The Calhoun Church of Christ Podcast

HEAVEN: With Christ-8 "Heaven Came Down"

What will we experience in Heaven? Well, some of the things we experience on earth foreshadow life in Heaven. Can earth be a small preview of Heaven?

The Bible says, "For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15 NIV)

God sees, knows, and lives in both realms - Heaven and earth. That's why the Word says things like, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus..." (Eph. 2:6 NIV). Notice the past tense... raised us up.

Even now there's great interaction between Heaven and earth. Can we actually begin to experience flashes of Heaven while living here on earth? Listen and find out more about this fascinating reality.

HEAVEN: With Christ-7 "The Heavenly Rest"

Things on earth can foreshadow Heaven. One of these things is rest.

We know that people in Heaven 'rest' - "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:13 NIV)

But what kind of rest? Is it just doing nothing? No, Jesus offers a rest, even here on earth, that reflects the "Heavenly rest" - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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." (Matthew 11:28-29 NIV)

That kind of "rest" reflects the "Heavenly rest" we're looking forward to enjoying. Listen and learn more.

HEAVEN: With Christ-6 "Heaven Is A Kingdom"

Heaven can be a hard concept to understand. But grasping the idea that Heaven is a Kingdom - both in Heaven and on earth - helps conceive the scope and power of it.

Jesus sent his apostles out with that specific message - "As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons." (Matt. 10:7-8 NIV)

And Jesus himself preached that same message - "From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matt. 4:17 NIV) He didn't mean that the world would end right away, but that the kingdom would come soon and infiltrate the earth.

The Kingdom of Heaven is now partly on earth, as well as in Heaven. And understanding that helps us envision the true nature of Heaven itself. Listen and grasp how 'Heaven is a Kingdom'.

HEAVEN: With Christ -5 "The Heavenly Cause"

Our life on earth slightly resembles Heaven. How? Heaven is a divine community which impacts earth with a 'heavenly cause'. And earth is an outpost in the combat between God and Satan's kingdom of darkness. As the church on earth, we're at war. We're engaged in a 'heavenly cause' of bringing God's will to victory on earth. (Ephesians 6:10-20; 1st John 5:18-20; 2nd Corinthians 10:3-5).

Jesus is now in Heaven at the Throne of God - a man like us (who is also the Son of God) - and who now "must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1st Corinthians 15:25-26 NIV)

Then the end comes, when His will becomes reality "on earth as it is in Heaven". Listen and learn more about this 'heavenly cause'. 

 

HEAVEN: With Christ -4 "What's Happening In Heaven?"

Paradise has changed. Jesus went to Paradise, but he returned after three days in "the heart of the earth" and was raised from the dead.

When Mary Magdalene saw him resurrected and excitedly approached him, he said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17 NIV)

He took his resurrected body back to Heaven. He's now our "great high priest" who prays for us and serves as the atonement for our sins right now in Heaven (Hebrews 4:14; 7:25; & 8:1-2).

What's happening in Heaven? Amazing things! Listen and get a clearer view of Heaven's involvement in the earth's destiny.

HEAVEN: With Christ-3 "Your First Day In Heaven"

Ever wonder what Heaven is like? And what that first day will be like for the believer? Jesus knows. He said, "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38 NIV)

He said all who have died are still alive (See Luke 16:19-31). He said Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are still alive (Matthew 22:31-32). Plus, we know Moses and Elijah are still alive, since they met with Jesus on the mountain of transfiguration (Matthew 17:3)

When believers die in the Lord, they go to a place called "Paradise". That's why the word says, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. 'Yes,' says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:13 NIV)

Listen and learn more about this amazing "Paradise" ahead.

 

HEAVEN: With Christ -2 "Rewards In Heaven?"

The Word speaks often about 'rewards' in Heaven. Even though we're saved by grace, our discipleship on this earth should produce results for the Master so that we receive rewards in Heaven.

The idea of rewards is woven into the most basic understanding of faith:  ^"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

And it appears often in Jesus' teachings. When persecuted, we should “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven." (Luke 6:23 NIV)

Yes, we're saved by grace, but our discipleship matters. As Bonhoeffer put it, "Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life."

Listen and learn more about rewards in Heaven.

HEAVEN: With Christ -"Your Next Life"

Believers on Christ will live in Heaven longer that they've lived anywhere else. That alone should excite us about our future in Heaven.

The apostle Paul was once "caught up into the third Heaven" and heard things he couldn't speak about.

He later told the Philippian church, "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  (Philippians 1:23 NIV)

All true believers face this. We want to finish our race here on earth, but the prospect of being with Jesus fascinates us and draws us Heaven ward.

Listen and find out more...

The Faith of Jesus -13 "Keys to The Jesus Kind of Faith"

Jesus walked by faith, and he applied the same principles that any of us can use to experience a great faith.

He said, "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." (John 5:30 NIV)

All through the Gospel of John, Jesus continued to state his utter reliance on his Father for everything thing needed in his ministry. His faith partnered with a humility that still touches us (Matthew 11:28-30).

This humility and obedience to the Father was a major key to his faith. And it will be for our faith, also.

Learn more about how humility is linked to exceptional faith.

The Faith of Jesus -12 "Prayer Miracles of Jesus"

Jesus walked by faith; therefore, he had an amazing prayer life. Prayer and faith travel together. Where you see faith, you'll also see a serious prayer life. And a serious prayer life will also build up one's faith.

As you listen to this episode, note these amazing miracles of Christ that followed an extensive time of prayer in his life. The power to walk on water and the power to raise the dead happened as a result of Jesus' extensive praying.

That's why "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16).