Present With The Lord
2 Corinthians 5:8; Matthew 25:34; Luke 16:19-31
INTRODUCTION
In this series of sermons about Heaven we have seen three disturbing problems among people in America as we enter a new millennium. First, there is a lack of genuine interest in Heaven among those who profess to be Christians, people who are supposed to be guided by the Word of God. In the second place, there is an abundance of interest in Heaven, angels, and the realm of the dead among New Age gurus and others of like persuasion. Third, we run into a lot of confusion when the second group confuses the first group by clothing their alien doctrines in Christian terminology. We need to get this point down here and now - God tells us in the Bible what He wants us to know about Heaven.
I. WE MUST SORT OUT TRUTH FROM ERROR ABOUT HEAVEN.
A. Beware of False Testimonies, No Matter How Sensational They May Be.
Richard Eby claims to have visited both Heaven and hell. He says hell is not hot, but “cold and dank.” In Luke 16:24, we find that the rich man was “in agony in this flame.” In Luke 16:26, we find that there is no traffic from Heaven to hell.
Robert Lairdon tells us that one of his trips to Heaven interrupted an episode of Laverne and Shirley. He claims he saw a warehouse filled with body parts for people on earth who needed them, saints and sinners. He says his tour included a playful splash-fight with Jesus in the river of life. Lairdon’s Heaven exists to serve earth’s needs.
No matter how bogus these people are, they can always find an audience - especially on television.
B. The Truth Is, Jesus Promised to Prepare a Place for Us, John 14:1-6.
He wants us to know He is preparing a dwelling place for us.He wants us to know He is coming again for His church. He wants us to know we will live with Him for ever.
II. WHEN WE DIE WE EITHER GO TO HEAVEN OR HELL, LUKE 16:19-31.
A. The Rich Man Went to Hell Because He Did not Believe in the Lord.
He did not go to hell because he was rich. There is no reason to believe he any more evil than his neighbors. He did not “hear Moses and the prophets” (see vs. 31). Lazarus went to Heaven Because He Believed in the Lord. He did not go to Heaven because He was poor. He did not go to Heaven because he suffered.He could only go to Heaven by the grace of God.
C. This Story Answers a Number of Questions About Hell.
The Bible does not call this a parable. Hell is a real place. It is a place of conscious, eternal torment. There is no escape.
D. Jesus Answers a Number of Questions About Heaven With This Story.
Heaven is a real place. Believers go to Heaven when they die. Abraham really is in Heaven right now. Abraham is known to believers. Both Abraham and Lazarus were recognizable.
Heaven is a “far away” from hell (vs. 23, NAS). Heaven is a place of peace, comfort, and pleasure (vs. 25).
III. TO BE ABSENT FORM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD, 2 Cor. 5:8.
A. The Scripture Does Not Allow Soul Sleep.
“Sleep” as a synonym for death is used of the body, not the soul. “Rest” from our labors (Rev. 14:13) does not mean unconscious sleep.
B. The Scripture Does Not Allow Purgatory.
Purgatory denies that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed unto us by grace, through faith (Romans 4, 5). Purgatory is a Roman Catholic invention, not found in Scripture. The Scripture Does Teach That to Be Absent From the Body is to Be Present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8) To depart this life is to be with Christ, Phil. 1:23. The prospect being with his Lord brought joy to Paul, (Phil. 1:21).
IV. THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS WILL HAVE A PLACE IN HEAVEN, Matt. 25:34.
A. The King (Jesus) Extends an Invitation to Believers.
B. He Invites believers to Come
“Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
CONCLUSION
Let me invite you to place your faith and trust in Jesus right now so that you will know that some day you will hear that great invitation from King Jesus.