.95
given you most of the time the
references, this time they're
00:02:32.95\00:02:36.95
all written out but if you have
your Bible, I would still
encourage you to follow along
00:02:36.95\00:02:40.99
with me. So we are going to
start in Acts chapter 3 in just
00:02:40.99\00:02:44.99
a munite. But I want to
show picture of the US treasurer
00:02:44.99\00:02:49.00
building Now if you have been
there, it is in Washington D.C.
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and I'm told
there are 1,800 doors in
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this building along. Can
you imagine how long it take the
00:02:57.01\00:03:01.11
janitor to clean this place.
But the supernatant no dought
00:03:01.11\00:03:05.11
has one master key
that can up all 1,800 doors
00:03:05.11\00:03:09.15
But you know God
has a master as well
00:03:09.15\00:03:13.15
and that master key is
the Bible. Can you say amen?
00:03:13.15\00:03:17.19
And this Book going
to describe for us want
00:03:17.19\00:03:21.20
Heaven is like and
why God has prepared for
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a people for which He
has unconditional love
00:03:25.20\00:03:29.24
Acts chapter 3 gives
us a promise that there
00:03:29.24\00:03:33.24
day of restoration coming, i
would like you to follow with
00:03:33.24\00:03:37.28
me. Act chapter 3 and
verse 20 the Bible says:
00:03:37.28\00:03:41.28
See from the very beginning
when sin entered this world
00:04:01.40\00:04:05.41
God had given many
prophecies promising
00:04:05.41\00:04:09.41
that He would one
day restore all things
00:04:09.41\00:04:13.42
to the perfection of the
Garden of Eden an no matter what
00:04:13.42\00:04:17.42
may happen to me in this
world, no matter how awful
00:04:17.42\00:04:21.42
and chaotic things maybe I
have the promise from the word
00:04:21.42\00:04:25.46
God that there
coming when God restore
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all things to be new
again. See when you go back
00:04:29.46\00:04:33.47
to the book of
Genesis, you read that sad story
00:04:33.47\00:04:37.47
of how sin first
entered. I was Adam and Ave
00:04:37.47\00:04:41.48
chose not to trust
God and they eat of this
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forbidden fruit, it
turn this world over in
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a sense to Satan
control, in a sense it open the
00:04:49.48\00:04:53.49
door not only for sin, but
everything that comes with it
00:04:53.49\00:04:57.49
suffering, and pain, and sorrow,
00:04:57.49\00:05:01.56
injustices and all kinds
of unfair things. Mankind was
00:05:01.56\00:05:05.53
traped in a
world of sin, in fact
00:05:05.53\00:05:09.54
it wasn't to long after that
if you read Genesis chapter 3
00:05:09.54\00:05:13.58
from the beginning God gave them
a promise, God said the seed of
00:05:13.58\00:05:17.58
of the woman would come to
restore all thing. Do you who
00:05:17.58\00:05:21.58
that seed of the woman was? That
is referring to Jesus Christ
00:05:21.58\00:05:25.59
and even all the back in the
book of Genesis God instituted
00:05:25.59\00:05:29.59
a system of
sacrifices not as elaborate as
00:05:29.59\00:05:33.60
in the time of the
Israelites but Adam and Eve saw
00:05:33.60\00:05:37.60
animal or lamb that would
have been slain to them it was
00:05:37.60\00:05:41.60
a reminder of how
horrible sin is of what sin
00:05:41.60\00:05:45.61
has sin done to this
planet by bring death and woe
00:05:45.61\00:05:49.61
but it was also an
encouragement that one day the
00:05:49.61\00:05:53.62
true Lamd of God would
come, that seed of the woman
00:05:53.62\00:05:57.62
would pay the price
for sin would give us
00:05:57.62\00:06:01.69
His righteousness so
that we can live in a perfect
00:06:01.69\00:06:05.73
world ounce again and all
that is possible because of what
00:06:05.73\00:06:09.66
Jesus has done for us. Amen?
happiness would be restored
00:06:09.66\00:06:13.70
perfection would be restored joy
00:06:13.70\00:06:17.71
would be restored on the face
od the earth and no matter what
00:06:17.71\00:06:21.71
happens in my life
that is always somethings
00:06:21.71\00:06:25.71
that I have to look forward
to. Lets go to the book of
00:06:25.71\00:06:29.72
Hebrews chapter 11 and
notice and you notice some
00:06:29.72\00:06:33.72
things that God has written. Now
I notice that it is raining
rather hard outside
00:06:33.72\00:06:37.73
can you still hear me with mic
on here? No problem with sound
00:06:37.73\00:06:41.73
ok Hebrews 11
chapter 10 the Bible says
00:06:41.73\00:06:45.70
Speaking of Abraham
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See Abraham knew this
world was not his home
00:06:57.75\00:07:01.82
even though God had promise
to make out of him a great
00:07:01.82\00:07:05.82
nation from his descendants,
Abraham new even that nation
00:07:05.82\00:07:09.82
would not last for ever on the
on this earth because Abraham
00:07:09.82\00:07:13.83
knew there was a time
when God would create a city
00:07:13.83\00:07:17.80
when He would be the
builder and maker and
00:07:17.80\00:07:21.80
Abraham lived in faith
and trusted God for when that
00:07:21.80\00:07:25.81
time would come. But
you that promise is not just
00:07:25.81\00:07:29.84
for Abraham that
promise is for every person
00:07:29.84\00:07:33.85
who chooses to put
their faith in God. in fact
00:07:33.85\00:07:37.85
you can go all through out the
Bible and you see these
different characters
00:07:37.85\00:07:41.86
men, women, and
children who were looking
00:07:41.86\00:07:45.86
forward to a better
place, let's take look at Moses
00:07:45.86\00:07:49.83
Hebrews says of
Moses, the Bible says:
00:07:49.83\00:07:53.84
Do you understand
what that is saying?
00:08:17.96\00:08:21.93
Even Moses understood
00:08:21.93\00:08:25.93
that he not want to live
with this pagan empire of egypt
00:08:25.93\00:08:29.94
a nation that would pull
him away from the God of heaven
00:08:29.94\00:08:33.94
he was willing
to let go of power
00:08:33.94\00:08:37.95
fame, fortune
all kinds of fortune
00:08:37.95\00:08:41.98
to be able to go back
to God's people the Hebrews
00:08:41.98\00:08:45.99
to suffer an
affliction to live almost in
00:08:45.99\00:08:49.99
slavery, he gave all that
up, and of course eventually the
00:08:49.99\00:08:54.00
time came when he kill two
egyptian and really he was
banished for almost
00:08:54.00\00:08:57.97
40 years but then
God used him to set the
00:08:57.97\00:09:02.04
israelites free he gave
up everything egypt because
00:09:02.04\00:09:06.07
he want to be with
people of God. Hebrews says
00:09:06.07\00:09:10.08
he was looking to
the reward that reward
00:09:10.08\00:09:14.08
would have been heaven.
in fact Hebrews discribes
00:09:14.08\00:09:18.09
so many people
who were looking the
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Heavenly country, in Hebrews
11: 13 the Bible goes on the say
00:09:22.09\00:09:26.59
Do you catch what
Hebrews is saying here?
