Springhill Church

Series: Heaven

  • Your Place in Eternity – Part 3

    Colossians 3:1-3 Williams So if you have been raised to life in fellowship with Christ, keep on seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (2) Practice occupying your minds with the things above, not with the things on earth; (3) for you have died, and your life is now hidden in God through your fellowship with Christ.

    We need to practice thinking about what Jesus did for us legally, vitally, and operationally.

    The Bible does shed some light on eternal things that we can be aware of here in the earth.

    Luke 16:19-31 NKJV “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.

    Jesus notes that the rich man wore “fine linen”, which notes that he did not labor as much of the general population did.

    Purple was extremely rare and someone who likely wore purple worked very little with his hands and outside.

    (20) But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, (21) desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

    In this life, justice is incomplete. Justice can only be complete in eternity, in the next life.

    (22) So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. (23) And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

    Lazarus did not avoid hell because he was poor.

    We see he was a believer since he ended up in Abraham’s bosom.

    Remember, we talked in Part 1 about Abraham’s bosom or Paradise and how the Old Testament believers were held there until Jesus’ resurrection.

    The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich.

    The rich man went to hell because he did not follow the teaching of Scripture.

    Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’

    The rich man, who was a Jew, had no place for God in his life. The rich man did not feel like he needed God or anyone else because he was probably self-made.

    (24) “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ (25) But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. (26) And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ (27) “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, (28) for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ (29) Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ (30) And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ (31) But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

    What About Believers in Heaven?

    • Don’t think of loved ones in Heaven as though they don’t exist anymore.

    2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

    • People over in eternity still possess all their personality traits there that they had here.

    Luke 16:24 NKJV “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’

    • People in Heaven know no tormenting regrets, nor are they experiencing any sadness.

    Revelation 21:4 NKJV And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

    The rich man’s greatest tormentor was his own memory because he could have done some things differently and changed his eternal destiny. He is thinking back on the regrets of his life.

    Neglected opportunities bring great regrets!

    Luke 16:27-28 NKJV “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, (28) for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’

    We all have regrets from life, but can you imagine what it would be like to be in hell with regrets and be with that for eternity?

    The rich man had five brothers that he did not want to make the same decisions that he did and was hoping someone from returning from the dead would convince them to change.

    • People in Heaven are no longer are conscious of time as we know it.

    2 Peter 3:8 NKJV But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

    Revelation 21:23-25 NKJV The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. (24) And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. (25) Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).

    Our bodies here in the earth are tuned to the circadian clock inside us which is triggered by the rhythm of the sun and daylight and night. This is to help us know when to rest.

    • People in Heaven are more alive than when they were in the earth.

    1 Corinthians 15:54 NKJV So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.”

    • People in Heaven are aware of what is happening here spiritually and are cheering us on in our race.

    Hebrews 12:1 NKJV Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

    They simply are enjoying the Presence of the Lord and looking forward to the time when we all are together, which to them will not seem like a few moments.

    • Death for the believer is very easy and seamless.

    2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NKJV I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. (3) And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— (4) how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

    1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NKJV “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?” (56) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Hebrews 2:14-15 AMP (14) Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death–that is, the devil– (15) And also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives.

    • As a believer in Jesus Christ, you do not have to fear death!

  • Your Place in Eternity – Part 2

    Colossians 3:1-4 NKJV If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (4) When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

    • Paul tells us we need to be heavenly minded.

    We are already Heavenly spirited.

    Your spirit already has the life and nature of God in it. You need to grow and mature spiritually. You renew your mind to the Word of God and control your flesh.

    Does he mean we are to be thinking about what is going in heaven on a daily basis?

    The Bible says very little about the day-to-day activities in Heaven.

    Instead, God wants us to focus on what Jesus did for us legally, vitally, and operationally.

    You need to be mindful of what Christ is doing at the right hand of God and that you are seated in Him.

    We have all the power and authority we could possibly need but apparently, we need to be re-minded of that.

    The Scripture emphasizes that Jesus is at God’s right hand in the New Testament, although He was there all the time before.

    But this is a big deal because He is now a man seated there. That is significant because He has lived and experienced all that we know and experience.

    He is making intercession for us, making connection for us.

    What is Heaven Like?

    1 Corinthians 15:51-54 NKJV Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.”

    1. One day, we will receive new bodies in Heaven.

    Our bodies are corruptible but one day will be changed.

    The reason God is going to change our bodies is so that when our spirits are re-united with our bodies, God does not want Heaven bearing the mark and stain of death because of sin.

