People's Church

Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and

helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (NLT)

John 10:12   A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they

don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.

(NLT)

2 Dangers Of Scattered Sheep

1. Scattered sheep get lost

Psalm 23:1–3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake. (NKJV)

A. Some of you are lost because you’re following their own way

Isaiah 53:6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet

the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. (NLT)

B. Some of you are lost because you’re following the wrong shepherd

Jeremiah 50:6 “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray and turned

them loose in the mountains. They have lost their way and can’t remember how to get back to the

sheepfold. (NLT)

2. Scattered sheep get isolated

1. Isolated sheep carry all of their burdens

Galatians 6:2   Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

2. Isolated sheep have no one to help them up when they fall

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10  If

either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up. (NIV)

3. Isolated sheep get attacked

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion

looking for someone to devour. (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 4:11–12 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep

warm alone? 12  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three

strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)

4. Isolated sheep get weird

Genesis 2:18 GOD said, “It’s not good for the Man to be alone; I’ll make him a helper, a

companion.” (The Message)

2 Healthy Next Steps For Scattered Sheep

1. Follow the Good Shepherd

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (NKJV)

Matthew 11:28–30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29  Take

my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for

your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)

2. Get connected with other sheep

Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and

helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (NLT)

John 10:12   A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they

don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.

(NLT)

2 Dangers Of Scattered Sheep

1. Scattered sheep get lost

Psalm 23:1–3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake. (NKJV)

A. Some of you are lost because you’re following their own way

Isaiah 53:6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet

the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. (NLT)

B. Some of you are lost because you’re following the wrong shepherd

Jeremiah 50:6 “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray and turned

them loose in the mountains. They have lost their way and can’t remember how to get back to the

sheepfold. (NLT)

2. Scattered sheep get isolated

1. Isolated sheep carry all of their burdens

Galatians 6:2   Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

2. Isolated sheep have no one to help them up when they fall

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10  If

either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up. (NIV)

3. Isolated sheep get attacked

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion

looking for someone to devour. (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 4:11–12 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep

warm alone? 12  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three

strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)

4. Isolated sheep get weird

Genesis 2:18 GOD said, “It’s not good for the Man to be alone; I’ll make him a helper, a

companion.” (The Message)

2 Healthy Next Steps For Scattered Sheep

1. Follow the Good Shepherd

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (NKJV)

Matthew 11:28–30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29  Take

my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for

your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)

2. Get connected with other sheep

Daniel 9:1-4 It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. 2 During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.[. (NLT)

1. Recognize we are in a spiritual battle

Daniel 9:3-4 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, (NIV)

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV)

Daniel 10:13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. (NLT)

2. Spiritual battles are fought with spiritual weapons

Daniel 9:3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes. (NLT)

Daniel 9:5-6 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land (NIV)

Daniel 9:8 We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. (NIV)

Daniel 9:20-23 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision: (NIV)

3. God will fulfill His promises to His people

Daniel 9:4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. (NLT)

Daniel 9:25 Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times. (NLT)

Matthew 16:18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (NLT)

3 Key Focuses to God Building His Church

1. People’s Church is focused on accomplishing God’s vision for our church

1. Know God

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (NIV)

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (NIV)

2. Grow in God

Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

September 20 Small Group Launch

3. Discover purpose

4. Make a difference

2. People’s Church is focused on being diversified and unified

Ephesians 4:3–4 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. (NLT)

John 13:35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)

3. People’s Church is focused on helping your life flourish

Psalm 92:13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (NIV)

Daniel 9:1-4 It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. 2 During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.[. (NLT)

1. Recognize we are in a spiritual battle

Daniel 9:3-4 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, (NIV)

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV)

Daniel 10:13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. (NLT)

2. Spiritual battles are fought with spiritual weapons

Daniel 9:3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes. (NLT)

Daniel 9:5-6 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land (NIV)

Daniel 9:8 We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. (NIV)

Daniel 9:20-23 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision: (NIV)

3. God will fulfill His promises to His people

Daniel 9:4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. (NLT)

Daniel 9:25 Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times. (NLT)

Matthew 16:18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (NLT)

3 Key Focuses to God Building His Church

1. People’s Church is focused on accomplishing God’s vision for our church

1. Know God

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (NIV)

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (NIV)

2. Grow in God

Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

September 20 Small Group Launch

3. Discover purpose

4. Make a difference

2. People’s Church is focused on being diversified and unified

Ephesians 4:3–4 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. (NLT)