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You go back in this
vesre, they all realized they
00:10:03.00\00:10:07.07
were strangers and
pilgrims here we realize that we
00:10:07.07\00:10:11.11
are not to live is a sinful
00:10:11.11\00:10:15.14
sorrowful woeful earth
forever We ota say amen
00:10:15.14\00:10:19.15
ot that. That was not Gods
plan we are strangers to that
00:10:19.15\00:10:23.15
we pilgrims we are not
going to be any sinful place
00:10:23.15\00:10:27.16
for eternity and so just like
these characters of the Bible
00:10:27.16\00:10:31.16
you and I look
forward to a heavenly
00:10:31.16\00:10:35.16
country. See that means
when I turn the television
00:10:35.16\00:10:39.17
and I see a terrorist bomb
that has gone off in some part
00:10:39.17\00:10:43.17
world I"m reminded
this world is not my home
00:10:43.17\00:10:47.18
when I see pictures
of children lying in
00:10:47.18\00:10:51.18
a cancer ward dieing
of leukemia a seven year
00:10:51.18\00:10:55.18
old it is a
reminder this world is not my
00:10:55.18\00:10:59.19
home this is not
the way God designed
00:10:59.19\00:11:03.26
to be when stories
of teenagers injecting
00:11:03.26\00:11:07.23
heroine into their vines
and snorting cocaine up their
00:11:07.23\00:11:11.23
nostrils
destroying both mind and body
00:11:11.23\00:11:15.24
ruining the vigour of
their youth it's reminder to me
00:11:15.24\00:11:19.24
this world is not my home
00:11:19.24\00:11:23.28
When I picture of
young couple lying in the
00:11:23.28\00:11:27.28
maternity ward,
sorrowful dejected
00:11:27.28\00:11:31.29
and crying because they
lost their baby in child birth
00:11:31.29\00:11:35.29
it is another sad
reminder this world
00:11:35.29\00:11:39.29
is not may home. When
you here about faithful
00:11:39.29\00:11:43.26
wife and mother of twenty
five years, took care of her
00:11:43.26\00:11:47.27
husband, raised her
children but after 25 years
00:11:47.27\00:11:51.27
of marriage her husband
runs of with the secretary
00:11:51.27\00:11:55.28
it is a reminder this
world is not fair, this world
00:11:55.28\00:11:59.31
just and this
world is not home When
00:11:59.31\00:12:03.39
I stories of tsunami
and natural disasters
00:12:03.39\00:12:07.39
in all corner of the globe
it's another reminder to me
00:12:07.39\00:12:11.39
that this world is
not my permanent I am
00:12:11.39\00:12:15.36
stranger I am pilgrim
here I look forward to a
00:12:15.36\00:12:19.37
heaven place. Can you say amen
to that? And that not a promise
00:12:19.37\00:12:23.37
just for me that is promise you
and all those who put their in
00:12:23.37\00:12:27.38
faith in Jesus
Christ is world is not
00:12:27.38\00:12:31.38
our home. When I see pictures
00:12:31.38\00:12:35.42
of with distended
bellies living in poverty
00:12:35.42\00:12:39.42
starving India or
Africa some of the third world
00:12:39.42\00:12:43.43
countries it is a
stark reminder this is not
00:12:43.43\00:12:47.40
the way God wanted it
to be and this world is not
00:12:47.40\00:12:51.40
my home. Hebrews goes on to say
00:12:51.40\00:12:55.40
this Hebrews
11:16 the Bible says:
00:12:55.40\00:12:59.41
Therefore God is
not ashamed (what is God
00:12:59.41\00:13:03.48
not?) o be called their God,
00:13:03.48\00:13:07.52
for He has prepared a
city for them. I want you think
00:13:07.52\00:13:11.52
about what that says. The
world maybe ashamed of God's
00:13:11.52\00:13:15.52
people the world may say
well there are too religious
00:13:15.52\00:13:19.53
there are fanatical they
bring positive to the plate
00:13:19.53\00:13:23.50
The world may look
at single mother and say
00:13:23.50\00:13:27.50
she'll never amount to anything
she has never invented anything
00:13:27.50\00:13:31.51
for the good society she doen't
have a big bank account she
00:13:31.51\00:13:35.51
hasn't crearted
fortune 500 business
00:13:35.51\00:13:39.51
and the world maybe
ashamed of her but God says
00:13:39.51\00:13:43.55
when it comes to his people
who have suffered affliction who
00:13:43.55\00:13:47.52
suffered sorrow and gone through
all sort of thing though the
00:13:47.52\00:13:51.53
world may persecute them in
the end God will stand and say
00:13:51.53\00:13:55.53
I am not ashamed of my
people I am not ashamed of that
00:13:55.53\00:13:59.53
single mother strugling but
has been faithful God I am not
00:13:59.53\00:14:03.61
ashamed of that teenager who
grew up in difficult situation
00:14:03.61\00:14:07.61
but they faithful
possible can the world may
00:14:07.61\00:14:11.61
reproach them but my
God says that He ashamed
00:14:11.61\00:14:15.62
of his people. Amen?
And they has prepared a
00:14:15.62\00:14:19.65
city for them.
The story is told of
00:14:19.65\00:14:23.66
Marco Polo now in your history
classes I going to assume how
00:14:23.66\00:14:27.66
many you ever heard of Marco
Polo, can I see your hands he
00:14:27.66\00:14:31.63
was the Italian explorer
that spend nearly twenty years
00:14:31.63\00:14:35.64
over in the Orient near
China and when He came back home
00:14:35.64\00:14:39.64
He had incredible
stories to tell of
00:14:39.64\00:14:43.65
which most people did
believe him, when he came back
00:14:43.65\00:14:47.68
he tried to describe for
them black rock that burned
00:14:47.68\00:14:51.65
with fire but were
not consumed they thought
00:14:51.65\00:14:55.69
He was lying because
they never seen coal before
00:14:55.69\00:14:59.69
he describe for them cloth
that you could throw in the
00:14:59.69\00:15:03.73
fire but it would burned
up and they thought he was
00:15:03.73\00:15:07.74
telling an incredible tale
because they had never seen
00:15:07.74\00:15:11.74
asbestos before he
tried to describe for them
00:15:11.74\00:15:15.74
serpents 10 paces long with jaws
00:15:15.74\00:15:19.75
big enough to
swallow a small man and they
00:15:19.75\00:15:23.75
thought he was making it
up because they never seen
00:15:23.75\00:15:27.79
crocodile's He told them
about nuts that were a big as
00:15:27.79\00:15:31.79
as man hands hand they
thought that Marco Polo was
00:15:31.79\00:15:35.76
a big white lie
because they had never seen
00:15:35.76\00:15:39.77
coconut and we told
that when Marco Polo was
00:15:39.77\00:15:43.77
on his death bed a
devout religious tried to get
00:15:43.77\00:15:47.78
him confess all the
tales the told so that could
00:15:47.78\00:15:51.78
right with God when died
and Marco Polo and answered him
00:15:51.78\00:15:55.78
and said it is all
true every bit of it is
00:15:55.78\00:15:59.82
true in fact the
half has not been told
00:15:59.82\00:16:03.89
See people couldn't imagine
it because they never saw ti
00:16:03.89\00:16:07.86
and in one reality that is true
when it come to the kingdom of
00:16:07.86\00:16:11.90
heaven The Bible does it
best to describe it for us in
00:16:11.90\00:16:15.87
human language but
true is the half of it has
00:16:15.87\00:16:19.87
not been told. In
1st Corinthians chapter 2
00:16:19.87\00:16:23.88
notice what Paul says when
kinda introduces this subject
00:16:23.88\00:16:27.88
The Bible says: But as
00:16:27.88\00:16:31.89
it is written:
"EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR
00:16:31.89\00:16:35.89
NOR HAVE ENTERED
INTO THE HEART OF MAN
00:16:35.89\00:16:39.93
THE THINGS WHICH GOD
HAS PREPARED FOR (who?)
