Bishop A. R. Whittaker

BISHOP A. R. WHITTAKER

SERMON LIBRARY 2011

Sunday MorningJanuary 23, 2011

WHAT’S MISSING IN HEAVEN?

John 13:36-4:3;

"I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am, there ye may be also." verse 3;

Introduction

The total program of Jehovah is found in this same book, in Chapter 3, verses 16-17; where Jesus declares;

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

Scripture records the fact that thousands of years before the birth of Jesus, a horrible event took place in the spiritual realm.

Isaiah chapter 14; recounts the fact that Lucifer said in his heart;

“I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”verse 13-14;

Ezekiel reveals in chapter 28 that Lucifer was the “anointed cherub that covereth:” which in the Hebrew says; he was the defender of the throne of God. He was the epitome of music and worship, until he became overwhelmed by his own beauty! Then Sin!

Jesus tells about that day when He told the disciples;

“I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” verses 18-19;

As a result of that confrontation, and because of that horrific sin, God prepared a place called Hell. Matthew records in chapter 25;

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”verse 41;

I wish it were not true but, Satan is not there yet, but scripture let’s us know that the day is coming according to the Revelation when;

“. . .the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”Revelation 20:10;

And then in chapter 21, verse 8, John reveals something that should strike terror in the heart of every man. John says;

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

As I said earlier, Jesus came into the world preaching;

What I want us to notice here is His statement; “but have everlasting life.”

And that brings me back to my text this morning. Jesus made the point quite clear when He said; “ That where I am, there you may be also.”

Does anyone here this morning know where Jesus is today? In case someone is in doubt, Paul tells us clearly;

“We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; “ Hebrews 8:1;

That place called Heaven is given a very prominent place in the Word of God. You will find the term “heaven” mentioned 582 times from Genesis to Revelation.

Let me share just a few of those references with you this morning.

1.“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”Revelation 21:1-4;

But then John begins to describe the newly created City of God, That Holy City, the New Jerusalem, that will come down from God out of Heaven. (Read Revelation 21:10-23;)

The title of my message this morning is;

WHAT’S MISSING IN HEAVEN?

1.“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:3-7;

SIN WILL NOT BE FOUND ANYWHERE

2.“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:20-12;

SICKNESS AND INFIRMITY WILL BE A THING OF THE PAST

3.“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”Revelation 20:14-15;

DEATH, HELL, AND SATAN’S THREATS WILL BE FOREVER GONE

CONCLUSION:

Here’s the end of the matter today;

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;

Notice; “We which are alive and remain” And in 1 Corinthians 15:52, Paul says; “We shall be changed.”

If you are asking “how can I be sure that I am among those who will be caught up with the Lord when He comes?” Jesus makes it clear;

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3;

Say what you will this morning, but I chose to believe the word of the Lord today! Speaking to the disciples in John chapter 14, He says;

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” John 14:6-7;