Coming to a Close

This has been one of the most encouraging series' that I have taken part in. I have heard over and over again how God is blessing many people through His Word. Personally, the study of heaven has been transforming for me.

Over the past several weeks I have had the opportunity to get to know many of you and hear about why you anticipate heaven. Through the video project that you have taken part in, I have been able to laugh, cry and pray with many of you. I wanted to say "thank you" for your willingness to lean into pain and memories as you share with the congregation what you are looking forward to in heaven.

The video that will be shown on Sunday is not so much about the people that have already gone to heaven, but more about the anticipation WE have of heaven. I would encourage all of the congregation to fix their mind on things above rather than on earthly things as you take part in watching the video and singing worshipful songs to our Lord and Savior. Of course, it is impossible to show everyone in our church who waits for a perfect reunion. The purpose of the video is to help you fix your mind on heaven--what it will be like, the joy we will experience, the love and peace we will finally have in a perfect way!

As great as it will be to see our loved ones again, how much greater will it be to be in the presence of God?! I cannot wait for that day when we are all made perfect and the new heaven and new earth are made complete. What a day that will be.

So the series is coming to a close. We plan to make the video/audio and devotions available to the congregation in one resource that you can hand out to friends who don't know the Lord or who are on their way to meeting him very soon.

I have used a lot of resources throughout the series, but I would really like to give credit to a few of them. I would encourage you to read some of these books and test them against sound doctrine and the teachings of Scripture. Some of them are "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn, "The Glory of Heaven" by John MacArthur, "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis (and of course many other writings by him) and a compilation called "A Glimpse of Heaven" which quotes many different teachers, theologians, authors and the like.

Continue to run the race that has been marked out for you. Press on toward the mark so that you might receive the prize of heaven. I hope you have been blessed by this series.