00:16:39.93\00:16:43.90
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE
HIM." see even the Bible warns
00:16:43.90\00:16:47.90
us our eyes have never
laid eyes on the things
00:16:47.90\00:16:51.91
of heaven we have
never truely what God has
00:16:51.91\00:16:55.91
prepared for us we
can't even begin imagine it
00:16:55.91\00:16:59.91
even as we read John's
description in Revelation
00:16:59.91\00:17:03.99
in just a few minutes you
find very clearly that sometimes
00:17:03.99\00:17:08.02
John was lost
words I mean he tried his
00:17:08.02\00:17:12.03
best in his
human limations to try
00:17:12.03\00:17:16.00
to put on paper
things he saw things he
00:17:16.00\00:17:20.00
that never saw and he tying to
describe it can you imagine that
00:17:20.00\00:17:24.01
I mean the limitations of
human language and capability
00:17:24.01\00:17:28.01
John and Isaiah
and others in the Bible
00:17:28.01\00:17:32.05
did the absolute best
they could but we to understand
00:17:32.05\00:17:36.05
the half as truly
not been told just yet
00:17:36.05\00:17:40.06
we won't fully
understand until we see with our
00:17:40.06\00:17:44.06
own eyes in the
kingdom of heaven so let's
00:17:44.06\00:17:48.03
begin with something
John said in Revelation 21
00:17:48.03\00:17:52.03
let's start in
verse 1 The Bible says;
00:17:52.03\00:17:56.04
Now let me ask you
00:18:16.16\00:18:20.16
a question the best
that John could seemingly
00:18:20.16\00:18:24.13
describe the gloires
of heaven is by comparing
00:18:24.13\00:18:28.14
it to a woman a
bride on her wedding day
00:18:28.14\00:18:32.17
now you when think
back to the days we were
00:18:32.17\00:18:36.14
married for some that might
recent you know for some that
00:18:36.14\00:18:40.18
might a little future back
but I we were married about 19
00:18:40.18\00:18:44.19
ago and you know
if there is any day
00:18:44.19\00:18:48.19
in a woman existence
when she wants to look her
00:18:48.19\00:18:52.19
absolute best
when she wants look as
00:18:52.19\00:18:56.16
perfect as is humanly possible,
what day to suppose that going
00:18:56.16\00:19:00.24
to be That going
to be her wedding day
00:19:00.24\00:19:04.24
because that is a special day
for the woman now I know is a
00:19:04.24\00:19:08.24
special for groom too, but know
the old adage they say this the
00:19:08.24\00:19:12.25
this the day for the bride,
you know you think about it
00:19:12.25\00:19:16.25
how much time do you
bride spends preparing for her
00:19:16.25\00:19:20.29
wedding day picking out the
dress and everything that is
00:19:20.29\00:19:24.29
going to wear do you they do
that in just an hour? probably
00:19:24.29\00:19:28.26
not she gathers together maybe
mother maybe all of her friends
00:19:28.26\00:19:32.27
and bridesmaid and they go
shopping together and then on
00:19:32.27\00:19:36.27
the day of the wedding who do
think gets up first? the bride
00:19:36.27\00:19:40.28
or groom what you think? Oh it
is going to be the bride. The
bride probable gets
00:19:40.28\00:19:44.28
up early in the morning has all
her girl friends come along with
00:19:44.28\00:19:48.28
her and for hours they
will spend time making the dress
00:19:48.28\00:19:52.29
just right ah primping the
hair, maybe putting on a little
00:19:52.29\00:19:56.32
makeup everything they
can do to get her as perfect
00:19:56.32\00:20:00.33
beautiful as posable and
what do you think the groom
00:20:00.33\00:20:04.30
does? Well I can assure you
he doen't get his guy friends
00:20:04.30\00:20:08.30
coming into the room and help
him get his hair ready and
helping him get dressed
00:20:08.30\00:20:12.31
I certainly wouldn't that now us
guys sure we what look our best
00:20:12.31\00:20:16.31
we don't quite bring
everyone into the room help us
00:20:16.31\00:20:20.32
can you guys say amen you
know God made man a little bit
00:20:20.32\00:20:24.32
different we let women have
their fun so really the woman
00:20:24.32\00:20:28.32
the bride the whole day is the
experience but if we are honest
00:20:28.32\00:20:32.36
what part of the day is
the groom looking forward to
00:20:32.36\00:20:36.33
you don't says it, he is
looking forward the honeymoon
00:20:36.33\00:20:40.34
but know thats OK because
they're married and there're
husband and wife, can you say
00:20:40.34\00:20:44.34
amen? A bribe
beautiful adorned for
00:20:44.34\00:20:48.34
husband that's how
heaven is described
00:20:48.34\00:20:52.38
to you and me and so if
a bribe goes through such
00:20:52.38\00:20:56.38
effort to prepare
herself for her husband
00:20:56.38\00:21:00.46
how much effort is
our prefect creator
00:21:00.46\00:21:04.46
God putting forth
to prepare a place
00:21:04.46\00:21:08.43
that is for you and
me, that tells me how much
00:21:08.43\00:21:12.43
He must love us.
See as the Holy City
00:21:12.43\00:21:16.44
descends to the remade earth
it's really ment to be most
00:21:16.44\00:21:20.44
festive event in the
universe God is coming
00:21:20.44\00:21:24.45
to remake this
earth to live with us
00:21:24.45\00:21:28.45
God has been separated from
us long enough He wants to be
00:21:28.45\00:21:32.45
us forever Revelation 21:14
00:21:32.45\00:21:36.49
John continues to
describe this Holy City
00:21:36.49\00:21:40.50
and he says: Now
the wall of the city
00:21:40.50\00:21:44.47
had twelve
foundations, and on them were
00:21:44.47\00:21:48.47
the names of the
twelve apostles of the Lamb.
00:21:48.47\00:21:52.47
Now I don't if have ever thought
about this just think about for
00:21:52.47\00:21:56.51
minute why of are
names of twelve disciples
00:21:56.51\00:22:00.55
one the
foundations of this city?
00:22:00.55\00:22:04.55
What is that trying to
communicate to you and I
00:22:04.55\00:22:08.59
I mean think it through
here, were the disciples
00:22:08.59\00:22:12.59
prefect people? Far from it
00:22:12.59\00:22:16.56
but why are their names on
that city? Are they the super
00:22:16.56\00:22:20.57
spiritually elite? I
mean these are men that
00:22:20.57\00:22:24.57
made serious
mistakes I mean Peter had a
00:22:24.57\00:22:28.58
terrible tempter he
denied Jesus three times
00:22:28.58\00:22:32.61
one time with curse
words, James and John were
00:22:32.61\00:22:36.62
known as sons of
thunder Thomas was doubting
00:22:36.62\00:22:40.62
didn't much faith
sometimes Matthew used to be
00:22:40.62\00:22:44.63
a dishonest tax collector
none of them except Judas
00:22:44.63\00:22:48.60
was highly educated most
of them were fisherman or
00:22:48.60\00:22:52.60
common labors but
yet the grace of Christ
00:22:52.60\00:22:56.60
transformer them.
You the fact these faulty
00:22:56.60\00:23:00.68
men are on the foundations
of this city God is saying
00:23:00.68\00:23:04.68
if they can make it, so
can we. See heaven is not for
00:23:04.68\00:23:08.68
in a sense perfect people on our
own, we are only perfect through
00:23:08.68\00:23:12.72
Jesus heaven is for sinners who
have given their lives to Jesus
00:23:12.72\00:23:16.73
Christ who have been changed.
The common ordinary person
00:23:16.73\00:23:20.73
people who are
struggling people who have
00:23:20.73\00:23:24.70
not been perfect throughout
their live but wise enough to
00:23:24.70\00:23:28.70
hand their lives to
Jesus Christ to cleansed and be
00:23:28.70\00:23:32.71
changed and so if those
disciples can be changed by the
00:23:32.71\00:23:36.75
love of Jesus that gives
you and I hope that we cannot
00:23:36.75\00:23:40.75
so low that Jesus
can't change you and I
00:23:40.75\00:23:44.75
heaven is a place for
you and me not just super
00:23:44.75\00:23:48.76
spiritually elite can you say
amen?That is why their names on
00:23:48.76\00:23:52.76
that foundation. In
verse 16 nor it describes the
00:23:52.76\00:23:56.73
size of this city, it says
00:23:56.73\00:24:00.80
The city is laid
out (in what kind of
00:24:00.80\00:24:04.81
a shape?) as a
square; its length is as
00:24:04.81\00:24:08.81
great as its breadth. Now I
want you to thinks about this
00:24:08.81\00:24:12.81
if it is laid out in a
square is has how many side
00:24:12.81\00:24:16.85
four side
Revelation goes on to describe
00:24:16.85\00:24:20.86
that three gate on
each side of the city
00:24:20.86\00:24:24.86
now if there four side you
do the computation, how many
00:24:24.86\00:24:28.83
gates is that? 12
gates now I want youconsider
00:24:28.83\00:24:32.83
this. In the ancient world
00:24:32.83\00:24:36.84
how many gates do you
think most cities had? not many
00:24:36.84\00:24:40.84
it was not 12 see
most cities did not want to
00:24:40.84\00:24:44.88
have many gates, do you know
why? Because that is how they
00:24:44.88\00:24:48.88
wanted to keek the enemy out
and more gates you have the more
00:24:48.88\00:24:52.89
have to guard especially
times of war and control
00:24:52.89\00:24:56.89
who is going in and who
is coming out and if you
00:24:56.89\00:25:00.96
have 12 gates you're going
to have be doing alot watching
00:25:00.96\00:25:04.93
most cities have 2 gates,
but here in the first century
00:25:04.93\00:25:08.94
when John describes this
00:25:08.94\00:25:12.94
cities has having 12
gates so what's point of
00:25:12.94\00:25:16.95
that? See what God
telling us is heaven goal is
00:25:16.95\00:25:20.95
not keep people out
heavens goal is to get as many
00:25:20.95\00:25:24.99
people in as possible
that is why there are 12 gates
00:25:24.99\00:25:28.99
Can you say amen to
that? See churches sometime
00:25:28.99\00:25:32.99
may try to shut people
out, us as individuals sometimes
00:25:32.99\00:25:36.97
shut people because maybe
they are not the right color
00:25:36.97\00:25:40.97
according to some people maybe
they speak a different language
00:25:40.97\00:25:44.97
maybe they are a
difficult person maybe they are
00:25:44.97\00:25:48.98
not of the right class of
people and history has shown
00:25:48.98\00:25:52.98
where many churches
have people out but God wants
00:25:52.98\00:25:56.99
his to be opening the
doors for people so they can
00:25:56.99\00:26:01.09
have a relationship with Jesus
Christ and it is heaven goal is
00:26:01.09\00:26:05.09
to get in as many people
possible that means that's the
goal for the church of
00:26:05.09\00:26:09.06
Jesus Christ as well. amen?