    God wants whole people to be whole in Heaven, not just spirit and soul.

    John 14:1-3 NKJV “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

    1. You will have a home in Heaven.

    God is all about family and family relationships.

    (Matthew 22:23-33 NKJV) The religious leaders tried to trick Jesus with their story of the woman that had married seven brothers, whose wife would she be?

    Jesus did not say that we would not have relationships in Heaven. He simply stated that men would not need to be in marriage to propagate the species.

    He is not saying that we will not love one another in our families. We will have family relationships. God is family oriented. He made the first family. He is not communal minded. He is not in the business of taking away our identities.

    Isaiah 11:6-10 NKJV “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. (7) The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. (8) The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. (9) They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. (10) “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.”

    1. In the future, earth will be a reflection of Heaven.

    We know there are horses in Heaven and probably other animals.

    We know that Heaven is 1500 miles wide, 1500 miles deep and 1500 miles high. This could mean that it is square but it could also be a pyramid. We know that the scriptures tell us that there are streets made of gold, jewels in the walls, and pearls make up the gates. These things are not rare there and so therefore they are not sought after as they are here on earth. (Revelation 21:10-27 NKJV)

    1. There are lots of children in Heaven.

    When a baby is conceived, not born, that child is an eternal spirit that will live forever.

    Jeremiah 1:5 BBE Before you were formed in the body of your mother I had knowledge of you, and before your birth I made you holy; I have given you the work of being a prophet to the nations.

    Luke 1:44 NKJV (44) For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

    John the Baptist is 6 months in the womb and could not possibly understand the language and yet the baby leapt for joy which is a fruit of the spirit, his spirit knew that the Messiah was in Mary’s womb. Even as an unborn child, he was sensitive spiritually.

    All babies that die go home to Heaven. They are spiritually alive unto God during their time of innocence.

    Romans 7:9 NKJV (9) I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

    Matthew 19:13-15 TPT Then they brought little children to Jesus so that he would lay his hands on them, bless them, and pray for them. But the disciples scolded those who brought the children, saying, “Don’t bother him with this now!” (14) Jesus overheard them and said, “I want little children to come to me, so never interfere with them when they want to come, for heaven’s kingdom realm is composed of beloved ones like these! Listen to this truth: No one will enter the kingdom realm of heaven unless he becomes like one of these!” (15) Then he laid his hands on each of them and went on his way.

    Heaven is a kids place!

    1. We are going to see Jesus.

    The Apostle John at this time was around 90 years old and this was 60 years after the Ascension. John was best friends with Jesus. Jesus loved him dearly. He was the only disciple that did not leave Jesus at the Cross. He is the one that Jesus charged with caring for His mother. He did not die a martyr’s death. He died of old age.

    Revelation 1:10-18 NKJV I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, (11) saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” (12) Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, (13) and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. (14) His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; (15) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; (16) He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. (18) I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

      • When we see Him, we shall be like Him.

    1 John 3:2 NKJV (2) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

    After the Resurrection, Jesus could move at the speed of thought and could pass through solid things.

    Luke 24:36-43 NKJV Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” (37) But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. (38) And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? (39) Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” (40) When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. (41) But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” (42) So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. (43) And He took it and ate in their presence.

    He was physical enough to eat food, but He had no blood.

    Hebrews 12:22-24 NKJV But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, (23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

    We will also see the altar with His blood on it.

    When Cain killed Abel, his blood cried out to God from the ground, crying out for justice because of sin and murder. Jesus blood cries that the price is paid, and we are forgiven, and we are worthy to be there in God’s Presence.

      • Heaven is an awesome place, and we should not miss going there! And we should take as many with us as we can!

  • Your Place in Eternity – part 1

    What happens when you breathe your last breath, and your body fails?

    We must be prepared for what happens to us in eternity because we are not immortal.

    This parable is about a man that thought he was prepared for what is coming.

    Luke 12:16-21 NKJV Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. (17) And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ (18) So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. (19) And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ‘ (20) But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ (21) “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

    There are 13 pronouns referred to in these scriptures. 13 is the number of rebellion in the scriptures.

    • This man worked very hard to take care of himself in this life, but he did nothing to prepare from eternity.

    We must begin to think in eternal, big picture ways and the only way to do this is to have a better understanding of what God’s Word says about eternal things.

    • It begins with understanding that it is God’s will for us to have a knowing of our eternal destiny.

    1 John 5:12-13 TPT Whoever has the Son has eternal life; whoever does not have the Son does not possess eternal life. (13) I’ve written this letter to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you will be assured and know without a doubt that you have eternal life.