John 13:35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)

3. People’s Church is focused on helping your life flourish

Psalm 92:13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (NIV)

Last Days: Hell

3 Major Questions About Hell

1. Is hell real?

Revelation 21:8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice

witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars— their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the

second death.” (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 1:9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the

presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might (NIV)

Jude 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual

immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

(NIV)

Revelation 20:13–14 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead

that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14  Then death and

Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15  Anyone whose name

was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (NIV)

Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister , will be subject to

judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone

who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (NIV)

Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you

to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (NIV)

Matthew 8:12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there

will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (NIV)

Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of

the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (NIV)

Matthew 13:42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and

gnashing of teeth. (NIV)

Matthew 18:8-9 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better

for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal

fire. 9  And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter

life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. (NIV)

Matthew 23:33 You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? (NIV)

Matthew 25:46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (NIV)

2. What is hell like?

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our

Lord Jesus. 9  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the

Lord and from the glory of his might (NIV)

1. Darkness

2. Fire

3. Gnashing of Teeth

Luke 10:12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day.

(NLT)

Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into

the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (NIV)

Revelation 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,

where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for

ever and ever. (NIV)

3. Does a loving God send people to hell?

Psalm 19:1–4 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2  Day after

day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3  They speak without a sound or

word; their voice is never heard. 4  Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all

the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. (NLT)

Romans 1:20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through

everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine

nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will

pay for what they’ve done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid

power is their sentence. (The Message)

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient

with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)

Last Days: Hell

3 Major Questions About Hell

1. Is hell real?

Revelation 21:8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice

witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars— their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the

second death.” (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 1:9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the

presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might (NIV)

Jude 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual

immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

(NIV)

Revelation 20:13–14 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead

that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14  Then death and

Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15  Anyone whose name

was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (NIV)

Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister , will be subject to

judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone

who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (NIV)

Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you

to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (NIV)

Matthew 8:12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there

will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (NIV)

Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of

the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (NIV)

Matthew 13:42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and

gnashing of teeth. (NIV)

Matthew 18:8-9 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better

for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal

fire. 9  And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter

life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. (NIV)

Matthew 23:33 You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? (NIV)

Matthew 25:46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (NIV)

2. What is hell like?

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our

Lord Jesus. 9  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the

Lord and from the glory of his might (NIV)

1. Darkness

2. Fire

3. Gnashing of Teeth

Luke 10:12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day.

(NLT)

Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into

the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (NIV)

Revelation 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,

where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for

ever and ever. (NIV)

3. Does a loving God send people to hell?

Psalm 19:1–4 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2  Day after

day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3  They speak without a sound or

word; their voice is never heard. 4  Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all

the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. (NLT)

Romans 1:20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through

everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine

nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will

pay for what they’ve done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid

power is their sentence. (The Message)

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient

with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)

Refreshed

Proverbs 11:25 (ISV): A generous person will prosper, and anyone who gives water will

receive a flood in return.

Proverbs 11:25 (NIV): A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others

will be refreshed.

Psalm 107:35 (NIV): He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground

into flowing springs

AMOS 9:11 (NIV): In that day “I will restore David’s fallen shelter— I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins— and will rebuild it as it used to be

2 Applications

WHEN YOU RE-FRESH OTHERS IT WILL RE-CHARGE YOU

2. WHEN YOU RE-FRESH OTHERS JESUS IS RE-VEALED TO YOU

MATTHEW 25:40 (NKJV): The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Refreshed

Proverbs 11:25 (ISV): A generous person will prosper, and anyone who gives water will

receive a flood in return.

Proverbs 11:25 (NIV): A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others

will be refreshed.

Psalm 107:35 (NIV): He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground

into flowing springs

AMOS 9:11 (NIV): In that day “I will restore David’s fallen shelter— I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins— and will rebuild it as it used to be

2 Applications

WHEN YOU RE-FRESH OTHERS IT WILL RE-CHARGE YOU

2. WHEN YOU RE-FRESH OTHERS JESUS IS RE-VEALED TO YOU

MATTHEW 25:40 (NKJV): The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Heaven

Revelation 21:1-4 - Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the

first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  2  I saw the Holy City, the new

Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for

her husband.  3  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is

now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself

will be with them and be their God.  4  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no

more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (NIV)

1. Where is heaven?

1 Kings 8:23 - “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the

earth below. (NLT)

Deuteronomy 26:15 - Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people

Israel and the land you have given us as you promised on oath to our forefathers, a land flowing

with milk and honey (NIV)