That doesn't mean we lower out
00:26:09.06\00:26:13.07
standards of we don't the truth
but we have to understand our
00:26:13.07\00:26:17.07
goal our mission is to
bring people to Jesus Christ
00:26:17.07\00:26:21.08
not to keep them
away like the pharisees
00:26:21.08\00:26:25.08
of Jesus Day. This city has 12
00:26:25.08\00:26:29.12
gates. It goes on
to say in verse 16
00:26:29.12\00:26:33.12
And he measured
the city with the reed:
00:26:33.12\00:26:37.13
twelve thousand furlongs.
00:26:37.13\00:26:41.10
(you say great 12,000
furlongs how long is that
00:26:41.10\00:26:45.10
not a measurement that we
use today but you know you the
00:26:45.10\00:26:49.10
computation do know
what that equals up to? About
00:26:49.10\00:26:53.11
1500 miles in circumference
all four together so if it is
00:26:53.11\00:26:57.11
square equal on all
four side that's about
00:26:57.11\00:27:01.22
375 miles per side
00:27:01.22\00:27:05.22
this is not a small city God is
00:27:05.22\00:27:09.22
obviously is not trying to
keep out if anyone miss out
00:27:09.22\00:27:13.23
on the kingdom of heaven it will
not be because God doesn't want
00:27:13.23\00:27:17.20
them there. It will be
simply because they rejected
00:27:17.20\00:27:21.20
the free gift of
salvation.) Its length,
00:27:21.20\00:27:25.21
breadth, and
height are equal. Now you
00:27:25.21\00:27:29.21
know a mathematician
took this description and he
00:27:29.21\00:27:33.21
was able to somehow
estimate that the New Jerusalem
00:27:33.21\00:27:37.22
could house 2 billon
people just on the ground floor
00:27:37.22\00:27:41.22
and if was multi-story
city the possibilities
00:27:41.22\00:27:45.23
and endless. Now I'm not a
mathematician I'm not sure how
00:27:45.23\00:27:49.23
can up that, but
obviously point is God
00:27:49.23\00:27:53.23
desperately
desires for people to there
00:27:53.23\00:27:57.24
some won't because
of their chose but God
00:27:57.24\00:28:01.31
open has open that
anyone has that opportunity
00:28:01.31\00:28:05.31
through Jesus
Christ, Amen. in fact they
00:28:05.31\00:28:09.32
estimated it, it about as
big as the size of the state
00:28:09.32\00:28:13.32
colorado. I don't know if you
have ever been to colorado I've
00:28:13.32\00:28:17.36
driven through there it is a
beautiful state, that about how
00:28:17.36\00:28:21.36
large the New Jerusalem is
according the measurements of
00:28:21.36\00:28:25.33
the the book of
Revelation, what a glorious city
00:28:25.33\00:28:29.34
that is going to be.
John continues in Revelation
00:28:29.34\00:28:33.38
chapter 21 and now
in verse 21 he descibres
00:28:33.38\00:28:37.38
the gate I don't want you
to miss this. The Bible says
00:28:37.38\00:28:41.38
The twelve gates were (what)
00:28:41.38\00:28:45.39
twelve pearls:
each individual gate was
00:28:45.39\00:28:49.39
of one pearl.(now is there any
00:28:49.39\00:28:53.40
significance to the
fact that each gate made one
00:28:53.40\00:28:57.37
big pearl. I want
you to think about this
00:28:57.37\00:29:01.44
In the gospels
00:29:01.44\00:29:05.47
who is symbolized as
the pearl of great price?
00:29:05.47\00:29:09.48
Jesus is so these pearls
00:29:09.48\00:29:13.48
symbolize Jesus Christ
these gates and see what it's
00:29:13.48\00:29:17.49
reminding me if want to get into
that city is only going to be
00:29:17.49\00:29:21.49
through the blood of Jesus,
amen. Is not going to be by my
00:29:21.49\00:29:25.49
righteousness which I don't have
it's not going to be by superior
00:29:25.49\00:29:29.46
wisdom or your superior
looks it's not going be because
00:29:29.46\00:29:33.47
I lived in perfect
obedience it's going to be
00:29:33.47\00:29:37.47
because I have given my
life to Jesus, His perfect
00:29:37.47\00:29:41.48
righteousness now
covers my sins His perfect
00:29:41.48\00:29:45.48
live is written
in my record book up
00:29:45.48\00:29:49.48
in heaven, Jesus
is the pearl, Jesus is
00:29:49.48\00:29:53.49
the way, Jesus is
the truth, the light, He
00:29:53.49\00:29:57.53
is the gate He is the
door. Can you say amen?
00:29:57.53\00:30:01.50
It is reminding us it's only
going to happen through Jesus
not through your good
00:30:01.50\00:30:05.50
works not through what you wear
or don't wear, through what you
00:30:05.50\00:30:09.50
eat or don't eat. Those things
may be all well and good and
00:30:09.50\00:30:13.51
good teaching from the bible
that we should follow, but that
00:30:13.51\00:30:17.51
is not gain us access into
heaven it is only the cross of
00:30:17.51\00:30:21.55
Jesus Christ in fact
I don't have the verse
00:30:21.55\00:30:25.55
here but you know Jesus
once told a story or a parable
00:30:25.55\00:30:29.56
about a man who
went into a field and
00:30:29.56\00:30:33.56
in that he notice that
there was a great pearl hidden
00:30:33.56\00:30:37.53
in the ground and
what did that man go and do
00:30:37.53\00:30:41.54
he sold
everything he had in order to
00:30:41.54\00:30:45.54
to purchase that field because
he wanted the pearl of great
00:30:45.54\00:30:49.54
price you know
what that tells me?
00:30:49.54\00:30:53.55
Jesus is telling you
through that parable there is
00:30:53.55\00:30:57.59
nothing in this world
that is worth missing out on
00:30:57.59\00:31:01.66
the glories of heaven
there is nothing in this world
00:31:01.66\00:31:05.66
no person no thing no
00:31:05.66\00:31:09.63
cherished sin that worth
missing out on the paradise
00:31:09.63\00:31:13.67
that God has prepared
for you and me if there
00:31:13.67\00:31:17.67
something that stand
between you and Jesus
00:31:17.67\00:31:21.68
the Bible implores us let it go
00:31:21.68\00:31:25.65
it is not worth it it
would be foolish thing
00:31:25.65\00:31:29.68
to trade for
internal life in God's
00:31:29.68\00:31:33.69
kingdom we should be
willing to give everything up
00:31:33.69\00:31:37.69
in order to spend
eternity with Jesus
00:31:37.69\00:31:41.66
in this Heavenly
country. John goes on to say
00:31:41.66\00:31:45.67
And the street of the city was
00:31:45.67\00:31:49.67
pure gold, like
transparent glass.