    What happens when a person dies?

    1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    • While you are living in the body, you have the choice to go anywhere you want to go.

    Ecclesiastes 8:8a ERV No one has the power to keep their spirit from leaving or to stop their death…

    • When your spirit leaves your body, you no longer have a choice in where you go.

    Your loved ones that have passed on are either with the Lord or they are not, but they are NOT here in the earth.

    Ecclesiastes 12:7 NKJV Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

    When you die, you lose control over where your spirit goes and then it is up to God.

    Luke 23:46 NKJV And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

    • In the Old Testament, when a righteous person died, they did not go to heaven.

    Genesis 49:33 NKJV And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

    Genesis 25:8 NKJV Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

    In the New Testament, we see something different.

    Paul offers us a behind the scenes look at all that Jesus has done in His death, burial, and resurrection and what He is doing now.

    Ephesians 4:8-10 ESV Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (9) (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? (10) He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

    A captive is someone being held against their will.

    Jesus first descended into the lower parts of the earth where the Old Testament righteous were being held. He preached to them after His resurrection and the multitudes were Born Again.

    Matthew 27:52-53 NKJV (52) and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; (53) and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

    Many people in the city saw those who had been raised up at Jesus Resurrection and that contributed to the numbers of people who got saved immediately on the Day of Pentecost.

    • Prior to Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, Heaven was closed to mankind because of man’s sin.

    John 14:1-4 NKJV “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (4) And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

    • Jesus opened the way to Heaven and into God’s presence. He made it possible for us to go.

    2 Corinthians 5:1-5 NLT For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. (2) We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. (3) For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. (4) While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. (5) God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

    • The body is the tent that Paul is referring to, but we will get an eternal house to live in for eternity.

    2 Corinthians 5:6-8 NLT So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. (7) For we live by believing and not by seeing. (8) Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

    • A Christian should never fear death.

    What enabled the martyrs of the first three centuries of the Church be able to go through giving their lives in such horrible ways?

    • The early church Christians not only believed in their eternal home, they also KNEW where they were going.
    • Eternity is too long, and hell is too risky to not KNOW what your eternal destiny is.

    1 John 5:12-13 TPT Whoever has the Son has eternal life; whoever does not have the Son does not possess eternal life. (13) I’ve written this letter to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you will be assured and know without a doubt that you have eternal life.

  • Heaven on Earth – Part 3

    Luke 1:26-38 NLT  In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,  (27) to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.  (28) Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” (29) Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  (30) “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! (31) You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. (32)  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. (33) And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”  (34) Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” (35) The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  (36) What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. (37) For the word of God will never fail.” (38) Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

    Luke 1:37-38 NKJV  For with God nothing will be impossible.”  (38) Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

    Luke 2:1-20 NLT  At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (2) (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) (3) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.  (4) And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  (5) He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. (6) And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. (7) She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.  (8) That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. (9) Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, (10) but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.  (11) The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! (12) And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (13) Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”  (15) When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (16) They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. (17) After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. (18) All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,  (19) but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. (20) The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

    Heaven Had a Plan for Jesus

    The plan of God had a lot of moving parts that all came together at the Birth of Jesus: 

    • Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem. 

    The Census caused them to go, David’s place of birth. 

    • There was no room for them in the inn.

    To protect and give privacy, inns were very rough places and dangerous. 

    • The angels appeared to the shepherds.

    Because Jesus would be the Great Shepherd before He would be King 

    • The Magi brought to Him treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

    Gold because that was the treasury of royalty, frankincense because He was going to be the sweet-smelling savor in God’s nostrils to hide the stench of our sin, and myrrh because that is one of the spices used in burial. He was going to have to die for us. 

    • The treasures provided the funds needed for Mary and Joseph to be able to flee to Egypt. 

    Herod’s plan to kill all toddlers 2 yrs and younger 

    • He was laid in strips of cloth as He would be when He died. 

    The stable where He was born was not made of wood but was most likely a cave and the manger he was laid upon was a hewn-out rock. 

    Heaven Has a Plan for Me 
    1. In the heart of God, His plan for my life is no less important to Him than His plan of Redemption.

    Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

    Psalms 138:8a NLT The LORD will work out His plans for my life–for Your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever… 

    1 Thessalonians 5:24 MSG (24) The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! 

    1. If God’s plan of Redemption required the cooperation of Heaven and man, then so must His plan for my life.

    Isaiah 46:11 NKJV Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. 