Psalm 102:19 - The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the

earth. (NIV)

Mark 16:19 - After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat

at the right hand of God. (NIV)

2. What is heaven like?

A. It’s a city like no other.

Revelation 21:1-2 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first

earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  2  I saw the Holy City, the new

Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for

her husband. (NIV)

Revelation 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The

great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. (NIV)

Revelation 22:1-5 - Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as

crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb  2  down the middle of the great street of

the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its

fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  3  No longer will

there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will

serve him.  4  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  5  There will be no

more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will

give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 2:9 – “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God

has prepared for those who love him.” (NLT)

B. It’s the presence of ultimate good and the absence of anything bad.

Revelation 21:4 - ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or

mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (NIV)

Revelation 21:23-27 - The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of

God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.  24  The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of

the earth will bring their splendor into it.  25  On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will

be no night there.  26  The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.  27  Nothing impure

will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose

names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (NIV)

C. It’s an eternal place.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - 16  Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting

away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  17  For our light and momentary troubles

are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  18  So we fix our eyes not on

what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is

eternal. (NIV)

D. Angels are there.

Mark 13:32 - 32  “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven (NIV)

E. Our treasures are there.

Matthew 6:19-21 - 19  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and

vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  20  But store up for yourselves treasures in

heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and

steal.  21  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV)

F. God lives there.

Psalm 103:19 - The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

(NIV)

Matthew 5:16 -   In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your

good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (NIV)

3. What will we do in heaven?

A. Be rewarded for service

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 -   If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones,

wood, hay or straw,  13  their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to

light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  14  If

what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  15  If it is burned up, the builder

will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

(NIV)

B. Be reunited with loved ones

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud

command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in

Christ will rise first.  17  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together

with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the

Lord forever.  18  Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

C. Meet our Savior

John 14:1-3 - “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  2  My

Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going

there to prepare a place for you?  3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and

take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (NIV)

D. Worship our amazing God

Revelation 19:6-7 -Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing

waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

7  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! (NIV)

Heaven

Revelation 21:1-4 - Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the

first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  2  I saw the Holy City, the new

Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for

her husband.  3  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is

now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself

will be with them and be their God.  4  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no

more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (NIV)

1. Where is heaven?

1 Kings 8:23 - “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the

earth below. (NLT)

Deuteronomy 26:15 - Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people

Israel and the land you have given us as you promised on oath to our forefathers, a land flowing

with milk and honey (NIV)

Psalm 102:19 - The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the

earth. (NIV)

Mark 16:19 - After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat

at the right hand of God. (NIV)

2. What is heaven like?

A. It’s a city like no other.

Revelation 21:1-2 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first

earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  2  I saw the Holy City, the new

Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for

her husband. (NIV)

Revelation 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The

great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. (NIV)

Revelation 22:1-5 - Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as

crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb  2  down the middle of the great street of

the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its

fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  3  No longer will

there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will

serve him.  4  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  5  There will be no

more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will

give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 2:9 – “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God

has prepared for those who love him.” (NLT)

B. It’s the presence of ultimate good and the absence of anything bad.

Revelation 21:4 - ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or

mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (NIV)

Revelation 21:23-27 - The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of

God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.  24  The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of

the earth will bring their splendor into it.  25  On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will

be no night there.  26  The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.  27  Nothing impure

will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose

names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (NIV)

C. It’s an eternal place.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - 16  Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting

away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  17  For our light and momentary troubles

are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  18  So we fix our eyes not on

what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is

eternal. (NIV)

D. Angels are there.

Mark 13:32 - 32  “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven (NIV)

E. Our treasures are there.

Matthew 6:19-21 - 19  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and

vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  20  But store up for yourselves treasures in

heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and

steal.  21  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV)

F. God lives there.

Psalm 103:19 - The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

(NIV)

Matthew 5:16 -   In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your

good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (NIV)

3. What will we do in heaven?

A. Be rewarded for service

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 -   If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones,

wood, hay or straw,  13  their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to

light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  14  If

what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  15  If it is burned up, the builder

will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

(NIV)

B. Be reunited with loved ones

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud

command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in

Christ will rise first.  17  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together

with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the

Lord forever.  18  Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

C. Meet our Savior

John 14:1-3 - “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  2  My

Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going

there to prepare a place for you?  3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and

take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (NIV)

D. Worship our amazing God

Revelation 19:6-7 -Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing

waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

7  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! (NIV)