00:31:49.67\00:31:53.68
See our Create God our
Heavenly Father He is so rich
00:31:53.68\00:31:57.71
he has so many resources
He makes the street of gold
00:31:57.71\00:32:01.78
How much money do you
think that is worth, I have no
00:32:01.78\00:32:05.79
idea all I know is if
they made all street of Nixa
00:32:05.79\00:32:09.79
or Springfield of gold how much
money do you think that would
00:32:09.79\00:32:13.80
take? millions maybe
billons of dollars I'm
00:32:13.80\00:32:17.77
sure you probably wouldn't like
the tax bill when it came out
because you know who would be
00:32:17.77\00:32:21.77
paying for that, but God the
street of heaven are like gold
00:32:21.77\00:32:25.77
it is a valuable
place, why does God make it so
00:32:25.77\00:32:29.78
beautiful and glorious?
Have you ever considered that?
00:32:29.78\00:32:33.82
Why does God leave no
expense and effort undone
00:32:33.82\00:32:37.82
You know why? The city is so
00:32:37.82\00:32:41.82
valuable because
you are valuable to God
00:32:41.82\00:32:45.83
See we live in a world
where sometimes there will be
00:32:45.83\00:32:49.80
people who will tell that
you are not worth anything
00:32:49.80\00:32:53.80
sometimes it is our families
sometimes it is our friends
00:32:53.80\00:32:57.81
they will us that you
will never amount to anything
00:32:57.81\00:33:01.88
they'll you that you're
inferior that you're not special
00:33:01.88\00:33:05.88
but you what, my Bible
tells me that God is not ashamed
00:33:05.88\00:33:09.92
that He has prepared a place for
me that heaven is so valuable
00:33:09.92\00:33:13.92
because Jesus thinks that you
and I are valuable, if He can
00:33:13.92\00:33:17.89
give His life He if can lay His
down on the cross, it doesn't
matter what the people
00:33:17.89\00:33:21.90
of the world say,
my saviour says I am
00:33:21.90\00:33:25.90
valuable you are valuable
00:33:25.90\00:33:29.90
See my dad kinda
grew up in a family
00:33:29.90\00:33:33.91
where he wasn't always valued
00:33:33.91\00:33:37.91
by his father always told him he
00:33:37.91\00:33:41.92
wouldn't amount to
anything that his sibling were
00:33:41.92\00:33:45.92
better he was cause my
dad didn't have ceratin skills
00:33:45.92\00:33:49.96
that his father and
because of that even today
00:33:49.96\00:33:53.96
my dad has a bit of
inferiority complex at times
00:33:53.96\00:33:57.93
but you what gives me courage my
00:33:57.93\00:34:02.00
dad who quit school in
10th grade to go into the army
00:34:02.00\00:34:06.01
just barely got his
GED when he gave his
00:34:06.01\00:34:10.01
live over to Jesus,
Jesus said he is valuable
00:34:10.01\00:34:14.02
when he decided to follow Jesus
with all his heart all his mind
00:34:14.02\00:34:18.05
all his soul he worked
place called christian record
00:34:18.05\00:34:22.06
service you heard that
ministries to the blind I used
00:34:22.06\00:34:26.06
to work there myself this
man with barely high school
00:34:26.06\00:34:30.03
eduction never been to college
a day in his life he raised
00:34:30.03\00:34:34.04
more money to help the blind
than anybody in the history
00:34:34.04\00:34:38.04
of 115 years of that
organization, he two million
00:34:38.04\00:34:42.04
dollars never had fund
raising class in his life
00:34:42.04\00:34:46.05
why because when we give
our capabilities to Jesus he
00:34:46.05\00:34:50.09
multiplies them when someone
says worth it when someone says
00:34:50.09\00:34:54.09
your not valuable don't you
listen to them because your God
00:34:54.09\00:34:58.09
and your Creator says you
are valuable and your are worth
00:34:58.09\00:35:02.10
something that why He prepared
the kingdom of heaven for you if
that is not a reason
00:35:02.10\00:35:06.13
to say amen I don't know
what is. People want to know
00:35:06.13\00:35:10.14
what will our physical condition
be in the new earth I mean
00:35:10.14\00:35:14.14
are we just float
around like spirits on a
00:35:14.14\00:35:18.15
cloud and just strum a
harp I certainly hope not cause
00:35:18.15\00:35:22.15
that sound awful boring to
me I want to do more than be
00:35:22.15\00:35:26.15
setting on a cloud for eternity
you know the Bible answer
00:35:26.15\00:35:30.16
that question notice what
is say in Philippians 3:20
00:35:30.16\00:35:34.13
when it
describe resurrected body
00:35:34.13\00:35:38.17
The Bible says: For our
citizenship is in heaven,
00:35:38.17\00:35:42.17
from which we also
eagerly wait for the Savior,
00:35:42.17\00:35:46.17
the Lord Jesus
Christ, who will transform
00:35:46.17\00:35:50.21
our lowly body that it
may be conformed to His
00:35:50.21\00:35:54.22
glorious body, (now
what was Jesus like when He
00:35:54.22\00:35:58.22
was resurrect was he a
spirit that floated around?
00:35:58.22\00:36:02.29
No according to the Bible,
it says that His disciples
00:36:02.29\00:36:06.29
eventually recognized him, when
He appeared to them in the in
00:36:06.29\00:36:10.27
upper room what was it he told
Thamas to do? He said here touch
00:36:10.27\00:36:14.27
the nail print in my
hand see the scars on my side
00:36:14.27\00:36:18.27
and in my feet he
real body flesh and bones.
00:36:18.27\00:36:22.31
The difference is was no longer
00:36:22.31\00:36:26.31
a human nature body but
now it was a glorified and a
00:36:26.31\00:36:30.32
resurrected body after the
cross, but they saw him they
00:36:30.32\00:36:34.32
could touch him in fact it even
describes it He actually ate
some fish with them along the
00:36:34.32\00:36:38.33
sea shore one day after
they were done fishing so
00:36:38.33\00:36:42.30
very clearly we're not going be
a spirit floating around but we
00:36:42.30\00:36:46.30
have a body of flesh and bones
but this time it is not tainted
00:36:46.30\00:36:50.31
by sin and by the
blemish this earth. See that
00:36:50.31\00:36:54.31
tells me in heaven we're
going to recognize each other
00:36:54.31\00:36:58.31
I am sure glad, I
recognize Marquita
00:36:58.31\00:37:02.38
tells me still me we are going
still have our unique mannerism
00:37:02.38\00:37:06.42
you know our different voice
inflects even our individual
00:37:06.42\00:37:10.43
personalities but see
the difference is this time
00:37:10.43\00:37:14.40
there are not going to
be tainted with sinfulness
00:37:14.40\00:37:18.40
it is not going to have the
blemish of all our mistakes on
00:37:18.40\00:37:22.40
this earth we have glorified
body and character as well
00:37:22.40\00:37:26.41
we will recognize each other
and I should hope because I want
00:37:26.41\00:37:30.41
remember my family I want
to remember friends I friends I
00:37:30.41\00:37:34.42
have know who have chosen to
follow Jesus if the disciples
00:37:34.42\00:37:38.45
recognized Him then we're
going to recognize each other
00:37:38.45\00:37:42.46
In Isaiah 33:34 you
know John the revelator
00:37:42.46\00:37:46.46
is not the only on who
was given glimpses of Heaven
00:37:46.46\00:37:50.43
even Isaiah in the Old
Testament was given some picture
00:37:50.43\00:37:54.44
and description
notice how he discribres
00:37:54.44\00:37:58.44
the kingdom of God Isaiah 33:24
00:37:58.44\00:38:02.51
The Bible says:
And the inhabitant will
00:38:02.51\00:38:06.51
not say, (what?) "I
am sick"; The people
00:38:06.51\00:38:10.52
who dwell in it will be
forgiven their iniquity.