    However, It is not automatic. 

    1 Corinthians 3:9a AMP For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God… 

    1. Faith is required for God’s plan for me to come to pass.

    Hebrews 11:6 NKJV But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

    Hebrews 4:2 AMP For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe). 

    1. Take possession of God’s promise for your life.

    Even in the Old Testament, God’s people were told to go in and possess the land which God had given them.

    Deuteronomy 1:8 NKJV  See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give to them and their descendants after them.’

    The promise was not conceived when the Word was heard. 

    Conception took place when Mary took ownership of the Word and made it hers. 

    Luke 1:38 NKJV  Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

    Luke 1:38 NLT Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. 

    Taking ownership of God’s Word is the key to releasing the supernatural power of God into our lives to accomplish the purpose and will of God. Ownership is thankful.

  • Heaven on Earth – Part 2

    (Luke 2:1-14 NKJV)  And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  (2) This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. (3) So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  (4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  (5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. (6) So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  (8) Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. (10) Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  (11) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: (14) “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

    (Luke 2:14 AMPC)  Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].

    Peace – prosperity, quietness, rest

    • Jesus came to pour out the goodwill and favor of God on mankind.
    • Jesus came to make men pleasing to God once again!

    Romans 5:17 NIV For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 

    • We were not sinners because we have sinned; we were sinners because Adam sinned.
    • Because of Adam’s sin, death began to reign in the earth.

    Our lives are wrapped up in those of our ancestors. (Adam) 

    Reign – to possess or exercise power and/or authority 

    If you are living a life of defeat, of being defeated by sin, by perpetual guilt and condemnation, by sickness, by anxiety attacks, by financial lack and by broken relationships, you are not living the life that God intended for you. 

    Based on the authority of God’s Word, you are destined to “reign in life” as a king, to have kingly dominion over all your challenges and circumstances. 

    • You are called to live above the circumstances of life and not be trampled by them.

    (Romans 5:17 GNB) It is true that through the sin of one man death began to rule because of that one man. But how much greater is the result of what was done by the one man, Jesus Christ! All who receive God’s abundant grace and are freely put right with him will rule in life through Christ. 

    1. The key to reigning in life through Jesus Christ is in receiving not achieving.

    In the world, we are taught that if you want to achieve something you must work for it. The world’s system of success is based on the twin pillars of self-effort and diligence. 

    God’s ways are contrary to man’s ways.

    Man thinks that for God to bless him, he needs to deserve, earn and merit God’s favor and blessings by his own effort. Man thinks that God’s blessings are based on his performance and good works. 

    Notice, He promised that when we receive God’s abundant grace, we will reign in life. He did not say when we achieve grace and our own righteousness, we will reign in life. But we are taught to live life based on a system of achievement. 

    What we do is to take the world’s system of achievement and apply it to our Christian life. Instead of depending on God’s grace for His favor and blessings to flow, we depend on our self-efforts to try and deserve God’s favor and blessings. 

      • We are driven to “do, do, do”, forgetting that the basis for Christianity is actually “done, done, done”.

    We are made righteous in the New Covenant not because we do righteous deeds, but because of Jesus’ single righteous deed on the Cross! 

    There is nothing that you and I can do to deserve His blessings, for they are based entirely on receiving Jesus and through His finished work, the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. 

    (Hebrews 10:11-14 NKJV) And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. (12) But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, (13) from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. (14) For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 

    According to the law, the Priest who served in the Tabernacle or the Temple never sat down. They were always moving performing their priestly duties on behalf of the people. The reason this is so is because their work was never finished. 

    The way that we can know that our sins are fully dealt with is because of the fact that Jesus sat down. It was a violation of the law for the High Priest to sit down at all. Only Jesus’ work is a finished work. 

    Perfected – to make complete or make perfect by reaching the intended goal. 

    1.  The work is already finished, so get somewhere and sit down with Him!

    (Ephesians 2:4-8 NKJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 

    All of the work of Redemption has been completed for us and this means that we can stop depending on our self-efforts to earn and qualify for God’s blessings in our lives. 

    1. Stop depending on your own self–efforts to earn and qualify you for God’s blessings on your life.
      • We do not labor in life to be blessed; rather, we have the power to labor because we are blessed!

    (Ephesians 1:3 NIV)  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

    We can do everything in life diligently and work hard but here is the key: our trust cannot be in those things. It must be in what Jesus has done for you. 

    For example, if you are a student, study hard. Make straight A’s to glorify God. But don’t trust in your intelligence or qualifications to bring you the blessings of God. 

