Sermon Tone Analysis

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Introduction
Last week: The evidence for heaven is clear and known, and that the denial of heaven is less reasonable than the belief in it.
However, to know something exists doesn’t mean we understand what it is.
The actual nature of heaven is not something most people truly understand, but rather, we guess at tit.
And the reality of anything is that it is hard to get excited about something you don’t understand.
Next week, John O’Dell is going to focus on the Bible’s teaching about heaven verses the culture or other worldviews
Too Broad/ Too Narrow
When we do talk about heaven, we can often be a little too broad
It’s like talking to your kids
When you ask about school, it’s too broad - “It was fine.”
Biblical Examples of Confusion
Pharisees and the Sadducees
Acts 23:6-
This trial against Paul was thrown into chaos because of the disagreement about heaven.
And this was between the religious leaders.
Martha
There was confusion even among Jesus’ disciples.
When Jesus comes to comfort Martha at the loss of her brother, she knows all the right answers but something isn’t sinking in.
When Jesus comes to comfort Martha at the loss
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Her answers seem right, but it isn’t affecting her reality.
Just a little later when Jesus goes to raise Lazarus, she objects.
Eschatology and Heaven
Now, most Christians today don’t argue over the existence of heaven, but there is still a lot of confusion about it.
Often, our systematic theologies don’t say much about it, and it wasn’t until relatively recently that some good works on it have come out.
Yet, even when we do talk about it, we tend to talk about it was something that will come at the end of all things.
In theological terms, heaven is typically found in a category called “eschatology” or the study of end times.
And rightfully so, the fullness of heaven will not be realized until the end times.
However, the natural misconception this gives us is that heaven is something that will not come into being until later, rather than something that exists and has always existed.
Like Martha, we look forward to the end, but we are sad in the present because we don’t really know where the
Two Definitions
To help sort things out, I want to give us two definitions for heaven.
The first is the heaven that comes at the very end, when ALL of God’s people are gathered as a family and ALL is made right, and ALL is made good.
This is our eternal home, the home God intended for His people when He first created.
What we must understand about this definition of heaven is that doesn’t exist yet, at least not in time.
Although, by God’s sovereignty, it is guaranteed, it is still future.
No one is currently there.
However, there is a second definition of heaven.
It is a holy place wherever God and His people are.
And this heaven is very much a reality right now.
The hard part about this definition of heaven is that it has been changing.
I know that sounds weird, but let me explain.
The Progression of Heaven
We get a hint of this progression of heaven from a key feature in our final, eternal home
This is not the first time this tree of life has shown up.
This tree of life was also in the garden.
That is why I called this message between the trees.
Heaven has always existed but it has been changing as we (God’s children) are being shaped.
So let’s walk through these changes.
The Creation
The first heaven is what I affectionately call “Mom’s Heaven.”
The very first verse of the Bible mentions the creation of the heavens and the earth
Truth is that the word heavens here most likely speaks to the universe, but it doesn’t change the point that before God created the earth, He created a place where He and the angels resided, apart from the earth.
Job
This heaven was a holy and perfect place where God and the angels resided.
However, one thing was missing… us.
That is why I call it mom’s heaven, perfect, peaceful, ministering angels, and NO KIDS.
JUST KIDDING!
Eden
Now, if that was mom’s heaven, the next step of heaven would be “Teens Heaven;” this was the garden of Eden.
Genesis 2:8
Once again, we have this amazingly beautiful place.
No pain, no death, no lack of anything you needed.
God was missing.
Scripture tells us He visits, but He didn’t live there.
I know a lot of teens who would love to have all the provision their parents provide without their presence.
Man was alone
The companionship we needed would be given by marriage, rather than by God Himself.
Yet, God’s intention was for His children to live and be with Him.
Yet, because of sin, Eden is no more.
Man is kicked out.
The Intermediate Heaven
Which leads us to our current reality in regards to heaven; what is often called the intermediate heaven.
Which I believe is where people have the most confusion.
And to be honest, not much is said about it.
Soul Sleep
Reasoned that Heaven is future
The word sleep is sometimes used to describe death
Soul Sleep
The word sleep is sometimes used to describe death
2 Corinthians
Seems to be indication that the inhabitants of heaven are aware of the events on earth
[Joke about Reality TV]
[Joke about Reality TV]
Temporary Paradise
Although it will be paradise for those who are there, the reality is that the injustice of the earth still exists
[Norm’s Desire]
The Millennium
One more stage before we reach our final destination
Revelation 20
Lots of Questions
Mortal and Immortal Living Together
Internal rebellion in a perfect world
Psalm 72:8-14
[Denny’s Book]
[Denny’s Book]
The Questions it answers
Every Knee will bow
Psalm 72
Is rebellion or rejection of God ever justifiable?
The Point
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