00:38:10.52\00:38:14.56
I got to pause there,
there is a couple in that verse
00:38:14.56\00:38:21.40
I absolutely love #1
you or I never again say
00:38:21.40\00:38:25.43
I'm sick no more
doctor offices no more
00:38:25.43\00:38:29.44
copay no more
crazy insurance premiums
00:38:29.44\00:38:33.48
no more emergency
rooms no more have to dial
00:38:33.48\00:38:37.48
911 we will have a
perfect body in perfect
00:38:37.48\00:38:41.52
health never again
an ache or pain never
00:38:41.52\00:38:45.55
again a sickness I tell you what
ought to make you jump out of
00:38:45.55\00:38:49.56
your seats because I hat
being sick and you ask my
00:38:49.56\00:38:53.60
wife I can deal with
it for two days after
00:38:53.60\00:38:57.57
two days I get mad
after two days of being
00:38:57.57\00:39:01.64
sick I get mad I refuse to
believe I'm sick I just go about
00:39:01.64\00:39:05.64
my about my business I don't
know if that is good idea or not
00:39:05.64\00:39:09.64
maybe it just me work that is
just my stubborn German attuite
I don't like to sick
00:39:09.64\00:39:13.68
in fact I remember a couple of
years actually year and half ago
00:39:13.68\00:39:17.69
I was at a pastor
conference in Des Moines
00:39:17.69\00:39:21.69
Iowa actually you were there two
I remember at that conference
00:39:21.69\00:39:25.69
is was about a half week
long and one the presenters
00:39:25.69\00:39:29.66
who can had just gotten over
or I think actually still had
00:39:29.66\00:39:33.67
sickness and part of
the flue and of course
00:39:33.67\00:39:37.67
when are in small rooms
for hours upon hours meeting
00:39:37.67\00:39:41.68
your shaking hands your
sharing your're eating food
00:39:41.68\00:39:45.71
together, if somebody is
sick what's probably go to
00:39:45.71\00:39:49.68
happen some other people
are going to get sick and happen
00:39:49.68\00:39:53.72
one after this minister
go sick and then another
00:39:53.72\00:39:57.73
and some of them had to leave
and by Wednesday when it was
00:39:57.73\00:40:01.70
supposed over I
sitting in the morning meetings
00:40:01.70\00:40:05.70
and I'm realizing yon know
what, I don't feel very good
00:40:05.70\00:40:09.70
I start leaning the back
wall realizing man if I'm ever
00:40:09.70\00:40:13.74
drive home I better get
some rest so I went back to may
00:40:13.74\00:40:17.71
hotel room and I
remember as I laid down
00:40:17.71\00:40:21.72
I started realizing man, I have
00:40:21.72\00:40:25.75
got the flue and you know what
00:40:25.75\00:40:29.76
about an half an hour
later my colleague Pastor
00:40:29.76\00:40:33.76
Plohocky who I was rooming
with Joshua he comes in the room
00:40:33.76\00:40:37.73
You what he says? I
don't feel so good either
00:40:37.73\00:40:41.74
and we thought lets lay down for
an hour and then we are getting
00:40:41.74\00:40:45.74
out of here so layed down
for and hour and once we got we
00:40:45.74\00:40:49.74
worse and we realized there is
no way that we can drive six
hours back to St Louis
00:40:49.74\00:40:53.78
oh my what do I do, and
so I went to the supervisor
00:40:53.78\00:40:57.79
and it was hard to get out bed
let me tell,I went to the
supervisor and said
00:40:57.79\00:41:01.86
sir please is there
anyway we could just
00:41:01.86\00:41:05.86
in this room and extra
night just let sleep and he said
00:41:05.86\00:41:09.83
Yes and so I remember for
next 16 hours from 1 o'clock
00:41:09.83\00:41:13.84
to early the next morning I
just felt like death warmed over
00:41:13.84\00:41:17.84
you know how that feels you
got a fever your skin is burning
00:41:17.84\00:41:21.88
hot but your still shivering
with shakes like your cold
00:41:21.88\00:41:25.85
you can't get comfortable
no matter which way you lay and
00:41:25.85\00:41:29.85
turnover and the problem
was, Marquita was worried and
00:41:29.85\00:41:33.89
wondering we are and so I had
left my cell phone on the
dresser just on the side
00:41:33.89\00:41:37.89
room because I felt
so absolutely horrible
00:41:37.89\00:41:41.86
I could not even get out of bed
to go over and answer that cell
00:41:41.86\00:41:45.87
phone and so she called
everybody on the planet to come
00:41:45.87\00:41:49.87
check on us so see where we were
and what happen to us, and I
tell you what I never
00:41:49.87\00:41:53.88
forget that night Josha
was in his bed I'm in my bed
00:41:53.88\00:41:57.88
it was was like a sick ward,
finally the next morning we felt
00:41:57.88\00:42:01.95
good enough to drive home and
we just barely made that 6 hour
00:42:01.95\00:42:05.95
and when we each went into our
homes our wifes did the somthing
00:42:05.95\00:42:09.96
they saw us quarantine us to
the bed rooms said don't teach
00:42:09.96\00:42:14.00
the kids don't kiss them don't
hold them in fact Marquita even
sleep on the couch for a couple
00:42:14.00\00:42:17.97
of days I was so sick she didn't
want to catch it her self, I
00:42:17.97\00:42:21.97
will never forget that and I
tell you when I get heaven never
again am I going to have flue
00:42:21.97\00:42:25.97
again. Can you say amen? But you
know what the best part of that
00:42:25.97\00:42:29.98
verse is? it is the last part.
Not only well we be physically
00:42:29.98\00:42:33.98
whole. we will be
spiritually whole.
00:42:33.98\00:42:37.99
Because those
who dwell in it, have
00:42:37.99\00:42:42.02
all their totally iniquities
forgiven and wiped away
00:42:42.02\00:42:46.03
because that is what Jesus has
00:42:46.03\00:42:50.00
done for us. To me that is
one of the best parts of heaven
00:42:50.00\00:42:54.00
Isaiah 35 verse 5 says
00:42:54.00\00:42:58.01
Then the eyes of the
blind shall be opened,
00:42:58.01\00:43:02.08
and the ears of the
deaf shall be unstopped.
00:43:02.08\00:43:06.08
(it goes on to describe) Then
the lame shalt leap like a deer
00:43:06.08\00:43:10.09
and the tongue of the dumb
shall sing. No more disabilities
00:43:10.09\00:43:14.09
or infirmities. You think, there
will be children who perhaps
00:43:14.09\00:43:18.13
who perhaps of been crippled for
live. They are going to be out
00:43:18.13\00:43:22.10
in the field playing together
Amen. They going to be claiming
up trees maybe they be playing
00:43:22.10\00:43:26.10
hide and seek because there
will no longer anything deformed
00:43:26.10\00:43:30.11
about their limbs. why?
Because Jesus has healed them
00:43:30.11\00:43:34.11
Not just
physically, but also spiritually
00:43:34.11\00:43:38.11
I will never see
another child in a wheelchair
00:43:38.11\00:43:42.12
you will never see a sick
child laying bed, you never see
00:43:42.12\00:43:46.12
an adult needing a
mobile scooter any more all that
00:43:46.12\00:43:50.16
is going to be done away
with. I never is a child with
00:43:50.16\00:43:54.13
down's syndrome or some kind
of mental illness, because even
00:43:54.13\00:43:58.13
mental and emotionally
all of us will be made whole.
00:43:58.13\00:44:02.20
Amen? Revelation 21:4 God
00:44:02.20\00:44:06.24
contenues He says: And
God will wipe away every
00:44:06.24\00:44:10.25
tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death,
00:44:10.25\00:44:14.25
nor sorrow nor
crying,and there shall no
00:44:14.25\00:44:18.25
more pain Why?
Because the former things the
00:44:18.25\00:44:22.26
former way life that we
had known, it will be all
00:44:22.26\00:44:26.26
passed away. Pastor Mark
you'll never have to do a eulogy
00:44:26.26\00:44:30.23
at a funeral again, and I can
tell you all ministers will says
00:44:30.23\00:44:34.24
amen to that no more death.
Do you know what that means?