    God’s grace does not make us lazy and unproductive. On the contrary, it make you labor more abundantly for His glory. 

    1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT (10) But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me–and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace. 

    In the New Covenant, God’s way is to bless you first, and the knowledge of His blessing, gives you the power to labor more abundantly. 

    Self-effort will rob you of reigning in life by His grace. You cannot earn your salvation, your healing, or your financial breakthrough by your own efforts. If the greatest miracle – being Born Again – comes by grace through faith, and not by your works, how much more the lesser miracles such as healing, prosperity and restored marriages. 

    Colossians 2:13-15 NIV When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, (14) having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. (15) And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 

    Because of the cross, the price for sin has been paid, the judgment executed, the anger toward sin exhausted, the veil torn away and the way to intimacy with God opened. 

    Our God came, died a cruel death on the cross and paid the full debt of sin with His own life so that you and I can reign in life today. 

    1. If the debt is paid, why are you still trying to send in payments? 

    When you have fulfilled your debt to the bank for the mortgage of your house, you should stop sending payments because the debt has already been paid! 

    In the same way, quit trying to pay the debt of sin to earn God’s favor because the debt has already been paid! Receive the abundance of God’s grace and the gift of righteousness and reign in life through Jesus Christ!

  • Heaven on Earth – Part 1

    (Matthew 1:18-25 NKJV)  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  (19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. (20) But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  (21) And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” (22) So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: (23) “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which is translated, “God with us.” (24)  Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, (25) and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

    Jesus was born as a manifestation of God being present with His people; “They shall call His Name Immanuel.”

    • Jesus came to give us some of Heaven on Earth.

    Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (KJV)  Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.  [19] And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  [20] And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: [21] That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

    The Great Preacher Charles Spurgeon said in a sermon on these verses: 

    “AS this text was originally written, it referred only to the length of life and the length of endurance which God promised to His obedient Israel. If they walked in His statutes, the kingdom was to abide from generation to generation, without end, “as the days of heaven upon earth.” But it seems to me that such a phrase as this ought to mean something more, if it did not, and might be used to express—and must be used to express many of those happy seasons which we have enjoyed when the Lord has manifested Himself to us—and which have been to us “as the days of heaven upon the earth.” But is not the expression exaggeration? Is it not too strong? Brothers and sisters, I think not. There were days of heaven upon earth once. Every day upon earth was a day of heaven before our first parent stretched out his hand and broke his Lord’s command. When he walked through the Garden of Eden, by the side of the rippling Hiddekel, or the streaming Euphrates, which rolled over sands of gold. As he reclined under the shadow of the trees from the heat of the sun, and plucked the generous fruit, God was with him as his companion and manifested Himself to His favorite creature. Those were, indeed, days of heaven upon earth! There was no strife, no sin, no sorrow—everything was happy! There were days of heaven upon earth—and we know from the sweetest prophecies, as sure as they are sweet, that there will be days of heaven upon earth again, and that for a continuance!”

    • Jesus preached about Heaven on Earth:

    (Mark 1:14-15 NKJV)  Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,  (15) and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

    • Jesus even prayed about Heaven on Earth:

    (Matthew 6:10 NKJV)  Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

    • Jesus lived out of that Heavenly realm.

    (John 6:38 NKJV)  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

    Some Heavenly Gifts
    • Jesus came to give us life, just as there is life in Heaven.

    (John 5:26 NKJV)  For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

    Life (Greek:Zoe) – life in the absolute sense, life as God has it, that which the Father has in Himself, and which He gave to the Incarnate Son to have in Himself

    (John 3:16 NKJV)  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

    (John 10:10 AMPC)  The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

    • Jesus came to give us peace, just as there is peace in Heaven.

    (John 14:27 NKJV)  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

    (John 16:33 NKJV)  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

    • Jesus came to give us healing, just as there is healing in Heaven.

    (Matthew 9:35 NKJV)  Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

    • Jesus wants us to have the supernatural provision of Heaven on the earth now!

    (Philippians 4:19 AMPC)  And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

    Where Do We Begin?

    Days of heaven on the earth! Days of supernatural provision on the earth! Days of increase on the earth! All this awaits us when we honor God and keep His ways. God has always wanted a people who would hear and do what He says, so He could manifest Himself and give us days of heaven on earth.”

    • The first thing we have to do is begin to set our thinking on heavenly things.

    (Colossians 3:1-2 AMPC)  IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [Psa 110:1]  (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

    (Colossians 3:2 MSG)  Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.