00:44:34.24\00:44:38.24
No more will you
every get one of those
00:44:38.24\00:44:42.28
phone calls in the middle of
the night, How many of you ever
00:44:42.28\00:44:46.28
experience that? A phone call in
the middle of night delivering
00:44:46.28\00:44:50.29
tragic news. How many have ever
had to deal with that? Many of
00:44:50.29\00:44:54.29
use, you know I remember my
00:44:54.29\00:44:58.29
grandmother my moms
mom we call her gram
00:44:58.29\00:45:02.33
she basic grew up with
00:45:02.33\00:45:06.33
us or I grew up with
her she lived with us
00:45:06.33\00:45:10.34
from the time I was a baby
and if can just picture this
00:45:10.34\00:45:14.38
96 year old women of
course she wasn't always 96
00:45:14.38\00:45:18.35
this short, spunky, fiery women
00:45:18.35\00:45:22.38
that was my grandma gran
00:45:22.38\00:45:26.39
I just remember she helped
to raise me a little child and I
00:45:26.39\00:45:30.39
tell what when she get excited
about something she would let
00:45:30.39\00:45:34.36
you know it. Now when I meet
Marquata, she loved Marquata let
00:45:34.36\00:45:38.37
me tell you and when dating she
would regularly come up me that
00:45:38.37\00:45:42.37
is my grandma with a twenty
dollar bill and she would say
you go take Marqauta
00:45:42.37\00:45:46.41
out to eat on a date, and
gram is not someone you could
00:45:46.41\00:45:50.41
easily say no to let me tell you
and alot times I did not want to
00:45:50.41\00:45:54.42
take it because you know
she lived on a fixed income
00:45:54.42\00:45:58.42
social security, she didn't have
a lot money and I would say no
00:45:58.42\00:46:02.49
gram I got a job I'll use my
money, but boy you said that to
gram you know what she would do
00:46:02.49\00:46:06.49
me, you may think I'm
exaggerating, but you can ask
Marquata, man she make
00:46:06.49\00:46:10.50
a fist and put it in my face
and she say you take that money
00:46:10.50\00:46:14.50
I and I had to take it and now
she hit me or anything but she
say you take that money
00:46:14.50\00:46:18.51
and I if I didn't take it no
what she did next, she grab my
shirt and stuff it down my shirt
00:46:18.51\00:46:22.51
Marquata do I exaggerate? She
has seen that happen that was
00:46:22.51\00:46:26.51
her way of showing she
would never hurt me in the world
00:46:26.51\00:46:30.52
but you know I remember
when she got to be about
00:46:30.52\00:46:34.52
95 or 96 her
diabetes cought up with her
00:46:34.52\00:46:38.53
she had to go to the hospital
00:46:38.53\00:46:42.53
and I remember that she was
given the news by doctors that
00:46:42.53\00:46:46.53
if she is going to survive if
she has to have one of her legs
00:46:46.53\00:46:50.54
amputated and that just
took the life out of her
00:46:50.54\00:46:54.54
I can remember watching her
just bury head in her hand and
00:46:54.54\00:46:58.55
watching this 96
year old women cry
00:46:58.55\00:47:02.65
because she knew
she was nearing the end
00:47:02.65\00:47:06.65
I remember we back to western
pennsylvania and one morning the
00:47:06.65\00:47:10.66
phone rang about 4 o'clock in
the morning and I don't know how
00:47:10.66\00:47:14.63
to describe it but when the
phone rang I just knew, I just
00:47:14.63\00:47:18.63
knew somebody was going
to tell me that gram had died
00:47:18.63\00:47:22.64
and that is what
happen. I can remember just
00:47:22.64\00:47:26.64
hanging up the phone; it was my
ant who told me I can remember
00:47:26.64\00:47:30.68
hanging up the phone and just
burying my head on the couch
00:47:30.68\00:47:34.68
down stairs just started cry
and weeping. this was someone
00:47:34.68\00:47:38.69
who had been part of
my life for all of my life
00:47:38.69\00:47:42.69
and now she was gone. But
the thing I'm thankful for
00:47:42.69\00:47:46.73
before she died, before
she went to the hospital
00:47:46.73\00:47:50.70
I had a couple opportunities
to tell her about Jesus
00:47:50.70\00:47:54.70
and even though she
lived a ruff live she
00:47:54.70\00:47:58.71
made some mistakes she wish
she had never chosen, when I
00:47:58.71\00:48:02.78
said gram would you like
to have Jesus be your savior
00:48:02.78\00:48:06.82
would like to ask Him to forgive
you to just come into your life
00:48:06.82\00:48:10.82
and wipe away your sins, i
remember she said yes I want
00:48:10.82\00:48:14.82
you to pray that for me and
as I graped her hand and prayed
00:48:14.82\00:48:18.83
during that prayer i just
could feel her hand squeezing
00:48:18.83\00:48:22.80
mine and without words she
was says that meant something
00:48:22.80\00:48:26.80
to her. I look
forward my gram one day
00:48:26.80\00:48:30.84
I bet there is people
your looking forward seeing to.
00:48:30.84\00:48:34.84
I'll never have phone call
like that again in heaven. In
00:48:34.84\00:48:38.85
last chapter of the
Bible John goes on and he says:
00:48:38.85\00:48:42.88
And he shewed me a
pure river of water of life,
00:48:42.88\00:48:46.89
clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of
00:48:46.89\00:48:50.89
and of the Lamb.and In
the middle of its street.
00:48:50.89\00:48:54.86
and on either side of the
river,was (what?) the tree of
00:48:54.86\00:48:58.87
life, which bore twelve fruits
each tree yielding its fruit
00:48:58.87\00:49:02.94
every month. (and get this)
the leaves of the tree were for
00:49:02.94\00:49:06.94
healing of the nations. That
tell me there is something about
00:49:06.94\00:49:10.98
the fruit from the tree
of life that heals us from
00:49:10.98\00:49:14.98
sin, heals us
physically, metally,
00:49:14.98\00:49:18.99
emotionally and spiritually
see the prevision that
00:49:18.99\00:49:23.02
God has made for you
and me to be total healed
00:49:23.02\00:49:27.00
of sin. See in heaven
I'm going to be loved by God
00:49:27.00\00:49:31.00
you are going to cherished
by God, embraced by God
00:49:31.00\00:49:35.00
and satisfied by him. Can
you think of a better place
00:49:35.00\00:49:39.01
here on this earth we are
not always loved and we're not
00:49:39.01\00:49:43.04
always cherished and we're
definitely always satisfied.
00:49:43.04\00:49:47.05
Then comes Isaiah 11:9
00:49:47.05\00:49:51.05
This was other grandma's
favorite verse it says:
00:49:51.05\00:49:55.06
They shall not hurt
nor destroy in all my holy
00:49:55.06\00:49:59.09
mountain: for the earth shall
be full of the knowledge of the
00:49:59.09\00:50:03.06
LORD, as the waters
cover the sea. now my other
00:50:03.06\00:50:07.07
grandma, grandma Esther, she is
the most godly women I ever meet
00:50:07.07\00:50:11.07
never saw her lose
her temper, that dad's mom
00:50:11.07\00:50:15.08
every thursday night was
grocery night and so mom and dad
00:50:15.08\00:50:19.11
would drop me off at grandma
Esther while they went shopping
00:50:19.11\00:50:23.12
so such fun, she had two
cats I played with calico the
00:50:23.12\00:50:27.12
cat and pumpkin the cat
and even spottie the dog
00:50:27.12\00:50:31.16
I loved them and what
grandma Esther would do is
00:50:31.16\00:50:35.13
across there was
Jim and Nina pizzeria
00:50:35.13\00:50:39.13
and so we would go over and
home made pizza we would eat it
00:50:39.13\00:50:43.14
together at the table and
she would give me ice cream and
00:50:43.14\00:50:47.18
I know for those us that really
health conscious you got to
00:50:47.18\00:50:51.18
remember you don't go grandma
house to be health conscious
when you are a kid,you know
00:50:51.18\00:50:55.18
pizza and ice cream sounds
good 10 or 11 years. Amem and I
00:50:55.18\00:50:59.22
remember we sit at the table
and then we would read the bible
00:50:59.22\00:51:03.26
together and whenever she would
read this verse she would aways
look at me and she oh
00:51:03.26\00:51:07.30
david how wonderful that will be
00:51:07.30\00:51:11.27
a day when there
is no violence anymore
00:51:11.27\00:51:15.27
in the world or
even in our homes
00:51:15.27\00:51:19.31
Isaiah 65 describes
what are some things we're
00:51:19.31\00:51:23.31
do there 65:21 the Bible says:
00:51:23.31\00:51:27.32
do you think you
are going be bored build
00:51:47.37\00:51:51.37
house, plant
vanguards and gardens
00:51:51.37\00:51:55.38
I mean I love this because
you know what? there is one gift
00:51:55.38\00:51:59.41
that God has not given me. Well
there is more than on gift He
hasn't given me, but the one
00:51:59.41\00:52:03.49
stands out the most, I'm not a
mechanical person not naturally
00:52:03.49\00:52:07.52
I am not good at building
things my wife knows that
00:52:07.52\00:52:11.53
now give me instructions I'll
make my way through it but I
probably won't do it very fast
00:52:11.53\00:52:15.50
well apparently in heaven, God
is going to give me that gift
00:52:15.50\00:52:19.53
I can build house, so
honey I'm going to build you
00:52:19.53\00:52:23.54
the best house you ever had,
because that is what the Bible
says I'm going to do. Can you
00:52:23.54\00:52:27.54
say Amen? now people wonder what
about fellowship and friends
00:52:27.54\00:52:31.58
what are we going to do with
people there? Is it going stiff
00:52:31.58\00:52:35.58
stilled
conversations? I don't think so
00:52:35.58\00:52:39.62
Jesus answer this
question. Matthew 8:11
00:52:39.62\00:52:43.63
Jesus says: And I
say to you that many will
00:52:43.63\00:52:47.66
come from east and west,
and sit down with Abraham,
00:52:47.66\00:52:51.63
Isaac, and Jacob in
the kingdom of heaven
00:52:51.63\00:52:55.67
now think about what
that means, people who
00:52:55.67\00:52:59.67
have saved from all the ages,
all different centuries all
00:52:59.67\00:53:03.78
culture we are going
to have eternity to hear
00:53:03.78\00:53:07.78
their testimonies
even people I grew
00:53:07.78\00:53:11.82
up with even people whose names
aren't in the Bible, that just
00:53:11.82\00:53:15.82
not limited to the character of
Bible and were are going to have
00:53:15.82\00:53:19.83
great fun together and
fellowship. Now one of the
things I love to do
00:53:19.83\00:53:23.83
I hope you wouldn't take this
the wrong way, I love to play
basketball and so I have
00:53:23.83\00:53:27.84
determined in heaven I already
know heavenly basketball team is
00:53:27.84\00:53:31.87
going to be and the great heaven
and basketball there nobody is
00:53:31.87\00:53:35.88
going to fight nobody going
curse, nobody is going get
upset, we are truly going to
00:53:35.88\00:53:39.91
have fun. Amen? so I'm going to
reveal to you in Nixa who my
heavenly basketball team
00:53:39.91\00:53:43.95
is going be, I wrote it down
this afternoon, Ok? These are
the five people on my
00:53:43.95\00:53:47.96
team so got these folks your're
just going have to pick somebody
else, here is who I want
00:53:47.96\00:53:51.96
I want sampson
because he's a strong guy
00:53:51.96\00:53:56.50
I want jehu, cause
he is quick, I want
00:53:56.50\00:54:00.57
david because he is
full of courage and tenacity
00:54:00.57\00:54:04.61
I want adam because he
tall and I want paul because he
00:54:04.61\00:54:08.61
never quits and he never gives
up so that is going to be my
heavenly basketball
00:54:08.61\00:54:12.61
team you got some others
to chose from as well but
00:54:12.61\00:54:16.62
think what else this
means. I can got to Moses
00:54:16.62\00:54:20.66
Moses what was it
like to cross the Red Sea?
00:54:20.66\00:54:24.66
What was it like to up there and
see hundreds of feet of a wall
00:54:24.66\00:54:28.63
of water? Where you
scared? What was it like
00:54:28.63\00:54:32.67
Moses to get the Ten
Commandments from God?
00:54:32.67\00:54:36.67
I can ask Daniel, what was
it like to be thrown in that den
00:54:36.67\00:54:40.68
not knowing that your life
would be spared? What is like
00:54:40.68\00:54:44.68
to look into the the
eyes of lion? I can ask Peter
00:54:44.68\00:54:48.72
and Paul what was like to take
the gospel to world, even to
00:54:48.72\00:54:52.72
heal people I what was it like
when you guys where the center
00:54:52.72\00:54:56.76
of a riot What where you
experiencing? But you know best
00:54:56.76\00:55:00.83
of all? I can see
Jesus, and for the first
00:55:00.83\00:55:04.80
time in our live,
we can go to Jesus
00:55:04.80\00:55:08.80
not superated by a wall
00:55:08.80\00:55:12.84
not having to get out knees in a
bedroom and pray to something we
00:55:12.84\00:55:16.85
can see. I'll be
able to Jesus face to face
00:55:16.85\00:55:20.88
and say thank you
00:55:20.88\00:55:24.89
thank you for what
you have done for me
00:55:24.89\00:55:28.89
thank You for saving me,
than for allowing Your perfect
00:55:28.89\00:55:32.93
hand to be nailed to
the the cross and I'll
00:55:32.93\00:55:36.90
be able to Jesus a
hug and I'll be satisfied
00:55:36.90\00:55:40.94
and he will be able to
recieve my appreciation
00:55:40.94\00:55:44.94
for the time face
to face. that is the
00:55:44.94\00:55:48.94
absolute best part of
heaven and then lastly
00:55:48.94\00:55:52.98
Did you know that we
still go to church in heaven?
00:55:52.98\00:55:56.99
thinks about it, we're still
going to worship Him, thats why
00:55:56.99\00:56:01.56
Isaiah 66 says: and that make
sense is God still our creator
00:56:09.30\00:56:13.34
in heaven? Yes! Is he still our
redeemer? Indeed! So whatever
00:56:13.34\00:56:17.34
worship is going be like there,
I'm telling you I want a front
00:56:17.34\00:56:21.38
row set. Amen So if you want a
front row seat you better get
there before I do. On the the
00:56:21.38\00:56:25.38
first Sabbath service or
whatever it is that we're going
00:56:25.38\00:56:29.42
to do in the kingdom of
heaven. Lastly John start to
00:56:29.42\00:56:33.46
wind down and he
says in Revelation 21
00:56:33.46\00:56:37.46
And I heard a loud voice
from heaven saying, "Behold,
00:56:37.46\00:56:41.46
the tabernacle of
God is with men, and He
00:56:41.46\00:56:45.47
will dwell with them,
and they shall be His people
00:56:45.47\00:56:49.50
God Himself will
be with them and be
00:56:49.50\00:56:53.54
their God.
00:56:53.54\00:56:57.55
You see friends when you realize
what Jesus has done for you
00:56:57.55\00:57:01.65
there is nothing in this world
worth missing out on the glories
00:57:01.65\00:57:05.69
of heaven You're so
valuable He created that place
00:57:05.69\00:57:09.72
for you I'm so
valuable He caried
00:57:09.72\00:57:13.76
the cross to
calvary. We mean so much
00:57:13.76\00:57:17.77
to Him that he opens
up the door of eternity
00:57:17.77\00:57:21.77
to you and me and so that
00:57:21.77\00:57:25.81
cause us to say in
our minds, Lord Jesus
00:57:25.81\00:57:29.81
may be nothing that
stands between you and me
00:57:29.81\00:57:33.85
may it be our
prayer night to says Lord
00:57:33.85\00:57:37.85
I asking you to
save me in your kindgom
00:57:37.85\00:57:41.86
Lord help me to follow
you with all of may heart
00:57:41.86\00:57:45.86
Lord help me to make
the decessions that I know
00:57:45.86\00:57:49.83
that I need to make,
heaven is not a place
00:57:49.83\00:57:53.87
that any of us want to miss.
00:57:53.87\00:58:08.95